Friday, September 27, 2013

True

Lisa Jo Baker encourages us each Friday with a prompt to write for five minutes only on a given topic. This week's prompt: True.


I am not a Christian, nor am I a mother, so I feel that in these respects I do not actually belong in the Five Minute Friday group. My perspectives are coloured by my practice of Buddhism, which I know conflicts a great deal with the ideas and beliefs of other Five Minute Friday participants.

This week, Lisa Jo has encouraged us to share our true. She herself has shared that she is "not just a mom", but has many other facets to her life that go beyond being a parent. So, in keeping with the theme of sharing truth, here are a few of my own:

I wasn't always a Buddhist. I was raised a Christian and was baptised in the Catholic Church at the age of 17. I converted to Nichiren Buddhism in 2005 at the age of 32. Three years agoI left the Soka-Gakkai and began practicing Nichiren Buddhism independently. Right now, I am exploring all facets of Buddhism, not just the Nichiren school.

How do you get from being a Christian to being a Buddhist, you may wonder? I was a good Catholic. I went to mass, I went to confession, I prayed. Some of my views on spirituality and life and the universe were not consistent with the Christian faith, but I kept these to myself. I also had questions regarding the Christian faith that no one seemed to be able to answer. For instance, as one example, I was a Christian who believed in reincarnation.

In 2002, after divorcing my husband and then entering a new relationship which quickly became abusive, I went through a dark night of the soul. I had no faith in anything whatsoever. I came out of the closet, began rebuilding my life and was diagnosed with PTSD.

I drifted in a spiritual desert until 2004. Quite by chance, I had a conversation on the phone with a Nichiren Buddhist who put me in touch with other Buddhists in my area. At the time my life was not happy: I lived with an alcoholic who also cut herself, I was deeply depressed and coping with PTSD and my life did not seem worth living.

I found my peace and joy in Buddhism. It brought balance back to my life. And the odd thing is that I only understood some Christian teachings through my practice of Buddhism: you reap what you sow; love your neighbour as yourself.

I am a lesbian Buddhist who enjoys participating in a writing prompt hosted by female, mostly mom, Christians. That's my truth.

10 comments:

  1. Tam, welcome to Five Minute Friday. I enjoyed reading your true and I especially loved that even though the majority of writers are Christian moms, I'm one too, you felt invited to join. That's awesome and it's so cool you jumped right in. There are a lot of things I can relate to in your story, specifically PTSD and some of the issues of depression and imbalance. Thanks for sharing some of your story so openly.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Alia. I hope you too have found some healing through your own issues of depression and PTSD. Namaste.

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  2. Ouch. You have been through quite alot yourself. I understand the PTSD (though never diagnosed with it, I think I went through that). I am not a mom either, and I know we can sometimes feel lost in a sea of mom bloggers. I am a Christian, but I understand many things in the Buddhist religion as well. It takes courage to share your truths here in this environment where you may not always feel excepted. There must be a reason why you are called to share here, so keep sharing with us! I am glad you have been able to work your way through your trials as well. Good luck on your continuing journey.

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    1. Thank you Rebekah, and thank you for making me feel welcome. I too feel there is a reason that I keep returning to FMF. :) Namaste.

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  3. Hi Tam! I got your comment, but I am just wondering how it ended up in my email contact form instead of my blog post. Must be a glitch. Would it be alright if I just re-post it for on the article itself?

    Like you, I used to be a Catholic, but in 2000, after some soul searching, I am now attending an Evangelical church. Even if both are Christian in nature, I have seen and felt the big difference. My life is forever changed because of that decision, but I am glad that I have found the church and the faith where I can grow in all aspects of life, but really more on the spiritual aspect.

    You know, some teachings are really universal in nature, and so it transcends all forms of religion or beliefs. Glad that you have found your peace and joy.

    Aileen @ A Cup of Coffee With God
    visiting from FMF :-)

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    1. Thank you, Aileen. I couldn't get the Atom comment thingy to work, so I emailled you instead. Of course you can repost.

      I believe too that many teachings are universal and there is a common thread that runs through most faiths. Basically, I believe it boils down to : Respect everyone including yourself and don't be an arsehole.

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  4. Thank you for sharing. You are very brave. I agree that the common theme of respect is universal in most belief systems. I hope you have a lovely Friday.

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  5. Thank you, Jo Rose. Brave? I'm not so sure, but thank you.

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  6. This...I am so very glad you wrote it, friend. Your words, your honesty, your heart...the way you shared YOUR true. I'm sorry for the pain that you have experienced; yet, happy for you that you've found peace and joy. I pray you will find that in each step of your journey and that you'll keep sharing it with us. :) Many blessings to you!

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