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hello

PaulHBPaulHB
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
hello,

My name is paul, I'm from gloucestershire.

I was brought up as a RC and went to a convent school, this turned me off religion.

If i was asked i would say I'm an athiest, though i have been thinking about Buddhism for a while, the concept appeals to me.

Over the past fwe months i have have had a few mental probs (i wont go into that) and feel its time to step onto the long winding path to enlightenment.

I have started to meditate in the mornings and it feels great! i now need some advice on books etc to read and how to go about this journey, it seems a bit daunting at the moment so need some guidence.

many thanks

paul

Comments

  • nanadhajananadhaja Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Paul H B wrote: »
    hello,

    My name is paul, I'm from gloucestershire.

    I was brought up as a RC and went to a convent school, this turned me off religion.

    If i was asked i would say I'm an athiest, though i have been thinking about Buddhism for a while, the concept appeals to me.

    Over the past fwe months i have have had a few mental probs (i wont go into that) and feel its time to step onto the long winding path to enlightenment.

    I have started to meditate in the mornings and it feels great! i now need some advice on books etc to read and how to go about this journey, it seems a bit daunting at the moment so need some guidence.

    many thanks

    paul
    Hi Paul I won't bother with advice about books coz plenty of other people will.I just wanted to say hi and to let you know that there is a Goenka meditation center in Gloucestershire,if you are interested.There may be other places as well but I don't know off hand.
    Welcome and good luck on your journey.
    With metta
  • PaulHBPaulHB
    edited October 2010
    thanks nana,

    I would go to a center but feel a bit embarresed about it, dont know why. though i feel it would be beneficial.

    paul
  • DazzaDazza Explorer
    edited October 2010
    Hi Paul H B,

    I am new to Buddhism also but I found a very good place to start which is listening to Dharma talks on the internet. I have been listening tho Ajahn Brahmavamso.
    On the website below there are currently 235 talks by him. By listening to him, he has helped me immensely, not only with the buddhist teachings but problems you are likely to face in everyday life.

    http://www.dhammaloka.org.au/downloads/itemlist/category/18-ajahn-brahmavamso.html?start=10

    Hope this helps

    Dazza
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    Study, meditate, and work for the benefit of all living beings. There's a ton of information online, check out buddhanet.net. You already know how to be kind, and that's the biggest part of the practice. Then meditate, which you said you've been doing anyways so you're already part way there. :)
  • ThailandTomThailandTom Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Hey Paul and welcome, I am originally from Bristol, a gloucestershire guy myself :p

    Anyway, it is great that you have seen some progress already with meditation and basic knowledge. As a beginner I found these specific talks on the internet. They range from about 40 minutes up to around 1 hour and 10 minutes, each talk being losely dedicated to a specific subject. It could be karma, depression, rebirth, meditation, dependent origination and so on, but I found them very helpful. They are given by western monks who know exactly what they are talking about and express their point in such a way that you can apply it to your life really easily. Here is the link, if you scroll down on the right hand side you will see all of the videos there :)

    http://www.youtube.com/user/BuddhistSocietyWA#p/u/1/zSQI1e8D3Qo


    All the best and good luck with your efforts. Remember, the path is the goal ;)
  • FoibleFullFoibleFull Canada Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Welcome, Paul.

    I understand about feeling embarrassed about showing up at a center. But you should go, at least once or twice ... because nothing teaches you more completely, without misinterpretations, than the teachings you get live. The teachings of Buddhism are complex and counter-intuitive to Western, and particularly Christian, thinking and it is easy to go off-track with only books to guide you.

    When you do go to a center, just leave your shoes wherever you see everyone else leaving shoes, and then go into the shrine room. Sit down and be quiet ... the shrine room is not a place for socializing (although there always a few who do, before the teachings begin), so sitting quietly is not at all inappropriate. There is nothing expected of you except to pay attention. Often there is a question-and-answer period after teachings. At some point you will start to feel comfortable enough to mix with the others, but the dharma groups I've attended are not there to socialize ... they're there to learn. I have encountered only friendly people at dharma centers, and never any pressure to join.
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Welcome Paul,

    Nothing to be embarrassed about. You'll almost always find very warm, caring, compassionate people at a centre.

    Books: some that I always recommend are "Buddhism for Dummies" and "Buddhism Plain & Simple" by Steve Hagen. Both are easy to read, and are good primers on various aspects of Buddhism that will help you get your bearings a little.

    Best of luck on your journey.
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