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Lost
I don't know where I'm going, what I'm doing, and who I am. I want to begin a spiritual journey towards enlightenment, but I do not know where to start. I have no money so I cannot travel. All I have are my thoughts. I'm very depressed.
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Comments
Wikipedia: Buddhism
Google.com: Buddhism how to meditate
Good Luck!
stop
stay at home
or
stay where you are now
and
see whether you are breathing
if yes
see
whether it is in going
or
it is out going
do not do anything
if possible
find a book of DO
read it
think it
and sleep
and
then
get up or awake!;)
[/quote]
who I am. good
stay at home:p see
you have enough AVATAR
if you stick to the above advices
you will be alright
results guranteed:)
Mediate on thinking and not thinking.
Contemplate your meditaions,
Talk to others about your contemplations.
Don't worry, be happy.
Be happy in not being.
Practice metta every day.
"Work had for Dharma."
Well, it sounds like you at least know some good, basic things about who you are... namely what you are not. This is a great place to begin, as it sounds like a lot of the former patterns are seen as ridiculous. It may seem shitty now, but with a little effort, it will be good fertilizer.
I suggest you start meditating. Try watching some meditation instruction from Ajahn Jayasaro on youtube. Also, this Pema Chodron video speaks very directly of the situation you appear to be in, though there are many others of hers that might help. Both of their energies are very indicative of healing.
No matter what you do, try to accept that the old way isn't working. Now could be a time of deep renewal, where embracing a wiser set of guidelines on how to use your life will transform your perceptions. Open up to some new ideas, let their help flow around you, and it will all make sense soon enough.
With luck,
Matt
Everybody starts out in the same boat. You are not alone.
There may be a Dharma center within a bus ride or a car ride. You can talk frankly to someone. Taking refuge is a new beginning, Sangha is real support.
Ed. and what aMatt says.
As Eckhart Tolle would say, CONGRATULATIONS!
You already have.
The only place any of us can be is where we are. And as someone (or someones) has famously said, "Wherever you go, there you are." You can't run away from yourself, and you can't travel someplace to 'find' yourself. You're right where you are, right this minute. And nowhere else.
*You* are not depressed. You may be feeling depression, but you *are* not depressed. Depression (and believe me when I say, been there, done that) is truly a state of mind. It's a bundle of thoughts and reactions to them. Nothing more. It is not you and you are not it. Rejoice that you've gotten to the point of starting on your spiritual journey. May it be happy and fruitful for you.
Peace,
Mtns
:smilec:
Agreed. Look for an offline centre.
.
Dear BlackFlag,
hope you will feel better soon.
We are all different, so what helps me might not help you and vice versa. What helps me is to DO something, anything, with as much concentration/mindfulness as I can. Then, when my perspective has changed a little, it's easier to tackle the problems.
Cheers,
P
Meditation practice.:)
I still battle with depression, but meditation and learning more about Buddhism and it's teachings, have been helping me "take the edge" off it. I feel less pessimistic and negative and more at ease, more calm.
Starting a meditation practice, might be of help to you and maybe learning about Buddhism and the middle way too. Best of luck to you on your journey.
In a way, you have made a great leap into self-improvement and the beginning of your spiritual journey already. Just by being aware something is off the mark.