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

[Camo Eagle]

Originally Posted by key

But have to admit I don't have that kind of long term discipline. And the Buddhists that I have known are very centered indeed. Love me some Pema Chodron. http://www.pemachodron.org/ However, I get some mixed messages about Buddhism's acceptance (or lack thereof) of homosexuality. Some places I read that we fall under "sexual misconduct" laws of their religion and other places I read that they do not judge us. As someone who grew up under the boot of "hate the sin, love the sinner" Xtianity, this kind of gives me the willies.

Certainly don't want to discourage anyone from walking the path of their choosing, but worry that all religion, even ones without God's can be a minefield of do's and don'ts that is bound to leave someone out.

I guess any door through which we enter, can snag us on it's splinters, we must walk on through to get to (what I believe) is our shared destination.

Sacred communion with all.

I think it all depends where you visit. Much like in any path. ITs not so much the doctrines in play, but the human element.
I studied Wicca for yrs., everything was ok until I transitioned. All of a sudden as a Male I was no longer welcomed. I have since found a local grp ran by a Military Psychologist of all things, that have no problems with me at all.
When I talked to my Temple Abbott about changing my Buddhist female name to a Male one, he had no prob.. He even explained the dual nature of the Buddha.

Originally Posted by Diva

I was thinking it was my age.....as it has been easier and easier for me to purge.....I have too many THINGS....I've been going through Rubbermaid TUBS of stuff, asking myself.....HOW many times have I moved this? Never looking inside to see what it WAS.....and....um...>WHY did I keep this 1994 bill?I know, right?But since I've moved to Austin....and I'm [hopfully] not going anywhere until my ashes are floating in the Seine......I have found it empowering to 'let go' of all KINDS of stuff....physical stuff....toxic people.....anger.... regrets.... guilt....And it has really been empowering, and, at the same time giving me a great deal of peace.

I am doing the purging, letting go, thing with "stuff" lately. Its hard for me as well, but I gotta admit it felt good to get rid of some things. I use the free pg on Craigslist, and my local branch of Freecycle a lot. I recently had an op to give some much needed items to a Cancer survivor in treatment. He was so happy & said it was his best xmas gift of all. That totally made my day. Letting go is good. Keep up the good work Diva.

Originally Posted by Linus

So as I continue down this path, I decided to finally get through The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Within the 2nd Chapter something hit home:

This made me think of the times we're in and how many people feel angry and loss when they lose their house, job, etc. We have such strong attachments to them because we associate them to our identity, which really they are not. They are things that are part of our daily activities but they are not "us".
I think of myself, as an example, often as Linus the Teacher, Linus the FTM, Linus the Partner of K, Linus the Canadian in the US, Linus the Acadian-by-descent rather than Linus, me. I think I need to work on finding the "me" of all those "beings".

[/RIGHT]

One thing I did when I started giving away items lately, was look inside to see why I needed to hold on to those things. I think some liberation surfaced when I found those answers. Yes sometimes we need to find the "me".

Originally Posted by Greyson

Linus, I am in agreement with this notion. However, I find it almost impossible to keep responding and seeing them with an open heart and compassion.
For me, after a life time of being challenged on almost everything that I am, the wounds, the damage done makes it almost impossible to move past the baggage.
I want to but each time "they" take yet another underhanded action against me and others like me.... well my best intentions and compassion seem to vanish in a moment. I then go into self preservation mode.
I'm rambling. I still hold out hope that I will take the high road.

I think you are missing a lil something. You forgot to see your progress. No, maybe you are not where you want to be on this journey, but the fact that you are aware and trying, is a big step. Buddhist call it "Mindfulness". You are present in that thought, and you are aware of your needs, thus you progress. Look inside, I'll bet you think before you speak/act more often. How many times do you walk away instead of fight? See you have grown.

[Glenn]

I have recently been studying the Way Of The Samurai (Great Courage), and have found this to be a great help to me. I have been doing severe austeries for the past fifteen years such as seclusion, celibacy, poverty, renouncing family, worldly pleasures, caring for the sick without pay, study, meditation, etc. I try to live each day as though I could die, without attachment, and freedom from rebirth. The only thing I am having a real problem with now is leaving my furkids without a home. I have become super attached to caring for them all.

i have posted this is several other places but wished to post it in the sangha as well! after 10 years on intense study, meditation, tai cji, qi qong and other spiritual work, i have finally been officially ttansmitted in the lineage of Gao-Tazi and the Hombu of Hanshi Swansey and the IMAOaOM, the title of
Roshi (Taoist and Ch'an Zen Priest) with Inka
I am Dharma Successor Soke Roshi Shihan Jordan Weiss and Taoist Priest Xian Wu Chang Dao-Ling, among Others. i humbly bow to All who have taught me with much wisdom, kindness, compassion, and patience. may i prove to be a worthy successor and Chen Jen! i, pres, am now officially known as
Roshi Kellee Wu-Xian Lin Gao
in addition, i, a disabled person, achieved my black belt (1st dan) in Shin Sin Do Kung Fu! i showed my learning by successfully fending off real-time (not just by forms or in the ring) a 6 ft, 300 lb man who was not taking NO! for no and attempting to rape me. i am 5 ft and weigh 90 lbs and am disabled. i showed him that if he did not back off that he would be severely injured, killed if necessary,and got him away from me without having to do so! i think he was so shocked that i did not submit that that alone scared him, lol. he has not been seen in these parts again. so i used my training to show that i can now apply what i learned! "little weedhopper" did it!
i am setting up first a virtual zendo for Taoists and Buddhists, and all who for whatever reason lack a spiritual home. there will be Taoists/Buddhists services offered, meditation sessions, and any other help needed. all will be open to any who wish to come. in addition, i can perform interfaith services such as weddings, commitment ceremonies, etc. i am also offering Taoist/Buddhist counseling to any in need. online and by phone. again these services are free of charge. the only time i will ever charge for my services is, when i am well enough to do so, i set up a real time Pastoral Counseling Service authorized by the state in which i reside. the fees then would be minimal, based upon ability to pay, enough to subsidize those who cannot. i really do not believe that a Roshi should charge for anything. but that is just my opinion.
ok. enough. when the zendo is up and functioning. i will make a postin about it. in the meantime, i offer my services to the sangha, should anyone need or want a Roshi.
namaste

[atomiczombie]

I think I need to read this thread over and over. I am seeking a new Truth, a new path for my life. I have been stuck in this PTSD hell for 3 and 1/2 years now. I am tired of being gripped with anxiety and fear. I think a paradigm shift is in order for me.

[DamselFly]

this upcoming Sunday (April 16th), i have the chance to attend a new class session of Cha'n Buddhism and meditation. please light a candle, burn incense, whatever your personal practice, that i will feel well enough to attend for the two hours. this is first formal Cha'n sangha i've had a chance to become a part of and am needing the support very much! also i ask for a way to find a ride there and back for those times when my generous housemate cannot take me.
namaste and gassho,
DamselFly

[DamselFly]

Buddhism can certainly offer you a new paradigm! There are several good sites online to introduce you to the basics:
E-Sangha, Buddhanet, the Buddhist Channel, Buddhist Depot, etc. you also might want to look into finding a local sangha (Buddhist community) that would offer classes and an intro to meditation. i am a roshi (Taoist/Zen Buddhist Master), so if you wish to ask any questions privately, i will gladly offer my services!
namaste,
DamselFly

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I think I need to read this thread over and over. I am seeking a new Truth, a new path for my life. I have been stuck in this PTSD hell for 3 and 1/2 years now. I am tired of being gripped with anxiety and fear. I think a paradigm shift is in order for me.

[DamselFly]

last saturday i attended my first class at Buddha Mind Monastery in Ch'an Buddhism! i enjoyed it very much though find its teaching most different from the Tibetan Buddhism i am used to. they seem to be a combination of Taoism and Buddhism. since i am both Taoist and Buddhist, i think i have found a good spiritual home. the Jian Dharma Masters or Shifus were all women! THAT most refreshing. They understood that i could only come to every other class and seemed impressed that i was coming two hours (each way) for class. interesting juxtaposition-while i was at the monastery, my housemate went to a casino, lol! the first meditation They teach is shunyatha (emptiness) meditation. They speak of "going to the Pure Land". i am going to look into taking a course from Ashoka University (ashokaedu.com) in Ch'an Buddhism plus learn everything available from Buddha Mind Monastery's website.
namaste,
DamselFly

[Linus]

Oh.. that does sound interesting. I find it hard to find Tibetan Buddhist temples here (short of going 50 miles from here to one in downtown L.A.). I may have to renew my search again.

[Camo Eagle]

Lama Zopa Rinpoche recently had a stroke.
It is asked that as many as possible do the Medicine Buddha pujas, and or the Medicine Buddha practices.

If you scroll down to the 23rd you will find the downloads if you dont know/have them.

http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/ri...practices.html

[DamselFly]

i know that there are those who read this thread who do not know the basics of Buddhism. following the outline in H.H.The Dalai Lama in His book, How To Practice, i have decided to give short lessons in Buddhist basics. as to not make the posts overly long, i'll present them in one paragraph "dharma talks". if anyone want explication upon anything, just say so in a post or pm me. i do not set myself up as anyone who has great knowledge, only a student along the Path like everyone. coming up: the Four Noble Truths.
namaste!
DamselFly

[DamselFly]

we all have Buddha-nature. we all have the potential to become Buddhas (or in some traditions, are already Buddhas). we first need to realize and renounce participation in the cycle of existence. this is first done by understanding its nature, in the Four Noble Truths:
1. true suffering: the inherent fact of birth, life, and rebirth is suffering. no matter what your material condition, you in some way or other suffer.
2.true sources of suffering: counterproductive emotions and contaminated karmas (actions). counterproductive emotions are those that arise from an action in the past. such an incident should be discussed once, to let the feelings arisen out, and then forgotten.
those that arise from such feelings as lust, hatred, anger, etc, should not be discussed, as talking about them only gives them more force and clinging to the mind. instead, one should reflect upon the disadvantage such emotions produce and to prevent them from arising by replacing them with feeling of love, compassion, friendship.
contaminated karmas arise from the latter emotions. they can affect both this life and the life to come.
3. true cessation from suffering. there is an end to suffering. this involves overcoming the defilement of the mind, which arises from ignorance. no-one wants to suffer.
4.true paths. the paths to end suffering (and here i speak of those in the Path i know, the Tibetan Buddhist Path) are training in morality, meditation, and wisdom. other Paths concentrate more on meditation or on morality, but we believe that all three are necessary to end ignorance and there by end suffering. in short to realize one's true Buddha-nature. other spiritual Paths can also provide this, but here we speak of the Buddhist Path.
please, anyone wanting to help on this do so. explications are welcome. discussion is necessary. this is an engagement. i just provide an outline, with which others might disagree. speak up! this is our sangha! i am but one member.
namaste.
DamselFly
4.

[Camo Eagle]

HAPPY VESAK DAY to the BFP SANGHA

[SFFemmePrincess]

I have been neglecting my spiritual path for a long time and I think it is really starting to affect my life. I feel so empty and lost sometimes and am having a really hard time right now. I decided that I am going to renew my reading and start investigating the different traditions to find one that it right for me. As I go, I will post things I find of interest. I hope others are well on their path...

[Linus]

I've started to re-look back into the Buddhism I had started in NYC. One of the things I'm looking into is being able to meditate at home and even on the road. I've been investigating online sanghas to help me refocus my energies again. The one I had be a part of before (at lioncity.net) closed and is embroiled in a lawsuit (seems weird for a buddhist community but such is the online life).

I was curious if any other Buddhists knew of good online Buddhist communities.

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by Linus

I've started to re-look back into the Buddhism I had started in NYC. One of the things I'm looking into is being able to meditate at home and even on the road. I've been investigating online sanghas to help me refocus my energies again. The one I had be a part of before (at lioncity.net) closed and is embroiled in a lawsuit (seems weird for a buddhist community but such is the online life).

I was curious if any other Buddhists knew of good online Buddhist communities.

Check this out:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Tibetan-Chakra-Meditations-Ben-Scott/dp/B00004VKLJ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1344620694&sr=8-2&keywords=tibetan+sound+healing+cd"]Amazon.com: Tibetan Chakra Meditations: Ben Scott, Christa Michell: Music[/ame]

I have it loaded in my iphone. I listen to the sound but also visualize the colors and symbols (Chakras). It's very powerful and healing. Let me know what you think.

I'm more eclectic in my spirituality but I do find tools within Buddhism and Taoism to be essential to it all.

[girl_dee]

i've always found i like the beliefs of the Buddhist way, and a while back was made to read the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh (who is fascinating) which i was grateful for. i have found his teaching to be simplistic which i appreciate. i also learned that i have to handle my spirituality to please myself, not someone else. i also learned that not all who claim Buddhist actually walk in that light. i like to learn from people who actually walk in the light of the Spirituality they claim.

i started to dive deep into my own spirituality when it was what helped me cope and find my way. The Buddhist word is relaxing and calming to me. One thing that comes to mind was being told to touch the Earth for a grounding experience, how simple is that? Visiting the monastery on top of a beautiful mountain a few times touched me deeply and i wanted to learn more about the Monks and their whole way of life. They are so at peace. i wanted that too. Touching the prayer wheels and sitting in that energy moved me greatly.

After a mini nervous breakdown a couple of years ago, i stopped looking into Spirituality to fix me. i reclaimed some of my own roots and although i still agree with the teaching of Buddha, i don't use that as my only source of Spirituality. i call on ALL of the deities that have helped me throughout my life, Buddha is just one of them.

[Martina]

I doubt that this is true for people in very serious chronic pain, but one thing I have noticed as a meditator who lives with arthritis pain is that first, because of your awareness, the pain gets much worse. You had no idea how much pain there was. It's damned near everywhere. Your body practically throbs with it. And then it recedes. I imagine that the same number of neurons are firing -- or however pain works. But the pain seems to rest almost. I know that the pain is there. But I am neither distracting myself from it nor focusing on it, and it becomes less significant. I wish I could explain it better. But I am impressed with how much meditation helps my arthritis pain. And sorta surprised that the process begins with the pain seeming to get much worse.

A friend of mine goes to the chiro -- a good one -- and after he hasn't gone for a while and goes back again, he realizes how much pain he has been enduring. It's not till the pain is less or even gone that he realizes how much there was.

I don't know what the research says, but I doubt that meditation lessens my pain. It's just that if I meditate, more of the time my reaction to it is, "Oh. That's pain," not fear and self-pity. I then move around more, which I think DOES help the pain long term.

[mariamma]

You've discovered a deep truth. It's not uncommon, what you describe Martina. It is difficult to manifest without a teacher though. My foster-parents are Buddhists and practice Vipassana meditation and yoga for back pain. When they meditate 2 hours every day, everything else in life flows and the pain and struggle and misery is significantly less. It has to do with perception as you imply. If you focus on the possibility and expectation of pain, you will experience more pain. Meditation can significantly increase well-being and happiness (serotonin). All that focus is healing your body, little by little. Over time, you probably will find you're maintaining mobility as where others with arthritis who rely on medication solely may have decreased mobility.
Namaste ~ the Light in me honors the Light in you

Originally Posted by Martina

I doubt that this is true for people in very serious chronic pain, but one thing I have noticed as a meditator who lives with arthritis pain is that first, because of your awareness, the pain gets much worse. You had no idea how much pain there was. It's damned near everywhere. Your body practically throbs with it. And then it recedes. I imagine that the same number of neurons are firing -- or however pain works. But the pain seems to rest almost. I know that the pain is there. But I am neither distracting myself from it nor focusing on it, and it becomes less significant. I wish I could explain it better. But I am impressed with how much meditation helps my arthritis pain. And sorta surprised that the process begins with the pain seeming to get much worse.

A friend of mine goes to the chiro -- a good one -- and after he hasn't gone for a while and goes back again, he realizes how much pain he has been enduring. It's not till the pain is less or even gone that he realizes how much there was.

I don't know what the research says, but I doubt that meditation lessens my pain. It's just that if I meditate, more of the time my reaction to it is, "Oh. That's pain," not fear and self-pity. I then move around more, which I think DOES help the pain long term.

[girl_dee]

i've often wanted to learn to really meditate, REALLY meditate. i've tried so many times but i just can't get to the level i want to. i am a hypnotherapist and i think that somehow interferes with my inability to really get to the level i want . i keep putting myself in the role of the person putting the other person under.

i know that there are different levels of meditation, and sometimes when people say they are meditating they are doing other things, or actually just relaxing... in reading those books a couple of years ago i learned about mindful meditation etc... but that is not what i want,

i want this:

[sylvie]

i am new to this thread, and fairly new to exploring my spiritual side. It feels like i have already been walking a Buddhist path for a very, very long time, as i read literature and visit the journey within, it all feels so familiar and i am nodding in agreement ... In these passed few weeks, though...i have had much self exploration, meditation time and am very much on a very deep journey of self, and looking forward to sharing more as i explore and walk this path..