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feeling confused

TheJourneyTheJourney
edited December 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I took a certain drug a week or so ago. Hadn't done anything like that in a long time. When I take drugs, I usually think about things like philosophy and such. When I took it, It made me feel like I should enjoy life in a more normal way. Basically do what I want. This would go against buddhist teachings of not giving in to sensual pleasures. It really made me lose my dedication i've been having to my buddhist practice. I haven't been feeling like meditating or really reading about buddhist stuff like I had been. Well I took it again last night and it made me think about the impossibility of all views of reality and how all things are interconnected. Today i'm feeling more into my practice. I read buddhist stuff like I normally do. So anyways, i'm just trying to deal with the somewhat opposing viewpoints. Also trying to figure out whether I want to live a completely normal life, completely dedicate myself to my practice, or somewhere inbetween. I'm just feeling confused right now.

Comments

  • Ch-an_noobCh-an_noob
    edited December 2010
    Well, the reason there is a precepts against drugs is decrease the conditions to increase your confusion. Why gives yourself obstacles on purpose when your already keen to practice buddhism?
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited December 2010
    Ch'an_noob wrote: »
    Well, the reason there is a precepts against drugs is decrease the conditions to increase your confusion. Why gives yourself obstacles on purpose when your already keen to practice buddhism?

    Yea this is what i'm thinking too. I know my practice of buddhism will help me to be happy and increase the quality of my life, and doing drugs goes against that which sets me back. I felt like I had gone backwards in time when I took it and had those thoughts.
  • EpicurusEpicurus
    edited December 2010
    As long as you are not hurting anyone, try to see buddhism as as tool. Only you know what you are using it for. Why do you meditate? Why do you read? Why do you post here? What do you want?
  • JoshuaJoshua Veteran
    edited December 2010
    Perhaps good will come of this as my signature suggests. Perhaps you now can see the true foundations of your dedication and conviction to create a new journey to pursue.
  • CristinaCristina
    edited December 2010
    TheJourney wrote: »
    Yea this is what i'm thinking too. I know my practice of buddhism will help me to be happy and increase the quality of my life, and doing drugs goes against that which sets me back. I felt like I had gone backwards in time when I took it and had those thoughts.

    If you go backwards in time with your thinking like that, surely something will remind you why you moved away from that thinking. Always happens to me anyway...life has a way of waking us up whether we like it or not. :)
  • hermitwinhermitwin Veteran
    edited December 2010
    Some people describe the effects as being similar to meditation.
    But its not the same thing. A drunkard can be confident and fearless
    but is he really?
  • EpicurusEpicurus
    edited December 2010
    hermitwin wrote: »
    Some people describe the effects as being similar to meditation.
    But its not the same thing. A drunkard can be confident and fearless
    but is he really?

    Labels prevent one from seeing the true nature of reality.

    "Drugs" is one of those labels.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited December 2010
    Just be honest and notice that your thoughts are just thoughts. As they arise be compassionate of each one. If you have addictions do the same whether you resist or succumb. Be whole. Not knocking yourself no matter what, right?
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