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what, not who....

TheravadaBuddhistTheravadaBuddhist
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
think i've reached a quandary....unless i missed something in my reading, I'm not too sure just what the practice really is. for the time being, I've stopped meditating(bad idea) because of some sort of doubt about this.
looks like following the precepts is part of it, just not sure if there's more. don't want to over-complicate things, or over-simplify, either. just on pause.

Comments

  • RichardHRichardH Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Hi Theravada. May I suggest just sitting and allowing yourself to be unsure? Just sit still for twenty minutes, hold the posture, and allow yourself to be unsure. "I'm unsure, being unsure is like this". Stay with that.
  • GuyCGuyC Veteran
    edited October 2010
    The practice is the Noble Eightfold Path. Yes, Sila (Right Speech/Right Action/Right Livelihood) is part of it. Yes, meditation (Right Effort/Right Mindfulness/Right Stillness) is part of it. Right View is part of it, this may include trying to clarify your understanding on a forum such as this. Right Intention is part of it, this means that your thoughts, speech and actions are based on kindness, non-harm and renunciation.

    You say you don't want to over-complicate things, that is very good. The path is simple. Sometimes it is so simple that people ask "is that it? that's all?"...yes, that is all. Simple to understand, but to practice all 8 factors requires...well...practice.
  • CloudCloud Veteran
    edited October 2010
    OP: Perhaps it might be a good idea to read more on Buddhism. The internet has a wealth of free information. I know of one site called BuddhaNet (http://www.buddhanet.net) that has information ranging from the basics to more advanced teachings. Following the precepts is just one small part of the practice, but an important one. Understanding the Noble Eightfold Path and all that it entails correctly and meditating (correctly) on your life's experiences and how the path factors can illuminate the reality behind all that you truly are... to clear the blurry and doubt-filled eyes of a man until the picture is crisp and there is no man to be found... that is where you'll be heading.
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