So, this time I have decided to try a laying down meditation with this music. While doing this I thought to myself, "I have been writing so much about Buddhism, but what have I actually learned"? As I was drifting off, I brought myself back and I concentrated. Loving. Kindness. Peace. Happiness. Enlightenment. Those words would consecutively come up during my meditation. It then clicked. Buddhism is about meditation. Buddhism is realism. It made me realize that things are going to happen. Bad, good, or what have you, events come our way, and it is up to us to decide how we will react. It is about yourself and becoming aware with you and your surroundings. It's about asking yourself "Are you sure"? And, being able to answer yourself. Buddhism is about clarity and atonement with yourself. It's about being able to have more control over your emotions and driving yourself to better your life.
If I could describe this Religion--or should I say, practice-- in two words, I would say "Everything Changes".
The Buddha had many wise words.
“Ultimately, humanity is one, and this small planet is our only home. If we are to protect this home of ours, each of us needs to feel a vivid sense of universal altruism. It is only this feeling that can remove the self-centered motives that cause people to deceive and misuse one another. If you have a sincere and open heart, you naturally feel self-worth and confidence, and there is no need to be fearful of others.”
| — | The Dalai Lama Although, I cannot say that I have fully grasped the meaning, and Idea of Buddhism, I do strongly believe I understand a lot more than I did. I Learned that they believe in reincarnation, out-of-body experiences, astral projection, lucid dreaming, and anything metaphysical. I started thinking about this religion situation by studying the way the natural world works. To me the only way a religion could be compatible with the natural world is if they reflect each other; meaning they have stark similarities. So the basic way the world works is through cycles. Everything in the world is circular. Cycles are our way of life; a natural law. Buddhism is not a religion, it is a way of life. |
good work, Alex. thoughtful, clear, good pix and links. 45/50 A-
ReplyDelete"It made me realize that things are going to happen. Bad, good, or what have you, events come our way, and it is up to us to decide how we will react."
ReplyDeleteI think it is good to not dwell on bad things that happen to us. When we have desires, we create suffering for ourselves. Just recognize the bad and let it go.
I think this reflection was very powerful and it seems like you had a really big realization. I recognize many of the Buddhist concepts here but there is one that has come from your personal experience: meditation. You seem to really understand more about life after meditation and practice and it makes me realize that the rituals of a religion are just as important as the concepts.
ReplyDeleteI really like that you have a very real and practical perspective; even though you are talking about spiritual things, you mention very worldly things also. For example the concept that "everything changes" has to do with worldly and natural matters. It reveals that Buddhism as a religion is very practical and comprehendible. I can see this because Buddhism focuses on achieving enlightenment through personal experience, which any normal person, like you, can do.