[quote=madeline_sweet;15032]Hello! In the spirit of discussion, I have always been taught that the difference between Christianity and other Religions is that Christianity teaches Salvation through the GRACE of Christ. Other religions teach {Like buddhism} that if you sit long enough, you may reach enlightenment - but with Christianity, it is only by Grace that we come to Salvation {there is no way we could earn it on our own}.
I truly do believe so many religions have the very same basic, good, loving, peaceful concepts - and I respect all religions, but there is something about Grace that really does resonate with me And I think it is a key difference between Christianity and other faiths.
In Hinduism, I believe Nirvana can be reached by clearing your karma {am i correct in that}? I believe we are all seekers - and I respect those of all faiths, so I am only stating this for discussion Only! Not trying to create argument - only collaboration and discussion.[/quote]
The impression about eastern meditation methods and yoga teaching how to aquire godliness by our own powers is mistaken. This mistake is understandable from those who do not intimatley know those other religions. Simply, it is not true, I know it now after studying hindusim, and yoga, the Sivananda school.
While yoga can be seen such a way, in reality, it never worked without the presence of a Master, or guru. But you are right that we live in different times now than the ancient rishis. There indeed is, and for the last 2000 years, has been a vitalizing presence in the Earth’s etheric (vital) aura, what made possible development of free individual consciousness, the realization of I AM, the evolution of a stronger sense of individuality (what not necessarily means a bad ego). The whole world’s evolution would’ve been quite different without christianity, a religion, what without the background of tradition, without a sound philosophy or theology to back it up, managed to spread to all corners of the world. This indeed is a miracle, and to see this as an imperialist or agressive thing, is understandable, yet it did happen for a reason. Christianity works not by it’s philosophy or theology, but through this unseen presence what, nevertheless is there, The Holy Ghost. And as a last statement, I must say, that the fundamental truth’s of christianity has not been comprehended yet by the church itself ! We say, Christ died for us, but we do not know what this really means. We say, Christ saved us all, all humankind, but we do not know what that really means. We wait for the kingdom of heaven, but we do not know what that will be like. And without comprehending these truth’s christianity in it’s current, traditional form is like a beatuful myth, but what we do not really believe, as we cannot really say we beleive in things we do not comprehend. That is not faith, but a weakness of spirit, that is not good enough for free indoviduals, free spiritual beings. Surely, we need humility, and respect, to realize the fundamentally unfree nature of human condition on Earth, but we also need to spiritually comprehend and find how the core teaching of christianity is really, and literally true. Because they are true, just we have been fooled, and our eyes veiled to not see it.
And the key of a deeper understanding stands in christianity being enriched by the study of eastern wisdom. Surely, there are initiates, there are seers, who know much more than we all could imagine, but they have a rule: they cannot act in any way against the principle of human freedom. But they act in ways that hidden truth’s are gradually revealed, and humanity is lead to a deeper comprehension of it’s role, meaning and purpose. Beleive me, no traditional religion is but a tenth part representative of the complexity what the problems of humanity present.
Today’s science is like a blind man, who finds the broken pieces of a very complex machine, and tries to imagine what it was and how it really works.
But still, exactly our objective scientific findings will help us in realizing that traditions in all theri form, are bearers of a much greater wisdom than we could ever imagine. So everything is there for a reason, not by chance, and the darkness will be slowly lifted by the light of reason, and the presence of brotherly love. The latter is the immediate teaching of The Christ, love thy neighbour as you love thyself … not as an outer command, but one comeing from our own hearts.
So, yes you are right in your heart resonating with the messages of christianity … because it works this way. Not by the intellect, but through the heart. But this is not yet enough, because this way we will not be strong enough for the tests what wait us in the future. We also need to comprehend … we need to realize what Sivananda says so beautifully: bhakti and jnana are ultimatley the same. So when you cannot ultimatley love thy neighbour for example, a little jnana will complement your heart’s closedness, and it will open. 
As love can do wonders, so can a little comprehension.
PS. Salvation by Grace alone, can be also misunderstood. It can make you weak against the temptation of conservatorism. While salvation by Grace is true, it DOES NOT EXCLUDE THE PERSONAL STRIVING for this salvation to happen. Grace only works when you desire it to work, from all your heart, and with all your power. Lazy people will not inherit the kingdom of God, that’s also in the New Covenant.
The Apostle Paul says, that salvation comes not only by faith, but through deeds resulting from faith. The Christ says, not all who say, Lord, Lord, will inherit the Kingdom of God, but those who do the will of the Father. So it is clear that Salvation is not granted, but made possible, and there for us by the Christ’s unseen presence, but we still need to do our best to become able to recieve this gift.
God reaches down for us, but we need to raise our arms so our hands can meet, and we are lifted.
Sorry.