Yes, the West has problems, but Buddhist nonattachment is not the answer. Rather, the answer lay in a recovery of our own spiritual roots, which easily transcend and include the insights of Buddhism. Or, perhaps we can say that there are certain insights of Buddhism that can help illuminate certain ideas that are present but underemphasized in our own tradition. But Christianity is obviously fundamentally complete and needs no other revelation to complete it. It is missing nothing. ...."
I need to get to bed, but a quick comment before I dash. Our preacher this morning was preaching on making God’s desires OUR desires - not giving up desire. She gave an example of a gal that went on a short mission trip - and realized she had a passion for it. She dropped out of school to stay on and work with the kids in the area (Africa). That of course goes against the common idea of “greatness” of going to school, getting a good education, a good job, a nice home to live in, etc.
But she was saying how God wants you to be “great”, and have great ambitions, but to be great in the things that really matter.
This young gal was called to the mission field in Africa at the age of 18. She now runs an orphanage, feeds 1600 children each day, provides schooling and shelter. Six of the kids call her mom. She’s 24 now!
One must look deep into the thought to understand it properly.
If taken literary it won't make sense, just as Christ's saying won't make sense if taken literary: “If your arm causes you to sin, you'd be better of if you cut it off.”
Do you think God needs people with no arms and eyes?
One must cut off the negative desires, the desires that bring more harm than good to his spiritual development.
The desire to serve God should be in you when you eat and when you sleep, when you work and when you rest.
Divine Blessings,
DS