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 Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 7:17 pm
Hello all, I'm new (and I've posted my introduction).
But I'm also roughly new to Buddhism and this may seem like a very simple question, but one that I wanted to ask anyway.
After I've read all the innumerable texts on Buddhism, how does one start on the path? I've been trying to keep the 8 Nobles in my mind, but admittedly they are difficult at times to follow.
Suggestions, life experience, will be quite helpful. Even basic meditation tips and suggestions would be good.
Thank you.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:12 pm
I've always found it difficult to just focus on the Noble Eightfold Path, and much easier to focus on universal compassion, and staying wise, noting that everything is empty, and staying moral, of course, nonviolence, and compassion, and then, keeping meditative. Of course, I have ALOT of problem with Meditation, so just remember to practice mindfulness. You don't have to focus on everything at once. Just focus on what you can hear, or see, or smell, or feel, etc. Kinda confusing, sorry, but I'm in a bit of a rush. Just remember the nature of things. And as the Dalai Lama says, "As a general rule, put others before yourself." There is no beginning of the path. You are already enlightened, you just need to get rid of all the extra stuff. At least, that's the Zen way of looking at it, as I understand.
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:03 am
Peace has some excellent advice there. I've found that as I've cultivated compassion (bodhicitta, the altruistic intention) and wisdom (prajna; and especially the wisdom realizing emptiness), as well as keeping the five lay precepts, that I've begun to spontaneously practice the Eightfold Path.
All of these things are made possible because of mindfulness. Because I'm paying attention (granted, not all the time, but I try), it's easier for me to remember the teachings and put them into practice. A nice way to cultivate compassion and put bodhicitta into action is, before you pick up the phone, say to yourself, "May I benefit whomever is calling." Or perhaps when you wake up in the morning, before you encounter anyone you could say, "May I be of benefit to everyone I encounter today."
Just little things like that, every day, have a cumulative and lasting effect. And when things get tough, it helps a great deal to use Buddhist logic to look clearly at the situation, especially when you begin to learn about emptiness, or sunyata.
But all these things will come in time. If you rush yourself, confusion may result. Confusion will probably result anyway, at first, as some topics are contrary to the usual way we may think about things, but that's to be expected with the dharma. xd
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 10:43 am
Nirvahara Peace has some excellent advice there. I've found that as I've cultivated compassion (bodhicitta, the altruistic intention) and wisdom (prajna; and especially the wisdom realizing emptiness), as well as keeping the five lay precepts, that I've begun to spontaneously practice the Eightfold Path. All of these things are made possible because of mindfulness. Because I'm paying attention (granted, not all the time, but I try), it's easier for me to remember the teachings and put them into practice. A nice way to cultivate compassion and put bodhicitta into action is, before you pick up the phone, say to yourself, "May I benefit whomever is calling." Or perhaps when you wake up in the morning, before you encounter anyone you could say, "May I be of benefit to everyone I encounter today." Just little things like that, every day, have a cumulative and lasting effect. And when things get tough, it helps a great deal to use Buddhist logic to look clearly at the situation, especially when you begin to learn about emptiness, or sunyata. But all these things will come in time. If you rush yourself, confusion may result. Confusion will probably result anyway, at first, as some topics are contrary to the usual way we may think about things, but that's to be expected with the dharma. xd Thanks for the good advice, Peace and Nirvahara! As far as beginner-meditation goes, I would focus on simple breathing as a means of calming the mind at the start of meditation sessions. Breath is simple, rather subtle, easy to notice, and readily related to a variety of concepts (cyclic existence, the foundations of life itself, impermanence, dependence of the mind on physiological processes, etc). Concentration on breathing also minimizes reliance on "conceptual thoughts" that can derail the meditation process, as compared to reflecting on past memories, thinking about loved ones, etc. When unhelpful thoughts do arise, be mindful of them and note to yourself that "this is a thought/random memory/random desire that will fade away" and return to your concentration. If your mind is racing at the time of meditation, repeating mantras can be useful to drown-out the chatter and possibly generate enthusiasm for continued practice. I tend to do this mentally/internally, but this increases the chance that distracting thoughts may be able to persist alongside the mental repetitions...Vocal chanting seems to more-thoroughly drown-out 'voices in your head' while promoting mental focus. Emptiness/ shunyata is a rather advanced concept that's probably more understandable once you have plenty of meditational experience...Impermanence of all phenomena is easier to ponder.
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:20 pm
THis is great advice. Thank you guys! whee
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