My Journey Into Buddhism

I plan to use this blog to document my transition from agnosticism with a Christian background into Buddhism. I'll try to post my thoughts on my sutta of the day here, as well as anything else I find useful. I'd love to hear from other Buddhists of any sect or background.

[imusticaniwill]

[pcasso-deactivated20220721]

This ☝🏻

[duckbunny]

kindness is a discipline, not a trait

[animatedamerican]

Yes.

As with many disciplines, kindness may come more easily to some than to others. But it is nonetheless something you can learn, something you can teach, something you can work at.

Something you do, rather than something you are.

[libraford]

Maybe I'm just not talking to the right people, but when someone brings up 'enlightenment' in a metaphysical sense around me, they tend to be... massively rude about it. So it kind of makes me wonder: why is it so important that I be enlightened? Is it not good enough that I take my own personal journey that I must partake in some cosmic euphoria to feel whole? Pardon my arrogance but... what does that exactly... do?

[sonneillonv-deactivated20220218]

NEW CHALLENGE

Ask anyone who brings up ‘enlightenment’ how being enlightened changes a person’s daily praxis

How are they different on a practical level if they achieve enlightenment?

Watch people who think ‘enlightenment’ just means ‘better than you’ squirm

[libraford]

Ooo... damn. That's gonna make work hella awkward.

[gallusrostromegalus]

My Understanding of Enlightenment is that it’s

1. An Ongoing Process.  Like how Being a Good person is a Habit, becoming Enlightened is a constant process of learning, possibly across multiple lifespans.

2. Achieving Enlightenment (or another piece of it) is an act of coming to a deeper understanding of yourself/the world/others/how you interact with the world etc. 

So “Finding your own path” is effectively seeking enlightment.  However, like getting a biology degree, it goes a little smoother if you consult some experts and keep good study habits.  

The Material Difference between an Enlightened and Unenlightened person is that the Unenlightened guy is mentally having a rougher go and feeling less connected to the universe around them.  Enlightement is the Process of learning happiness and all road eventually lead to the cosmic whole sort of thing.  

Disclaimer: Im not a philospher, Buddhist, or remotely qualified to do anything other than draw plants and tell stories on the internet.

[abiding-in-peace]

“There is a place of peace in the heart that looks out and sees the foolishness of the world but does not judge, criticize or condemn but compassionately accepts the unawakened behavior of others. This place is called Love. It is that which cannot be taught, only shown by example. It is not a lesson to give, it is a relationship with life. It is not a beating with a stick, but a caress with an open hand. It is the strongest force in the universe, but needs time to be understood. The one who encourages you to be afraid is not your friend. The one who shows the unity and interconnectedness of all things will not want something from you. When you are afraid you are already the victim. When you are loving, you are exactly where you want be. This sharing of love without conditions is the way of the heart.”

— Michael Kewley

[aspiritualwarrior]

“When you go out into the woods and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You appreciate it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree. The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying “You’re too this, or I’m too this.” That judging mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.”

— Ram Dass

[owlmylove]

no one tells you how much of life takes practice. not just writing, painting, running, singing, etc, but practicing how to make friends. how to make the right ones. getting practiced at how to be a good friend, a good sibling, a good person. practice identifying when people haven’t earned that. learning to recognize your right to rage and, eventually, how to offer mercy. so much of life is muscle memory, and i’ve begun to realize there are so many more parts of ourselves to flex and stretch and strengthen than those we’re taught in anatomy lessons

[centuriespast]

Head of a Buddha, 4th century; Gandhāran, Pakistan, probably Kidarite dynasty, 3rd–5th century; stucco with traces of pigment; 18 x 11 ½ x 10 ½ inches; Saint Louis Art Museum

[joshsundquist]

You’re not special.

But that’s OK.

Because you’re already enough.

Special is a comparison: More than, better than. Special is a ranking: Smarter than, more followers than, more woke than. Special always fades because someone else will always have more. And feeling special means feeling superior. Which automatically makes others inferior.

But you are enough regardless of your circumstances. Which means you can accept yourself fully right now. Enough is the freedom to be totally OK with this moment even if nothing about it—including you—feels particularly special.

[quaderni-buddhisti]

[quaderni-buddhisti]

[bouddha-maitreya]

steps of buddha’s life

[everythingstartsfromsomething]

[arjuna-vallabha]

Buddha and disciples, Thai Art

[divinum-pacis]

Luminous Mind

Luminous is this mind, brightly shining, but it is colored by the attachments that visit it. This unlearned people do not really understand, and so do not cultivate the mind. Luminous is this mind, brightly shining, and it is free of the attachments that visit it. This the noble follower of the way really understands; so for them there is cultivation of the mind.

-The Anguttara Nikaya, trans. by Gil Fronsdal

Source: Teachings of the Buddha by Jack Kornfield, pg. 2.

[thebuddhistmind]

Practice leaving things be. Let others be themselves—who are we to judge?—and let us concentrate on improving our own minds and our own lives instead.

Gyalwang Drukpa

[thebuddhistmind]

“I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.”

— Plutarch (via thebuddhistmind)

[thebuddhistmind]

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

— Buddha (via thebuddhistmind)

[wnq-quotes]

“Truth is not to be found outside. No teacher, no scripture can give it to you. It is inside you and if you wish to attain it, seek your own company. Be with yourself.”

—

Osho

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