Buddhism (Totally unrelated to being bald!)

[Redgrave101]

For several years i have been interested in the teachings of Buddha. As of yet i have only done basic research and bought the odd book or two on the subject. Now im hoping to make a serious and sincere effort at adopting the values it represents into my own life.
I have been thinking about booking myself into a retreat for a week or so, that way i can actually meet several buddhists and begin to get some first hand accounts on how it has effected their lives and what they have learnt along the way.
But until then i was wondering if there are any practising buddhists here amoung our forum?

Cheers!

[tomgallagher]

On PBS recently there was a 4 hour documentary on "Buddha" narrated by Richard Gere who has been a practicing Buddhist for many years. I found it to be very informative. Maybe you could catch up with that on your PBS station.

[buddha]

I've always been kind of an angry person. There are a few reasons for this. What I've been learning through my limited study is developing what is referred to as an attitude of loving kindness. One of the ways to not see other people as potential adversaries is to consider them in loving kindness.
Like, for me, instead of saying that I wish the guy who just cut me off in traffic would roll his car in the ditch and burst into flames and die, after tailgating me for 3 miles I will say "may all beings be free from suffering". In saying this I include all living beings as well as the guy who just cut me off. At the times I remember to say this, called a "metta sutta" (I think), the immediate effect is a calming of my own scattered mind. My mind seems to open a bit and I understand that the guy may be having a totally $h!tty day. Maybe he did not tailgate/cut off because his opinion said that he is the more important person or his business is more urgent but maybe one of his kids just got hit by a car and is in the hospital and he is rushing to be by his side. I'll never know.
But for that moment it reminds me that I've had $h!tty days, too, and I remember that I've tailgated people and cut them off in traffic and screamed at my grandkids for some perceived wrong that, in the long run, is worthless. And it helps relieve my suffering that comes from a fear that I'm less than......whoever.
I think it unfolds differently by the minute depending on who's doing it so your process will be unique.
Keep me posted. I have A LOT to learn.

[Magoo]

Like you I am also interested in Buddism . I've also read a # of books on the subject. Buddism is very much a mind science as well as a religion. That retreat you mentioned sounds interesting , but I don't think I would have the patience for that.

[hammerdrill376]

You might be interested in reading Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life Living the Wisdom of the Tao by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer.  I really appreciate his material as it has been of great help to me.

Budda, I can understand your battles with anger. I have been through and still work with that myself.

[Magoo]

I have read parts of that book .

I think most of us especially the male gender has a problem w anger managment .
Due to testosterone.

[buddha]

I have read parts of that book .

I think most of us especially the male gender has a problem w anger managment .
Due to testosterone.

I'm inclined to agree, although I have my doubts about it being a chemical/testosterone problem. I think we "boys" are brought up to never show fear or sadness, that's girlie $h!t. What IS ok to show is anger because that's manly. All our male heroes sought to take firm action to resolve injustice when they got angry (I'm thinking John Wayne, Steven Seagal, etc). So we deprive ourselves of those outlets from the time we are very young.
That's why our wives have 7 years to spend all the money after we die.

[ozzie]

You don't mention what kind of retreat you are considering, but in my earliest exploration and study of Buddhism, along with studying and meditating at several monasteries, I undertook a 10-day Vipassana, or "Mindfulness" retreat. That was over 30 years ago, and I would consider it one of the defining experiences of my life.

As you have no doubt discovered in your studies, Redgrave101, the term Buddhism encompasses as many distinct and colorful flavors as does Christianity. At some point you will no doubt be attracted to, and gravitate to the practices of either a Mayahana or Theravada school of thought (for the totally confused, think Catholicism, Protestantism), but no matter your religious or philosophical leanings, I can highly recommend the practice of Vipassana meditation. It has helped me deal with some significant issues in my life. BTW, many devout Christians embrace the practice as well.

There are a bunch of religious charlatans out there though, preying on young folk with seeking minds, so a word of caution: True Vipassana meditation courses are always offered free of charge, to anyone. For the curious, a good starting point would be: www.dharma.org

Best wishes to you on your journey of self-discovery Redgrave101! Keep us posted.

[hammerdrill376]

Great advice Ozzie. Recently I sat in an afternoon meeting at the local Unity Church with Roy Eugene Davis. He was a diciple of Paramahansa Yogananda and is a teacher of Kriya Yoga. Meditation is very helpful to me and I endevor to practice it daily. I am from a Chrstian background although my take on what it means to be "born again" is now different from what I believed for years and is often taught from pulpits.   

[TGB1]

I was born and raised a Catholic. By the time I was 16 I was done with that business.

Buddhism seems to me the best of what is out there.

[Redgrave101]

Interesting to see that so many of us take an interest in Buddhism. I do not yet know what particular road i am leaning towards yet, im still very much a novice on the subject but i am keen to learn.
Am currently reading 'Joyful Wisdom' by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. Its been a very positive and inspirational read so far..

[BillOnBass]

I was born and raised a Catholic. By the time I was 16 I was done with that business.

Buddhism seems to me the best of what is out there.

I agree.  I don't subscribe to any particular religion.  From the few that I've minimally studied I can gather the good messages from each, but Buddhism has always struck the best chord with me.

[TGB1]

Buddism seems to make no assumptions about things.

[texanron]

  14. Political and Religious discussions tend to cause strife between members and therefore are not permitted as topics on Sly Bald Guys.  You may mention political figures as it relates to being bald or head shaving, but refrain from mentioning their political reviews.

Careful Guys.

[ozzie]

  14. Political and Religious discussions tend to cause strife between members and therefore are not permitted as topics on Sly Bald Guys.  You may mention political figures as it relates to being bald or head shaving, but refrain from mentioning their political reviews.

Careful Guys.

Thanks for reminding us, Ron. In fact, I had to reflect on that for a moment, because normally I would have considered that universal forum rule before even responding as I did earlier in the thread. Yet I did not hesitate here on SBG. Why so?

My conclusion? I think you'll find, as I have, that the makeup of the current populace of SBG is unfailingly polite, fair-minded and non-judgmental. We really do care about each other. In other words, SBG is completely unlike the vast majority of forums on the interwebs. As you can see by this thread, we've managed to discuss a very interesting yet sensitive subject for a WHOLE PAGE without anybody becoming belligerent. 

Having said that though, forum rules are in place for a reason, and should the temperature get a bit warm in here, I'm sure that statute will be invoked by the powers that be as a reason to lock the thread down.

In the meantime, I, for one, will be following it with much interest.