Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #5: Bongwonsa Temple and Nature Walk: "After visiting the Zen Buddhist Temple, Bongwonsa and attempting to see nature as a Taoist, answer this question: What is it about creation,..."

The world is a beautiful place full of amazing and breathtaking things. Nature is so vast and amazing, that it prompt us to ask ourselves questions, questions that cannot be answered by science or a quick Google search. Sure they can answer a lot of things, but can they answer questions such as “Who made me”, or “What happens when I die”. Or what about the Earth, or the universe? How did it all begin? These unknowns drive us crazy. We have to know the answer. This lack of understanding or fear of not knowing is the main reason why people seek religion. Religion gives all the answers to the questions asked above, and more. Taoists find answers through nature, Buddhists through meditating, and Christians through God. Each religion has a complex answer to a simple question. People search for these answers through religion and if they don’t find the right one, the search for another religion, till they find the right answer.

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation: "Spend 20 mintues in a silent meditation; a place you won't be disturbed, your own 'fig tree' as was Buddha's inspiration. In those 20 mintue..."

My meditation spot is outside on my trampoline. While I was out there meditating, I was able to empty my mind and achieve a “right mindfulness” for only about a moment before my mind quickly began to wonder onto other things, such as how tired i was, or how much work that I had to do this weekend or a song that was stuck in my head at that particular moment. I was also easily distracted by the noises around me. Upon much frustration, I moved inside to my bedroom to see if i could do any better in there. I lied on top of my bed, and realized I was able to concentrate much better although it wasn’t long before I dozed off into a deep sleep. So in conclusion, my meditation failed ( mostly because I was too exhausted to concentrate on emptying my thoughts) and I wasn’t able to seek any of life’s truths.