|
 AbstraKt_I_Am
Registered: 12/21/10
Posts: 1,654
Loc: Abroad.
Last seen: 2 hours, 18 minutes
|
 Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions.  [Re: teknix]
#15362170 - 11/12/11 10:45 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
teknix said:
Buddhism is harder to understand in western thinking/language. A lot of it is BS just as any other religion, and they all have their own version of dogma.
What made you want to be a buddhist? So you can pray to a silly little statue?
I have no plans to pray to or worship anything. How ever I love the philosophies, and when practiced rigorously my attitude and mindset changes, or so It has started to. It makes me a lot more tolerable of other people can helps me find my "peace" in this existence. Im not looking for nirvana, just a path to help me live a better life.
And thanks for the incredible amount of input and information in this this thread everyone!
--------------------
Were merely reflections of the experiences we go through.
|
 liquidlounge
Puppet bullshit
Registered: 12/22/10
Posts: 6,323
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: AbstraKt_I_Am]
#15362235 - 11/12/11 11:02 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
What about just believing in yourself and not read and believe in what someone else has to say about higher powers?
--------------------
OrgoneConclusion said:
Looney
|
liquidlounge
Puppet bullshit
Registered: 12/22/10
Posts: 6,323
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: AbstraKt_I_Am]
#15362243 - 11/12/11 11:04 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
AbstraKt_I_Am said:
Quote:
teknix said:
Buddhism is harder to understand in western thinking/language. A lot of it is BS just as any other religion, and they all have their own version of dogma.
What made you want to be a buddhist? So you can pray to a silly little statue?
I have no plans to pray to or worship anything. How ever I love the philosophies, and when practiced rigorously my attitude and mindset changes, or so It has started to. It makes me a lot more tolerable of other people can helps me find my "peace" in this existence. Im not looking for nirvana, just a path to help me live a better life.
And thanks for the incredible amount of input and information in this this thread everyone!
I understand, you have not found you but you think you might find yourself in buddhism? Or atleast get closer to finding you...
--------------------
OrgoneConclusion said:
Looney
|
liquidlounge
Puppet bullshit
Registered: 12/22/10
Posts: 6,323
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: liquidlounge]
#15362257 - 11/12/11 11:07 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
To me it makes no sense looking for something when its already in YOU, but its easy for me to say, im not you but im not very different either.
--------------------
OrgoneConclusion said:
Looney
|
AbstraKt_I_Am
Registered: 12/21/10
Posts: 1,654
Loc: Abroad.
Last seen: 2 hours, 18 minutes
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: liquidlounge]
#15362290 - 11/12/11 11:18 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Okay, No I believe in the potential of myself more then any one else, I love parts of Buddhism but dont believe in finding who I am through such philosophy. My personality, my self as an expressive individual and my plan's, dream's and goal's in life have no ties with Buddhism or it's philosophies. In short Im an asshole. Practicing meditative thought and Buddhist philosophies is helping me get over my ego, helping me stop being so self centered and giving me something to think about before I impulsively treat the people who mean the most to me like shit.
Im just trying to learn some self control through meditation and thought. I don't need any soul or identity searching and Buddhism will never get an ounce of credit for such a thing.
It will get credit for opening me up to ways of thinking that have made me more passionate, caring, patient and understanding. So I guess I slightly contradicted myself In a sense it has shaped some positive traits into my personality and being. But that wasn't accomplished by just reading, that was accomplished through practice and work on train of thought through out every waking minute of the day, thus It is just as much an accomplishment of my own as I owe the credit to the philosophy. Because with out all the hard work Ive done I would still be an asshole.
--------------------
Were merely reflections of the experiences we go through.
Edited by AbstraKt_I_Am (11/12/11 11:27 PM)
|
 Ped
Circumspect
Registered: 08/31/99
Posts: 2,322
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 4 minutes, 13 seconds
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: AbstraKt_I_Am]
#15362432 - 11/12/11 11:55 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
>> In short Im an asshole. Practicing meditative thought and Buddhist philosophies is helping me get over my ego, helping me stop being so self centered and giving me something to think about before I impulsively treat the people who mean the most to me like shit. Im just trying to learn some self control through meditation and thought.
If you want to stop being so self-centred, and if you want to stop impulsively treating people badly, you don't need to read a bunch of books about loving-kindness, and you don't need to meditate. Please, whatever you do, don't meditate. Meditation turns people into completely self-involved, self-important buffoons who think they can give other people spiritual advice. Trust me, you don't want that. You'll end up feeling really silly. <Looks around sheepishly>
If anything, reading books about Buddhism and practicing Buddhist meditation with the intent of "overcoming the asshole within" is probably just going to endow that imaginary asshole with imaginary garments of fine silk and imaginary ornaments of gold and ruby. You'd be amazed how quickly that happens. It's like trying to defeat a samurai by throwing swords at his feet.
If you want to stop being so self-centred, and if you want to stop impulsively treating people badly, all you have to do is pause for a moment and ask yourself why you're doing those things. Don't have any designs on coming up with some kind of clear and definite answer to that question, but do pay attention to all the clever answers your mind comes up with. Just watch these things bubble up and disappear.
As you move throughout your days, you'll probably notice from time to time that you've become especially self-centred in a given moment, or that you've treated someone badly. When that happens, inquire a bit: how does it feel? What does your chest feel like? Is there a heaviness or a tightness there? How does your abdomen feel? Is it contracted? Are any other of your body's muscles contracted? What about your mind? Is it clear and calm, fractured and agitated, or something in between?
Again, don't bother trying to create a list of answers that you can refer to later. That's too much like meditating. Just pay attention to all the observations that come up and watch them disappear. You'll probably notice some of your tension and self-centredness disappear too, but whatever you do make sure to forget about that as soon as you are able. That would probably be good time to pick up a video game or check your Facebook.
--------------------
|
liquidlounge
Puppet bullshit
Registered: 12/22/10
Posts: 6,323
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: Ped]
#15362447 - 11/12/11 11:58 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Ped said:
>> In short Im an asshole. Practicing meditative thought and Buddhist philosophies is helping me get over my ego, helping me stop being so self centered and giving me something to think about before I impulsively treat the people who mean the most to me like shit. Im just trying to learn some self control through meditation and thought.
If you want to stop being so self-centred, and if you want to stop impulsively treating people badly, you don't need to read a bunch of books about loving-kindness, and you don't need to meditate. Please, whatever you do, don't meditate. Meditation turns people into completely self-involved, self-important buffoons who think they can give other people spiritual advice. Trust me, you don't want that. You'll end up feeling really silly. <Looks around sheepishly>
If anything, reading books about Buddhism and practicing Buddhist meditation with the intent of "overcoming the asshole within" is probably just going to endow that imaginary asshole with imaginary garments of fine silk and imaginary ornaments of gold and ruby. You'd be amazed how quickly that happens. It's like trying to defeat a samurai by throwing swords at his feet.
If you want to stop being so self-centred, and if you want to stop impulsively treating people badly, all you have to do is pause for a moment and ask yourself why you're doing those things. Don't have any designs on coming up with some kind of clear and definite answer to that question, but do pay attention to all the clever answers your mind comes up with. Just watch these things bubble up and disappear.
As you move throughout your days, you'll probably notice from time to time that you've become especially self-centred in a given moment, or that you've treated someone badly. When that happens, inquire a bit: how does it feel? What does your chest feel like? Is there a heaviness or a tightness there? How does your abdomen feel? Is it contracted? Are any other of your body's muscles contracted? What about your mind? Is it clear and calm, fractured and agitated, or something in between?
Again, don't bother trying to create a list of answers that you can refer to later. That's too much like meditating. Just pay attention to all the observations that come up and watch them disappear. You'll probably notice some of your tension and self-centredness disappear too, but whatever you do make sure to forget about that as soon as you are able. That would probably be good time to pick up a video game or check your Facebook.
This man gets it
--------------------
OrgoneConclusion said:
Looney
|
Samurai Drifter
Wandering Mindfuck
Registered: 08/24/09
Posts: 5,165
Loc: Bordering Canada 
Last seen: 16 hours, 43 minutes
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: liquidlounge]
#15362608 - 11/13/11 12:43 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
IMO, disregard teachings about Gods, heaven, and other mythological elements. Focus on the core elements of Hindu and Buddhist philosophy; atman-brahman in the former and the four noble truths/no-self in the latter. I find Zen to most effectively communicate the basic Buddhist ideals of oneness and selflessness.
Meditation is quite helpful to me, and don't see any good evidence that it makes people "self-involved." It certainly doesn't have to. Most would say it actually does the opposite.
--------------------
The obstacle is the path.
|
liquidlounge
Puppet bullshit
Registered: 12/22/10
Posts: 6,323
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: Samurai Drifter]
#15362666 - 11/13/11 12:58 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Samurai Drifter said:
IMO, disregard teachings about Gods, heaven, and other mythological elements. Focus on the core elements of Hindu and Buddhist philosophy; atman-brahman in the former and the four noble truths/no-self in the latter. I find Zen to most effectively communicate the basic Buddhist ideals of oneness and selflessness.
Meditation is quite helpful to me, and don't see any good evidence that it makes people "self-involved." It certainly doesn't have to. Most would say it actually does the opposite.
You wouldnt have to do this if you have found yourself/peace within you.
I get it if you're trying to find YOU, BUT YOU is not what someone else tells you to do.
I think you're looking in the wrong place my friend.
--------------------
OrgoneConclusion said:
Looney
|
Samurai Drifter
Wandering Mindfuck
Registered: 08/24/09
Posts: 5,165
Loc: Bordering Canada
Last seen: 16 hours, 43 minutes
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: liquidlounge]
#15362683 - 11/13/11 01:02 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
There is no wrong or right way or place to look. If you're attached to "not doing what someone else tells you to do," you're still not free.
--------------------
The obstacle is the path.
|
Ped
Circumspect
Registered: 08/31/99
Posts: 2,322
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 4 minutes, 13 seconds
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: Samurai Drifter]
#15362758 - 11/13/11 01:27 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
>> If you're attached to "not doing what someone else tells you to do," you're still not free.
When you first seek emancipation, you have immediately separated yourself from where it is. You imagine that you are far away from its environs. Yet, the emancipating truth is always present, and you are immediately your original self.
Those who are greatly realized about delusion are called awakened. Those who are greatly deluded about awakening are called ordinary beings. Yet, those who are realized do not necessarily know of their realization, but still they go on actualizing realization throughout realization. By the same, ordinary beings do not necessarily know of their delusion, yet they go on actualizing delusion throughout delusion. There is awakening before awakening, and there is delusion within delusion.
In this way, daily life is awakened awareness.
--------------------
|
Samurai Drifter
Wandering Mindfuck
Registered: 08/24/09
Posts: 5,165
Loc: Bordering Canada
Last seen: 16 hours, 43 minutes
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: Ped]
#15362762 - 11/13/11 01:29 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Mediation helps some people clear their minds and gain an understanding of what "emancipation" means, so for them it's right. Why make it more complicated? 
--------------------
The obstacle is the path.
|
Ped
Circumspect
Registered: 08/31/99
Posts: 2,322
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 4 minutes, 13 seconds
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: Samurai Drifter]
#15362772 - 11/13/11 01:34 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
There is no way to clear your mind. Trying to clear your mind is making it more complicated. There is no use in understanding what emancipation means. Trying to understand what emancipation means is making it more complicated.
--------------------
|
liquidlounge
Puppet bullshit
Registered: 12/22/10
Posts: 6,323
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: Samurai Drifter]
#15362785 - 11/13/11 01:38 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Samurai Drifter said:
There is no wrong or right way or place to look. If you're attached to "not doing what someone else tells you to do," you're still not free.
EXACTLY. Because its already in... Who? Then why would YOU look for something in meditation? Are you not looking for something in meditation? Then i have no clue why you would meditate.
Why not?
I believe in myself and only myself.
And is being 'free' = found you?
Life aint so mystic and spiritual as we want it to be. Fairytales like religions are made up by people not finding themselves, just like the mainstream media is there for people not finding themselves but have to do what everyone else does because of not finding THEMSELVES/insecurity. Just like meditation... It tells you what to do.
--------------------
OrgoneConclusion said:
Looney
|
Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery
Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 79,853
Loc: underbelly
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: Ped]
#15362788 - 11/13/11 01:40 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
If you want to stop being so self-centred, and if you want to stop impulsively treating people badly, all you have to do is pause for a moment and ask yourself why you're doing those things. Don't have any designs on coming up with some kind of clear and definite answer to that question, but do pay attention to all the clever answers your mind comes up with.
Psychology FTW Course that was what the buddha figured out a long time in the past.
--------------------
"Hang on tightly, let go lightly" -anonymous
“under the present brutal and primitive conditions on this planet, every person you meet should be regarded as one of the walking wounded. we have never seen a man or woman not slightly deranged by either anxiety or grief. we have never seen a totally sane human being.”
― Robert Anton Wilson
|
Samurai Drifter
Wandering Mindfuck
Registered: 08/24/09
Posts: 5,165
Loc: Bordering Canada
Last seen: 16 hours, 43 minutes
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: Ped]
#15362806 - 11/13/11 01:47 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Ped said:
There is no way to clear your mind. Trying to clear your mind is making it more complicated. There is no use in understanding what emancipation means. Trying to understand what emancipation means is making it more complicated.
And so is arguing against it.
--------------------
The obstacle is the path.
|
Ped
Circumspect
Registered: 08/31/99
Posts: 2,322
Loc: Canada
Last seen: 4 minutes, 13 seconds
|
Re: Im Starting to find a Path in Buddhism. Some questions. [Re: Samurai Drifter]
#15363772 - 11/13/11 10:54 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
|
|
--------------------
|
|
Images only 
Threaded
Previous
Index
Next
Edit 
Reply 
