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What Are You Living For?

Discussion in 'Tilted Life and Sexuality' started by S.M.Paradox, Jan 3, 2014.

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  1. Plan9

    Plan9 Rock 'n Roll

    Location:
    Earth
    Ah, okay. My old lady keeps trying to explain Buddhism to me and I can't wrap my head around its lack of, uh, organizational cubbies.
     
    Plan9, May 8, 2014
    #81
    • Like Like x 1
  2. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    Well, don't get me wrong. I'm sure many Buddhists are agnostics. It's simply a case of theism not really being a concern.
     
    Baraka_Guru, May 8, 2014
    #82
    • Like Like x 1
  3. DamnitAll

    DamnitAll Wait... what?

    Location:
    Central MD
    Next This upcoming Tuesday.
     
    DamnitAll, May 9, 2014
    #83
    • Like Like x 1
  4. OtherSyde

    OtherSyde Slightly Tilted

    Location:
    San Diego, CA

    And more and more things that continue to spur me towards Buddhism. So weird. Am I suddenly experiencing what people refer to as a "religious calling?" If so, then that's cool I guess. I was always afraid it had to come from Christianity because I'm from the Bible Belt, but getting a "calling" from Buddhism is like getting to marry a hot Asian open-minded chick who likes to swing instead of having to marry a boring icy prude controlling sexually-repressed white bitch. That didn't come off as racist or sexist, did it..?
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2014
    OtherSyde, May 10, 2014
    #84
  5. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    You should be careful. Buddhism is widely misconstrued/misunderstood, especially in the West. On the one hand, people think it's either nihilistic or pessimistic. (It's definitely not.) On the other hand, people think it's about feeling good or having some mystical experience. It's actually challenging, both emotionally and intellectually. It's not something you grasp, because grasping leads to dependence, which is counterintuitive on the path to enlightenment. This is a kind of paradox, and it's something that will always be there with any Buddhist practice (as indicated in Linji's koan "If you meet the Buddha, kill him.")

    But before I confuse you even further, if you're interest in at least understanding what Buddhism is (at its core), I suggest reading Steve Hagen's book Buddhism Plain and Simple. You won't be able to start and stop with this book if you wish to explore Buddhism personally, but at least it will help you know what you'd be getting into. It's a simple, quick read, so there is little time/effort investment, and you will learn a lot.

    Also, it might interest you to know that core Buddhist practices are compatible with religious practices such as Christianity. The book I've recommended may help you understand why this is.

    Maybe? (It is, at least, problematic, as you may one day learn.)
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2014
    Baraka_Guru, May 10, 2014
    #85
    • Like Like x 3
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