The Buddhist basics.

[dropdeadlegs]

Oh boy, I've got a lot of retraining to do. I wonder if this is easier done when you are brought up this way.

 

I know it is not impossible to learn to think differently, but I have a lot of work to do concerning abandoning expectations, hopes and fears.

 

This way of thinking is better than what I do. I believe I would feel much more inner peace by not having preconceived notions .

[Geishawhelk]

Gary Zukav pointed out that "A thought is only a thought; and a thought can be changed."

 

I wasn't born this way. So understand that it's a wonderful learning curve, and if you "make a mistake" it's only in your eyes, and you can just do better next time. If we measure our progress, step by step, it seems to be a grueling and arduous task.....but if we turn around and see just how far we've already come..... well, the view can be breathtaking.

 

Take things as far as you want, as you see fit, little by little. Do what you want. Be easy on yourself, and trust, and enjoy the walk.

 

With those legs, anything is possible!!

[Geishawhelk]

The third aspect of the path is Right Speech.

 

“Not even the mightiest army of the fastest horsemen in the Emperor’s kingdom can halt or retrieve the harsh word, once it has been spoken.”

 

Thought forms the Word, so we must guard against using wrong words with which to express ourselves… Once our intentions are pure, we no longer have to be embarrassed about our speech. Since we aren't trying to manipulate people, we don't have to be hesitant about what we say, nor do we need to try bluff our way through a conversation with any sort of phoney confidence. We say what needs to be said, very simply in a genuine way.

This not only means using appropriate language, but also being mindful of the circumstances we speak in, and whether how we express ourselves is the appropriate manner for the situation. Sometimes, saying nothing is the wisest ‘speech’ of all…..

 

Right Speech also covers the subject of Right Listening…. Not specifically mentioned in the Buddha’s teachings, here, but considered, none the less to be important, during our exchanges with others…if, for example they are asking us to do them a service, or they are in some distress, ‘reading between the lines’ is a skill we need to develop and be aware of… We can perfectly well hear what the person is saying to us…Our verbal response to them will also have to hinge upon what we are hearing them NOT say…..

 

The skill of Right Speech is born of what we're thinking in the first place. We'll too often find ourselves with the thoughts of "I wish I hadn't said that," or "that was a bit hasty".... Our mouths seem to act faster than our brains, at times, but really, trust me. It all starts in your head, with what you tell yourself. Right View, Right Intention, and now, Right Speech.

 

So this is why the factors of the Eightfold Path are wonderful teachings, guidelines and signposts in themselves, but this is why it's also very difficult to take them in isolation....the one helps the whole, and the whole is intrinsically part of the one.....

 

Just as an aside, any form of verbal communication is included here, and embraces even the written word.....

[Geishawhelk]

The fourth point on the path, Right Action, is the way our Views and Intentions ultimately manifest…in the form of a physical gesture or process….so all our actions have their origins first, in the prior two…View and Intention… It’s a follow-on…

Consequently, if the first two are skilfully applied, then we shall find that our Actions improve.

The Buddha laid down a series of precepts, or vows, taken by those seeking ordination (as Monks or Nuns….) But the first five are very commonly adhered to by laypeople also, as an adjunct to taking refuge in the Triple Gem, and as a sub-heading, one would guess, to Right Action. Here they are:

 

The Five precepts:

The first of these is to abstain from harming living beings. This includes human beings, animals and insects. This is why many (but not all!) Buddhists are vegetarians as the eating of meat involves the slaughter of animals. Interestingly, the Buddha, didn't forbid the eating of meat altogether. His monks were allowed to eat meat providing it hadn't been killed by or for them specifically.

 

The second precept is to abstain from taking what is not given - stealing. This could be in the shape of objects and property, but governs also ideas and inventions, and even just taking liberties… !

 

The third precept is to abstain from sexual misconduct, such as being unfaithful to one's partner, involvement with prostitution or pornography or entertaining lustful thoughts.

Just as a note, here, there is nothing in any Buddhist texts, anywhere, that condemns, criticises or discourages homosexual love, masturbation, sex outside marriage.... But the same precept applies, whatever the situation.

 

The fourth precept, abstaining from false speech, includes lying, tale-bearing, and gossiping. This obviously is covered by Right Speech, but talking is an action, and could be furthered by including ‘bearing false Witness’ or remaining silent when one should actually speak out…

 

The fifth and final precept is to abstain from intoxicating drinks and drugs - of course, drugs taken for medicinal purposes are perfectly acceptable. If you choose to take the occasional little drink then, ok>>>But it's up to you to decide what moderation nmeans to you....Another aspect of 'The Middle Way'....?

 

An aspect of Right Action not often considered involves a kind of renunciation. There is Right Action, but there is also Right in-Action… Abstention, abdication or just sacrificing doing something we previously loved doing, but might be a distraction to our practise, is also Right Action. In many cases, only we can know what these things are, and only we can examine our conscience and intentions…. Sometimes we may be forced by circumstances, or obliged to give up something we do… the Right Thing to ‘do’ in these cases, it to let it go with a glad heart. After all, everything comes and goes, anyway…..

We need to give up our tendency to complicate issues. We practice simplicity. We have a simple straight-forward relationship with our dinner, our job, our house and our family. We give up all the unnecessary and frivolous complications that we usually try to cloud our relationships with. In giving up these things, we may find that we gain a great deal more than we “lose”….

[Geishawhelk]

Right Business, or livelihood, as it is more usually known, (I changed it to give a more pronounceable Acronym!) is the fifth step on the path. It is only natural and right that we should earn our living. Often, many of us don't particularly enjoy our jobs. We can't wait to get home from work and begrudge the amount of time that our job takes away from our enjoyment of the good life. Perhaps, we might wish we had a more glamorous job. We don't feel that our job in a factory or office is in keeping with the image we want to project.

We also have to consider whether the ‘End Result’ is skilful…

 

To give an extreme example, a technical designer, gifted in the craft of creating on paper, and expert in the field of mechanics and engineering, would not be using his abilities skilfully, if he was responsible for the design of weapons…Those horrendous machines purely and simply designed to hurt or maim and even kill another sentient Being.

From a purely personal point of view, I don’t find this a ‘Right Business’ decision. But that's just me... If it were possible to permanently put all the weapons designers in the world, out of action, then, war would not - or could not - progress....could it?

 

The means by which we earn money should be honourable. We should be providing a service that will put a smile on peoples’ faces, somewhere along the line. And no matter how tedious, how monotonous, how structured and mundane, it gives us the perfect opportunity to observe Things Exactly As They Are, and to make a difference. Even if it’s just amongst the colleagues with whom you interact. Make it a pleasure for them to come to work each day, because of the impression you make on them….

 

Arnaud Desjardins said:

"There is nothing clever about NOT being happy."

Smiles are catching, and that statement, although simple, is also very profound. Not to mention, true.

 

The truth is, that we should be glad of our job, whatever it is. We should form a simple relationship with it. We need to perform it properly, with attention to detail.

Being able to retire each day, knowing that theough your day's work, you have touched someone else's life positively, is a wonderfully fulfilling and rewarding thing.....

[dropdeadlegs]

This lesson is the hardest for me to embrace. I take much pride in certain areas of "work" in my life and eschew others. For instance, when my yard is clean of debris and freshly cut I look at it and smile. My children's room is another story. I can put everything in it's place only to be certain it will be in shambles again soon. Puzzle pieces mixed with game pieces, "power tools" mixed in with Lego blocks.

 

Dishes and laundry are never really completed tasks, just ongoing chores that seem endless.

 

Thank you for continuing to post, I am still out here listening and learning.

[Geishawhelk]

DDlegs, would it help to look at tasks as forms of meditation? Whilst you are doing them, just give them your full attention, don't let your mind wander...

 

There's a saying that goes,

"Before enlightenment, chop wood, fetch water. After enlightenment, chop wood, fetch water."

 

It little matters what goes on around us, and what we're involved in - Ultimately, it's our mental attitude that will make or break us. We can only react to what our Mind is telling us. If we classify something as tiresome and tedious, then it will always be that way...

On a practicasl note, the kids could do their own tidying up....No work? no dinner! A little bit each day until it's tidy....soflee soflee catchee monkee....

 

Kids, huh?

What a challenge they are!

 

Glad to see you're enjoying it. If enjoying is the right word....!

[dropdeadlegs]

You are absolutely right about mental attitude. I know this very well. I'm not really sure exactly how to meditate, but I do know how to complete a task to the best of my ability and simply take pleasure in a job well done. I guess I needed a reminder of that.

 

I can choose to live with a pessimistic view or an optimistic view. I know I am happier when adopting the optimist's attitude.

[Ariadne]

Hi,

 

I gradually came to realise over time that it wasn't necessarily the so-called christian message that was angering me, or alienating me per se....it was the control being exerted but those in eclesiastical authority

 

So are the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path.

 

Another version of a whole bunch of BS.

 

Ariadne

[Geishawhelk]

Hello Ariadne, and thanks for joining us.

 

I can see why you might think that, but the difference is that with regard to a Deistic religion, much hinges upon asking a person to have faith in something unseen and unknown.... In addition to which, literally speaking, much can be open to interpretation due to much of the scriptures also being produced on faith and heresay...

The Four Noble Truths and the Eighfold Path are incontestable. Acute and intense scrutiny will tell you this...

 

In Buddhism, you are exhorted, encouraged and positively urged to examine everything for yourself, to the finest possible detail before accepting or rejecting them as something you wish to implement or not.

Have you done this with the Four Noble truths and the eightfold path?

 

Whilst I can appreciate you might have this impression about this aspect of Buddhist Doctrine, I can't see how you can bracket them in the same context as the doctrine from a Deistic religion.

 

I'd be interested to hear why you view them in this way, given the above.

 

Thanks.

 

G.

[Geishawhelk]

The sixth aspect of the path is Right Effort. ''Wrong' Effort is struggle. We often approach a spiritual discipline as though we need to conquer our evil side and promote our good side. We are locked in combat with ourselves and try to obliterate the tiniest negative tendency. Right effort doesn't involve struggle at all. When we see things as they are, we can work with them, gently and without any kind of aggression whatsoever.

 

There are a couple of films which spring to mind, which have strong leanings towards Buddhist Discipline and philosophy…One, is ‘The Matrix’ (particularly episode, or film One) the second is ‘Star Wars’… and Yoda is based on the likeness of a Tibetan Buddhist Lama….

 

http://www.berzinarchives.com/bioghaphies/portrait_serkong_rinpoche.html

 

(Scroll down to “Rinpoche’s Life and Personality".)

 

There are many quotations I could give you, but one in particular is spoken by Yoda, in response to somebody’s assurances of Effort… "I’ll try…"

 

Yoda replies:

“ ‘Do’ or ‘Do Not’…There is NO ‘Try’. ”

In other words, Right Effort sometimes means that Trying is futile…let me give you an example.

 

Take a book.

Put it on a table.

Now try to pick it up.

Don’t ACTUALLY pick it up.

Just ‘Try’ to pick it up.

You see?

It’s impossible.

 

There are some situations where ‘Trying’ isn’t productive, because we don’t need to try. We just need to ‘Do’.

To ‘Try’ to do something is to actually not want to do it at all….

 

Let us say that you arranged to meet a neighbour for lunch, in town.

She cancels at the last moment. Now, for whatever reason, you were really counting on her turning up…you’d really been looking forward to this, and you feel really let down. But she’s very apologetic… you’re still mad, but you try to forgive her…

In this case, you might as well not bother.

 

What’s the point in trying to forgive her?

You either do, or you don’t.

If you do, you feel lighter, quite ok about it all, and joyfully make new plans, and arrange to meet another time.

 

If you ‘try’… well…what you’re actually doing is holding on to a bit of resentment… Why? Because it feels good, to justify your righteous anger….you still feel mad, even though outwardly, you’ve said it’s ok, and it’s not a problem, and it’s no big deal… but in your heart, inwardly, you’re still harbouring Anger and Resentment. Well, in that case, you might as well not forgive her at all. You can’t forgive and still stay mad. You either forgive, or you don’t.

 

Don’t ‘try’ not to swear at people – ‘Do not’ swear at people.

Don’t ‘Try’ to drive more slowly through town – just ‘Do’ drive more slowly.

“Do or Do Not – There IS no Try”.

 

Or as Oprah Winfrey once famously put it, " 'Trying', isn't 'Doing' ".

 

Right Effort is powerfully fuelled by Right View and Right Intention… it is accompanied by Right Speech and Right Action…. So Right Effort means putting everything into practise by Skilful means and Mindfulness.

 

And Right Mindfulness, (or as I call it, ‘Awareness’,) is the next ‘Signpost’ on the Eightfold Path….

[Ariadne]

Hi,

 

I'd be interested to hear why you view them in this way, given the above.

 

Because the way I see it, spirituality is intuitive, it comes from within. It's intrinsic to all of us.

 

The moment you are following some set of rules you are not being spiritual (or enlightened if you prefer), you are being stupid.

 

Ariadne

[Geishawhelk]

Terrific! we're in agreement there, you're quite right, it DOES come from within - and this is the main thing Buddhism teaches - there is nothing "out there" it's all "in here" (*points to head and heart*)....

There are no "Rules and regulations" in Buddhism either, no 'thou shalt' or 'thou shalt not'.... these are guidelines, signposts and observations, but there is nothing obliging you to adhere to any of this - save your own (and I use the term 'your' as being generic, not specific) common sense and evaluation....

 

Buddhism isn't about stringent constrictive concepts. It's "designed" to liberate, not enslave. It's a question of Choice, not Obligation.

 

Thank you for coming back on this, I very much appreciate it.

[Ariadne]

Hi,

 

There are no "Rules and regulations" in Buddhism either.... these are guidelines:

 

The first point is called Right View

 

The second point of the path is called Right Intention.

 

The third aspect of the path is Right Speech.

 

The fourth point on the path, Right Action

 

WORK is a four-letter word.... is the fifth step on the path.

 

The sixth aspect of the path is Right Effort

 

----------------

 

Ah.

 

Ariadne

[Geishawhelk]

No Ariadne, these really aren't rules...they're recommendations and guidelines...There's no form of punishment or retribution, no threat of expulsion or censure.... they are presented as definitions of what it is to follow these guidelines, what is necessary to implement them, but it's not a concrete obligation...

 

Look at it this way, if you would....

 

Let's say your Boss - a kindly amiable and thoroughly likeable soul - suggests that there's a vacancy for a management post.... he offers you the position, outlining the perks, but points out that obviously, there are responsibilities and duties which go hand in hand with the position.... However, the choice of whether to remain in the place you are, or to seek a promotion, but accept the consequences of what it is to occupy that post, is up to you, isn't it?

With every step "up the ladder" there comes a certain obligation to modify your responses accordingly. So it's up to you whether you take the job or not, but if you do, then you have to equally accept there are certain expectations. But it's all your choice. How you fill that post, and do that job, is up to you.

 

And that's the way with Buddhism. If you decide to behave in a certain way, and make a certain choice, then there are certain things you might like to consider implementing. But ultimately, the choices - and consequences - are yours, and yours alone.

Life is all about choices and consequences. We do this every single day, in everything we do. And whatever choice we make, there is a consequential result.

 

That's all there is to it.

[Geishawhelk]

Right Awareness, or Mindfulness, the seventh step, involves precision and clarity. We are mindful of the tiniest details of our experience. We are mindful of the way we talk, the way we perform our jobs, our posture, our attitude toward our friends and family, every detail.

 

Thich Nhat Hanh, that wonderful, wise, enlightened (my assessment....) Vietnamese Monk has written several books on this subject alone…(Peace is Every Step’, ‘The Miracle of Mindfulness’, ‘Present Moment, Wonderful Moment!’).

 

He emphasises the importance of living purely and simply, in the Now… of being aware of every single nuance and nanosecond of the Present Instance…. Of simply being one with your breath, and of stilling the Mind of its constant babble, chatter and interference….

He gives an example of being able to do this during an every-day, mundane, boring task, like washing up… a time when, because of the automatic nature of this task, our mind is apt to wander and run all over the place….

He encourages just watching the water flow out of the tap…. Watching the soap bubbles rise, gleaming, sparkling and white…of wiping each plate…feeling the warmth of the water on your hands, rinsing the plate, seeing how clean it is….placing it to dry in the rack… But with no appropriate commentary…

 

WITHOUT thinking….

“I am watching the water flow out of the tap… I am watching the soap Bubbles rise, gleaming, sparkling and white…. I am wiping each plate….” Do all of the above, but without any commentary, and without letting your mind wander elsewhere… If it does, just gently bring it back to you, with a deep breath… Smile…. and start again…..

 

That’s another of his pet loves… ‘Watching the Breath’…. Simply feeling the gladness of your body expanding with the in-breath.. The coolness of the air in your nostrils…. The momentary ‘emptiness’ as we hold the breath for one, two, three, maybe four seconds, and then the deflation of the body, the feeling of our garments against our skin, and the warm air as it leaves our nostrils…. The pleasurable aspect of just ‘sinking’ into a relaxed state as your body rests, lungs empty of breath for one, two, three, maybe four seconds…..and again…..

 

Watching the Breath is an ancient method of meditation that connects us with the very reason we are here... be aware of your own presence, your influence, your effect, both on your own life and that of others... Your breathing is by the very nature of the act, a sign that you are very much alive....

But every breath is one breath less.... do you realise that? Every time you exhale, you approach the time that you will breathe out, but not breathe back in again....

This is why it is emphasised that Right Effort is of paramount importance... alongside all the other signposts, of course....! Watching every step of the way.... making the most of every nano-second....

 

Watching the Breath, and being absolutely connected to everything we are doing, and that is happening, keeps us Aware, and Mindful… If we are ‘Here’…How on earth can we be ‘Miles away’…?

[Geishawhelk]

Right Meditation, or concentration, (absorption) is the eighth point of the path, and leads on seamlessly from point Seven…..

 

Usually we are absorbed in absent-mindedness. Our minds are completely captivated by all sorts of entertainment and speculations. Right absorption means that we are completely absorbed in ‘Now-ness’, in things as they are. This can only happen if we have some sort of discipline, such as sitting meditation. We might even say that without the discipline of sitting meditation, we can't walk the Eightfold Path at all. Sitting meditation cuts through our absentmindedness. It provides a space or gap in our preoccupation with ourselves.

 

Our Minds are never still. There is a constant burble and chattering going on, and one thought runs seamlessly into another, so that there is no interruption from the moment we awake, to the moment we sleep….

 

No…That’s not quite right…There are instances when there is a pause – a second of emptiness that signifies the end of one thought, and the beginning of the next….

The secret is to notice these gaps and to make them longer…..

 

In Buddhism, a frenetic mental activity is known as ‘Monkey Mind’….

Your Monkey frenetically leaps from branch to branch, jumping up and down, screeching, whooping leaping, never still, always engaged in frenzied activity, so that watching him and noting everything he goes through can make us dizzy! The only time he is still, is when he’s asleep, or when he’s eating…. And while he eats, he is alert, aware, but at least, calm, collected and controlled, for once…

So, (because we can’t sleep every time we want to calm this Monkey Mind) what shall we feed him?

 

We ‘feed’ him our breath.

 

As detailed above, we sit and we ‘watch’ the breath….. Or we can recite a Mantra…or a simple, single word….

As we breathe in, we focus on the word ‘Peace’…… as we breathe out, we focus on the word, ‘Calm’……

Or we could listen to some meditative Music, but focus intensely on each and every single note...listen singularly to every instrument being played, simultaneously…. Or we could simply gaze peacefully at a scene (in a painting, outside our window) and take in every single detail, without commentary…Just look…. Just see….

And if a thought starts leaping across your consciousness, smile….Take a deep breath, and release …let go of the thought as you exhale, and let it drift off, thus emptying your mental plane and calming the Monkey Mind again…..

 

You don't have to do this for hours on end....give yourself time to learn this skill... Start with just a couple of minutes, or even just one.... meditation is about quality, not quantity. And sit, kneel, lie or stand in any way you like.... the full-lotus position is all very well, but only a comparative few can hold it for more than a minute!! You can 'Meditate' any and everywhere you feel like; in bed, on a park bench, in the bath.... and of course, at the kitchen sink....

 

Meditation has often been misinterpreted by many, as having to cease all thought altogether…. This is not so…. The brain is made to think. What we are doing, is training it – as one would any muscle – through discipline and perseverance, to behave in the way WE want it to behave, rather than permitting it to have free uncontrolled reign….We want it to work FOR us, not against us.

 

It’s like taking an active puppy in, and training it to be a guide dog for the blind…. It never stops being a dog…it always knows how to play, run, bark, leap and be happy…But it is disciplined, and knows it has a job to do, and does it according to the training.

 

Making your Mind work for you, the way you want it to, may take years of work on our part, because we have to cut through the lifetime of conditioning we have been subjected to – and to which we have ultimately subjected ourselves.

Many people initially disagree with this statement, but: whether you are happy or not is your choice, completely. It has nothing to do with outside factors, it has nothing to do with what anybody else thinks, says or does.

Whatever weather is blowing, how we deal with it, is our choice. Full stop, period, finito.

 

This came as a massive blow to me personally, because at times, I really enjoyed wallowing in self-pity, fear, pain and resistance. It was great, it got me the sympathy vote, for a start, and prevented me from making any efforts as well…

But something I once read, caused me to stop, and haul myself up sharpish, pronto.

 

I digress from the path a moment, but sit on this rock with me, rest your feet, put your stick and baggage down and listen up…..This is a true story.

 

An elderly monk named Lopon-la*, managed to escape from Tibet and made his way to Dharamsala, the Tibetan Capital/Base, where the Dalai Lama lives, outside Nepal…. The journey of less than 100 kilometres took him over 6 weeks, over dangerous and exposed territory, but he was very old and very frail. In addition to this, he suffered greatly through constant pain, to virtually every bone in his body. He had recently been released from incarceration at the hands of the Chinese. He was virtually blind, nearly deaf and stooped almost double, and all this, due to the constant, daily torture inflicted upon him. He was beaten daily, subjected to electric shock, both externally and internally, and abused in the most despicable ways you could imagine.

News of his arrival in Dharamsala soon spread and the Media, eager to learn the true facts of what was going on in Tibet, flocked in their hundreds.

This tiny bent and broken man sat in front of them, and told his story. He answered all questions put to him, painstakingly and calmly.

One Reporter asked him, in all the years he had spent in the prison confined and treated in the way he had been, what had held the most fear for him?

He quietly replied that in the 18 years he had lived in this way, his greatest fear was to have lost his compassion for the Chinese.

 

(*Read a reference here)

 

When I first read this, I had goose-bumps all over, and it made me cry.

 

(In any situation where sensitivity, tact and diplomacy might be required, journalists and reporters are occasionally briefed on what may be suitable or unsuitable questions to ask. It was apparently the Dalai Lama himself, who suggested this question to the reporters, in an effort to broadcast to the world that hatred, vindictiveness, resentment, revenge and animosity are highly unskilful emotions, and that cultivating quite the opposite is better in the long run….)

 

This is when I personally realised, “It’s all in your Mind”.

This is where you live, and this is where your Truth starts, continues and ends.

This is what I personally feel I need to achieve. Joy, Serenity, Peace and Compassion, all the time, regardless.

And this is why I made it my choice to stride this way.

 

Come on.

Pick it all back up again, and let’s walk on…..

 

Meditation is an essential component to the Eightfold path, because through training the Mind, and through discipline, we can then use Right View with more clarity and clear, sharp precision….

 

And so the Wheel has turned full circle…..

[Geishawhelk]

I hope that thus far, the information has been interesting and thought provoking, and I hope you have managed to glean something of value from it, whatever that might be.

 

I'm sorry Ariadne seems to have stopped contributing. I found your posts, Ariadne, stimulating, and I would have hoped to have continued the discussion.

 

As you see fit.

 

there's more to follow, but I'll await comment or concensus of opinion before venturing further....

[dropdeadlegs]

Thank you for all you have shared thus far, Geishawhelk. I appreciate the time you take to post. The manner in which you write is very easy to read and understand, which is why many days I just read and reflect without comment. Rest assured that I am not the only one following along.

 

I feel so comfortable in asking you questions without fear of being actively "recruited" and that is so different from my experiences with most other faiths and/or religions. I'm not even sure what to call Buddhism because it doesn't feel that faith or religion is the appropriate word. It is more like a way of life than anything else I can define.

 

I am curious about your particular journey in this wealth of information. I may have missed it, or forgotten it, but how long have you been studying and where did you find your teacher/teachers? Also, are there many different sub-orders to Buddhism? I am familiar with the term "Zen Buddhism" but there seems to be very few Temples in my part of the US and the nearest one, which is very new, is called Tarn Bau Temple. Since there is a small Vietnamese community in my area I assume the Temple surfaced to meet their needs. I have no idea what Tarn Bau means and it prompted the question of sub-orders. The only info I could find on the internet was an address for the Temple. Anyway, I am curious if you have Temples and teachers in your area or how you went about gaining so much knowledge.

 

I had tried once to access a previous link and it wasn't working that particular day. I will try the link today and see what happens.

 

Thank you for continuing to share with me. I have a better understanding than ever before even if I have much to learn.

[dropdeadlegs]

By going back to the original thread I found answers concerning the length of your journey and your original teacher. I don't want you to go through the whole story again for me. I am finding some answers on the 'net to the "sub-orders" (not the word I am grasping for) but it will require much more research.

 

I am seeing lots of books, some by authors you have mentioned, at very reasonable prices (under $10) but I will check out my library first.

 

Thank you again, for your time.

[Geishawhelk]

Thank you for all you have shared thus far, Geishawhelk. I appreciate the time you take to post. The manner in which you write is very easy to read and understand, which is why many days I just read and reflect without comment. Rest assured that I am not the only one following along.

 

Thank you so much for your very kind words, DDlegs... Just underatand, please, that everything I impart is not original. It is information i have come to learn and accept as working for me, so i hope others will find it a useful tool for themselves, whatever they choose to do with it....

 

I feel so comfortable in asking you questions without fear of being actively "recruited" and that is so different from my experiences with most other faiths and/or religions. I'm not even sure what to call Buddhism because it doesn't feel that faith or religion is the appropriate word. It is more like a way of life than anything else I can define.

 

That, perhaps more than anything else, fills my heart, because I personally believe that any calling, path, vocation - whatever you want to call it - should feel as welcoming and comfortable as grandma's warm shawl....

To me, Buddhism is almost indefinable. A short while ago, on another forum, somebody asked the question of how they should integrate Buddhism into their lives: where should they study, with whom and for how long, before they could call themselves 'Buddhist'...

 

This is what I responded:

 

I have no sangha save the ones I attend on line.

I have no fixed tradition in mind, to follow, but I'm drawn to Tibetan....

However, I glean the "Good" and logical from all the different disciplines...

 

Most importantly, I don't practise Buddhism.

I live it.

 

It's not a question, (I have found, for me) of attempting to apply this or that teaching...It's a question of actually implementing it into my life, and making it a conscious and constantly attended habit....I have determined for myself to not follow Buddhism. I am striving daily to be it.

 

Thank you for continuing to share with me. I have a better understanding than ever before even if I have much to learn.

 

There is no hurry. There is no pressure. there is no obligation.

But there is much love, unity, companionship and empathy. Whatever you want, whatever I can do, whatever you need, if it's within my power, it's yours.

[dropdeadlegs]

Oh my goodness, the kindness and warmth is so very comforting. I always feel this lightness, a worry-free feeling, after reading this thread. I feel as if my lungs are expanded and in some strange way I'm am truly breathing in a way I haven't in a long time.

 

It's as if I have been ready to travel on a different path for quite some time but was so busy trying to disentangle my heart and/or mind from my learned beliefs. I now understand that isn't even necessary in order to choose a new route. On some level I can do both, or either, as I see fit.

 

Five years of struggling and it was so unnecessary.

[Geishawhelk]

Hello!!

 

You say five years of struggling....

 

I would say that many lifetimes have brought you to this point, a point you were always meant to reach.

 

I am so sorry you have had such a time of it. But nothing is unnecessary, really. It all counts, it all urges us forward, it all encourages us to know "there must be more to all of it, than just this".....

 

I've brought you a present.

 

You'll need speakers on your computer, and it takes around 10 minutes, but I hope you enjoy it.

 

http://www.mma-video.com/lovingkindness/Metta.htm

 

I've kept it as a 'favourite', and every so often, when my own personal sun is slightly overshadowed, I play it. then the sky is blue again.

[dropdeadlegs]

The link is quite lovely, thank you. I especially liked the original language and English conversion of lyrics provided.

 

Me, I will probably take baby steps and falter often, but I need the love and peace. Mistakes will be just that and I will get back on that horse.

 

Really, this link has been so instrumental in an initial embrace of something I believe to be exactly what I need, at the time I am truly ready to embrace it.

 

Even "kindness is my religion" as a continued mental mantra is a start, right? That says so much to me and would surely keep the eightfold path at the forefront of my mind.

 

I also checked out the earlier link relating the monk's story you shared. there was another part of the article (or it might have been a related article, I jumped from link to link) that jumped out at me. It concerned the Dalai Lama "breathing in" the poison of the world, taking it in internally, and releasing breath of love and happiness. That is so beautiful.

[Geishawhelk]

....Yes.... That is the established practise of 'Tonglen' which helps us to cultivate Universal Compassion and Unconditional Love towards all beings, regardless, which sometimes poses more challenges than we'd care to admit... as I once read:

"Loving the World to me is no chore -

My big problem's the guy next door!"

 

Something people sometimes forget is that to develop such attitudes towards others doesn't mean you also have to start liking them. If you've had a very bad experience over a long period of time, with someone, and you know that they have aspects of their character which you simply cannot come to terms with - that's ok. There's nothing wrong with that. But because we neither have the power nor the right to demand or expect they change, then the only place perception can alter is here, at home, within us.

 

Anybody who acts in a negative, destructive hostile manner is already in great pain, and they have an inner fear of loss of control.

What those people cannot see, come to terms with or alter within themselves, they turn outwards and thus exert these energies against others. What we can't drive within, we drive externally.

If we can alter our perception and see their anger, control, hostility, negativity, disdain and enmity as Fear and Pain, we can at this point begin to cultivate Compassion and love for them.

So we start with those we love, then those we know, followed bythose we meet and those we see.... we can't tell just by looking at someone, just what is going on in their lives, what kind of person they are, what trials, ordeals or troubles they carry.

 

According to some Buddhist thinking, if we have lived countless past lives, then so has everyone else.... these people you see, with whom you connect, might at some point have been your mother, your father, your son or your daughter..... That might help, although if in this life you've experienced difficulties with those very people, then again, it might not!

 

You sound very much like I felt when Buddhism opened its doors to me, too.... Something that had been there all my life and I just hadn't seen it...How dumb was that?!

 

But when I realised how gentle it all was, yet how strong and logical, everything began to fall into place as naturally as anything. My own problem was that I wanted to make up for lost time, and hurry my own progress...I wanted it all, preferably at once, and in neat little soundbite packages I could understand immediately, and put into practise.

 

But it's not called a path or journey for nothing....But the great thing is that your own personal baggage actually gets lighter the more you walk!