Let them push you, but do not push;
Let them crucify you, but do not crucify.
Let them insult, but do not insult.
Let them slander, but do not slander.
Be meek, and do not be zealous in evil.
SAINT ISAAC THE SYRIAN
Let them push you, but do not push;
Let them crucify you, but do not crucify.
Let them insult, but do not insult.
Let them slander, but do not slander.
Be meek, and do not be zealous in evil.
SAINT ISAAC THE SYRIAN
To me Buddhism is studying how Jesus became Jesus and how we can become like him too through the holy spirit, similar to enlightenment or nirvana in Buddhism. It’s core belief is that we all can awaken and become a Buddha; actually we already are a Buddha but are lost in our attachments to worldly things and are consumed by our fear, greed, and hatred (sin in Christianity).
Buddha just means awakened one, similar to the title Christ in Christianity. We should not be scared of other spiritual traditions but our own fear, hatred and religious dogma that can blind us from seeing the truth and goodness in all religions. Be curious and open minded. This type of mindset is what Jesus and Buddha had in their times. This is not to assimilate or convert but to build brotherhood and sisterhood.
I found Jesus through a Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh who wrote a book called “Living Buddha, Living Christ” that changed my life 10 years ago.
He dedicated a lot of his life trying to bridge the two religions and fostering brotherhood and sisterhood.
If you focus on the surface of life
Everything appears as suffering
But look deep within yourself and you will see the ultimate reality beneath the surface of life
You will see that at the center of your being and all creation is God’s unconditional love
Take refuge in this sanctuary of unconditional love within your own heart and soul
It’s water so pure
Its love is everlasting and healing
Be still and seek the Kingdom of love within you
When my mind is still through meditation I repeat Jesus’s words and the holy spirit is drawn to me and transforms me into Christ in that moment.
No words can describe this spiritual experience of deep love for all beings.
In those moments you are fully liberated from all fear, hatred, and greed.
You are truly alive.
When the holy spirit is within you, everyone is your brother or sister and you feel a deep river of joy rush through your body. ❤️🙏🏻
God, may all who suffer be healed through your love
God, may all beings be liberated from the shackles of greed, hatred and fear
God, may all beings rest in your sanctuary of unconditional love within their own heart
I pray that we can all be one with your love as Jesus did and still does through the holy spirit
Just as the Earth rotates around the Sun
Our heart and soul must rotate around Jesus and his unconditional love
Every time our eyes drift to anything else
No matter how good it may seems
We lose all peace and joy
We must remain in his vine
And we shall bear much fruit
The world seems to be upside down but do not be distressed.
True love will always overcome hatred, fear, and violence like water smoothing out sharp rocks.
True love does not shape the world by force but through persistence, compassion, grace, and patience.
The light will always transform darkness.
Love will always transform fear.
Do not let this world drag you into the darkness. Focus on the light within you and be the lighthouse shining into the darkness.
🙏🏻
-Johnny Hoffman
Why is God merciful to us?
Because we are his children.
Born in the image of love.
No matter how lost we are in the darkness of greed, fear, or hatred.
Our essence is his essence.
Our essence is love.
We all have the capacity to walk as Christ did. It’s our true nature that is buried under years of fear.
This is what God sees within us and when his spirit touches us deeply we see the divinity in others and become more peaceful and merciful. ❤️🙏🏻
When you practice the way
Cosmic truths will be revealed
And you will be liberated from all greed, hatred and fear
But what is the way?
Mercy for our enemies
Both inside and out
Radical non-violence
Turning our cheek to all violence
A complete surrender to unconditional love is required moment by moment
Our heart must be as light as a feather to walk the way
A complete faith in the power of love to guide us
A total surrender is required on the spiritual path
Surrender of our fears, worries, and doubts
A total surrender of our will to the power of unconditional love within our heart and soul
We must surrender our addictions, destructive habits and wrong views
Let the power of love transform you from within
Let it heal you and shape you in its image
Humble yourself and you will be free
Surrender everything and you will be liberated from fear, hatred, greed and addiction