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lost the way some what ..
ThailandTom
Veteran
hello to everyone who has taken the time to read and or consider my post 
I do not have a specific point to make here, it is more of a general notion that I want to get across.
A brief but f information regarding myself, I am 21 and originally from the UK. I have lived in thailand now for around 5 months give or take a week. I sprouted an interest in buddhism and the teachings of the dharma around 18 months ago, previous to this I was a firm atheist. I have not practiced meditation for a substantial amount of time now, but keep in mind many teachings buddhims suggests. For example I try not to become attached to feelings or material things, I try not to become attached to people and experiences in general. I am mindful of telling lies, mindful of compassion and kindness, but I am sure I could do a lot more than I am.
When I try to meditate, I become easily distracted and cannot maintain a focused mind, in turn giving up after 5 minutes. When I use to practice meditation back in the UK, I started by counting my breaths from 1-5. 1 inhale, 1 exhale, 2 inhale 2 exhale. Then 1-6, 1-7 up until 1-10. I did this twice so that I was calm and my mind was some what focused. Then I would focus on metta and things that would have maybe caused affliction in my day. Can anyone advise me on this routine for meditating at all by any chance?
One thing I would like to make a point of is buddhism as a religion here in thailand. I am aware that the majority of the population here are 'buddhists', but I must admit, they seem very slack about their practices. They all consume meat, they are not as kind of thoughtful as I would have envisioned and they are becoming heavily influenced by the west and technology in general. Of course, this doe snot apply to every thai, I am merely saying from where I have been this is the image I have gotten. I was at a beach which has a temple adjacent not long ago, koh takiap. I saw a monk come out and realise there were some monkeys climbing on the flagpole. He proceeded to throw rocks at them to make them leave the flagpole and the surrounding area. To me, this does not seem very buddhist lol.. I just get the feeling that I had back in the UK. Many people call themselves christians, but a slim minority of the people there actually practice or believe in the religion itself.
I have one more question to ask if anyone is up to answering it
I was discussing buddhism with a friend of mine who is not a follower or a skeptic, he is curious and believes some of the teachings have positive relevance to life. Anyway, he asked me this. ''If you should not trust your 5 senses as they are mere perceptions of reality, how can you believe anything in life, including buddhism?''
Thank you again to have read my post, any feedback will be appreciated greatly
tom
I do not have a specific point to make here, it is more of a general notion that I want to get across.A brief but f information regarding myself, I am 21 and originally from the UK. I have lived in thailand now for around 5 months give or take a week. I sprouted an interest in buddhism and the teachings of the dharma around 18 months ago, previous to this I was a firm atheist. I have not practiced meditation for a substantial amount of time now, but keep in mind many teachings buddhims suggests. For example I try not to become attached to feelings or material things, I try not to become attached to people and experiences in general. I am mindful of telling lies, mindful of compassion and kindness, but I am sure I could do a lot more than I am.
When I try to meditate, I become easily distracted and cannot maintain a focused mind, in turn giving up after 5 minutes. When I use to practice meditation back in the UK, I started by counting my breaths from 1-5. 1 inhale, 1 exhale, 2 inhale 2 exhale. Then 1-6, 1-7 up until 1-10. I did this twice so that I was calm and my mind was some what focused. Then I would focus on metta and things that would have maybe caused affliction in my day. Can anyone advise me on this routine for meditating at all by any chance?
One thing I would like to make a point of is buddhism as a religion here in thailand. I am aware that the majority of the population here are 'buddhists', but I must admit, they seem very slack about their practices. They all consume meat, they are not as kind of thoughtful as I would have envisioned and they are becoming heavily influenced by the west and technology in general. Of course, this doe snot apply to every thai, I am merely saying from where I have been this is the image I have gotten. I was at a beach which has a temple adjacent not long ago, koh takiap. I saw a monk come out and realise there were some monkeys climbing on the flagpole. He proceeded to throw rocks at them to make them leave the flagpole and the surrounding area. To me, this does not seem very buddhist lol.. I just get the feeling that I had back in the UK. Many people call themselves christians, but a slim minority of the people there actually practice or believe in the religion itself.
I have one more question to ask if anyone is up to answering it
I was discussing buddhism with a friend of mine who is not a follower or a skeptic, he is curious and believes some of the teachings have positive relevance to life. Anyway, he asked me this. ''If you should not trust your 5 senses as they are mere perceptions of reality, how can you believe anything in life, including buddhism?''Thank you again to have read my post, any feedback will be appreciated greatly
tom
0
Comments
Seek for yourself. Do not believe something simply because someone tells you it is so, or because you read it somewhere, or whatever. Do it because you have examined it for yourself and feel it is right.
Everything is an illusion
....Bet your paycheck is real.
That sounds like horrible advice! I'm guessing you're struggling with subjective receptivity, and what is skillful to say to whom and when. Sheesh, Richard!
With warmth,
Matt
Buddhists are not unique, being human they are bound to be full of anger and unskillful action. Don't look to the people of "Buddhist countries" for examples of the transformation that occurs from dharma studies and meditation practice. Look at your own mind, because that's where all the magic happens. Its a get what you put in kind of system, surprisingly enough.
In your case, you might want to examine why you put those people on a pedestal, and how your disappointment is of your own doing. Unraveling that, you might be able to more directly see the beauty that is around you, right now. In cultivating metta, you might notice less and less of this happening, don't be afraid to sit with your own discontent with others, but also make sure you take responsibility for it. Others are who they are, and very few, if any, are perfect. Wishing that others were nicer or better people is a weight that keeps us unahappy, because it is just a twisted form of judging. Does that make sense?
With warmth,
Matt
See, it's just that this everything-is-an-illusion business is problematic, but hey that's a whole other thread.:)
Oh... I know what you were saying; you were slapping the red floor. My words were hopefully focused by your wisdom, not pointed directly at it.
This is a very sad response to me
oh yeah. my .....wisdom. Shiny aint it.
I understand, and I see how my statement was unclear.
Stop giving up after 5 minutes.
Because, if you don't stop after 5 minutes
The question relating to how can we trust anything we perceive is mainly coming from my friend. He asked me how can you believe or trust anything in life if it is mere perception. I could not answer this fully so asked it here...
I have many grey areas in my understanding of buddhism that I am not entirely sure of, but I guess the journey is the goal and will reveal things to me. Some things you cannot grasp froma book or from asking somebody.
Thanks again, tom
the suffering and paycheck are real....they are also not
I would like to ask to the people on here who regularly practice buddhism something relating to routine. What time do you tend to wake up and go to sleep on average, and also how often do you eat and what does your diet consist of? Do you exercise or anything of this nature also.
Tom
I eat meat, but lately some remorse over this has been building up. I think i'm gonna start doing 1 or 2 veggie nights per week.
I excersise between 2 to 5 times per week about 90 minutes.
I meditatie daily if possible, once or twice, max. 20 minutes per go.
but hey, my life balance aint yours!
I myself go to the gym every other day for an hour, eat 3-4 meals a day maybe and yes I eat met