Stories of ExOrthodox that originally came from Hinduism and Buddhism (or any "paganism") and then WENT BACK?

I have a long, long spiritual journey and background. I started life Roman Catholic. Simultaneously, at age 5, I entered into Buddhism through Korean martial arts, which eventually progressed into Theravada and Vajrayana traditions out of Nepal and Tibet. Sprinkled with that was Kundalini and Japanese Shugendo practices throughout my teens.

I'm talking full-fledged Buddhism. Not your typical, pop-Buddhism from the hippie 60's American era. It was awesome. I ate it all up. I loved anything Far Eastern. It's been over 20 years since practicing Buddhism so while I still remember much, I've also forgotten many things.

At the time, I had no idea that was a wrong thing to do. My parents were literal, lapsed-Catholic, B00mer hippies. Another long story. So me deeply participating in Buddhism wasn't anything they thought wrong of either. This was also during JPII when it was "OK" for Roman Catholics to freely intermingle among other religions. Roman Catholic catachesis was abysmal... and I was also an altar boy!

My parents were more of the "hippie Jesus" types. This was during the late 80's and all throughout the 90's so my parents dropping me off wherever for hours on end was normal back then for anyone wondering how such a young American kid got so deeply involved in something like Buddhism.

Anyway, met my wife who was raised Byzantine Ruthenian (Carpatho-Rusyn) Catholic. She wasn't much of a Catholic either. I walked away from Buddhism at this point. Just didn't have the time in my life to continue. Enlisted wartime Marines. Got "saved" through American Evangelicalism Protestantism. At the time, such Christianity was pushed hard in military circles. Quickly became disillusioned with that. Spent several years in a Protestant journey which ended up in the Hebrew Roots Movement. So I've seen and been involved with a lot at this point.

Came back to the RCC (another long story). My wife and I got our marriage blessed and raised the kids Roman Catholic. In the past decade, became disillusioned again, now with Catholicism, which lead me into Eastern Orthodoxy. My wife did not follow and was actually very concerned about the EO world, which I couldn't blame her. I would never force my wife into anything or our children. Our kids were already non-practicing Catholics (as the majority of Catholics are today, let's be honest). They weren't interested in EO either.

The one great thing about Eastern Orthodoxy, is it's the best "litmus test" for your Christian faith out of all the flavors of Jesus. It forces you to really consider, like for real, if you want to "take up your cross" and follow Christ. Believe the Bible 💯. Do historical Christianity earnestly.

The irony though, is the majority of cradle, lay Orthodox are also pickers and choosers with what they want to follow and do and what they won't. I picked up on that pretty quickly. Very much the same scene in the RCC. However, converts coming into EO are given the EO hazing treatment. You are held to monk and Saint standards and expectations while all the ethnic Orthodox mill around not even doing half of what Orthodoxy expects of them. Again, let's be honest, let's not avoid the reality. (This also seriously starts calling into question Christianity in general and who actually are true believers.... very, very few and most that are are priests, monks, Patriarchs, etc).

In both RCC and EO... Heaven is pretty empty and the physical resurrection will be lackluster. Saints on both sides have mentioned this going for centuries now. (Again, this calls into question why even try and bother then? If my kids aren't in, I don't want to be without them. Soooooo many very hard realities and questions).

Then sprinkle in many negative things unique to EO. The current political and social climate. Purity spiral wars. Who's actually heterodox and who are the "real" EO. One Church battling against another. St. Seraphim Rose is a Saint now! No! Seraphim Rose is NOT a Saint and was a fraud! He was only Chrismated!! Those Orthodox over there are not the TRUE Orthodox! Yay for ecumenicism! Anathema agianst the apostate ecumenicists!! .... S I G H 🫩

Another long story short... I've walked away from the EO and and now find myself rejecting Christianity wholesale. I've been wrung out so hard, I can't even stand anymore. I have nothing left to give or offer Christianity. I got nothing left for Christ. Add in I'm a 90% disabled veteran, mobility issues, crumbling spine, spinal injuries, TBI, possible Multiple Sclerosis OR Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (they haven't figured out which one yet), IH Narcolepsy, seizures... I can't even show up to "Sunday obligation" anymore and have been given the eyes and judgment by so many people because they just don't fudging understand. Just because I LOOK young and healthy, doesn't mean I actually am. I'm starting to have problems with lots of contradictions in the Scriptures... all of it. I will say it is EO that lays it all out the most consistent and the best.

Anyway... I've found myself drifting back to my old Buddhism days. I've taken interest in Hinduism as well. Basically, total pagan heathen idols mode and I'm just wondering if anyone else in the ex Orthodox crowd are similar to my experience?

The Scriptures say I'm "a dog returning to his own vomit"... nice. Feel that love and acceptance! 🫠