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will buddhism change the way you view others?
I've been lucky to have remained fairly positive and enthusiastic in my life but (as a beginner) I'm finding Buddhism is changing not only how I view myself but also how I view others ...
People who I thought were friends now appear to be more concerned about their money and ego so I've started keeping my thoughts to myself.
Is this OK?
People who I thought were friends now appear to be more concerned about their money and ego so I've started keeping my thoughts to myself.
Is this OK?
0
Comments
Their buisness is their buisness!
Just concentrate on yourself!
It's a feeling I did not find in Christianity, except for Jesus himself, and even then there's emphasis on relationship with God. Certainly not in Hinduism which is very self-centered on moksha. One has to look very deeply into Hindu scriptures to find references to compassion. The Rig Veda and Bhagavad Gita have them, but nothing like I have seen so far from The Buddha's teachings.
There is nothing wrong with keeping thoughts to yourself in general(sometimes that's best) but just because your friends seem concerned about "money and ego" doesn't mean they can't benefit from what you have to say, from your thoughts and experiences.
Everybody grows up; everybody changes their mind (that's what minds are for); everybody falls in and out of love; everybody shifts gears. Pretending to know the cause of such changes is largely just that -- pretense. Blaming bad luck on "karma" or good luck on "Buddhism" is just a failure to take responsibility for what is right in front of our noses ... this is how I feel, this is what is happening... now what?
Just pay attention and take responsibility in your life. Buddhism can take care of itself.
Incorporating Buddhism into my daily life has helped me - in a huge way- to stop judging people in some ways. I can still judge people for doing things that are wrong- like stealing, killing another human, hunting animals (for sport), committing crimes of rape, abuse or molestation against anyone, etc. But I judge less harshly than I may have before Buddhism came into my life.
I no longer judge people (at least most of the time) for their own personal behavior that doesn't really affect anyone else, like drug use/abuse; being "sexually promiscuous"; having poor manners; being uneducated, etc.
I now have a whole new perspective of compassion for most people... But then again, I've always been a compassionate type, but Buddhism definitely brought it up a notch or two.
the worldly viewing of existence in terms of self & others
than
seeing beyond the adversarial basis of such a view.
Thank you.
Eventually, I had to stop associating with some people even though I don't love them any less. We are the environment but we are also products of our immediate environment and so I'd prefer an environment conducive to growth.
But for other human beings who won't go to hell, I am working very hard on not to judge them according to my new Buddhist's standard. I hope one day not too far away I will succeed to see only good things in everybody.
The idea that there is no evil, only ignorance has helped me become much more accepting. I feel that we are all doing the best we can with what we have at the moment.
Another idea the practice has helped me with is that the awareness we have is the same for all beings and it is only our nervous systems and it's experiences that are different.
I think Buddhism has made me more mindful of how I think and view people. I still have moments where I am a complete bitch, but I catch myself and feel sincere regret instead of stewing on others' actions and I then try not to dwell on my own anger aimed at my slip up.
In metta,
Raven
what you experience is great. World looks different if you start and practice the four pillars of Insight or the total 8fold path. It´s normal to withdraw from others, its for
your own sake. Maybe some of them might understand and some never will. You are the only person in this process, that is important because you are going to change your consciousness. Most people will not understand you, so was my experience. Their spiritual develelopment is not enough enhanced. It`s you and your way, so don´t mind the others. If you did all the 8 Jhanas you will find out that you reched the end and
the practice is not nececcesary any more. You can stay at this point or go further but
do mind Maro Dusi.
anando
Remember the buddha taught there are 3 conciets..
I am better than...
I am worse than...
I am the same as..
I have found I appreciate others more as I have learned more of my true nature.
Your thought to perfect yourself is right and maybe you would enjoy learning about the paramitas-the wisdom of the other side. The first one is liberality which includes always coming down on the side of people. Best, Dennis