We are continuing our summer series, Let’s Be Honest, a thoughtful, humble exploration of what it means to navigate faith, culture, and big intellectual questions today. This week, host Matt Summers sits down with Brett Koerten for an honest, deeply respectful look at Buddhism. Instead of relying on easy stereotypes, they start with a deeply human question we all face: why life feels unstable and why even the good things in this world never seem to last.
Using the metaphor of two glasses—one empty, one full—they explore how different paths approach this universal ache. While Buddhism focuses on emptying ourselves of cravings to find peace, Christianity offers a completely different hope. You see, Christianity has an emptying too. But instead of that emptying being a requirement by us to receive freedom, in Jesus, God emptied himself to enter our suffering, take it upon himself, and make us whole.
📍 In This Episode:
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Naming Reality as It Is: Recognizing what Buddhism sees clearly about the heavy reality of human pain, and why Christians shouldn't just "put a smile on" and ignore suffering.
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The Empty vs. The Full Glass: Unpacking the fundamental fork in the road between a spiritual path aimed at total detachment and a Gospel aimed at relational restoration.
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The "GLP-1" of Religions: A fun, insightful look at how emptying ourselves can feel like an inoculation from the noise of the world, and where we must have our antennae up regarding "mindfulness syncretism."
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From Meditation to Relational Prayer: Brett shares practical, next-step coaching on how to transition from solo, self-reliant emptying into conversational prayer with a God who wants to carry your weight.
💬 Discussion Question: If you’ve been practicing mindfulness or meditation, is it pulling you toward trying to empty yourself of anxiety on your own, or is it leading you to cast your cares onto a living Savior who actively wants to carry them with you?
#MenloChurch #MenloMidweek #TheCycleOfSelfLiberation #LetsBeHonest #Buddhism #MenloMidweekPodcast
📅 Series Schedule:
Over the summer, we’re taking an honest, respectful look at different worldviews and traditions—check out the full series schedule below:
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June 28: Judaism (Available Now)
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July 5: Islam (Available Now)
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July 12: Buddhism (Available Now)
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July 19: Mormonism
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July 26: Catholicism
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August 2: The Nones / Agnostics
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August 9: It is Finished (The Gospel)
🎒 Next Steps & Resources
Looking to take your faith journey deeper? Here are some great next steps:
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Need Prayer or Have Questions?
Support Hope for Everyone
Explore Faith at Alpha
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Got big questions about life, faith, and meaning? No matter what you believe—or if you don't believe anything at all—you belong here. Alpha is a safe, open space to explore the basics of the Christian faith over a meal and honest conversation with others. Learn more or find a group at: http://menlo.church/alpha
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