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about buddhism and life

searchingonesearchingone
edited January 2012 in Buddhism Basics
Hello all, I'm a new member and I'm considering taking up Buddhism. It occured t me at the end of last year that throughout the course of my life, for one reason or another (that I have no excuses, nor want to excuse) made some immoral decisions (typical human errors I assure, nothing that could get me arrested mind) and I wish to learn how to better myself. I have considered talking to some people about these things however most religious people I know retort with damnation and that sort of thing, giving no point for me to better myself and move on from past mistakes and misdeeds.

Don't think this is something I'm looking into simply because I fear an afterlife or anything. I just feel I should learn to do the upmost I can as a human being to not only be as good to others as I can, but also to be at peace with myself at last and embrace life, rather than my horrible character trait of giving myself grief over my past all the time.

I have some understandings of Buddhism principles, and while I couldn't be a monk at this point, I decided with the start of my 20th year on the planet to turn over a new leaf and begin looking into wholesome spiritual practices in order to better myself.

Have I come to the right place to make a start in this?

Comments

  • taiyakitaiyaki Veteran
    Yup, welcome to Buddhism.

    If taken sincerely you will be more peaceful and happier.
    People around you will like you more.
    You will be more open to life and learn to live fully in all circumstances.

    Not only that you will be in control of your future by planting seeds in the present.

    The implication of Buddhism is to give full responsibility to all your actions, speech and thought.

    The motivation you have is a great motivation. Cultivate it and get the ball rolling.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    We are hard on ourselves.. sometimes we can't become a different better person. The tendancy is to get stuck. Thinking that we are not ok. When we stop and look around. Give space for regret. Not 'me jerk' but you can have that :) Just let it expand into space. Give yourself a break. What you do to yourself you will do to others. Be yourself. Give others a break. When we become simpler without beating ourselves up our worries go down and our mind gets more skillful and clearer. We become ourselves more. Rather than turning into someone else.

    Trungpa Rinpoche said that we didn't have to get a heart transplant. Our heart is already good.
  • searchingonesearchingone
    We are hard on ourselves.. sometimes we can't become a different better person. The tendancy is to get stuck. Thinking that we are not ok. When we stop and look around. Give space for regret. Not 'me jerk' but you can have that :) Just let it expand into space. Give yourself a break. What you do to yourself you will do to others. Be yourself. Give others a break. When we become simpler without beating ourselves up our worries go down and our mind gets more skillful and clearer. We become ourselves more. Rather than turning into someone else.

    Trungpa Rinpoche said that we didn't have to get a heart transplant. Our heart is already good.
    I love the logic in your post. You are absolutely right. I've acted very out of charcter for what both myself and others know me too be and I have picked up bad habits in retaliation to unfair treatments in life (ie: if others are prepared to be inherently dishonest to me, then obviously I shouldn't have to be truthful myself) but looking back I see how irresponsible this attitude is, and while I have trouble letting go of my mistakes due to being a bit of a perfectionist, I am willing to look into making my own peace with the world (and myself) as part of my life journey.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited January 2012
    @searchingone, over time there are changes, but they come from a place of acceptance I guess. So you notice things that are wrong. And it's scary. But take heart, every awakened being has been there once. Listen to some soulfull music. The heart also has some pain. And wisdom comes from pain. I am just saying that attacking yourself does no good. We learn out of love. In buddhism love is defined as wishing yourself or another person to be free from hurt.
  • searchingonesearchingone
    @jeffrey thank you. I realize in the actions I have done, I have hurt myself and others, not just having been hurt by others.
  • searchingonesearchingone
    and while it is impossible to go through life without having done wrong, I shoul try my best to avoid them when I can
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