Question and guidance.

altogi

Hi there, I was just wandering around the internet finding out more on Buddhism and stumbled accross the forum and thought i would ask for a little guidance.

I am someone who recently has got into Buddhism and started to read up a little about and would say i like the Humanism Buddhism concept (athiest buddhist)

I must admit i have always liked the idea of Buddism and seeking inner peace but as someone who had a religeous back ground as well like os many others in the forum i am an Athiest now.

Although i say i am an Athiest i keep reading that Buddhism shouldnt be called a religeoun and that some parts of Buddhism do not believe in rebirth and zen (the two things that put me off).

Is there a form of buddhism that does not belive in rebirth and zen and one that is about finding inner peace and being nice and non judgmental?

Sorry for the longish post because the problem i am having is where to begin as there are not any buddist temples etc where i live and i dont have time to travel.

Simonthepilgrim

altogi wrote: »

Hi there, I was just wandering around the internet finding out more on Buddhism and stumbled accross the forum and thought i would ask for a little guidance.

I am someone who recently has got into Buddhism and started to read up a little about and would say i like the Humanism Buddhism concept (athiest buddhist)

I must admit i have always liked the idea of Buddism and seeking inner peace but as someone who had a religeous back ground as well like os many others in the forum i am an Athiest now.

Although i say i am an Athiest i keep reading that Buddhism shouldnt be called a religeoun and that some parts of Buddhism do not believe in rebirth and zen (the two things that put me off).

Is there a form of buddhism that does not belive in rebirth and zen and one that is about finding inner peace and being nice and non judgmental?

Sorry for the longish post because the problem i am having is where to begin as there are not any buddist temples etc where i live and i dont have time to travel.

Welcome.

You'll find all sorts of beliefs within the Buddhisms but what happens as a person studies is that they begin to acquire a language to describe their experiences and to answer their questions. That language will lead from simple concepts to the more complex and, to a large extent, metaphysical.

If you want to avoid metaphysics, I would suggest that you study Spinoza, particularly his Ethics, whilst always bearing in mind that when he writes of 'God', it is his deus-sive-natura rather than an interventionist, creator judge type of deity. Working through The Ethics from start to finish does, in most cases, bring us to what you seek.

Once you are there, you may find other questions arise and may find answers within the Buddhisms.

RichardH

One of the key practices of Buddhism is awareness of clinging to views. It may be that Atheism rings true for you, but Atheism as a fixed view is not dwelled on in Buddhist practice, neither is Theism or any other metaphysical or anti-metaphisical position. In meditation we are aware of views as they arise and pass in the mind. We do not pass judgment on the content of those views, only know them as such, while staying grounded in the immediate tactile presence of our body and physical environment.

There is much opinion on "rebirth", but dwelling on rebirth is not practice, not the matter at hand.


This small book, by a respected Buddhist teacher lays out the basics common to all schools. It is pretty clear and straightforward. I would recommend getting meditation instruction from a local teacher if one is available.

..... http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm

altogi

Thank you for the quick and prompt reply, i am going to buy a few books or download some ebooks and start reading.

I am also going to try meditation for the first time any ideas where a good beginners guide is?

Thank you again.

altogi

Richard H wrote: »

One of the key practices of Buddhism is awareness of clinging to views. It may be that Atheism rings true for you, but Atheism as a fixed view is not dwelled on in Buddhist practice, neither is Theism or any other metaphysical or anti-metaphisical position. In meditation we are aware of views as they arise and pass in the mind. We do not pass judgment on the content of those views, only know them as such, while staying grounded in the immediate tactile presence of our body and physical environment.

There is much opinion on "rebirth", but dwelling on rebirth is not practice, not the matter at hand.


This small book, by a respected Buddhist teacher lays out the basics common to all schools. It is pretty clear and straightforward. I would recommend getting meditation instruction from a local teacher if one is available.

..... http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm

Thank you

I will have a look whebn i get a second.

altogi

Also i tend to think a lot and on mostly random thinks that stress me out, when i try to meditate should i put on some relaxing mood music?

Just downloaded these and will put on my iphone

http://www.wildmind.org/meditation-timers

being

altogi wrote: »

Also i tend to think a lot and on mostly random thinks that stress me out, when i try to meditate should i put on some relaxing mood music?

I would suggest no music (imho another distraction). As a beginner your biggest practice will be about practicing your concentration. So if a thought pops up in your mind, you just accept it and let it go by bringing your concentration back to your breath - the sensations of the breath at your nostrils.

Also, don't batter yourself for anything, that happens. Just accept.
Even if you sit down to meditate and you find yourself to be lost in a web of thoughts for a long time.
It's very natural to have random thoughts and that's what the practice is about - letting go and staying with the present moment, staying with the reality.

altogi

being wrote: »

I would suggest no music (imho another distraction). As a beginner your biggest practice will be about practicing your concentration. So if a thought pops up in your mind, you just accept it and let it go by bringing your concentration back to your breath - the sensations of the breath at your nostrils.

Also, don't batter yourself for anything, that happens. Just accept.
Even if you sit down to meditate and you find yourself to be lost in a web of thoughts for a long time.
It's very natural to have random thoughts and that's what the practice is about - letting go and staying with the present moment, staying with the reality.

Is there some kind of beginners guide somewhere i could read on this forum or do you have a link i could get?

being

I would suggest this book - http://www.urbandharma.org/pdf/mindfulness_in_plain_english.pdf

altogi

being wrote: »

I would suggest this book - http://www.urbandharma.org/pdf/mindfulness_in_plain_english.pdf

Thanks

altogi

Ok i never managed to get anything done yet but i am struggling to know what to do first / next ?

Should i read some introduction book, should i start to meditate first?

Really probably thinking too much on this but any recommendations?