The Mormon Buddhist

Sisyphus was a trickster character in Greek mythology. He was punished for his tricks with the task of rolling a boulder up a hill everyday only to have it roll back down. His life became extremely pointless and nihilistic. However, I like the idea that Sisyphus actually became a very blissful being. Most people try to grapple what the point of their life is for a long time, and that causes a lot of anguish. However, Sisyphus knows exactly what his purpose in life is: rolling the same rock up a hill every day. It wasn't glamorous, it was simple. I like the idea that he came to terms with that simplicity. And if he can come to terms with what he does, I can come to terms with what I do.

Many of Buddhism's concepts are used metaphorically in stories. Some of these metaphors are supernatural and completely unrealistic. Its another added layer that it happened 2,500 years ago, was passed down orally for several hundred years, and was in a culture that is very different from our own. Because of that, I see the stories behind Buddhism like I see Marvel, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, or Star Trek: great stories that tell a moral lesson. I don't have to literally believe that Star Trek happened to glean that all life should be respected. The idea behind the stories is what really matters. I will try to re-write stories in a way that omits the supernatural aspects but keeps the message intact. However, when it absolutely cannot happen, I may post about stories that 100% could not happen. Take then with a grain of salt, and just realize they aren't meant to be taken historically, just like Star Trek.