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Desktop Buddhism
specialkayme
Veteran
I work a desk job, and I'm looking for something to put on my desk to keep me a little more "mindful" of the eightfold path. Something that I can glance at occasionally, when typing emails or answering phone calls, and remember to be a little more conscious of my speech, for example.
I'm not looking for anything to go on the computer (such as wallpaper), as I almost ALWAYS have a word document, excel spreadsheet, or internet browser open (sometimes more than one, or all of the above). I don't think I've seen my current wallpaper except for whenever the computer requires a restart.
I'm also not looking for something that necessarily screams Buddhism. While I'm not ashamed of my beliefs, I am a very reserved individual, and don't share them with many other people. Working in a predominantly christian work environment, I know it'll spark quite a few conversations, of which I would prefer to avoid.
I was thinking of getting a small desk stupa. But I don't really know if this accomplishes what I'm looking for.
Any thoughts?
I'm not looking for anything to go on the computer (such as wallpaper), as I almost ALWAYS have a word document, excel spreadsheet, or internet browser open (sometimes more than one, or all of the above). I don't think I've seen my current wallpaper except for whenever the computer requires a restart.
I'm also not looking for something that necessarily screams Buddhism. While I'm not ashamed of my beliefs, I am a very reserved individual, and don't share them with many other people. Working in a predominantly christian work environment, I know it'll spark quite a few conversations, of which I would prefer to avoid.
I was thinking of getting a small desk stupa. But I don't really know if this accomplishes what I'm looking for.
Any thoughts?
0
Comments
It fits in the palm of my hand, and I used a glue gun to put the stones together.
as far as anyone might be concerned, it was just a small sculpture I made out of stones I found on the beach.... at about 3" high, it did the job.
For me.
Colo Springs here. And you?
Obviously, I don't really know what I'm looking for. Just looking for input, so it's all appreciated.
I might have the yin yang symbol to remind me of emptiness is form, form is emptiness or a dharma wheel or a mirror or a fish (symbol of awakening). Perhaps a Buddha in a bag or a closed mini Tantra shrine, or see if you can get a cross or hollow statue and fill with mantra rolls. Or an empty vase, or a Buddha foot, or an eye, or a shoe as a first step. A scarf from a lama. Prayer beads. Why not some plasticine and create a changing sculpture/symbol/reminder.
So if you want something that doesn't really scream, perhaps consider something with the 8 spoke dhamma wheel (most people won't recognize it as a Buddhist symbol) or something with a lotus flower. I have a candle holder in the form of a lotus flower which I like.
For some reason I also connect a Bonsai tree with Buddhism. Must be the Eastern vibe.
A worn out picture, to remind you of impermanence.
Or a picture of your boss, to remind you of the need to practice loving kindness.
Perhaps a picture of your spouse, to remind you of suffering.
Or a frame without a picture, to remind you of emptiness.
I understand your point. But I am having a difficult time "reminding" myself to follow each precept of the eightfold path in my every day life. I'm full of objects every day, and none of them remind me to remember the eightfold path in my every day encounters. So I don't see how assigning any object around me accomplishes that task.
I'm not really trying to jog my memory of "buddhism." Or of being empty, or being mindful. I'm trying to jog myself into remembering the eightfold path in everyday life. So while most of them would remind me of "buddhism," that's not really what I'm trying to accomplish.
I guess the dharma wheel is the closest. But even then when I look at it I think of, well, dharma, teachings, the turning of the wheel. Not necessarily "right speech" or "right actions." Maybe that's the closest I can get.
It really is a personal thing and we can assign meaning to a big elaborate sketch of Buddha bowing to nature with all the fixin's or it could very well be a paperclip. It could even be a big, elaborate sketch of Buddha bowing to a paperclip...
It could be a picture of somebody less fortunate than yourself giving to someone else.
It could be a picture of a child you send money to each month in a third world country.
What comes to your head when you think about the eightfold path?
Right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration... Is there something that embodies all of these qualities in your opinion?
In Tibet, when strangers ask what the bowl is for the Tibetans say it is just a food bowl. So you could tell nosey parkers it's just an ornament.
It might annoy your co-workers though.
http://www.opensourcebuddhism.org/bubblus_intro-buddhism.JPG
The Mandala of the Two Realms is considered to be a summary of the Dharma in two pictures in the Shingon tradition. (The Japanese version of Vajrajana/esoteric/Tantric Buddhism)-- However, the summary is, not surprisingly, very Vajrajana-- lots and lots of Boddhisatvas representing things.
A Nichiren style gohonzon is also a sort of summary and like the Shingon summary, entails a lot of names, with the Lotus Sutra uppermost of course.
At home I have a bunch of netsuke buddhas on my bookshelf. They don't summarize anything, they mostly just stare at me.
A modern "flow chart" mandala
http://wisdomthroughmindfulness.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html
I guess that's why I don't think the use of 'any object' would help me, the same as a mirror or an om symbol or a buddha wouldn't either. All would remind me of "practice" or "buddhism", but not necessarily the eightfold path and what it stands for.
I think that's why I was looking for a little bit of help. Maybe something that has helped others in the past.
Or maybe the best thing to do is just jog my mind into the "practice" portion, and leave it up to me to actively engage that into each part of the eightfold path. I don't know. Neat, but perhaps a little too "Art Nouveau" for me.
Each day on 3M sticky I wrote one of the eightfold path (or, one of the 4 Noble Truths). That sticky was right next to my phone all day, so I saw it at least a couple of dozen times.
I know. You don't like that either.
Have I become the "shooter down of ideas"? That's not good.
Let me help you:
What about a coffin-shaped pencil sharpener? Can't find one on the web btw - free idea for some entrepreneur there.
No I see you are reserved and don't want to spark a conversation with your christian buddies.
Tricky one!….
mmmm….
Hey, I've got it, just get a Newtons Cradle when you are agitated let it swing and come to rest naturally like your mind should do when you practice mindfulness - nobody will get it's a buddhist teaching in action! Also: Action - reaction. 2 great teachings for the price of one! And you can still look reserved and if anyone asks just say it has sentimental value - someone thought it would help you relax!
There your problem is sorted!
. . . change your image
http://digital-photo-frame-review.toptenreviews.com/