The Planet's Sangha: Buddhist discussions, thought, etc.

[aishah]

Originally Posted by Cajun_dee

Wow that is so true. like once i was told to *go meditate*... i can't meditate on command. i need time out to do that. i can stop what i am doing, try to clear my head but to achieve the level that moves me deep inside. i also learned about the different types of meditation in the readings i was doing. i think some may think they are meditating when actually they are just being still, and sometimes we meditate when we are deep inside our own self.

When i would kneel, really kneel, there was nothing else to do but focus, and for me a little added pain helped bring me to such a quiet state, but still i always wanted that blissful peace that i never could reach, where everything just shuts down. Maybe i was just in subspace, for me i'm flying at that time, but still would not consider it meditation.

for me meditation is like exercise. it sucks and i don't wanna, but when i do it, i feel better. and when i do it on a regular basis, i notice changes in my life and behavior, like the ability to be mindful with normal tasks, be a better listener, respond more with compassion. and eventually i become more at peace in meditation and outside of it. sometimes that leads to more intense meditation experiences, but i was taught that that shouldn't be the focus or goal of meditation (for me at least).

i definitely agree that flying in subspace has some connections...i love that blissful feeling. it's different than what meditation feels like for me. but it can also be a state of heightened awareness.

[girl_dee]

Originally Posted by aishah

for me meditation is like exercise. it sucks and i don't wanna, but when i do it, i feel better. and when i do it on a regular basis, i notice changes in my life and behavior, like the ability to be mindful with normal tasks, be a better listener, respond more with compassion. and eventually i become more at peace in meditation and outside of it. sometimes that leads to more intense meditation experiences, but i was taught that that shouldn't be the focus or goal of meditation (for me at least).

i definitely agree that flying in subspace has some connections...i love that blissful feeling. it's different than what meditation feels like for me. but it can also be a state of heightened awareness.

Yes, being a hypnotherapist and an energy worker (i do this in conjunction with bodywork) i love watching people at peace, relaxing and *flying*... so you would think simple meditation would come easy for me. Maybe i'm just fighting it.

[Jaques]

I dont i.d. as Buddhist but would say that I have been Buddhist minded for around 20 years. I have visited a local monastery on numerous occasions and when I lst went was taken aback when a monk said to me "there's no such thing as an innocent child" I felt "how nasty is that" - it took me quite a while to understand what he meant, though he never elaborated on his statement - maybe it was to get me thinking - it certainly did. Of course, it was there all the time, that old thing Karma, natural law, what we sow we reap, however you want to put it. We are all born by our own desires and "blessed" with the karma of previous lives, so as that beautiful, wide eyed baby, we are there by our own doing. In Buddhism (and many other religions/beliefs) its thought that our actions in the present life (& sometimes those past) create the reality of our next one - who we are, how we are, to whom we are born, whether we are well or ill, whether rich or poor - all designed by ourselves to finally and hopefully "get it". This is my understanding of life anyway, obviously not shared by everyone.
That made it easier for me to understand the difficult lives and death of my parents who were practically saints yet had it so hard, my gender dysphoria, the confusion and pain and reality of it. The pain, cruelty and injustice humans inflict upon one another. I was able to accept these things and see that they are all the karmic result of the lives we lead and our inability to understand natural laws. So now when im tempted to do something naughty, illegal etc. Im a little ashamed to admit that its not always the goody two shoes in me that decides "better not" - its the self preservation - thinking, "nope, im not going to reap the rewards of that one" and keeps me (mostly anyway) on the straight and narrow. When I try to push it all aside, low and behold, i get a reminder right on the chin and know its time to get back on track.............there really is no way out - lol!:hangloose

[girl_dee]

Yaknow i kinda get that, being " Buddhist " and being "Buddhist minded."

i hope that everyone on this thread gets to enjoy the insight of others, i know i do. i hope people keep posting about their experiences.

i don't feel that one way of a spiritual life is enough for me, so i enjoy a few, i am grateful for being exposed to some Buddhist teachings. i lost faith in it during a personal hard time but Buddha has been present in my life since i can remember, and it still remains that way.

The Temple that sylvie is talking about also brought things together for me when i visited there. Just the energy is amazing. If ever you have a chance to visit a temple, do it!

i don't think i will ever consider myself a Buddhist but have adopted some of the ways of the Buddhist.

i am fascinated with the life of Buddha, but also many other Gods and Goddesses of the past.

i think for ME, Buddhist' ways are just very simple.

[Jaques]

I also follow the teachings of Christ as I believe he like the Buddha who was born a long time before, is a fully realised being who brought truth to the world. Both taught people to look inside to find it for themselves and the Buddha encouraged us to question everything, including what he taught so we could really understand why we are here and the impermenant nature of everything. They came at it from different angles but the main message to us was to be compassionate, not only to others but firstly to ourselves so that we are better placed to help those around us. Some people might see this as selfish but to me it makes sense. I dont call myself a Buddhist, if i admit it, i am not good at commitment and i couldnt take the 5 precepts because i drink alcohol, not a lot but it is a mind altering substance - but then so's coffee, lol! Actually, i have just learned that the Buddha took cannabis as part of his diet - i dont do drugs but have heard its a good medicine used in the right way.
I think the lst thing that drew me to Buddhism was when i saw the Dalai lama interviewed and when asked how he viewed his enemy, the Chinese, where Christ was reputed to have said "love your enemies" - the Dalai Lamas reply was "there is no enemy, we are all brothers, all the same.........." For a man who has had his country ravaged (firstly by the English in l912, colonel younghusband) and then the chinese inthe l950's, his people still persecuted, the panchen lama kidnapped as a 5 yr old and replaced by the chinese chosen lama, hes one heck of a guy and has such an infectious laugh. Hes the kind of guy, who when looking at the magnificence of the Himalayas, would notice a tiny flower at his feet and marvel at that............so my journey began - and yes, its great to hear others experiences too..........

over to you..............

[girl_dee]

Someone once told me about being their experience of being in His Holiness' presence. i heard it was very moving and amazing.

i summon the deities that call to me at any given moment in life.

When i lose something i ask for St Anthony. Selling a house is St Joseph..When i feel a negative energy i ask for Buddha to help me to see that *they suffer greatly* , realize it's not about me it's about them and not take it personally (that's hard). When i need help with children or little ones i ask Yameya, Mother Mary for guidance. At times Mary Magdeline comes to my mind. When i work and put my hands on people i ask for help from ALL of them to guide me facilitating others in their healing.

i don't want to exclude any spiritual guide and i shouldn't have to.

[StrongButch]

Hard times build determination and inner strength. Through them we can also come to appreciate the uselessness of anger Instead of getting angry nuture a deep caring respect for troublemakers because by creating such trying circumstances they provide us with invalueable opportunities to practice tolerance and compassion- Dali Lama