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yes i'm on.............. and welcome :type: :mullet: (i'm a hippie who is too cheap to use the computer at his house and has to come to the library just to post these) :mullet:
I’ve been hanging around here lurking for a while and thought it was about time to introduce myself. Although I’m English, I now live and work in beautiful Sweden (why is a long story which I might go into another time). I guess my story follows a familiar pattern which many here will recognise.
I was born into a secular Jewish household 47 years ago in London. I did all the normal things a Jewish boy did but I must admit that it was more because my parents made me do it rather than wanting to or even believing in the mumbo jumbo. By the time I was 15 I was a strong atheist and remained so for the next 15 years (during which period I met and fell in love the woman I was to marry and am proud to say that we are still going strong 25 years later).
It was not long passed my 30th birthday on a snowy January night in Aberdeen when I had an experience (it doesn’t matter what it was; at least not at the moment) which I felt at the time I could only interpret in a Christian context. This was a bolt from the blue and a real shock for my wife who was and remains to this day an agnostic. For the last 17 years I’ve been an on and off Christian, experimenting with just about every denomination you can name and many other faiths (especially Buddhism) as well. At some point a long the way I became a Catholic (don’t ask; just one in a series of many mistakes).
So where am I today? For years I’ve been struggling to hold together my faith against the background of doubt. For long periods I managed to suppress my true thoughts by hiding behind Tertullian’s statement, “I believe because it is absurd”. Somehow I convinced myself that because it is absurd it must be true. Bizarre! A few weeks ago I was talking to my wife about JC and all that stuff trying to convince her that I was right when, perhaps for the first time, I really listened to her arguments against. And the house of cards came tumbling down. Instead of feeling scared I was relieved. Suddenly I was free of guilt. I now realise that Christianity is an unhealthy religion constantly forcing adherents to try to reconcile its contradictions or pretend they don’t exist. I can now see that there is immense stress in living between the carrot of heaven and the stick of hell.
So now I’m free. Free to do or believe what I don’t know (I'm very attracted to Buddhist philosophy, but I'm not sure I want another religion) but at least I’m finally rid of that superstitious mumbo jumbo that held me back from being a whole person. I’m rediscovering interests that have been long suppressed in the name of orthodoxy and enjoying life again.
Anyway, thanks for reading and I look forward to getting to know you better in the future.
Ian (my real name. I might tell you about digger another time)
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited September 2005
Hello Ian/Digger,
Let me be the first to welcome you to our forum.
It little matters what you are, or what you call yourself, or even what you believe to us... so long as you're happy coming in, and posting, discussing, asking and answering as you see fit, we're delighted to have you with us! Different perspectives just add to "the richness of the tapestry"....!
I used to have the nick "fish" for the longest time - and how it came about actually makes no sense now that I look back on it.
Anyway, I'm like you in some respects. I do not want nor need in my life (as far as I can tell at this time) more religion. It may come in time that I do - even in regards to Buddhism and some of it's more "mystic" elements. But for now, I'm using Buddhism as a philosphy - and it works for me. I've seen and felt it work for me so that's what I'm sticking with. As I grow/change/realize in the future - who knows what will happen!
I've only just realised that the previous incoarnation of this thread died, my introduction along with it!
So here we go again:
Greetings everyone! A deep and reverant bow to you all.
My name is Dave but everyone here just calls me BSF! I am a practicing Soto Zen Buddhist and have been studying for 2 years.
There's not much else to say really! I guess my real reason for being here is to engage in a worldwide sangha and help as much as I can.
My sutra knowledge is not as deep as Elohim's but I try to help as much as I can - even though sometimes I'm just here to proverbially hit people, including myself, with the Kyosaku (zen meditation stick).
Name: Sarah
Age: 23
Sign: Aries
Hair: Naturally blonde (but presently kind of pink!)
Eyes: Multicoloured
Height: 5'8"
Weight: Goodness knows!
Born: Wirral, UK
Live: Manchester, UK
Occupation: Artist and Cat Condo/Tree designer and maker!
Favorite book: Brave New World
Favorite band: I have a lot!
Favorite food: Cottage cheese! *blush*
Favorite movie: Requiem For A Dream, One Hour Photo, Amelie....
Favorite colour: Every colour!
Hmm, I'm not so sure what to say - I've never really been 'religious' as such, I just follow my own beliefs.
I can't really describe how I came across the path of Buddhism, but I am certainly glad that I did. It may have been through search for affirmations and meditative techniques, but as I say, It just happened!
Anyway, i'm here to learn all I can and enrich my knowledge with all that you guys can teach me and all that I can read!
Great to 'meet' you all! :wavey:
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited September 2005
Hya Sar.... you sound nearly as crazy as I am, but we British have got it off to a fine art - !! How many cats do you have on your client list? Does this mean they're all currently homeless?
Hya Sar.... you sound nearly as crazy as I am, but we British have got it off to a fine art - !! How many cats do you have on your client list? Does this mean they're all currently homeless?
:smilec:It's always good to be crazy! It keeps things interesting!
At the moment, I only have two cats on my client list and they live with me! They are pestering me for an upgrade of their present condo! I am also attempting to persuade my friends that they obviously NEED a tree/condo for their cats!
No, they aren't homeless, but I do have some homeless kitty friends that visit me on a daily basis who are in the line for an outdoor tree/condo for their very own entertainment! :bigclap:
Well since there's myself and my husband using this forum and user name I'll just sorta talk for myself and then let him fill you in later.
Name: Elena, but everyone calls me Dawn
Age: 29 (I plan on staying here also)
Sign: Pisces
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5'6
Weight: 140 on my workout days who knows the rest of the time
Born: North Carolina
Currently: same
fav color: blue, I LOVE it most of my clothes are either blue or black
fav band: we listen to a very wide range of music - folk, blues, alternative, heavy metal, jazz, classical, really any music can be good it just depends on the listener
fav food: yes please
fav movie: What Dreams May Come, yes of course The Lord of the Rings series (and yes I've read the books), love the whole horror thing, suspense and comedy
fav book: I'm currently re-reading Memoirs of a Geisha (which is going to be a movie coming out soon)
Well there's not much and alot to say all at the same time! I was a stay-at-home mom up until I went back to work part-time (2 days a week) a month ago. My daughter is 22 months old and she's the most beautiful creature I've ever seen in my life (can't tell I'm biased can you). My husband Mike and I have been married for 8 years this October 26th, and he's my best friend. We both were born and raised in this small town and it's had it's ups and downs. I've moved to larger cities but I've always come back here. I guess it's a comfort thing. We live on his family farm (cows, chicken houses, goats, you name it we have it). It's a great place for our daughter Amaya because she loves animals and there is so much room for her to play.
I began my religous upbrining in the Catholic church like so many here (does any one see a pattern :winkc: ) Not that the Caholic church is all bad, cause I remember good things about it as well. I went to all the CCD classes and through the whole routine until I was about to be confirmed. I don't know what happened but I sorta freaked out and just thought this was too much for me to commit to without being really sure. By this time I had developed alot of mixed emotions about Christianity in general through my own personal reading and various people around me. So I told my mother and my grandmother (who by the way was a very devout little woman from Mexico where the churches were bigger than the hospitals) that I was not going to be confirmed and they freaked out for awhile (my grandmother more so), but eventually they accepted it and me because they loved me and respected me. I miss my Grandma sometimes when I talk about her like this because she really was full of alot of wisdom (even though you couldn't understand half of what she said - she spoke Spanglish). Well my dad was a devout aetheist - I think he just blamed God for everything bad that happened in his life and proclaimed himself an aetheist. He wasn't in my life much so I can't really let him take credit for my spirtual path. Man, I sound like I'm on a pity party. Sorry bout that.
I guess I just decided that I didn't want to believe in anything because no Christian religion made sense to me. The more I read about them in history books and took classes on the more ridiculous they all sounded to me. I'm not trying to bash anyone's faith but just entering my opinion. Take it lightly please. Well Mike started looking more into Buddhism about a year ago and I've done some historical reading on it but I hadn't really looked into it and the more I saw him getting into it the more I was interested. I began doing more reading and research, which lead me here and to some other places and that's pretty much it. We are currently looking for a sangha in our area and would love any advice about that from anyone.
Thanks so much for your support. I feel really good to know all of you, you seem like a very pleasant mixed fruits basket. Which by the way Fruits Basket is a wonderful anime for anyone who likes that kind of stuff. Sorry for being so long winded and I look forward to talking to you all more.
I have been lurking since I joined a few weeks ago and thought that I had better intoduce myself. I live in England and have been practising Buddhist meditation for about 25 years. I formally converted to Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 1998. I have returned periodically and am going for the sixth time in November. I don't belong to a sangha but take inspiration for my mediaton practice from my books, the internet, visits to Samye Ling in Scotland, and my visits to Sri Lanka. I am a non-denominational Buddhist, but I am very influenced by Zen and the Theravada. I also practice Taiji Qigong, wjich blends very well with my sitting meditation.
I am also a recovering alcoholic, and have been in recovery for 25 years. I practise the Twelve Step Program, and find that my Buddhist practice complements it very well.
My background is that of Protestant Christianity and, although I don't practise it, I acknowledge that it has had a profound influence in my upbringing and there is no need for me to deny that. It is part of my experience and as such, therefore, is valued.
I would love to hear from other addicts in recovery. I would also love to hear how any of you as Buddhists, whether in recovery from addiction or not, reconcile any beliefs that you may still have about God with your Buddhist philosophy.
Name: Andrew
Age: In my 4th decade and its the best so far
Sign: Taurus
Hair: Still have it but its going grey :hrm:
Eyes: Green
Height: 5'10"
Weight: I try not to think about it
Born: Kuwait
Live: Bradford, Yorkshire, UK
Occupation: Too sad to mention
Favorite book: Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Favorite band: Brian Eno
Favorite food: Lots I'm a Taurean
Favorite movie: KPAX
Favorite colour: forest green or is it cyan?
Been on the path for about 8 years now - have strayed along the way. 2 years ago I moved from the frantic south of England back up north. Now starting to find a regular time for meditation and the Dharma. Not ready for a face to face Sangha yet thats why I like this place. I have two children - Heather is 21 and is studying Theology at Canterbury Uni and Mike is 18 and studying Audio technology at Derby Uni. I am still married to Lesley (a compassionate and caring nurse with a wickedly black sense of humour) despite having to learn some humbling and tough lessons after many mistakes throughout my life.
Hello everyone this is the Mike part of dawn&mike!
Name: Mike
Age: 29
Hair: blonde & shaggy
Eyes: green
Height: 5'10
Weight: 180
Born: North Carolina
Currently: same
Fav music: new age
Fav book: The Dragon Lance series (as dorky as that sounds)
Fav movie: Blade Runner
Fav food: the strawberry cake that my grandmother used to make for me
Hi! Just a bit on me. I started the beginnings of my path I guess when I was a Jr. in high school. My parents told me they would pay for me to take martial arts. I knew nothing really of martial arts at the time, just the Bruce Lee, Van Damme movies that I had seen. The school to me was awesome! I went all the time I could and soon I became a instructor. That was when I started seeing things different. My teacher had very cruel judgements of most of his students. He would get the higher belts of the school to beat up on the students he did not like. This brought around a new awareness in me. The school that I had thought to be life changing for me had been empty. This aggression was so far away of what I thought true martial arts was about. And how could I have not seen this through his teachings? Truth was, I was not aware. I knew I wanted something more. That is when Dawn and I met, during this transition. I stopped martial arts all together for awhile. Then another friend of mine had also become aware of the schools ways and decided to open his own school. I began to learn deeper forms of the martial arts in which I have found more and more peace. Then by searching for meditaton aids I became aware of Buddhism. I am just a beginner on this path and I already feel so aware! I look forward to whatever input anyone has! Talk to you soon!
Mike
"All these moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain."
-Blade Runner
It is really lovely here (as are the people! ), i'm sure you're going to love it too!
There's so MUCH to learn!
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federicaSeeker of the clear blue sky...Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubtModerator
edited October 2005
Geoff, Andrew and Mike, a belated but nevertheless sincere and warm welcome to all three of you.
.....Brian, are we Brits going to have to produce Visas and 'Work' permits soon?!?:D
It's nice that so many British people feel happy, comfortable and relaxed about coming in and participating. I personally feel the mix of folks - denominations, ages, sexes, origins - is really quite refreshing!!
Please keep coming in and posting - it's what makes this "sangha" so varied, interesting and attractive - !!
Favorite band: Brian Eno. Ahhhhhhha. Please stop. I can't bare this. Eno is the upper middle classes Art schools left of center's Rick Wakeman.
I always knew nothing good could come from Roxy Musical and I was right. Ferry's son's "Curtis" is running around with the Countryside elite killing foxs and Eno is now tell people that Charles Kennedy it worth voting for.
Name: Alex
Age: 14 (yes, im young ^^)
Hair: dark brown
Eyes: blue-grey
Height: 156 last time i measured
Weight: 39 kilos
Born: Australia
Currently: Australia :P
Fav music: Damien Rice is my favourite singer ^^ as for styles of music...think Lord of the Rings soundtrack..epic music
Fav book: Lord of the Rings
Fav movie: Serenity, LoTR
Fav food: hmm..not sure. I like most things ^^ just not too much sugar or junk
I've only recently started following the Buddhist path. I have been brought up in a relatively Christian environment, although my family doesn't attend church etc, they still frown upon other religions ...a few years ago, i guess i was Christian (I attend a christian school, thats mostly what sparked it)...i started to question the faith, questions were unanswered, and i found myself unhappy, i felt almost like i was pressured into believing just to be accepted within the community...i branched out, tried some new things...the main transition for me was when i became a wiccan. i stuck with that for a year , but still something wasn't right...once again i felt like i was just accepting the teachings, because they were of that particular faith...if that makes sense :P Some way or another (just research, etc) i found my way to Buddhism. i became very interested, i researched some more, and i have finally found something i agree with i enjoy life a lot more, im already happier, more patient, and all round feel better!my story isn't that interesting, but i thought i would share it anyway ^^This forum looks like a lovely place, very nice people! I wonder if anyone is as young as me though...:D
This forum looks like a lovely place, very nice people! I wonder if anyone is as young as me though...:D
Alex
There are people of all ages here, from 14 to 48 and on up... mind you, mentally I seem to span a wide range, so it don't really matter none.... Regardless of age, I think we all have many different things to contribute... 'wise beyond his years' has been said on this forum.... then again, so has 'Oh grow up yer big daft cissy!!'
Name: Kevin
Age: 33
Sign: Aquarius
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Hazel
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 300 lbs.
Born: Scottsboro, AL
Currently: Atlanta, Ga
Favorite color: Khaki
Favorite band: Rush
Favorite food: Anything Italian
Favorite movies: Lord of the Rings Trio, Sci-Fi Channel Dune Movies, Snatch
Favorite books: Fiction (Big Surprise) LotR, Dune & Stephen King's Dark Tower
Non-Fiction: Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, Mindfulness in Plain
English, How to Practice.
The Story So Far...
I had a very typical white-bread life through high-school, and married my high-school sweetie when I was 20 years old. I worked my way through college (worst 6 1/2 years of my life) in a brass foundry, and fell into the world of quality management by accident. I have yet to escape the field. As my first marriage was ending, I stumbled accross a little book of the Buddha's wisdom at my mom's house and read it. Finding it very interesting and completely true, I purchased Thich Nhat Hanh's "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" and have been a buddhist ever since. I had the good fortune to study with a sangha for about a year, which was led by an American, english speaking, ordained monk. I attended for about 8 months before taking the bodhisattve vows. I have since remarried the woman of my dreams (Eharmony. com really works just like the ads say!), and am expecting my first child in about 2 months.
The King (and not that two-bit chump named Elvis either) is still quite alive, and making the greatest concept albums ever concieved. Each full length cd is a complete horror story composed for our listening enjoyment. Voodoo, House of God, and the Puppet Master are just three of his newer ones - and some of the best in my opinion.
Beware of the slippery stairs
You could easily fall and break your neck
Ahahahahaha
~ The Family Ghost, Abigail
Welcome to the site Kevin! It's good to see another fan of Dune here. Frank Herbert was an excellent writer. I wouldn't mind getting a little bit of that Spice myself.
Mmmmm...recycled gin and juice. It tastes just as good the second time around, excellent for removing those pesky headaches due to dehydration after a hard night of partying with the sietch next door. (I hear Stilgar can really put them away!)
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
I think he was onto something...maybe a little too much "I" in there, but definitely onto something...
Comments
I was born into a secular Jewish household 47 years ago in London. I did all the normal things a Jewish boy did but I must admit that it was more because my parents made me do it rather than wanting to or even believing in the mumbo jumbo. By the time I was 15 I was a strong atheist and remained so for the next 15 years (during which period I met and fell in love the woman I was to marry and am proud to say that we are still going strong 25 years later).
It was not long passed my 30th birthday on a snowy January night in Aberdeen when I had an experience (it doesn’t matter what it was; at least not at the moment) which I felt at the time I could only interpret in a Christian context. This was a bolt from the blue and a real shock for my wife who was and remains to this day an agnostic. For the last 17 years I’ve been an on and off Christian, experimenting with just about every denomination you can name and many other faiths (especially Buddhism) as well. At some point a long the way I became a Catholic (don’t ask; just one in a series of many mistakes).
So where am I today? For years I’ve been struggling to hold together my faith against the background of doubt. For long periods I managed to suppress my true thoughts by hiding behind Tertullian’s statement, “I believe because it is absurd”. Somehow I convinced myself that because it is absurd it must be true. Bizarre! A few weeks ago I was talking to my wife about JC and all that stuff trying to convince her that I was right when, perhaps for the first time, I really listened to her arguments against. And the house of cards came tumbling down. Instead of feeling scared I was relieved. Suddenly I was free of guilt. I now realise that Christianity is an unhealthy religion constantly forcing adherents to try to reconcile its contradictions or pretend they don’t exist. I can now see that there is immense stress in living between the carrot of heaven and the stick of hell.
So now I’m free. Free to do or believe what I don’t know (I'm very attracted to Buddhist philosophy, but I'm not sure I want another religion) but at least I’m finally rid of that superstitious mumbo jumbo that held me back from being a whole person. I’m rediscovering interests that have been long suppressed in the name of orthodoxy and enjoying life again.
Anyway, thanks for reading and I look forward to getting to know you better in the future.
Ian (my real name. I might tell you about digger another time)
Let me be the first to welcome you to our forum.
It little matters what you are, or what you call yourself, or even what you believe to us... so long as you're happy coming in, and posting, discussing, asking and answering as you see fit, we're delighted to have you with us! Different perspectives just add to "the richness of the tapestry"....!
Nice to meet you!
I used to have the nick "fish" for the longest time - and how it came about actually makes no sense now that I look back on it.
Anyway, I'm like you in some respects. I do not want nor need in my life (as far as I can tell at this time) more religion. It may come in time that I do - even in regards to Buddhism and some of it's more "mystic" elements. But for now, I'm using Buddhism as a philosphy - and it works for me. I've seen and felt it work for me so that's what I'm sticking with. As I grow/change/realize in the future - who knows what will happen!
Thanks for the post and welcome.
-bf
DDDDDDDDDDDIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Dan
25
5'7"
150lbs
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Olive Pit Skin
Paternal Heritage- Portuegese
Maternal Heritage- Well, there's quite a bit, but the most notable are German and English (and much of the rest is non white)
I came into Buddhism out of Western Religions in the last few years.
So here we go again:
Greetings everyone! A deep and reverant bow to you all.
My name is Dave but everyone here just calls me BSF! I am a practicing Soto Zen Buddhist and have been studying for 2 years.
There's not much else to say really! I guess my real reason for being here is to engage in a worldwide sangha and help as much as I can.
My sutra knowledge is not as deep as Elohim's but I try to help as much as I can - even though sometimes I'm just here to proverbially hit people, including myself, with the Kyosaku (zen meditation stick).
I'm glad to meet all of you!
Dave
*BeautifulSpringtimeFist*
Age: 23
Sign: Aries
Hair: Naturally blonde (but presently kind of pink!)
Eyes: Multicoloured
Height: 5'8"
Weight: Goodness knows!
Born: Wirral, UK
Live: Manchester, UK
Occupation: Artist and Cat Condo/Tree designer and maker!
Favorite book: Brave New World
Favorite band: I have a lot!
Favorite food: Cottage cheese! *blush*
Favorite movie: Requiem For A Dream, One Hour Photo, Amelie....
Favorite colour: Every colour!
Hmm, I'm not so sure what to say - I've never really been 'religious' as such, I just follow my own beliefs.
I can't really describe how I came across the path of Buddhism, but I am certainly glad that I did. It may have been through search for affirmations and meditative techniques, but as I say, It just happened!
Anyway, i'm here to learn all I can and enrich my knowledge with all that you guys can teach me and all that I can read!
Great to 'meet' you all! :wavey:
:smilec:It's always good to be crazy! It keeps things interesting!
At the moment, I only have two cats on my client list and they live with me! They are pestering me for an upgrade of their present condo!
No, they aren't homeless, but I do have some homeless kitty friends that visit me on a daily basis who are in the line for an outdoor tree/condo for their very own entertainment! :bigclap:
Name: Elena, but everyone calls me Dawn
Age: 29 (I plan on staying here also)
Sign: Pisces
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Height: 5'6
Weight: 140 on my workout days who knows the rest of the time
Born: North Carolina
Currently: same
fav color: blue, I LOVE it most of my clothes are either blue or black
fav band: we listen to a very wide range of music - folk, blues, alternative, heavy metal, jazz, classical, really any music can be good it just depends on the listener
fav food: yes please
fav movie: What Dreams May Come, yes of course The Lord of the Rings series (and yes I've read the books), love the whole horror thing, suspense and comedy
fav book: I'm currently re-reading Memoirs of a Geisha (which is going to be a movie coming out soon)
Well there's not much and alot to say all at the same time! I was a stay-at-home mom up until I went back to work part-time (2 days a week) a month ago. My daughter is 22 months old and she's the most beautiful creature I've ever seen in my life (can't tell I'm biased can you). My husband Mike and I have been married for 8 years this October 26th, and he's my best friend. We both were born and raised in this small town and it's had it's ups and downs. I've moved to larger cities but I've always come back here. I guess it's a comfort thing. We live on his family farm (cows, chicken houses, goats, you name it we have it). It's a great place for our daughter Amaya because she loves animals and there is so much room for her to play.
I began my religous upbrining in the Catholic church like so many here (does any one see a pattern :winkc: ) Not that the Caholic church is all bad, cause I remember good things about it as well. I went to all the CCD classes and through the whole routine until I was about to be confirmed. I don't know what happened but I sorta freaked out and just thought this was too much for me to commit to without being really sure. By this time I had developed alot of mixed emotions about Christianity in general through my own personal reading and various people around me. So I told my mother and my grandmother (who by the way was a very devout little woman from Mexico where the churches were bigger than the hospitals) that I was not going to be confirmed and they freaked out for awhile (my grandmother more so), but eventually they accepted it and me because they loved me and respected me. I miss my Grandma sometimes when I talk about her like this because she really was full of alot of wisdom (even though you couldn't understand half of what she said - she spoke Spanglish). Well my dad was a devout aetheist - I think he just blamed God for everything bad that happened in his life and proclaimed himself an aetheist. He wasn't in my life much so I can't really let him take credit for my spirtual path. Man, I sound like I'm on a pity party. Sorry bout that.
I guess I just decided that I didn't want to believe in anything because no Christian religion made sense to me. The more I read about them in history books and took classes on the more ridiculous they all sounded to me. I'm not trying to bash anyone's faith but just entering my opinion. Take it lightly please.
Thanks so much for your support. I feel really good to know all of you, you seem like a very pleasant mixed fruits basket. Which by the way Fruits Basket is a wonderful anime for anyone who likes that kind of stuff. Sorry for being so long winded and I look forward to talking to you all more.
Welcome, and thanks for the tip. I love anime.
And another big welcome to our other new memeber!
Jason
I have been lurking since I joined a few weeks ago and thought that I had better intoduce myself. I live in England and have been practising Buddhist meditation for about 25 years. I formally converted to Buddhism in Sri Lanka in 1998. I have returned periodically and am going for the sixth time in November. I don't belong to a sangha but take inspiration for my mediaton practice from my books, the internet, visits to Samye Ling in Scotland, and my visits to Sri Lanka. I am a non-denominational Buddhist, but I am very influenced by Zen and the Theravada. I also practice Taiji Qigong, wjich blends very well with my sitting meditation.
I am also a recovering alcoholic, and have been in recovery for 25 years. I practise the Twelve Step Program, and find that my Buddhist practice complements it very well.
My background is that of Protestant Christianity and, although I don't practise it, I acknowledge that it has had a profound influence in my upbringing and there is no need for me to deny that. It is part of my experience and as such, therefore, is valued.
I would love to hear from other addicts in recovery. I would also love to hear how any of you as Buddhists, whether in recovery from addiction or not, reconcile any beliefs that you may still have about God with your Buddhist philosophy.
With metta
Geoff
Dawn - I have been 29 for quite a few years now!
Name: Andrew
Age: In my 4th decade and its the best so far
Sign: Taurus
Hair: Still have it but its going grey :hrm:
Eyes: Green
Height: 5'10"
Weight: I try not to think about it
Born: Kuwait
Live: Bradford, Yorkshire, UK
Occupation: Too sad to mention
Favorite book: Dharma Bums, Jack Kerouac
Favorite band: Brian Eno
Favorite food: Lots I'm a Taurean
Favorite movie: KPAX
Favorite colour: forest green or is it cyan?
Been on the path for about 8 years now - have strayed along the way. 2 years ago I moved from the frantic south of England back up north. Now starting to find a regular time for meditation and the Dharma. Not ready for a face to face Sangha yet thats why I like this place. I have two children - Heather is 21 and is studying Theology at Canterbury Uni and Mike is 18 and studying Audio technology at Derby Uni. I am still married to Lesley (a compassionate and caring nurse with a wickedly black sense of humour) despite having to learn some humbling and tough lessons after many mistakes throughout my life.
Hello, Andrew. Are you enjoying living among "tykes"?
Name: Mike
Age: 29
Hair: blonde & shaggy
Eyes: green
Height: 5'10
Weight: 180
Born: North Carolina
Currently: same
Fav music: new age
Fav book: The Dragon Lance series (as dorky as that sounds)
Fav movie: Blade Runner
Fav food: the strawberry cake that my grandmother used to make for me
Hi! Just a bit on me. I started the beginnings of my path I guess when I was a Jr. in high school. My parents told me they would pay for me to take martial arts. I knew nothing really of martial arts at the time, just the Bruce Lee, Van Damme movies that I had seen. The school to me was awesome! I went all the time I could and soon I became a instructor. That was when I started seeing things different. My teacher had very cruel judgements of most of his students. He would get the higher belts of the school to beat up on the students he did not like. This brought around a new awareness in me. The school that I had thought to be life changing for me had been empty. This aggression was so far away of what I thought true martial arts was about. And how could I have not seen this through his teachings? Truth was, I was not aware. I knew I wanted something more. That is when Dawn and I met, during this transition. I stopped martial arts all together for awhile. Then another friend of mine had also become aware of the schools ways and decided to open his own school. I began to learn deeper forms of the martial arts in which I have found more and more peace. Then by searching for meditaton aids I became aware of Buddhism. I am just a beginner on this path and I already feel so aware! I look forward to whatever input anyone has! Talk to you soon!
Mike
"All these moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain."
-Blade Runner
It is really lovely here (as are the people!
There's so MUCH to learn!
.....Brian, are we Brits going to have to produce Visas and 'Work' permits soon?!?:D
It's nice that so many British people feel happy, comfortable and relaxed about coming in and participating. I personally feel the mix of folks - denominations, ages, sexes, origins - is really quite refreshing!!
Please keep coming in and posting - it's what makes this "sangha" so varied, interesting and attractive - !!
Favorite band: Brian Eno. Ahhhhhhha. Please stop. I can't bare this. Eno is the upper middle classes Art schools left of center's Rick Wakeman.
I always knew nothing good could come from Roxy Musical and I was right. Ferry's son's "Curtis" is running around with the Countryside elite killing foxs and Eno is now tell people that Charles Kennedy it worth voting for.
Thank god punk came along when it did.
Age: 14 (yes, im young ^^)
Hair: dark brown
Eyes: blue-grey
Height: 156 last time i measured
Weight: 39 kilos
Born: Australia
Currently: Australia :P
Fav music: Damien Rice is my favourite singer ^^ as for styles of music...think Lord of the Rings soundtrack..epic music
Fav book: Lord of the Rings
Fav movie: Serenity, LoTR
Fav food: hmm..not sure. I like most things ^^ just not too much sugar or junk
I've only recently started following the Buddhist path. I have been brought up in a relatively Christian environment, although my family doesn't attend church etc, they still frown upon other religions
talk to you all soon,
Alex
Good to have another Ocker here! Sounds to me as though your journey is well on its way. I hope you find something useful and fun here - I do.
There are people of all ages here, from 14 to 48 and on up... mind you, mentally I seem to span a wide range, so it don't really matter none.... Regardless of age, I think we all have many different things to contribute... 'wise beyond his years' has been said on this forum.... then again, so has 'Oh grow up yer big daft cissy!!'
Welcome Alex! enjoy!!
Name: Kevin
Age: 33
Sign: Aquarius
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Hazel
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 300 lbs.
Born: Scottsboro, AL
Currently: Atlanta, Ga
Favorite color: Khaki
Favorite band: Rush
Favorite food: Anything Italian
Favorite movies: Lord of the Rings Trio, Sci-Fi Channel Dune Movies, Snatch
Favorite books: Fiction (Big Surprise) LotR, Dune & Stephen King's Dark Tower
Non-Fiction: Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, Mindfulness in Plain
English, How to Practice.
The Story So Far...
I had a very typical white-bread life through high-school, and married my high-school sweetie when I was 20 years old. I worked my way through college (worst 6 1/2 years of my life) in a brass foundry, and fell into the world of quality management by accident. I have yet to escape the field. As my first marriage was ending, I stumbled accross a little book of the Buddha's wisdom at my mom's house and read it. Finding it very interesting and completely true, I purchased Thich Nhat Hanh's "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" and have been a buddhist ever since. I had the good fortune to study with a sangha for about a year, which was led by an American, english speaking, ordained monk. I attended for about 8 months before taking the bodhisattve vows. I have since remarried the woman of my dreams (Eharmony. com really works just like the ads say!), and am expecting my first child in about 2 months.
My cup truely runneth over!
King Diamond still exists? I thought He died out with my highschool years!
I see you hiding... Under the bed.....
Guh-Guh-Guh Grand-ma !!!!!!! :rockon:
The King (and not that two-bit chump named Elvis either) is still quite alive, and making the greatest concept albums ever concieved. Each full length cd is a complete horror story composed for our listening enjoyment. Voodoo, House of God, and the Puppet Master are just three of his newer ones - and some of the best in my opinion.
Beware of the slippery stairs
You could easily fall and break your neck
Ahahahahaha
~ The Family Ghost, Abigail
Welcome to the site Kevin! It's good to see another fan of Dune here. Frank Herbert was an excellent writer. I wouldn't mind getting a little bit of that Spice myself.
Jason
I'm a fan too.
I'm sittin' here sippin' Gin and juice through my stil-suit.
-bf
Could have been the words of the Awakened One.
I think he was onto something...maybe a little too much "I" in there, but definitely onto something...
-bf
My name is Stephen, I'm 17 and stuff.
well I will be more conversive later....
Peace