Came out of the Buddhist closet (Buddhism, Buddhism, taoism)

[Francine]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I'm not sure if I was ever in the closet. Buddhism has had an influence on me -- as has Taoism. When I announce such facts, however, people mainly respond by being bored.

Therefore it is said:
Who understands the Way seems foolish;
Who progresses on the Way seems to fail;
Who follows the Way seems to wander.

[zenzero]

Friends,
Once again trying to state that when one announces though he is free to do so will never be accpted as the ego of the others are hurt and so Jesus was crucified, others have been killed etc.
Besides one need not claim anything as he has not gained anything by realising his own self. A diamond sparkles on its own there is no need for the diamond to declare/announce his arrival.
Also one by virtue of being a christian/buddhist/follower of Tao is yet to understand the self; as one the self is realised the way/path/ladder are immaterial there function no more remains.
Love & rgds

[michaelm]

I find it best to avoid labels. If people are interested enough to ask, I will say that I meditate, but i leave it for them to ask questions of me. If it is meaningless to them, then they dont ask, and I dont bore them by talking about something they are not interested in. Each to their own.

[Francine]

Originally Posted by michaelm

I find it best to avoid labels. If people are interested enough to ask, I will say that I meditate, but i leave it for them to ask questions of me. If it is meaningless to them, then they dont ask, and I dont bore them by talking about something they are not interested in. Each to their own.

The sage merges on the freeway by simply attaining the same speed as the rest of the traffic. He doesn't have to bully other cars out of the way, or create a dangerous situation by arriving at only a crawl. This isn't from a desire to be virtuous to others, but simply because it is excellent and harmonious.

[zenzero]

Friend Francine,
Here the sage is surely in harmony and with Tao when he merges with the traffic.
Surely the sage seems lost in traffic, as he should be.
Love & rgds

[anders]

Excuse a non-Buddhist for butting in. I am, however, perfectly sure that the reaction I would get if I were to announce that I had become a Buddhist would cover all the ground from "Yawn" to "Interesting! What's Buddhism to you?" For comparision, the one comment I so far have received after going openly atheist from a Christian two years ago was from my sister, "Why did you wait for so long?" Mother (91) hasn't yet found it interesting or remarkable enough to comment on.

I think this thread would be more interesting to more people if posters come closer to addressing the OP question. On this page (#11-15), michaelm is the only one so far.

[zenzero]

Friend ANders,
Thank you for pointing our mistake BUT
once you understand Buddhism, Tao, Zen; you will be able to understand that all the responses have an underlining similarity but no direct answeres.
Here individual understand is called for more then any set method.
Sorry for the disaappointment.] if any.
Love & rgds