Buddhism

I am a 18 year old Buddhist on his path towards spiritual enlightenment. I live in the Pacific Northwest of America, it's a very beautiful place filled with nature and great for meditation. I created this blog because I feel like there isn't a very strong Buddhist presence on Tumblr, and the few blogs I could find weren't very resourceful. So I made this one to fill some of the void. On this blog you will see a variety posts from meditation techniques to quotes, history of Buddhism, Zen music, and even my own progress and everything in between. Feel free to ask me any questions on or off anon and I will answer them the best I can, also don't be afraid to just chat. Enjoy and follow!

[dorkster45]

I made a beat tape if any of y'all care to listen.

[anamericanbuddhist]

Walk as if your kissing the Earth with your feet

Thich Nhat Hanh

[anamericanbuddhist]

If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.

Pema Chodron 

[anamericanbuddhist]

More Teas That Are Great For Meditation

Catnip- I know what you may be thinking; yes cats find it irresistible, but it also provides us a very refreshing, aromatic, and tasty tea! This tea will relax and stimulate, making you feel relaxed and at ease but filled with vigor all at the same time. It has an abundance of medical uses as well. Catnip can be used as an aid against insomnia, indigestion, the flu, anxiety, and even cramping. This woodsy tasting tea will erase your restlessness and nervousness leaving you with a feeling of calmness and peace.

Valerian- This makes a very strong and potent tea that relaxes the entire nervous system. This tea will not only relax your whole body but will also help against insomnia, depression, upset stomach, fear, and stress. This tea is also great for mixing with other teas or herbs such as Lemon Balm. However this earthy tea must be used with caution. To much Valerian can lead to headaches and lethargy, so please use desertion.

Linden- The dried flowers, leaves, and wood from the Linden tree make a sweet tasting and light floral scented tea that will leave the body with a relaxed feel. In some regions of Europe this tea is an old household remedy for anxiety, indigestion, headaches, and insomnia. Linden is also suggested to be a great treatment for high blood pressure and heart palpitations. 

Motherwort- This tea is commonly used for palpitations and nervous heart problems. Motherwort also can help with PMS and delayed menstruation, but is not safe for expecting mothers and nursing mothers to ingest. This tea will also relax your nervous system, but unlike Valerian you won't have to be as cautious while drinking this wonderful tea. However this tea is very bitter so it may be best taken with a sweetener like honey or sugar. 

American Passionflower- This vegetal-tasting tea will relax your body and mind for meditation. American Passionflower is an excellent sleep aid as well. This tea is very safe to ingest, but like Motherwort it is best to skip out on this tea if you an expecting mother. This tea helps with seizures, anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, and fibromyalgia.

Please do not consume any tea that has a herb that you may have an allergic reaction to!

[anamericanbuddhist]

The tongue like a sharp knife, kills without drawing blood.

The Buddha

[anamericanbuddhist]

The Story of Why I Became a Buddhist

A year ago on my birthday after a very fun night with my friends and family, I laid down on my bed exhausted but my mind couldn't sleep. I was never a person to question life and it's meaning, I thought I had figured it all out as an Atheist. Yet I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't happy and there was something else I couldn't quite figure out. I thought to myself, I have many friends and the most wonderful girl in the world, I come from a good home and my family is able to get by easily, why am I unhappy? Two months past since my birthday that year and my brothers birthday was in a week. He had me over had his apartment and started talking about his discovery of Buddhism. We debated what really happened when you are dead, but eventually I piped down and listened to him. He told me all about Siddhartha and his disciples. Then we meditated. I did it at first just to humor him because as a loving brother I saw he was really into it. While meditating my mind started to unravel and my unhappiness seemed to be gone for the first time. It intrigued me enough to look more into Buddhism. I read about the eight fold path and the four noble truths and I believed it all already, which was strange for me. So weeks went by of research. That is when I decided to start practicing it. I was once a man filled with arrogance now I am not so much anymore. I follow the eight fold path to the best of my ability. I am truly grateful for my brother showing me this way. But it wasn't just him my girlfriend was discovering her spirituality too. Without them I never would have found mine and I am truly grateful.

[anamericanbuddhist]

However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act upon them?

Buddha

[anamericanbuddhist]

Universal Responsibility & the Inner Environment

[anamericanbuddhist]

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is an attribute of the strong

Mahatma Gandhi

[anamericanbuddhist]

A thousand candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared

Buddha

[anamericanbuddhist]

Om Mani Padme Hum

What is it?- Om mani padme hum is a ancient six syllable Sanskrit mantra.

What does it mean?- Each syllable represents something different and by chanting the mantra it helps cleanse you of the syllables antonym.

Om- Om means generosity, this cleanses pride and ego.

Ma- Ethics, purifies jealousy and lust for entertainment.

Ni- Patience, cleanses you of passion and desire.

Pad- Pad is diligence, this eradicates ignorance and prejudice.

Me- Renunciation of greed and possessiveness.

Hum- Wisdom, removal of anger and hatred.

[anamericanbuddhist]

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean, if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty

Mahatma Gandhi

[anamericanbuddhist]

If you can, help others; if you can't do that, at least do not harm them

The Dalai Lama

[anamericanbuddhist]

Three Hours of Zen Music

[anamericanbuddhist]

Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It's just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day

The Dalai Lama

[anamericanbuddhist]

The Four Noble Truths

What are The Four Noble Truths?- The Four Noble Truths are a essence of Siddhartha Gautama's (Buddha) teachings. These four truths explain the origins of suffering, why we suffer, the end of suffering, and the path that leads to the end of suffering.

The First Noble Truth Dukkha (The Truth of Suffering)- Suffering comes in many different shapes and forms, three big and very obvious ones are death, illness, and aging. Life frequently never lives up to our expectations, as humans we are subject to cravings and desires. These too cause suffering. Pleasure does not last; but if it does, it becomes monotonous and dull. This is all very problematic, because when we are not suffering from external reasons we are still unsatisfied or unfulfilled. This is the truth of Dukkha.

The Second Noble Truth Samudaya (Origin of Suffering)- This truth reveals the root of all suffering and that is desire. Desire comes in three different forms. Greed, Ignorance or delusion, Hatred and destructive urges, these are described as the Three Roots of Evil, The Three Fires, and The Three Poisons.These are the three ultimate causes of suffering.

The Third Noble Truth Nirodha (Cessation of Suffering)- This is the possibility of liberation from suffering and to liberate ones self from attachment. This Noble Truth is where Nirvana is explained. Nirvana is a state of pure spiritual joy and enlightenment that is achieved when one has extinguished The Three Fires. Someone who reaches Nirvana does not simply disappear into a heavenly kingdom, but feels spiritual enlightenment without any negative emotions or fears; they also they are removed from the cycle of rebirth. What is after that is still a mystery. If you desire for Nirvana you will never reach it. 

The Fourth Noble Truth Magga (The Path to Cessation of Suffering)-  The final Noble Truth is the path to end suffering. This is the where The Eightfold Path comes into affect. The 8 paths are

Right Understanding- Acceptance of Buddha's teachings.

Right Intention- A commitment of cultivating the right attitudes.

Right Speech- Speaking Truthfully, avoiding slander, gossip and verbal abuse.

Right Livelihood- Avoid making a living that causes harm.

Right Effort- Cultivating a positive state of mind, and freeing oneself from evil and unwholesome states, as well as preventing them.

Right Mindfulness- Developing awareness of the body, sensations, and states of mind

Right Concentration- Developing the mental focus needed.

Following the Eightfold path will liberate you from attachment both physical and emotional, as well extinguish The Three Fires.

[anamericanbuddhist]

We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves

Buddha