The Blind Turtle
Being a Buddhist is a large part of my life! It colours all my thinking and actions, including becoming a millionaire and successful entrepreneur. So, I thought I'd like to tell you more about how I became a Buddhist. I wrote this in my own words so it's another attempt to keep real writing alive!
🌊🐢 The Blind Turtle: My Journey to Buddhism 🐢🌊
As a child in Northern Britain, I was raised in a Christian family, deeply influenced by my grandmother’s unwavering faith. Yet, a profound statement about a blind turtle and a Buddha sparked something in me. It made me question and seek a higher truth beyond what I knew.
I was playing cricket with my father and younger brother one sunny lunchtime. The radio was playing loudly as usual because this was before the days of TV. Then, these words floated into my life from the broadcast:
Encountering the teachings of the Buddha is as unlikely as a blind turtle poking its head through a hole in a floating log on the great ocean of all existence.
I was around 8. I had never seen a turtle or heard the name Buddha. But these words haunted me from then on.
🙏 My beloved grandmother’s devotion to Christianity was inspiring, but I struggled to connect with its practices as I got older. After she died, I set off on my own spiritual quest, discovering that many sects seemed filled with conflict rather than peace.
🎶 Music became my solace - conservatory-trained/professional pianist/cellist - but it was through an unexpected lecture on The Buddha Shakyamuni (the most fashionable image of the Buddha) that I finally understood what the turtle had been searching for: enlightenment, peace, and a deeper connection to life’s impermanence.
My pathway was clear—Buddhism.
⛩️ Meditation and mindfulness led me to teach and heal others, embracing my ancestors' legacy as healers.
Eventually, I found peace in Japan, becoming a Buddhist priest. I realized that my grandmother, though deeply Christian, longed for the same peace I discovered in Buddhism.
🌸 At last, I understand that the turtle’s journey, like mine, was not about holding on to any one belief or practice but finding unity in the flow of life.
Now, I live in formlessness, adore all things invisible, and am totally at peace.
Recent Comments
7
A beautiful piece of writing Lindi.
My grandmother was a Spiritualist, my mother and father were Christians. For many years I was confused about my own beliefs. It wasn't until later in life and after several important life events, that I really embraced Spiritualism.
Like you, I live in peace with all forms of religion and have my own reflection time each day, every day.
Hope you are well, a great post.
Bux
Thanks Dave! That's good to know!
I am very well thank you! Glad you appreciated my little post!
Best 🌺
Thich Nhat Hanh's books helped me through a rough patch in my life years ago. Anger was one of my favorites. It's all good, Lindi. Have a great day!
Dave
Hi Dave, good to know! He is such a special leader. Yes, he's great on anger!
Very glad he was there for you!
Best
Linden 🌺
Thanks for sharing your journey, Lindi!
"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours." - Buddha
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That's great, Lindi!
Thank you for sharing!
Tim 🎼
My pleasure Tim! Thanks for reading!!