Just how DO we "Walk the Talk" - ?

federica

Hello everyone,

For quite some time now, I've been 'observing' comments made by both regular users of this forum, and by 'new' members, regarding their own personal approach to their own personal beliefs, and I'm constantly (quietly, and I promise you, non-judgementally) amazed at the things people come out with.

Folks are either reluctant to call themselves Buddhist, thus affording themselves a 'label' because it doesn't matter in the end, or because they're reluctant to be seen adhering to something concrete, or maybe simply because they don't feel "qualified" to call themselves Buddhist. Others (particularly new members to the forum) ask how they can convert to Buddhism, or they discover over time and 'study' that they've been Buddhist for some time/all their lives/without knowing it.....

The 'Western' mentality has a tendency to compartmentalise. We as westerners tend to separate certain sections of our lives. I wonder if this is for convenience, or for the sake of our sanity.... I don't know. But we work in an office (one compartment) and we belong to a sports club (another one) and we are members of Neighbourhood Watch (another) and little Tommy goes to scouts (yet another) and we're a parent (ditto) and a member of a family (duh-duh) and we're an in-law (duh-duh-duh)....Oh, and of course, last but not least, we're members of an On-Line Sangha... get my drift? Stick with me....

It's like going to the doctor's and being referred to one specialist for a knee tendon problem, and another for a liver condition, and yet another for an eye condition, and another for a throat condition.... all 'treated' separately, because they're perceived to be separate issues, and indeed, how could they be otherwise?

Well, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM for short, from here on....) These conditions ARE connected.
The Liver channel runs down the side/front of the body, through the groin (this is a family show....) and down past the inside of the Knee. Liver Channel controls the tendons and ligaments and the joints, and is responsible for the condition of the eyes. According to Shizuto Masunaga (a widely respected Shiatsu specialist) a small inner branch/offshoot from the Gall-Bladder channel (the Yang partner to the Liver Yin channel) enters the throat..... And Liver/Gall Bladder also manifest as an emotion (Anger) and are responsible for a Spiritual aspect of our existence - The Hun, or Corporeal Soul.....

There are other Channels or Meridians all responsible for certain Organ energies, certain connected organ energies, Emotions and aspects of the Spiritual. In short, the whole existence of the whole Body, the Physical, Mental and Spiritual, can be adressed thorugh TCM.

So as far as TCM is concerned, everything is interconnected, and interdependent.

So (FINALLY!!) my point is....

How do we integrate Buddhism into our everyday lives? do we tell others we're Buddhist? do we discuss our beliefs and principles as and if the situation arises? or do we keep a low profile, and say little, because we fear being thought of as cranks or condemned for being 'different'?
I Live, Breathe and Speak Buddhism at every available opportunity. This is not to say that I go up to people and say 'Hallelujah! pass the incense!' or that I aim to convert, convince or recruit anyone to my way of thinking. I hope you all know me better than that by now..... But to me, my Buddhism is inseparable from who I am and from what it's made me. People can see I'm happy. People can see I very rarely lose my temper, and people can see that I'm a decent sort of person, and honest with it. And when they ask me all the why's and wherefores, I tell them. I have two tatoos, both of which have Buddhist connections for me. And the questions I get are, in this order: 'Is it real?' 'Did it hurt?' and 'What do they mean?' The answers are: 'Yes.' 'Yes.' and then I explain their significance.... I integrate my Physical life, with my Mental life and my Spiritual life, as theree sides of one triangle - or the three legs to a tripod. They are mutually supporting, and all-important to me.

Why should I 'hide my Light under a bushel'? Isn't that just as bad as someone who's "In your face, Born-again, Happy-Clappy Jesus wants me for a sunbeam!" Mode?
The Middle Way. People know me, and know what i'm about. I'm Buddhist, proud of it, and open for discussion. And whether I'm talking to staunch catholics, atheists, agnostics, moslems jews or nondescripts, I simly tell it like it is. I state my Truth, as there is no reason to do otherwise. But I have the courage of my convicitons,a nd I'm happy to stand up and be counted.

I don't compartmentalise. I use the whole, all the time.

Simonthepilgrim

While being prepped for my angiogram, last Friday, I was asked by the nurse, "Religious beliefs?" Immedistely, I heard a voice in my head (my own, you understand, I have heart disease not schizophrenia) saying: "I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma nd the Sangha". So, out loud, I said, "Buddhist".

Interesting how many nurses came to discuss it with me during the day.

MoonLgt

Fed,
I am who I am. And I don't need to impress anyone so to speak myself. But I do have a question concerning TCM? I have been a practioner so to speak if one is called that of Native American Medicine for ever. And you are right, Nothing is considered spearate. They are all interconnected. Do you have any good resources concerning TCM?

Jason

Fede,

As a convention or something you say for other peoples' understanding, saying you are a Buddhist is perfectly fine. What I have trouble with is when it becomes part of our "identity". It just gives us one more thing to attach to in an unskillful way. (I worry that it may become like the old Roman Catholics when if you weren't "Catholic" you were in a crusade against them i.e. Cathars, Muslims, etc.)

Of course you should tell it like it is, just keep watching "who" is telling it like it is. This is where I believe that we begin to really walk the talk.

federica

Moonlgt: Try These....

http://www.itmonline.org/arts/shiatsu.htm

http://www.shiatsu.co.uk/

http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/faqs/medi-5-3-4-tcm.html

Elohim:

Of course you should tell it like it is, just keep watching "who" is telling it like it is. This is where I believe that we begin to really walk the talk.

I couldn't agree more. This is why the practise of Mindfulness is so important... Who is doing the telling? I am. Who is this 'I'? is it the 'Self' or the 'Non-Self'....? So much to remember. Just 'BE'. I try. Sometimes I fail. Well, ok, I fail a lot. But I am mindful of failing... and 'I' keep trying....! :buck:

Simon, for me responses have always been of the curious/interested variety. As yet, to date, I have never encountered any hostility or 'resistance'....

MoonLgt

Fed,
Thank you, I have bookmarked all three, But I find the one with Acupucture for Back pain really useful as it may be of help to my mom.

federica

Glad to help. I studied Shiatsu at the European School and I can honestly say I'm still learning.... TCM is a constant Learning Curve, because I keep finding so many ways of interconnecting... The Yin, the Yang and the Universe in which they play, and the Universe which plays in them... it's brill - !!

buddhafoot

For me - I spent years as a Christian and - from what I can remember - there were maybe two or three times in my entire Christian life that I was asked my religious affiliation. It hardly ever came up - even when having conversations about the Bible with other people.

Then, while on this site, there was a thread about "labelling yourself a Buddhist".

I thought to myself - and this is just my opinion... I'm not judging anyone else for what they feel they need to do - why do I need to tell anyone I'm a Buddhist? What is that going to accomplish in my life and in my seeking?

Not that I'm opposed to telling anyone if they ask me straight out - but I just don't feel a need to wave a flag. I find it as distasteful as Christians who go around thumping their Bible in everone's face.

A day at work....
Me: "Good morning."
Them: "Good morning. I'm a Christian. God loves you."
Me: "Oh. Really."
Them: "Yes, He died for you."
Me: "Hmmm. I was just saying good morning. I promise I won't let it happen again."
Them: "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior?"
Me: "I'm leaving now. Don't follow me and stay away from my office."

So, you're a Christian. Big deal. Am I supposed to give you an award or something? Does it change a gnat's butt in my life? No.

I kind of feel the same way about Buddhism. I didn't engage in Buddhism because I needed a new fad in my life or a new attachment. I engaged in Buddhism because it just felt right.

It didn't feel "simple" in the way that some people refer to Buddhism as a "lazy man's religion" because it makes me evaluate myself and my existance. It causes me to review my actions and thoughts because of me. Not because I'm going to be missing out on clouds and harp playing for eternity if I don't evaluate myself.

It's for me - whether anyone likes it or not.

I was just thinking about a conversation I had with my son. He's being raised Catholic - against my wishes - but that is neither here nor there.
One time he came into my bedroom for his regular "tackle Dad and knock the crap out of him sessions" when he saw me meditating. He asked what I was doing so I told him. Then he asked me about Buddhism. So, I told him a little. One of the questions he asked was if I worshipped Buddha like some people worship God. I told him that Buddha was just a man like anyone else. That Buddhist don't "worship" him - they're just grateful that someone "awakened" shared his knowledge with the rest of us.
A couple of days later he was saying that he might believe in Buddha instead of God or in addition to God.
I told him that he shouldn't decide what he's going to "be" based upon what anyone else tells him - or what his Mom or Dad tells him. If he wants to believe in Christ, Buddha, Krsna, Ra or Big Bird - it's up to him.

So... have I answered your question, Fede? Probably not. I seldom get around to doing what I've been asked . But... I don't believe "walking the talk" means stating you're a Buddhist.
I think one of the best indications of proclaiming yourself as a Buddhist is: that by your actions people feel kind of compelled to ask you why you are like you are (in a good way). That is the best proclamation (that I can think of) of Buddhism - or whatever it is that you believe in.

-bf

Jerbear

BF,
Thanks so much for your response. I am going to come out of the closet here. I know, I know you all know I'm gay but the other closet I'm in. I'm an ardent worshipper of the Cookie Monster. All hail Chocolate Chips! All hail Peanut Butter Patties!

But seriously, people at work know I'm Buddhist. They've asked a few questions and that's it. I just didn't want it assmumed I was a Christian. That was important to me as a recovered Bible Beater. But I probably practice Buddhism more ardently than some practice their Christianity. So what? That's their decision. Until they start ramming it down my throat, I listen politely. I've got this kind of face that everyone tells me all kinds of things. I'm not sure why but when they tell me "Turn or burn, fly or fry", then I will take issue with it. Hopefully I will get to a place where it won't bother me. But until the, why don't we just sit?

Xrayman

BF and JB and federica,

g'day.

I agree with all of you to some degree.

I think that you can tell someone if they ask-no harm in that.
I think you can tell someone politely that you do or don't believe in what they believe in, as well-if you burn-why should they care?
and BF I like the concept of them observing your good nature-then that creating the questioning-it will show that Buddhists are good people-who I'm sure won't burn in hell-god didn't really want that for nice people did he/she?

BF-good for you with your advice to your son! although, it still may assist him to believe in catholocism with some buddhist pointers-don't be too dissappointed if he decides to stay catholic-if he leaves you to your choices-leave him to his

love you all. regards,

Xrayman

My daughter is Catholic-really don't care myself-although she loves harry potter etc. she's going to a catholic girls school-the best school around here for our money-best advantages etc.

I was asked in the enrolment form what religion I was-and yes, I hesiitated to answer it-because it may have influenced her entry (or maybe not-I don't know) either way I signed it Buddhist-no one questioned me on it. so the moral of the story is say what you like-say what you feel in your heart-if you're christian, muslim, Buddhist-who cares? In reality, I think it's more important to show our acceptace of others and their acceptance of us.

just my two-cents worth-okay one-and-a-half..

cheers

Jerbear

Xrayman,
I would agree with what you say. I totally accept what others believe. I may not agree with it, but it's their right to believe what they will. Supporting others in what they believe is better than telling them it's wrong. Let them make up their minds and let us make up ours.

Nirvana

I visited a doctor yesterday, and on the form, there were two places where I chose not to give the conventional answer, Social Security number and Race. I filled in my SS# mostly with Exes and wrote "Human" under race. I don't really agree with all this labelling.

*I guess if they had asked for religion, I might have put, "Anti-irreligionist." This would be true for me, because I can't stand people condemning innocent, sincerely held sentiments, agreeing with St. Paul, to rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.*

If people ask me straight out what religion I am, I tell them I grew up Roman Catholic but believe one can only understand one's own religion by investigating other world religions. "It's much like language, you understand how to manipulate your own better through the study of other languages. In fact, one reason there are so many religions is that there are so many languages, and the same truths are often not understood by external societies simply because they are coined in a different language with differing pictures, histories, and conceptions." I then go on to say that, for me, Buddhism has a straight-forward approach that I admire, and that it helps me.

It's still amazing, though, living in the Bible Belt, when you honestly tell some people these things AFTER THEY FIRST ASK YOU, they say they believe in BIBLICAL RELIGION ONLY and that Buddhists worship Idols, and why do they? It's really difficult to deal with this, especially if you're "trapped" with them awhile.

But to Go Back to Federica's original question: HOW DO WE WALK THE TALK, I take this mainly as a practical question, how will it affect my INTERACTIONS with my fellow human beings?

I'd say, to realize a duty to be fresh, new blood in the world, trying to be mindful at all times of stress that it is not true that this world truly and firmly exists and it is also not true that this world is all false. I'd say to be mindful that all being are put here for bliss and that each one of us should put away special time to experience that bliss in a contemplative manner.

Let the Path before Thee always be Fresh,
Thy Going Always be Followed by Bliss,
Let Thy Very Name be Bliss.




*Here's a quote fro St. Bernard's Steps of Humility, which I put here in connexion with something I said above.

First let Truth itself teach you that you should seek it in your neighbours before seeking it in its own nature. Later you will see why you should seek it in yourself before seeking it in your neighbours. For in the list of Beatitudes which He distinguished in his sermon, He placed the merciful before the pure in heart. The merciful quickly grasp truth in their neighbours, extending their own feelings to them and conforming themselves to them through love, so that they feel their joys or troubles as their own. They are weak with the weak; they burn with the offended. (2 COR 11:29.) They rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (ROM 12:15) After the spiritual vision has been purified by this brotherly love, they enjoy the contemplation of truth in its own nature, and then bear others’ ills for love of it. But those who do not unite themselves with their brethren in this way, but on the contrary either revile those who weep or disparage those who do rejoice, not feeling in themselves that which is in others, because they are not similarly affected— how can they grasp truth in their neighbours? For the popular proverb well applies to them: The healthy do not know how the sick feel, nor the full how the hungry suffer. But sick sympathize with sick, and hungry with hungry, the more closely the more they are alike. For just as pure truth is seen only with a pure heart, so a brother’s misery is truly felt with a miserable heart. But in order to have a miserable heart because of another’s misery, you must first know your own; so that you may find your neighbour’s mind in your own and know from yourself how to help him, by the example of our Saviour, who willed His passion in order to learn compassion; his misery, to learn commiseration.

NotMe

I think my objections with labels are that they highlight differences. They seem necessary at times to communicate, but are all subject to change. Two Truths Doctrine, right?

We all subconsciously (if not consciously) look for ways to be unique. When we do this we begin attaching these labels to ourselves, ie. blond, protestant, australian, whatever. Then we become stuck on them despite the changing world. Albeit necessary to describe oneself at times. (Afterall, you want your clothes to fit when ordering online!)

When we seek similarities, we find compassion.
From the post above "The healthy do not know how the sick feel, nor the full how the hungry suffer. But sick sympathize with sick, and hungry with hungry, the more closely the more they are alike."

I ran across this quote from Karen Armstrong recently, author of 'A History of God' and 'Buddha'. I like it because, again, it highlights similarities.

---

"So people will ask, "Is traditional faith wrong?" And I say, "No." It doesn't really matter what you believe as long as it leads you to practical compassion. If your belief in a traditional God makes you come out imbued with a desire to feel with your fellow human beings, to make a place for them in your heart, to work to end suffering in the world, then it's good."

---

I do, however, think that there is danger in fully or partially giving up the faculty of reason in favor of faith. If one takes actions based on something that cannot be known, eg. 'God wants me to do this' then there is no ability to question it.

Adiana

Jerbear wrote:

BF,
Thanks so much for your response. I am going to come out of the closet here. I know, I know you all know I'm gay but the other closet I'm in. I'm an ardent worshipper of the Cookie Monster. All hail Chocolate Chips! All hail Peanut Butter Patties!

But seriously, people at work know I'm Buddhist. They've asked a few questions and that's it. I just didn't want it assmumed I was a Christian. That was important to me as a recovered Bible Beater. But I probably practice Buddhism more ardently than some practice their Christianity. So what? That's their decision. Until they start ramming it down my throat, I listen politely. I've got this kind of face that everyone tells me all kinds of things. I'm not sure why but when they tell me "Turn or burn, fly or fry", then I will take issue with it. Hopefully I will get to a place where it won't bother me. But until the, why don't we just sit?

Jerbear,

I am a Cookie Monster, too! :thumbsup:

Adiana:usflag: