What can buddhism bring for those not necessarily "spiritual'"

zenmyste

Let me explain;

I know people are going to say it can eliminate suffering..

But im talking about the suffering who are not really searching for a path to eliminate 'suffering' 'per say' and are instead just wanting abit of inspiration whilst they are on there journey through life...

So i guess my point is; whats the difference between learning about buddhism which comes under "spiritual practice" and 'self help' books that are not necessarily "spiritual" but instead just gives us alittle inspirational boost for our lives.....

Is 'buddhism' really for people who have suffered and want to find a 'way' to remove their suffering??

If so or not, my original question comes back; what then, can buddhism offer for the every day guy who doesnt want to go to a temple or doesnt wantvto meditate or doesnt want to take refuge etc etc....

Do you understand what im asking?

I hope im clear!
Thanks in advance!

zenmyste

Another thing im getting at here is;

Buddhism 'has' spiritual practices like obviously 'meditation'

But 'eckhart tolle' power of now doesnt say we need a 'practice' and instead just open up to the 'now'

So whats the difference between the power of now and buddhism!

Ive seen an interview where eckhart says he isnt a 'buddhist' he is simply just awakened to the now!

So is there a difference like ; buddhism is spiritual and religious but power of now is more "smart thinking self help

My point is; what if someone doesnt want to be 'spiritual' but still find inner peace - if that makes sense lol

Deepankar

Suffering varied in different way. It does not neccessarily meant that only samsara is suffering. Buddhism is developing joys and peace, furthee augmenting it. Prince Sidhartta was most joys as compared to all people then commanding utmost respect, wealth, power, love. And he was searching for love everlast that if not, those that he enjoying blissly will also be gone one day. So buddhism is about true enjoyment. It also provided a very detailed account on the rational of good wealth for instance. This is important as it encourages social wellness through unconditioned compassion of generosity towards other or community through giving of materials and volunteering. This not only helping other, the nation building and progress to more humanity effortlessly, it truly developed fully in their own in developing and attaining non-self spirituality. There are many methods in helping different expectations and need really. Inner peace is spirituality. Buddha Gotama, i tell you yourself is so amazing and awesome.

BhikkhuJayasara

peace and happiness here and now in this life, simple as that.

oh and of course all that comes with it, less anxiety, less medications, more true friends, happier relationships, etc etc.

Jason

zenmyste said:

Is 'buddhism' really for people who have suffered and want to find a 'way' to remove their suffering??

If so or not, my original question comes back; what then, can buddhism offer for the every day guy who doesnt want to go to a temple or doesnt wantvto meditate or doesnt want to take refuge etc etc....

I'd say that Buddhism provides a wide range of things for those not necessarily interested in meditation, taking refuge, etc., , from practical advice on how to make oneself a better person (MN 61), have skillful relationships with parents, spouses, children, pupils, teachers, employers, employees, friends, and spiritual mentors (DN 31), and be successful in life (AN 8.54) to ways of dealing with illness (SN 22.1) and annoying people (AN 5.161).

In terms of worldly happiness, the Buddha specifically mentions "four kinds of bliss (or happiness)" that can be attained by a householder "partaking of sensuality" (i.e., indulging in a non-contemplative lifestyle): the bliss of having, the bliss of wealth, the bliss of debtlessness, and the bliss of blamelessness (AN 4.62). [The highest happiness in Buddhism, however, is a happiness born of renunciation (Ud 2.10) and letting go (SN 35.101) rather than one born of sensual indulgence (AN 9.41).]

zenmyste said:

Buddhism 'has' spiritual practices like obviously 'meditation'

But 'eckhart tolle' power of now doesnt say we need a 'practice' and instead just open up to the 'now'

So whats the difference between the power of now and buddhism!

Ive seen an interview where eckhart says he isnt a 'buddhist' he is simply just awakened to the now!

So is there a difference like ; buddhism is spiritual and religious but power of now is more "smart thinking self help

My point is; what if someone doesnt want to be 'spiritual' but still find inner peace - if that makes sense lol

I don't honestly know all that much about Eckhart Tolle or The Power of Now, but if opening up to the present was so easy, nobody would need to ask how. What's the point of writing a book about it if all that's required is simply 'opening up to the now'? It sounds nice and easy to do; but I think it's a bit more complicated than that in actual practice. For one thing, even with an assortment of tools and strategies to help counter ingrained habits and ways of thinking that cause suffering, or at the very least aren't conducive to our experience of inner peace, it's quite difficult to be consistently mindful and aware in the present, let alone find true and lasting inner peace. How much so without any at all?

Straight_Man

@zenmyste Most religion says there is a superior to man being. Buddhism says that man is part of (but only part of ) a superior consciousness. Tolle would probably try to refute this some way, but for me I am not satisfied with mere limited physicality-- I have had a walking talking then almost collapsing totally near-death experience, and doctors had to gather and consult each other quickly to prevent my death. Tolle, I dare say, has experienced no such thing.

Deepankar

When there is a superior to man being and man cannot become superior being, then it becomes a psychology kind of stuff. And in a negative or possibly for some a positivity that it is always being a "slave" to superior being. I dont think anyone love to be in such understanding and achievement. Is like a person is born to be commoner and can never be a countrr leader, but it fact, leader of most countries were commoner before they are assuming leader

genkaku

Buddhism as a profound practice...
Buddhism as an intellectual or emotional bauble...
Buddhism as a way of picking up someone in a bar...
Buddhism as a really kool T-shirt...
Buddhism as a means of straightening life out...
Buddhism as a bliss machine...
Buddhism as a means of elevating your status....
Buddhism as a foundation for a predatory cult...

What Buddhism is or is not to someone else is not the point.
What Buddhism is to you makes Buddhism what it is.

Straight_Man

Deepankar said:

When there is a superior to man being and man cannot become superior being, then it becomes a psychology kind of stuff. And in a negative or possibly for some a positivity that it is always being a "slave" to superior being. I dont think anyone love to be in such understanding and achievement. Is like a person is born to be commoner and can never be a countrr leader, but it fact, leader of most countries were commoner before they are assuming leader

What if one believes that the superior being set things going and observes to see how they develop? Is one a slave to cicumstance only, no. Therefore the being left reality open-ended and what is in it is no slave, merely handicapped by finitude.

Do I dare to say this is under all circumstances correct? Or to judge others for not believing the same? No to both. I believe all hold some truth in them. But only some.

ThailandTom

I'm pretty sure there was a time when most of us were not spiritual, so Buddhism can give us the chance to be spiritual, to cultivate compassion and mindfulness, and to understand suffering by peeling away ignorance.

lobster

Basically you are asking what does Buddhism have for someone not interested in Buddhism?
I would expect the answer to be proportionate to the interest . . .

I would like to read a book without knowing anything about it, if you know what I mean . . .
:screwy:

. . . perhaps clarity of mind can be provided? :wave: