Dual Beliefs Offer Twice as Many Reasons to Feel Blessed

I’m a BuJu--that’s spirit-speak for a Buddhist (specifically a Zen Buddhist) and a Jew. I was raised Jewish, but like many contemporary Jews, drifted away from my faith. About five years ago I discovered Zen Buddhism, and my active practice of Zen has brought me full circle, back to my Jewish heritage.

Some people may disagree with the concept of a dual-belief practice; however, as a novice on the spiritual path, I try very hard to honor both my Zen and Jewish practices.

I receive great value from each and they have become important to my spiritual development.

For me, Zen works with the mind to open the heart. From the first time I practiced zazen, or sitting meditation, my life began to change. As my mind settled, I began to see my life more clearly, notice the places where I got “hooked,” and the ways I caused suffering for myself and for others.

Over time, I’ve come to understand the nature of impermanence, how my life is changing all the time.

As I’ve become less reactive to difficulties and surprises, I’ve grown in my ability to express my love and compassion, and in my willingness to empathize with and help others.

Zen also has given me a solid set of ethics, similar to those of Judaism, and a community of practitioners who support me in my journey.

I have the opportunity to meet weekly with a sensei, who provides me with guidance and support in deepening my spiritual life, and frequently makes suggestions with her sense of humor, her wisdom and compassion.

As I continued to pursue my Zen practice, my desire to develop a more intimate relationship with God grew. Since Zen didn’t address the concept of God, I found myself re-exploring Judaism.

I discovered a rabbi who teaches Jewish meditation, and I went to him to learn more about Jewish meditation and about how to pray to God.

With his guidance I have been able to develop both a morning and evening prayer practice, a Sabbath practice, as well as a Jewish meditation practice; praying and chanting in Hebrew, expressing my love and gratitude for life and for being in a relationship (however subtle) with God, profoundly moves me.

In talking to other rabbis, I also began to understand that I am here to continue God’s acts of creation, and to help heal the world. Whether I help relieve the suffering of others because life expects it of me or God requires it of me is all the same to me.

In my own small way, I serve the universe and God through my own spiritual development and through acts of loving kindness.

I feel blessed to have two teachers who honor my sincerity and my commitment to practice: a rabbi who has helped me develop my Jewish practice and also appreciates my keeping a regular meditation practice; and a sensei, who guides me in deepening my understanding of the very nature of my life, and encourages me to continue exploring my Jewish roots.

Trying to maintain two spiritual practices with integrity is not easy. I sometimes feel guilty for not strictly honoring my Jewish past, yet I also have a strong commitment to honor tradition and to continue to nurture my relationship with God.

I marvel at how Zen, which is a very demanding practice, helps me deepen my relationships and understand the richness of trying to live from moment to moment.

Although Zen and Judaism complement each other in many ways, there are inherent conflicts; I don’t minimize or rationalize them.

I simply know that at this time in my life, I am blessed to know what it means to be on a profoundly rich and meaningful spiritual path.

On Faith is a forum for Orange County clergy and others to offer their views on religious topics of general interest. Submissions, which will be published at the discretion of The Times and are subject to editing, should be delivered to Orange County religion page editor Jack Robinson.