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Realistic and good practice for Westerners: my Experience
EnriqueSpain
New
Hi to all from Spain! What a wonderful web-forum :=)
I think that a person from a Western Country interested in Buddhism and some degree of practice has several options:
It can be the main Belief/ Philosophy/ Religion, or a 'complement' to previous Beliefs/ Religions/ Lack of Religion.
No dogmatism should replace previous dogmatism!
Then, follow what best suits yourself: individual meditation-practice (probably some kind of 'iniciation' in an 'Official Sangha' would be advisable, not 100%, though!).
If group-meditation and active Sangha 'Membership' is ok, go ahead with it!
In my case, daily home meditation, of about 15 to 30 minutes has worked wonderfully; time and energy after work are an issue! Meditation helps recharge the mind and body's battery/ batteries.
Apart from intensive reading, I travelled to Taiwan, not primarily for Buddhism, but 2 cool free 'Buddhist Books' from Hotels, with witty quotations & adages were inspiring, besides Buddhist Temples visits.
I once visited a Soto Zen Centre for initiation here in Spain- (cool but a bit dogmatic in case your backaches or disc herniations are an issue!; kind of told me 'in your next life your back could be ok!!, don´t worry too much now').
I recently came accross a famous & great 'Online Sangha' promoting at least 'daily 15' Zazen at home' and saying, wisely:
'The best Zen is so disappointing' (especially for those who expect wonders out of the blue !).
Apart from visiting about twice a year a 'registered' Tibetan Temple in my area, my next steps:
keep reading this web, helping other beings around me- or faraway, through charities, and my daily home practice of about 15', often using some tiny bells.
Reliable & honest centres and sources are important; there is sometimes an exaggerated 'merchandising' and marketing zeal that can destroy the essence of it all, even if there is a good will.
GASSHO/ ADIÓS!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Daisen-in2.jpg
I think that a person from a Western Country interested in Buddhism and some degree of practice has several options:
It can be the main Belief/ Philosophy/ Religion, or a 'complement' to previous Beliefs/ Religions/ Lack of Religion.
No dogmatism should replace previous dogmatism!
Then, follow what best suits yourself: individual meditation-practice (probably some kind of 'iniciation' in an 'Official Sangha' would be advisable, not 100%, though!).
If group-meditation and active Sangha 'Membership' is ok, go ahead with it!
In my case, daily home meditation, of about 15 to 30 minutes has worked wonderfully; time and energy after work are an issue! Meditation helps recharge the mind and body's battery/ batteries.
Apart from intensive reading, I travelled to Taiwan, not primarily for Buddhism, but 2 cool free 'Buddhist Books' from Hotels, with witty quotations & adages were inspiring, besides Buddhist Temples visits.
I once visited a Soto Zen Centre for initiation here in Spain- (cool but a bit dogmatic in case your backaches or disc herniations are an issue!; kind of told me 'in your next life your back could be ok!!, don´t worry too much now').
I recently came accross a famous & great 'Online Sangha' promoting at least 'daily 15' Zazen at home' and saying, wisely:
'The best Zen is so disappointing' (especially for those who expect wonders out of the blue !).
Apart from visiting about twice a year a 'registered' Tibetan Temple in my area, my next steps:
keep reading this web, helping other beings around me- or faraway, through charities, and my daily home practice of about 15', often using some tiny bells.
Reliable & honest centres and sources are important; there is sometimes an exaggerated 'merchandising' and marketing zeal that can destroy the essence of it all, even if there is a good will.
GASSHO/ ADIÓS!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/Daisen-in2.jpg
6
Comments
I am looking forward to being a disappointing Buddha, sometime this year. Meanwhile I look forward to the good company of my fellow travellers . . .
lovely picture
Great web: http://riverflow-flowing.tumblr.com/
Congratulations for it! Just emailed it to 3 friends to spread. I´ll look at it weekly! bye, Enri
Great web: http://riverflow-flowing.tumblr.com/
Congratulations for it! Just emailed it to 3 friends to spread. I´ll look at it weekly! bye, Enri