I've searched through the forum to find something on Buddhism but have only found it mentioned in other threads so thought I'd start one.
I am becoming increasingly interested in Buddhism, having come to it via mindfulness meditation. I've been using mindfulness as a means of helping me to deal wih stress for the past 5 years or so and have found it very effective. I went on a retreat (not Buddhist, but one of the teachers was), and started looking at how I was using meditation as a means of preventing something bad from happening (ie becoming stressed and unwell), rather than using it in a more postive way. I read up more of it's origins - in Buddhism - and have found that some of the teachings interested me. I've been to the London Buddhist Centre a few times but as It's a 3-4 hour round trip it's not a regular thing. So I've been reading various books on the subject, alongside continuing meditation. Reading is good but discussion can help too.
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There are many different forms of buddhism, but two main strands: Theravada and Mahayana. Theravada is more focussed on change through monastic meditation and following the teachings closely (based on pali and some sanskrit sources - the oldest records there are for the oral teachings). Mahayana includes the later schools which have changed depending on where and when they have been practiced. Mahayana would include the most popular "exports" to the west: Zen, and the various forms of Tibetan Buddhism and is very focused on the idea of the Boddhisatva - a being who strives to become more compassionate - to the extent of vowing to devote themselves to the cessation of suffering of all beings.
Some useful resources:
https://dharmaseed.org/
https://dharmanet.org/
https://gaiahouse.co.uk/
I've been to Gaia house a few times and a 3 day retreat is a great way to get started or to deepen your practice in a really nice supportive environment.
My fave books are
Mindfulness in Plain English,
Zen Mind Beginners Mind.
What makes you not a buddhist - (really funny)
and I have found Pema Chodron really useful in difficult times.
I'll post my thoughts when I have a bit more time.
The retreats I've been on are at Sharpham- near Gaia House. They're good, but not introduced as Buddhist even though they are sometimes lead by Buddhists. It these teachers that I've found most useful. I must try Gaia House.
I've not read any of those books - so thank you for the recommendations. I have read some of Pema Chodron and love the way she writes.
See if you can get hold of "Don't bite the hook" - audiobook by Pema C. All about that. Theres a teaching that buddha was supposed to have given to some villagers who were local businessmen and traders in India. "How should we react when we are insulted or abused?" "You are all family men. What do you do when a man comes to you with a gift which you do not want?" "We decline the gift graciously and say 'I do not need this gift. Take it home to enjoy yourself or with your family' " "Just so. And when a man gives you the gift of his abuse repond in the same way: 'I do not want this gift. Take it home to enjoy yourself or with your family' ".
Easier said than done and I "bite the hook" all the time (not least on this forum
Serious question.
I am wondering how buddhists would deal with Roland. I am guessing with peaceful protests and compassion towards him.
In principle I find it completely makes sense. Whilst sat around the actual tree he was supposed to have found nirvana I felt a wonderful calmness and fulfillment.
But then you walk around and there are dozens of temples built by different Buddhist countries all trying to ‘out Buddhist’ each other. Each one with a bigger gold Buddha. And it just reminds me that even this has lost its path.
If you want to practice Buddhism, just do it.
Good luck lovely lady xx
The Buddhist approach is different in that they say life is full of shite but it's how you deal with it and not to "want". This is totally alien to the western mindset where wanting is the reason to get out of bed in the morning.
Tai chi is a great discipline and I was introduced to it when overwork and stress led me to mindfulness. Difficult for me as i'm non stop with a very cluttered mind, but at least it led to some inner peace and calmness.
I agree KBslittlesis it does seem that some places try to outdo each other with their Budda display which is the polar opposite to the message !
Buddhism lite may be best for most of us, to find our own inner peace so we can handle the over bearing demands on our brains in the 21st century.
Clarity of mind and acceptance of the up and downs of life.
There is no path to happiness,
happiness is the path.
Fear of the unknown, I think has always been a factor in me not doing so, along with the bizarre but in some respects understandable behaviour of repeating the same shit over and over again because even though the end result is more shit, there’s something comforting about knowing the end result.
I went on the 2017 Winter Retreat at Adhistana organised by the LBC and was lucky enough to meet my now hero and mentor Maitreyabandhu.
He made a big impact on me on that retreat and through that encounter, as you know @Arsenetatters I’ve been attending the LBC throughout 2018 and now 2019.
I now have a daily meditation practise and don’t give myself a hard time if my meditation is, good, bad or indifferent, the important thing for me is that I just do it , as Nike would say and I do everyday as soon as I get up.
I’ve completed courses led by Maitreyabandhu been on a further two retreats and now started a Monday night study group, all positive stuff.
I do feel it’s had a positive effect on my mental wellbeing, My only hesitancy is my natural default mechanism, to assume anything positive I say, will immediately be preceded by the 🌍 crashing down around my ears, otherwise I’d be more vocal in promoting it!
I understand where @soapboxsam is coming from, having been raised a Catholic their wealth and that of other organised religions/spiritual practises has always put me off.
However, being realistic, all organisations to survive need a business and marketing model to provide the opportunities to develop practise. Even I have questioned Triratnas retreat centres, clearly they must have cost a packet but I am inclined to believe that they are doing it for the right reasons.
As @Wheresmeticket? states Triratna was designed to fit Western culture but still keeping Buddhist tradition and that’s ok at the moment by me. Let’s face it, I’m not Tibetan, Indian, Chinese or Japanese. I live in a western culture, I think it’s important to be mindful of that.
I’ve been very good in the past at Talking the Talk but not Walking the Walk.
Talking is good but acting is better. I became very aware of the word ‘Commitment ‘ being used throughout 2018 at the LBC and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do by taking action.
My study group will, if I complete, be four years in total out of my life. My initial response when I found out it was that long was, I can’t commit to that but in truth I had nothing else booked in so nothing stopping me. Of course I have no idea whether I’ll complete the course, other opportunities may come up and take me in a different direction and if they do then that’s ok, I’ll still have benefitted from my time in the group but at this very moment, I can and I do commit to it.
Its so easy to find excuses for why I can’t do something, it’s about time I found reasons for why I can!
I do hope, if you too are willing to commit and not find a million and one things why you can’t, that you to will benefit, be it Triratna or another school.
I fear it’s like any religion. Some just have to take it to the extreme.
We have a retreat here in West Cork if you fancy that & them come & hug some goats to complete your mindfulness xxxx
It's also about getting involved. It's about reading and practising the Dharma, trying to adapt it to ones life, particularly in our me me me, consumerist/materialist society and to break free from craving and being part of the Sangha can help with that.