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Thanks Brian. I've had a little look. It really is inspiring. I'm sure I can find answers to my many questions and some much needed support. My daughter wants me now (again). I'll pop back tomorrow.
My own exerience has been as a lone parent from the time my son was 9. He had real trouble at school and I educated him at home for a few years until he was able to go back and do his exams. While teaching him at home, he was occasionally joined ny friends also having problems or excluded from school: we were a small group of parents sharing care. Part of what I did was to start each day with a shared period of silent meditation. The kids soon got to love it and ask for it, particularly if they were getting wound up (these were all kids who were troubled to some extent).
It meant that I could share meditation time rather than 'steal' it from my son.
Simon, thats wonderful that you could do that for your son. I really like the idea of some sort of meditation with the kids (if they can stop talking long enough lol).
Simon, thats wonderful that you could do that for your son. I really like the idea of some sort of meditation with the kids (if they can stop talking long enough lol).
I don't know what ages your sprogs may be. My own, Jack, was 8, rising 9, when we watched two films together: Little Buddha and Kundun. They helped inspire him towards meditation: all you need is something to strt them off. Kids, no matter how talkative and active, seem to respond really well to 10 minutes or so of shared silence.
Mine are 6 and 4. I'll look out for those films, thanks. So far we've been discussing The Lion King (circle of life stuff), the 6yo gets it but not my little girl yet.
Hi,
I'm Melanie.
I'm 19 but quite an old soul with life experiences a bit outside of the norm.
Hm...my favorite book is Le Petit Prince, and my favorite movie is Almost Famous.
As for my faith, I was baptized Armenian and confirmed Presbyterian, but neither resonated much with me. Buddhism, however, is a different story, and I recently made it official at ZhangYe temple. (I wish I had known more about it before that trip though, because some of the things I saw there were so amazing...maybe I'll find a way to show you guys pictures)
I also have severe depression and Buddhism is the only thing to offer me any comfort so far, but it definitely still comes in waves...
Well, I have lots left to learn and am excited to do so.
Welcome Hinny and Melanie. The best place to start is where you are. Starting at the beginning is a great place to be. One website that I found extremely helpful is www.buddhanet.net. It has several helpful articles on basics and is geared to people of all backgrounds. If you want to keep it basic, follow the Basic Buddhism Guide. It's 10 studies that will explain basic concepts without pounding your head with many ideas that are hard to pin point. Take them at your own pace and can learn a great deal about what buddhism is.
Heh my name's Cameran and I must say just registering to this site has already brought a huge smile to my face haha i was reading some of your introductions then i found out there were 24+ Pages!!!
Anyways umm what can I say i'm 19 and i was born and raised mormon.
I've lived a pretty interesting life so far, growing up here is sort of a box and if your not not religious you're kind of..outcasted in a way, I guess i took the "Rebelling is cool" route lol and began getting into the rave scene and partying every weekend..doing drugs constantly and coming up to this point has been a bit rough but I'm doing my best to keep my head up.
I had a girlfriend named Paige and we went through just about the craziest relationship I think i'll ever have lol, we argued constantly just about up until last november when we had our baby boy..it's kind of a touchy subject but we both decided that he deserved a better life than we could offer and adopted him to such a wonderful wonderful family that came down from maryland. Since then we broke up..she wanted to party and i wanted to find a spiritual life, I went to the library and found an awesome book called "How to expand love" and that's how i was introduced into buddhism. I really am loving the site and i'm excited to meet new friends. Thanks for listening.
Name: Validus (Dan Hettmannsperger III)
Age: 41 [individual aggrigates may vary]
Sex: Male
Orientation: Bisexual
Politics: Liberal Democrat
Children: two: Daughter, Carrie (19). Son, Jayson (8)
Marital Status: Divorced
Ethnicity: Europian (German back round)
How long a Buddhist: Eleven years now in this Kalpa.
Veteran: US Navy [USS IOWA, BB-61] retired since 1990.
Favorite Film(s): Blade Runner, Fight Club, Watchmen (Director's Cut)
Favorite Band: Pink Floyd & KMFDM
Occupation: Moderator for the Spiritual Forum at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Writer, Seeker, Shaper of Worlds.
Glad to know it brought a smile to your face. I don't think you necessary need to believe in a "higher power" in order to be "spiritual". When reading what the Buddha said about the 4 Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path, it just made complete sense to me. With all that I have studied and read, I really think all we are is a dot in the Universe or Multiverse or whatever we are. Welcome Again!
Hello all. I've been browsing this site for a week or two now. Decided to create an account this weekend. I have an interest in religion in general, but I've never been particularly religious. I've only recently took a keen interest in Buddhism. My user name comes from the title of a song by the band Neurosis. I live in town in Illinois called Ottawa. Only live here a couple of months after moving from the Chicago suburbs however. I am around three weeks shy of 32, married with one wife, no kids, and two cats (one of which is doing laps around the house right now). Not really sure what else there is to say at the moment. I'm sure you all will get to know me (and vice-versa).
You live in Radium City? That certainly sounds attractive! Where is it? I grew up in Rockford... Oh, welcome!
Palzang
Ottawa. The "Radium City" nickname comes from a factory that use to make watch/clock faces painted with luminescent paint containing radium (so it would be visible in the dark without having to have been exposed to light beforehand). Apparent there's still areas of the town that are contaminated by radium. Moved here a couple of months ago (before that I lived in Aurora, although I grew up in Metropolis, which you may have, but probably haven't, heard of).
Jeff (since it is easier to type),
Welcome to our little community. Having an interest in Buddhism is a good thing to have. That is where I started at. Keeping a "beginner's mind" is the best way to go about it. Feel free to ask and explore Buddhism!
Ottawa. The "Radium City" nickname comes from a factory that use to make watch/clock faces painted with luminescent paint containing radium (so it would be visible in the dark without having to have been exposed to light beforehand). Apparent there's still areas of the town that are contaminated by radium. Moved here a couple of months ago (before that I lived in Aurora, although I grew up in Metropolis, which you may have, but probably haven't, heard of).
Oh, sorry, I thought that was the actual name of the place! (See? You can learn all sorts of neat stuff on this site!) I've been to Ottawa. That's on the Illinois River near Starved Rock, right? Pretty area, unlike Rockford, which is corn fields stacked on top of more corn fields. Not so far from Rockford. And yes, I have heard of Metropolis. That's where Superman lives, er, lived. No, actually it's way south on the Ohio River, ennit?
Anyway, glad to hear there are some Buddhists back in Illinois!
Oh, and Takeahnase is from a song by Neurosis, right? An Iroquois word, I think, means something like "nature fighting back". he-he (Sorry if I'm being a pain, just curious by nature)
Oh, sorry, I thought that was the actual name of the place! (See? You can learn all sorts of neat stuff on this site!) I've been to Ottawa. That's on the Illinois River near Starved Rock, right? Pretty area, unlike Rockford, which is corn fields stacked on top of more corn fields. Not so far from Rockford.
Yeah, Starved Rock is close by. And I'm about a block or two from the Illinois River. It is a gorgeous area. Great town too. One thing I love is that nearly everything I need is within a few blocks of my apartment here. Unlike the suburbs, where you have to drive 10 minutes just to go grocery shopping. I know about the cornfields. That's pretty much 80% of Illinois.
And yes, I have heard of Metropolis. That's where Superman lives, er, lived. No, actually it's way south on the Ohio River, ennit?
Yes, it is on the Ohio, and it is where Superman lives. Seriously, the town uses the character to promote the town (there's the Superman Museum, and a big statue of Superman). Although I suspect that the casino brings in more people than Superman does.
Oh, and Takeahnase is from a song by Neurosis, right? An Iroquois word, I think, means something like "nature fighting back". he-he (Sorry if I'm being a pain, just curious by nature)
Palzang
Indeed.
0
Barrasoto zenniewandering in a cloud in beautiful, bucolic Victoria BC, on the wacky left coast of CanadaVeteran
edited September 2009
No, my name isn't Victoria - I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Name - Pieta
Birthplace - Emmen, Drenthe, Netherlands
age - 58
Immigrated - 1955 to Guelph, Ontario, Canada (with parents and 6 sibs)
Immigrated again - on my own this time - 1976 to British Columbia
Married - 1979
Birthed - 1985 - one son named Bram
Single again (whew!) - 1989
Started dragonboating in 1989 and having never been athletic, just love the sport. While not directly related to Buddhism, it is very much like meditating - 22 people paddling as one. If you don't paddle as one (i.e. in time with the lead paddlers in the front of the boat) you don't move very well through the water.
A more recent interest is taiko drumming - a relatively new music form, influenced by jazz, played on traditional Buddhist temple drums. If you're not familiar with this form of drumming, see the Kodo drummers at www.youtube.com/watch?v=thQ1VAyJWHw or www.kodo.or.jp
Started practicing with the Victoria Zen Centre approx. 5 years ago and am currently sitting with a more informal zen group. Last year I was able to spend 3 months living in the south of France and was happily surprised to find a Soto Zen group in the village next to where I was staying! I was able to take in a weekend retreat with the group (part of the International Zen Society) with the talks provided in French and Italian. Rather than the austere meals provided at zen retreats in Canada, we enjoyed wine, beer and French cuisine!!!
Other than drumming and sitting (meditating) I am fortunate to have retired early from my job as a government 'policy wonk' so I spend my time sewing, reading, and volunteering - at a day shelter for street people and taking shut-in seniors on outings. Its a pretty good life........
and (here comes the testimonial) I've found that my Buddhist practice - sitting, listening to talks from my teachers, and trying to follow the precepts - has made my life a lot easier. I don't drive my self crazy with self doubt and wishing for things that I don't have in my life. The more I stay in the present, the more I fall in love with all that is good in the world.
Registered today and spotted you hanging out in those soft purple chairs in the corner of this lovely lounge so thought I'd grab a muffin and whizz by with a quick 'Hi'. Light touch that's me. I'm sure all you lovely people are having a nice ole time chatting and such and i'll be dropping in when i can. Just one word of warning for those with allergies - I'll be bringing my labrador - 'blueface'.
Blue (or'blueface' to me) is an old rescue dog :cool:. I think he might be the American type of lab cos he is pretty lean. I took him out this morning out the back of our house across a couple of fields, across a farmer's fields ('oi get awf moi land'). He's got a grey muzzle now cos he's old - maybe 12-13. He still runs like the blazes though. He's absolutely knackered now after that walkies. He's got a bit of a problem with food meditation i think- especially when you feed him bananas. You can see the craving in the eyes poor foolish mutt. I'm gonna get a pic of him on when i can.I work as a Podiatrist here in the UK. Barra - I have visited BC - Vancouver about 10 years ago. Not a bad part of the world!
Hello, all. My name is Nickolas. I am 19 years old living in Western Washington. I have a history or Mormon and Baptist Christianity, but I wish to become a Buddhist.
0
Barrasoto zenniewandering in a cloud in beautiful, bucolic Victoria BC, on the wacky left coast of CanadaVeteran
edited October 2009
Hi, Nic - I don't think you're the only (ex)Mormon in here. We have someone from Utah - I think its Cameran......
One of the initial challenges for many of us that were raised Christian is to get around the idea that in Buddhism there is no God/god.....just the void (!)
It's always great to see new faces here. Feel free to post as much or as little as you like. I've taken breaks myself and was welcomed back with the warmness and kindness this group has.
Barra and Nic,
One of the reasons that I took a break is that I started to feel like I did when I was in an evangelicak church. No one treated me that way, but that is how it felt to me. There are some very kind people here that have given gentle and firm instruction. I mean firm in a positive sense. I was confused and needed direction after a bad experience at a local Buddhist group. I thought that I was in another messed up church situation where people were trying to control and manipulate me. 'If this is what Buddhism has to offer, then forget it'. I didn't feel comfortable with atheism, but agnosticism felt more honest to me. Except for agnosticism, I gave up all practices and didn't care if I heard about any ones beliefs or ideas ever again.
After a long period, I really missed people here. I really missed meditating and reading Buddhist writings that I had on hand. I've started back at square one with meditating 20-30 minutes a day, and reading the Dhammapadda. I have my own book but you can find it online for free. Some wonderful sayings about the mind in there. When you set up your own spiritual practice, you are allowed to do what you feel is right. I agree with all that The Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, and the Five Precepts make sense for a reasonable life. But a very interesting rule I use. "Take what you need and leave the rest". If something is overwhelming, leave it be. You can always come back to it. I know the feeling of being forced to believe something and feeling guilty because it made no sense. I find good and bad in all religions.
I hope you find this site useful on your path. We really try to be nonjudgemental, kind, and caring.
It's been that long since I've been around here that I thought that this'd be the best room in which to reacquaint myself. It's great to see that this little community is still thriving. Catch ye soon.
Howdy Tribesman! You must of joined during one of my absences and I don't know you. So welcome back and post what you need, read what you want, and leave the rest. Very cool avatar!
Short bio: self-taught and/or deluded, Deflects with humor*. A real do-it-yourselfer, although I do read the owner's manuals for reference. Have no idea which rebirth cycle this is. Samsara in the form of bacon for breakfast, discarded items repaired and/or archived. Walks against the winds of impermanence in this way.
Don't let that abuse of vocabulary fool you. "He speaks the words, but knows little of their meaning."
And the little fellow over there in the avatar? The Monkey Mind, partner/nemesis.
*I will strive to not-offend. But, having two left feet in walking this path, might step on a bug or two. Likely a odd mix of serious questions, anecdotal comparisons, and fluff used to elevate one's zafu.
Just here to get the group consensus on the meaning of life, the universe, and everything, beyond the koan of 42. That's all.
Comments
My own exerience has been as a lone parent from the time my son was 9. He had real trouble at school and I educated him at home for a few years until he was able to go back and do his exams. While teaching him at home, he was occasionally joined ny friends also having problems or excluded from school: we were a small group of parents sharing care. Part of what I did was to start each day with a shared period of silent meditation. The kids soon got to love it and ask for it, particularly if they were getting wound up (these were all kids who were troubled to some extent).
It meant that I could share meditation time rather than 'steal' it from my son.
I don't know what ages your sprogs may be. My own, Jack, was 8, rising 9, when we watched two films together: Little Buddha and Kundun. They helped inspire him towards meditation: all you need is something to strt them off. Kids, no matter how talkative and active, seem to respond really well to 10 minutes or so of shared silence.
Welcome to the site!
It's lovely to meet you.
I'm Melanie.
I'm 19 but quite an old soul with life experiences a bit outside of the norm.
Hm...my favorite book is Le Petit Prince, and my favorite movie is Almost Famous.
As for my faith, I was baptized Armenian and confirmed Presbyterian, but neither resonated much with me. Buddhism, however, is a different story, and I recently made it official at ZhangYe temple. (I wish I had known more about it before that trip though, because some of the things I saw there were so amazing...maybe I'll find a way to show you guys pictures)
I also have severe depression and Buddhism is the only thing to offer me any comfort so far, but it definitely still comes in waves...
Well, I have lots left to learn and am excited to do so.
Feel free to post anytime you like.
Heh my name's Cameran and I must say just registering to this site has already brought a huge smile to my face haha i was reading some of your introductions then i found out there were 24+ Pages!!!
Anyways umm what can I say i'm 19 and i was born and raised mormon.
I've lived a pretty interesting life so far, growing up here is sort of a box and if your not not religious you're kind of..outcasted in a way, I guess i took the "Rebelling is cool" route lol and began getting into the rave scene and partying every weekend..doing drugs constantly and coming up to this point has been a bit rough but I'm doing my best to keep my head up.
I had a girlfriend named Paige and we went through just about the craziest relationship I think i'll ever have lol, we argued constantly just about up until last november when we had our baby boy..it's kind of a touchy subject but we both decided that he deserved a better life than we could offer and adopted him to such a wonderful wonderful family that came down from maryland. Since then we broke up..she wanted to party and i wanted to find a spiritual life, I went to the library and found an awesome book called "How to expand love" and that's how i was introduced into buddhism.
Age: 41 [individual aggrigates may vary]
Sex: Male
Orientation: Bisexual
Politics: Liberal Democrat
Children: two: Daughter, Carrie (19). Son, Jayson (8)
Marital Status: Divorced
Ethnicity: Europian (German back round)
How long a Buddhist: Eleven years now in this Kalpa.
Veteran: US Navy [USS IOWA, BB-61] retired since 1990.
Favorite Film(s): Blade Runner, Fight Club, Watchmen (Director's Cut)
Favorite Band: Pink Floyd & KMFDM
Occupation: Moderator for the Spiritual Forum at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Writer, Seeker, Shaper of Worlds.
-Gassho, its very nice to meet you. I see that you have many posts, how long have you been here?
Glad to know it brought a smile to your face. I don't think you necessary need to believe in a "higher power" in order to be "spiritual". When reading what the Buddha said about the 4 Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path, it just made complete sense to me. With all that I have studied and read, I really think all we are is a dot in the Universe or Multiverse or whatever we are. Welcome Again!
I've been here since January 2006 but it feels like a lot longer.:D
You're so conventional, being married with one wife. Ah, but you'll fit in just fine anyway!
Here's a few kind words:
May you be happy and may happiness be left behind in your footsteps!
Well my wife's family are Mormon, so I could convert and.....
Heh, bad joke.
Thanks for the welcome.
Welcome to the community!
Palzang
Ottawa. The "Radium City" nickname comes from a factory that use to make watch/clock faces painted with luminescent paint containing radium (so it would be visible in the dark without having to have been exposed to light beforehand). Apparent there's still areas of the town that are contaminated by radium. Moved here a couple of months ago (before that I lived in Aurora, although I grew up in Metropolis, which you may have, but probably haven't, heard of).
Welcome to our little community. Having an interest in Buddhism is a good thing to have. That is where I started at. Keeping a "beginner's mind" is the best way to go about it. Feel free to ask and explore Buddhism!
Oh, sorry, I thought that was the actual name of the place! (See? You can learn all sorts of neat stuff on this site!) I've been to Ottawa. That's on the Illinois River near Starved Rock, right? Pretty area, unlike Rockford, which is corn fields stacked on top of more corn fields. Not so far from Rockford. And yes, I have heard of Metropolis. That's where Superman lives, er, lived. No, actually it's way south on the Ohio River, ennit?
Anyway, glad to hear there are some Buddhists back in Illinois!
Palzang
Palzang
Yeah, Starved Rock is close by. And I'm about a block or two from the Illinois River. It is a gorgeous area. Great town too. One thing I love is that nearly everything I need is within a few blocks of my apartment here. Unlike the suburbs, where you have to drive 10 minutes just to go grocery shopping. I know about the cornfields. That's pretty much 80% of Illinois.
Yes, it is on the Ohio, and it is where Superman lives. Seriously, the town uses the character to promote the town (there's the Superman Museum, and a big statue of Superman). Although I suspect that the casino brings in more people than Superman does.
Indeed.
Name - Pieta
Birthplace - Emmen, Drenthe, Netherlands
age - 58
Immigrated - 1955 to Guelph, Ontario, Canada (with parents and 6 sibs)
Immigrated again - on my own this time - 1976 to British Columbia
Married - 1979
Birthed - 1985 - one son named Bram
Single again (whew!) - 1989
Started dragonboating in 1989 and having never been athletic, just love the sport. While not directly related to Buddhism, it is very much like meditating - 22 people paddling as one. If you don't paddle as one (i.e. in time with the lead paddlers in the front of the boat) you don't move very well through the water.
A more recent interest is taiko drumming - a relatively new music form, influenced by jazz, played on traditional Buddhist temple drums. If you're not familiar with this form of drumming, see the Kodo drummers at www.youtube.com/watch?v=thQ1VAyJWHw or www.kodo.or.jp
Started practicing with the Victoria Zen Centre approx. 5 years ago and am currently sitting with a more informal zen group. Last year I was able to spend 3 months living in the south of France and was happily surprised to find a Soto Zen group in the village next to where I was staying! I was able to take in a weekend retreat with the group (part of the International Zen Society) with the talks provided in French and Italian. Rather than the austere meals provided at zen retreats in Canada, we enjoyed wine, beer and French cuisine!!!
Other than drumming and sitting (meditating) I am fortunate to have retired early from my job as a government 'policy wonk' so I spend my time sewing, reading, and volunteering - at a day shelter for street people and taking shut-in seniors on outings. Its a pretty good life........
and (here comes the testimonial) I've found that my Buddhist practice - sitting, listening to talks from my teachers, and trying to follow the precepts - has made my life a lot easier. I don't drive my self crazy with self doubt and wishing for things that I don't have in my life. The more I stay in the present, the more I fall in love with all that is good in the world.
Registered today and spotted you hanging out in those soft purple chairs in the corner of this lovely lounge so thought I'd grab a muffin and whizz by with a quick 'Hi'. Light touch that's me. I'm sure all you lovely people are having a nice ole time chatting and such and i'll be dropping in when i can. Just one word of warning for those with allergies - I'll be bringing my labrador - 'blueface'.
Peace out.
_/\_
What do you do there in the UK????
Blue (or'blueface' to me) is an old rescue dog :cool:. I think he might be the American type of lab cos he is pretty lean. I took him out this morning out the back of our house across a couple of fields, across a farmer's fields ('oi get awf moi land'). He's got a grey muzzle now cos he's old - maybe 12-13. He still runs like the blazes though. He's absolutely knackered now after that walkies. He's got a bit of a problem with food meditation i think- especially when you feed him bananas. You can see the craving in the eyes poor foolish mutt. I'm gonna get a pic of him on when i can.I work as a Podiatrist here in the UK. Barra - I have visited BC - Vancouver about 10 years ago. Not a bad part of the world!
One of the initial challenges for many of us that were raised Christian is to get around the idea that in Buddhism there is no God/god.....just the void
It's always great to see new faces here. Feel free to post as much or as little as you like. I've taken breaks myself and was welcomed back with the warmness and kindness this group has.
Barra and Nic,
One of the reasons that I took a break is that I started to feel like I did when I was in an evangelicak church. No one treated me that way, but that is how it felt to me. There are some very kind people here that have given gentle and firm instruction. I mean firm in a positive sense. I was confused and needed direction after a bad experience at a local Buddhist group. I thought that I was in another messed up church situation where people were trying to control and manipulate me. 'If this is what Buddhism has to offer, then forget it'. I didn't feel comfortable with atheism, but agnosticism felt more honest to me. Except for agnosticism, I gave up all practices and didn't care if I heard about any ones beliefs or ideas ever again.
After a long period, I really missed people here. I really missed meditating and reading Buddhist writings that I had on hand. I've started back at square one with meditating 20-30 minutes a day, and reading the Dhammapadda. I have my own book but you can find it online for free. Some wonderful sayings about the mind in there. When you set up your own spiritual practice, you are allowed to do what you feel is right. I agree with all that The Four Noble Truths, The Noble Eightfold Path, and the Five Precepts make sense for a reasonable life. But a very interesting rule I use. "Take what you need and leave the rest". If something is overwhelming, leave it be. You can always come back to it. I know the feeling of being forced to believe something and feeling guilty because it made no sense. I find good and bad in all religions.
I hope you find this site useful on your path. We really try to be nonjudgemental, kind, and caring.
It's been that long since I've been around here that I thought that this'd be the best room in which to reacquaint myself. It's great to see that this little community is still thriving. Catch ye soon.
Niall
Lovely to see you!
Short bio: self-taught and/or deluded, Deflects with humor*. A real do-it-yourselfer, although I do read the owner's manuals for reference. Have no idea which rebirth cycle this is. Samsara in the form of bacon for breakfast, discarded items repaired and/or archived. Walks against the winds of impermanence in this way.
Don't let that abuse of vocabulary fool you. "He speaks the words, but knows little of their meaning."
And the little fellow over there in the avatar? The Monkey Mind, partner/nemesis.
*I will strive to not-offend. But, having two left feet in walking this path, might step on a bug or two. Likely a odd mix of serious questions, anecdotal comparisons, and fluff used to elevate one's zafu.
Just here to get the group consensus on the meaning of life, the universe, and everything, beyond the koan of 42. That's all.
Palzang