kitch

I guess I would have to say that for me Buddhist teachings are what centres me, because it helps me see a logical path for mindfulness. The 'faith' part of Buddhism is just that the teachings are helpful. Buddha himself said, take what is genuinely useful and discard the rest. So when I kneel and bow to my alter, it's not blind hope of salvation, it's honouring a time and space where I can look within and find answers, The Buddha is just the representation of the universal concept of taking time to look with in.


The Buddha is interesting to me since the methods discussed, when practiced, have really helped me learn how to shed light on my own situations.

The concept I appreciate along with Bodhisattva mind, are the teachings of impermanence, about how ALL things rise and fall rise and fall, just like my abdomen when I meditate, just like my feet on the ground and just like unbeneficial thoughts rising, considered, fall.

The arousal is a sign of emotion, but isn't the means in which such concerns need to be expressed.

Emotions happen, actions are chosen.

The more I practice 'right thought and intention', the easier new neural pathways are formed, so choosing becomes less effortless over time. This I feel is part of the larger picture of being like the bamboo, my favourite metaphor for liberated mind, Learning how to bend without breaking, in large and small ways in our everyday lives.

I feel that Buddhist practice, has helped me find that core meaning of the faith I was raised in, and also to understand the interconnected ideals in lots of others. So being a Buddhist to me doesn't mean that I can't read or consider anything else. The 'considering' part is what Buddha teaches, not necessarily what to consider, just more like suggestions of how to form analytical exploration. As the Tibetan Book of the Dead focuses on how to remain alert in the Bardo of Death, so does it effect our lives, and learning to recognize what to do with arising when we 'live'.

God is really the only thing not talked about much by Buddha, and that I think is good. God to me is a referencing point for people to look and worship their highest ideals, ideally. People create God in that manner of speaking, which is why it so alarming to think that people worship out of fear. Buddha for me was a face, that helped me feel comfortable, when I approached mindfulness, a teacher I could trust. But to me the face of the teacher represents the cosmic and universal laws in which we live, and where He, touches the Earthbased side of my spirituality. Buddha also touched the Earth on the night of his enlightenment, when Mara, the god of temptation, asked Buddha 'who was his judge?' So his likeness is the proverbial face of goodness I see with in the world, the calm presence and the smile of knowing, turned slightly in the corners. Many Buddhist festivals and celebrations in India culture are based around the moon as well. A remnant of Earthbased roots, no doubt, original paganism. Buddhism is just the philosophy of that.

My wife has took her vows as a pagan and when we got together we both found our paths knitted together well.

So I suppose that doesn't really answer, how I stay light hearted, but it is encompassed in those things I said. Working to be honest and accepting of things, lets out my true intentions to love and comfort people. And that doesn't mean that you have to be stuffy and stoic. Think Dalai Lama, or the beaming smile or so many Teachers of the Dharma.

What I fear is that Westerns will try to do to the East what has been done to the Western religions. And that is keep the 'knowledge' and not share it. Making it spiritual property, which is a bit of what you touched on, with 'headier that thou'.

Interconnectedness should make it abundantly aware to people that Kindness is the ONLY way to treat people.

"If you can't help someone, at least try to do them no harm"

So thanks for reading that, I just had some thoughts to share, which is why I was suprised and commented on how you end conversations now and again.

My ego went , damn, I really have a lot more to share. So I hope you enjoyed reading that, if nothing beyond understanding me, was taken from it.

I really like to talk existential ideas, so this is also some of my geek showing, as I really like to share with people who I have found meaning and happiness in my life, as well.

So if you have any questions or things to say about what I share, feel free to do the same. Sharing with others what we believe can also help us cognize a bit as well, so thanks for being an ear for that as well.







thanks sage!

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SageTree

I wondered if you were going to frame this with a 'facebook' chat or not

The Dharma can't be stolen, as it is free

But I am seriously glad you thought this was worth sharing, as my amblings on thoughts, tend to turn rambling if I'm not careful.

Thanks for sharing Kitch.

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