In Buddhism, taking refuge is a prayer by which one becomes aware of three aspects of consciousness normally not paid attention to:

- Awakened nondual awareness, "the Buddha".
- Inspirational teachings emanating from the spiritual, "the Dharma".
- And the supportive presence of other spiritual people, "the Sangha."

Likewise, one may be said to practice Christianity if one simply follows Christ's teaching. My understand of that is to forgive, and ask forgiveness, for ignorance and error arising from that lack of awareness, and to practice lovingness, caring, and peace as a lifestyle.

Healing a sense of unlovedness seems germinal in Christian spirituality, because once one becomes capable of loving, the whole world shines and looks beautiful.

It seems to me that a person takes refuge in their own, always-present characteristics of lovingness, awareness and caring. Even if these qualities are only present for a milisecond in awareness a few times a day, I understand that they enormously outweigh tens of thousands of degenerate and despairing thoughts.

Taking refuge, then, would seem to be a common factor in the world's religions of gently returning the awareness to the loving Creator from which it is never far.

I feel sure the equivalent traditions of refuge-taking in vedanta and islam are also uplifting and powerful, and I would love to learn more about them!

Warm regards,

Paul Bard.