with good intentions: One thing that has always amazed me is learning to shoot free throws. When I began practicing I would only make around 10% of the shots I took. Which of course leaves 90% missed. By all rights I was practicing missing more than I was practicing making baskets, yet over time the number of shots I missed decreased while the number of shots I made increased. Not sure how that happened, other than I recently saw a post extolling the virtues of knowing your goals. Maybe that's the first step.
When I was younger I wanted to be taoist. Something about the philosophy resonated with me, and of course there was my youthful dissatisfaction with mainstream religion (I'm very much a westerner). But I knew nothing of taoism other than the trappings of the religion and the textual gibberish that I was unable to pierce. Much like the Ethiopian eunuch from bible school, I was unable to understand what I was reading and desperately wanted someone to explain it to me. Eventually there came frustration and an abandonment of anything associated with religion, including taoism.
I have seen the good religions can offer. However, as a student of the abrahamic religions feel that there is some disconnect between what religion now is and the deeper meaning of the texts. My intent is simple, and maybe by forming it plainly I will be able to get closer to the basket. I want to experience, not believe, what all world scriptures point towards. I want to know the moon and not just the finger.
I don't have any well formed questions at this point, but would gladly welcome any insight from those who have travelled further along this path.
