The Path That Offers Me a Way to Practice
I am really not any kind of expert on Buddhism. I studied and practiced many religions hoping to find one that would be suited to my temperament. So far Buddhism has shown me a way to be kind and compassionate to others and more content in life. Here are a few things I have learned so far.
- When I harm others, I create the possibility of receiving harm so I try to not harm others.
- When I help others to be happier and free from the dis-satisfactions that life presents, I feel better about myself and other people seem to send more kindness my way
- When I stop spending so much time ruminating about all the things that displeased me and start thinking of other people and how I can help them, I feel more fulfilled.
- When I stop clinging to the pleasant things and stop trying to run away from the unpleasant ones, I am more content.
So this is just a brief introduction to some of the benefits I have received by practicing a type of Buddhism taught by the Dalai Lama. What is funny to me is he does not want anyone to believe what he says just because he says it. He offers teachings so someone can try it if they are so inclined. He says if it works for you, use it. If not, just let it go.
This kind of practical approach to spirituality really makes sense to me. Plus the Dalai Lama speaks with great humility when they say "My religion is kindness." I like that they do not try to overwhelm me with all the details at first, although they are very knowledgeable.
I want to be like that. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I am happy to spend this precious human life working to help myself and others.
Thanks for listening.
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@soulsings 😁 your a very very special person. And you don't need to work on kindness, you already perfect in that way ❤ buddha and God, said "an eye for a eye, makes the whole world blind* that really stood out for me. I also want to be the way you described. But not sure how to move on
@Tinywhisper11 thank you for pointing out that we need to look further than retribution or we all suffer.
I find that the older I get the more I learn and so patience is my recommendation and never give up even if things seem dark, morning will arrive.
hugs <3
@soulsings the sun will shine each day ❤❤
Thanks for sharing your experience with Buddhism @soulsings !
I can understand what avoiding running from unpleasant things means, but what does clinging to pleasant things look like? Do you have any examples?
@AffyAvo the simplest example I have of clinging is wanting an ice cream to make me happy. No matter how much I try to make it last, it is soon over. Am I happy. Usually I crave something else.
So what do I do? I can think more of helping others because they are suffering rather than try to get a material solution to solve my unhappiness dilemma.
Hope that helps.
Another example is believing our true happiness resides in someone else. My experience has shown me that even if I am with that person, if I am dissatisfied and or depressed, I will not be happy.
@soulsings Great explanation, thanks!
@soulsings
Hi.
What I have heard about Buddism is that it is all about compassion and I also have heard that Buddah never wanted anyone to worship him as a God.
I've taken a Buddhism course as an elective a few years ago. The main point I learned was that it's about being compassionate and humble. There are a lot of teachings that gears towards kindness, positivity, respect, and mindfulness. It does seem like a friendlier approach upon being introduced to it. With more compassion between the people, the world will be a better place.
@soulsings
Thank you for sharing your experience with Buddhism. I found it very interesting and informative. Although I don't have much knowledge about Buddhism, I understand that it promotes peace and harmony. I really appreciated your thoughts on the importance of not causing harm to others and finding fulfillment in helping them. I also liked the idea of leaders encouraging individuals to seek out their own belief in their leaders' words, rather than the leader trying to control them. I am glad that you have found something that resonates with you and I hope that you continue to grow in your journey.
@Jenna thanks for your encouraging words.
I wish you also much success and fulfillment in your journey.
Wouldn't it be ironic after all these centuries of various people fighting and arguing with each other, that people discover that we are all headed to the same destination which we cannot see very clearly from where we are now? We will surely get there quicker when we cooperate rather than oppose each other.
@soulsings
It's really exciting to learn people's perspectives on their faith. They're able to educate us, we get to learn. They have excitement and joy while doing it. I won't go too deep into my personal beliefs, but I do believe we are all headed to the same place and it's not ***.
@Jenna I share your enthusiasm for learning about other's faith if they care to share, especially the universal qualities of a faith are important to me in sharing with others so that we can find some common ground.
I think the fine details of our faith are important to us individually to make progress on the path we are on. Yet when I get too deep into the details my faith, to others it may seem that we are on very different paths.
I like to see the whole forest not get lost in the trees is an analogy of what I am speaking about.
Thank you so much for sharing. It was an interesting read. I have a few questions:
-Is Buddhism similar to Jainism? If not, what is the difference?
-Do Buddhists worship Mahavir Buddha or only respect him as a preacher?
-Lastly, what is your idea to avoid ruminating about displeased things? What helps stop ruminating?
Much love,
-Angel 💙💜
@soulsings
@lyricalAngel70 thank you for your questions.
Is Buddhism similar to Jainism? If not, what is the difference? Sorry I know nothing about Jainism so I cannot compare them.
-Do Buddhists worship Mahavir Buddha or only respect him as a preacher? Buddha does not consider themselves someone to be worshipped. Rather they want to point the way to liberation from dissatisfaction and to the highest fulfillment we can have as beings.
-Lastly, what is your idea to avoid ruminating about displeased things? What helps stop ruminating? Concentration meditation is a start to stop ruminating. Basically either focus on the breath or a point of focus that you use in meditation and whenever the mind wanders, gently bring it back to the point of focus. It is not the end but when one has the ability to focus and concentrate, meditation and mindfulness are more readily accomplished.
Hope that helps.
Okay, thank you so much for taking out time to answer my questions.
Much love,
-Angel
@soulsings
@soulsings Interesting. You're the second person I've met so far who's into Tibetan Buddhism. If my main condition permitted it, I would meditate also, though I lean more towards Nichiren's doctrine. Zen Buddhism in general seems more stripped-down with less bells & whistles, so to speak...just my opinion. It may not be worth much, as I am no adept in Buddhism of any kind.
@slowdecline48 Zen Buddhism is a form of Buddhism that even has many different varations within zen itself. I like Zen stories because they lead me to ponder how I think of life and my basic attitudes. The stories are a source of inspiration.
I do not see myself as a typcial practitioner of the Buddhist religion because I see any religion as a source of inspiration and contemplation. To me what is important is if I learn and practice the teachings, do they make me live a more fulfilling life. So I look at all religions from that perspective.
