In the west there are many churches, from the very old, to the modern, some are predominantly disused, while others are quite active places, yet some are ruins or derelict, however, are these sites useful for people of another tradition who do not necessarily have a suitable place at hand to use, or are simply passing through the area?
The primary purpose of a church is as a place of gathering for spiritual worship and practice, and can be used as a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for some quiet time and reflection. This purpose is sometimes overlooked by people in the west, who have grown tired or disheartened by the Christian tradition, this makes the church an awkward place to be. Sometimes this resentment of the church overshadows how the location should be used, as a place of sustenance, rest, and as a beacon to remind oneself of the real purpose of life, the pursuit of liberation, and true happiness through equipoised living.
Any religions place of worship can be used for this, and although some may object to another traditions practices being employed there, the actual practice does not need to be externally manifested, rather internally expressed. Showing the world one is a full lotus meditator may impress some, however, this could annoy others, particularly in a place of worship of a different tradition. The teachings of most traditions have common ground, and this can be the catalyst between meeting the location, and internal work which should be done to be expressed in a natural way through our actions.
The primary purpose of a church is as a place of gathering for spiritual worship and practice, and can be used as a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for some quiet time and reflection. This purpose is sometimes overlooked by people in the west, who have grown tired or disheartened by the Christian tradition, this makes the church an awkward place to be. Sometimes this resentment of the church overshadows how the location should be used, as a place of sustenance, rest, and as a beacon to remind oneself of the real purpose of life, the pursuit of liberation, and true happiness through equipoised living.
Any religions place of worship can be used for this, and although some may object to another traditions practices being employed there, the actual practice does not need to be externally manifested, rather internally expressed. Showing the world one is a full lotus meditator may impress some, however, this could annoy others, particularly in a place of worship of a different tradition. The teachings of most traditions have common ground, and this can be the catalyst between meeting the location, and internal work which should be done to be expressed in a natural way through our actions.
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