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 Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 5:34 pm
Has anyone here had problems with self control? It seems to be very trying for me to keep my cool, because I am in the bible buckle(not the Christians are bad) and nobody will leave me alone.
Anyone else had a time where you just want to reach across the table and backhand the person pissing you off?
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Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 6:09 pm
I'm right there with you mate, I live in Southern Missouri core of the Baptist area of the Bible belt. You have to take a few steps back and always remember it is their own insecurities with their faith that causes them to push out, just think about what a true buddhist would do.
Rely on your intellect and not your emotions, a buddhist is accepting and is not forceful. While a christians goal is to preach and convert it is a Buddhists goal to listen and learn.
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TheManWhoLivesintheClouds
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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 4:08 am
I'm fortunate to be living in Canada - a place known for its lack of religious fervor. I still have to deal with self-control, though. Mine has to do with spending needlessly. I find that zazen ("meditation") has been training me to allow my thoughts just to pass by and to not cling to them and ride them into poverty.
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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:13 am
Have i ever?! rolleyes
I live in a country where almost 90% are Catholics so i completely know how you feel. For a long time it was quite the struggle for me so I'd lie if i said i don't get pretty much pissed off from time to time, but that's a self defense mechanism every human has when attacked on one way or another. What is important, is that you don't harm anyone in that anger and find a way to calm yourself down... Some people meditate, some take a walk (for me example) or do something else... biggrin
Unfortunately many times i just can't keep quiet and tend to speak my mind clearly and rebel against the actions of those who push something on me. I am always ready to listen to everyone as long as I'm not forced to share their thoughts and beliefs. BUT if i ever notice things go too far i cease with my actions and leave before things get overly bad... confused
Not exactly a good tactic but hey... sweatdrop I'm very much aware i have so much more to learn... like being less stubborn... or proud... sweatdrop
BUT... I'm trying and someday, hopefully, it'll pay off... biggrin
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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:57 pm
I go to a Catholic High School. My Theology class is especially tough.
I intensely dislike the class, it bothers me because the teacher pretty much puts down any "heathen" religion that doesn't worship his God, and anyone that isn't Catholic is wrong. I listen to him and then I drop it off my brain.
I read something in one of Brad Warner's books(The two I've read I know inside and out.) that said you only get angry when you put energy into it. What I do when I'm in class is I just stop thinking, I almost do zazen, but not quite. It's the same frame of mind that you have when you do hardcore zazen, when you just sit. I don't focus on my breath or chant a mantra, I just sit there and I am aware of the voices around me and I'm able to respond to them, but I don't do anything else. I actually find it helps me learn better to, the knowledge tends to stay in my brain easier because I've opened it up to more.
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Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:02 pm
Zen Bassist I go to a Catholic High School. My Theology class is especially tough.
I intensely dislike the class, it bothers me because the teacher pretty much puts down any "heathen" religion that doesn't worship his God, and anyone that isn't Catholic is wrong. I listen to him and then I drop it off my brain.
I read something in one of Brad Warner's books(The two I've read I know inside and out.) that said you only get angry when you put energy into it. What I do when I'm in class is I just stop thinking, I almost do zazen, but not quite. It's the same frame of mind that you have when you do hardcore zazen, when you just sit. I don't focus on my breath or chant a mantra, I just sit there and I am aware of the voices around me and I'm able to respond to them, but I don't do anything else. I actually find it helps me learn better to, the knowledge tends to stay in my brain easier because I've opened it up to more. I wish I could do that, but my mind never calms down enough to meditate. 3nodding Though usually during lunch when I have to sit near an ex-friend that keeps telling me that anyone who has had an abortion should (tells me this everyday), I just kinda sit there, and I listen, but my brain forgets them after she says them... confused (wish i could do that in my math class, my teacher takes way too long to get to the point...)
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Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 5:08 pm
I'm very...non-confrontational. It has more to do with shyness than being able to keep my cool. .-. But as I've practiced Buddhism I've learned to put myself in the other person's shoes and better understand where they're coming from, so I'm far less likely to get annoyed and angered by people anymore. Things that used to drive me up the wall, piss me off, or make me talk nasty about people...they just don't get to me so much anymore. I guess I could also attribute that to growing up, though. xd
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:31 pm
I have the same issue as the rest of you, and its very difficult to maintain control over myself.Zen Bassist
I read something in one of Brad Warner's books(The two I've read I know inside and out.) that said you only get angry when you put energy into it. What I do when I'm in class is I just stop thinking, I almost do zazen, but not quite. It's the same frame of mind that you have when you do hardcore zazen, when you just sit. I don't focus on my breath or chant a mantra, I just sit there and I am aware of the voices around me and I'm able to respond to them, but I don't do anything else. I actually find it helps me learn better to, the knowledge tends to stay in my brain easier because I've opened it up to more.
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 5:44 pm
Zen Bassist I go to a Catholic High School. My Theology class is especially tough.
I intensely dislike the class, it bothers me because the teacher pretty much puts down any "heathen" religion that doesn't worship his God, and anyone that isn't Catholic is wrong. I listen to him and then I drop it off my brain.
I read something in one of Brad Warner's books(The two I've read I know inside and out.) that said you only get angry when you put energy into it. What I do when I'm in class is I just stop thinking, I almost do zazen, but not quite. It's the same frame of mind that you have when you do hardcore zazen, when you just sit. I don't focus on my breath or chant a mantra, I just sit there and I am aware of the voices around me and I'm able to respond to them, but I don't do anything else. I actually find it helps me learn better to, the knowledge tends to stay in my brain easier because I've opened it up to more. I have actually practiced zazen in the middle of boring lectures and amongst arguments between people from across the room before. During the first: keeps me from falling asleep. In the second situation: keeps me neutral and from snapping. I can meditate almost anywhere, I've found...
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