The Cross and Resurrection are the Christian solution
to the problem of evil – this is far more satisfying
than Carl Jung’s solution of making evil part of God
Zen Buddhists love the “kenosis” passage (Philippians 2:7)
where Christ empties himself – even to death –
death on a cross –
because Zen is all about emptying oneself
of all attachments/passions/thoughts
and learning to just sit for hours or days
to “waste time with God”
as Christian monks call it –
like old friends who don’t need to speak
they just enjoy BEING together –
this is all God asks of us: “Please BE with me” –
“To just BE alive is sacred, to just BE is holy”
– Abraham Heschel
besides emptying, part and parcel of Zen
is awareness of suffering
caused by peoples’ unmindful speech/inability to listen
Buddhists therefore vow
to cultivate loving speech/deep listening
that alleviates suffering
the intellectual nature of the human person
is perfected by wisdom
for the intellectual drive
is not confined to observable data alone –
wisdom gently leads all our drives
beyond the visible world to what is invisible –
what is honestly true/honestly good
without this humble inner quest
without interior spiritual integration
even something as spiritual as a pilgrimage
can turn into a divisive/destructive/alienating journey
just as forsaking of self/emptying of ego
unites you to God
so giving up external things
brings you peace.
Intelligent Christian Spirituality 