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Hello Everyone
Hello Everyone,
Couple of weeks ago I don't know why but I felt like exploring Buddhism and I identified myself with this religion and way of living.
I'm going to be 19 in April the 27th, I'm Portuguese currently living in the UK. Lately my life had a few drastic changes.
I came to the UK to study, and I was living alone at a Halls of Residence, unfortunately things didn't go as expected and I found myself totally lost in life with no purpose what so ever. Then I got myself into gambling and lost all my parents money that was supposed to be well spent for my living expenses.
Things got to a point that I told my parents I was going through a big depression and I couldn't stand the course, they got really worried and I had a month of huge stress. Then I got to the point that I had to tell my older brother that I've spend all my money (he also lives in the UK). He helped me a lot.
So in the end. I changed my degree (starting again in September) and started working for my brother around the house. Still feeling really depressed full of hanger.
After starting to seek some sort of "cure" to my feeling I stepped into the Buddhism Theme.
And now I can feel good with myself, I've changed my attitude towards the world, towards people and the facts that happen to us.
Just wanted to share with you guys my life experience that helped me to learn a lot about myself and about the way I feel towards the world.
Thank you.
Ps. Sorry about my English =P. Still working on it.
Couple of weeks ago I don't know why but I felt like exploring Buddhism and I identified myself with this religion and way of living.
I'm going to be 19 in April the 27th, I'm Portuguese currently living in the UK. Lately my life had a few drastic changes.
I came to the UK to study, and I was living alone at a Halls of Residence, unfortunately things didn't go as expected and I found myself totally lost in life with no purpose what so ever. Then I got myself into gambling and lost all my parents money that was supposed to be well spent for my living expenses.
Things got to a point that I told my parents I was going through a big depression and I couldn't stand the course, they got really worried and I had a month of huge stress. Then I got to the point that I had to tell my older brother that I've spend all my money (he also lives in the UK). He helped me a lot.
So in the end. I changed my degree (starting again in September) and started working for my brother around the house. Still feeling really depressed full of hanger.
After starting to seek some sort of "cure" to my feeling I stepped into the Buddhism Theme.
And now I can feel good with myself, I've changed my attitude towards the world, towards people and the facts that happen to us.
Just wanted to share with you guys my life experience that helped me to learn a lot about myself and about the way I feel towards the world.
Thank you.
Ps. Sorry about my English =P. Still working on it.
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Comments
I'm fairly new to buddhism too, about three months now.
Life is certainly a rollercoaster and it looks like you've got many more years to ride it yet, at least it looks like your on an upward section of it at the moment.
Good luck with your degree course in September.
Your story is not unusual! Many people in history have made the very same mistakes you did (you can find their stories all through literature), so you don't need to be down on yourself about it.
In fact, you are quite fortunate, because at the young age of 19 you've already seen the error of your ways (you might have spent years more in self-destruction, but you pulled out of it fast), and somehow you have even found Buddhism, which is a tremendous stroke of good fortune.
Indeed, years from now you may look back on this period in your life and feel happy: for though you have found Buddhism by a difficult path, you have found it; and finding it may prove to be the best thing that ever happened to you.
The Buddha said it takes many lifetimes for someone to awaken. You have been given a rare gift, my friend! Take your awakening very seriously. Read the Dhammapada, the Buddha's own sayings. Find out what the Noble Eightfold Path is, and start to follow it in your life. Seize your opportunity with both hands. You have a chance to take control of your destiny right now.
I would give anything to be 19 and just discovering Buddhism. I would follow the path with all my heart. This is what you should do!
You are a fortunate young man indeed. And all because of craving and desire.
Namaste
I've started to read a lot of things online also ordered some books to start with.
I've also been reading around the forum for around a couple of weeks now, decided today to share my experience with you.
Thank you once again
Regards
It's lovely to meet you.
Nice to meet you too
You guys are so nice
Normally I gently shift new member introductions into the new member introduction thread.... but as this has evinced quite a few replies, I'll leave it here.
Thank you for joining us, it's lovely to meet you.
I so love young blood. It's amazing how much more perceptive the young are getting about the state of things, and keeping a level head... there's hope yet....!
Nice to have young people around. Glad to meet you treehugger (go check a song with that name is quite cool). I try to meditate every other day at least (proper meditate), but I meditate while walking and doing dishes etc.
Today just arrived "The Buddha Within" seems to be a cool book. Already have something to read on my flight back to Portugal
Going there for a two week holiday. Hope to enjoy the most of it.
Regards
You and the other young people on this site should consider yourselves extremely fortunate. You have found the Dharma at an age when you can make very good use of it and can actually use this life for its true purpose. That is excellent! And I like to read about how you are each finding your own way into Buddhism. You're all different except for that spark of recognition that truth lies in this direction. It's really fascinating. You are also fortunate that there is a lot of support for you to help you on your path. When I was growing up in middle America many years ago, Buddhism had no presence at all. I had to go to Japan to discover it. So you're doubly fortunate!
May you all find what you're looking for!
Palzang
Palzang
Thank you for the nice words Palzang. To be honest I don't really know how I found Buddhism in my life. I've always been interested in philosophy and never been much into religion. And the thing with Buddhism is that it's a combo between the both of this aspects. I started reading lots of stuff only and I really liked the message and the way things seem to work.
I've always been a person full of hatred and anger for others in a way that I couldn't realize how narrow minded I was being. When I moved in to my brothers house (he is 33) I could see myself reflected in him, all the silly non sense comments about others and the way others are, the impatience towards simple stuff, the anxiety and all the stress, this picture made me realize how wrong I was. So even before discovering Buddhism I totally changed my way of acting towards other and each time that silly comment popped in my mind I would control it and let if fade away.
So know I find myself more tolerant and relaxed towards others and towards situation that happen in ones life. I guess this is a great accomplishment for myself since with a more relaxed mind set I can actually make the right decisions.
I've suffered from lots of anxiety which was causing me physical pain (chest pain) all the time, I hated it, but I couldn't help it. Through meditation and reflection I could release it. It's been working great for me, and I feel happier than ever did before.
I also love to read interesting stuff and the Buddhist world is full of it =D
I didn't know that Palzang, thanks for the bit of information
Kind Regards