Striving with non-attachment

mithril

Hello to everyone

I just have a little question on something i can't quite comprehend, so anything could be helpful here...

As far as i know, it is really important in buddhism not to become too attached to anything. Letting go of emotions and thoughts is supposed to be very important..

On the other hand there are many things that at least in popular culture seem to be so deeply connected with buddhism, or so its usually claimed (especially in movies and such), and they are really about mastering a single thing. What i'm thinking here is for example the samurai (for which buddhism is thought to be of great importance yet some were just to happy to die for the idea of honour - looks kinda fanatic, which is a bit worse than attached isn't it?), various "ways" that supposedly used to exist in Japan (like archery, flower arrangement and such). Buddhism is also mixed into board games like "go" (mindfulness of emotions or something? i don't really see a big connection).

Than to give a another example even becoming a buddhist monk is a kind of specialization in which one must somehow decide that this path is somehow superior to all others. After choosing the path, a person needs to be persistent with it, but how can a person persist at doing something for years that they are not attached to? Can't it than be said that this particular person is simply attached to studying buddhism, as some other might be to getting a new car, thus again lost in samsara?

So my question is basically how come that choosing one path over any other doesn't mean attachment? Can you actually somehow use buddhism to excell in one area (since the people in the mentioned professions seem especially dedicated), or is impossible that there is a connection between buddhism and improvement in a "trade"?

For example, i'm a medical student. Which would be the right/buddhist way to go about that? Study medicine hard? Study medicine less intensely and read books on dharma as well? Do sitting meditation? My problem with this is that i'm always just to glad to take the later two as a distraction to avoid sections of medical books that i don't quite understand... I try to take the "middle way" but i'm not exactly sure there is one, i feel im always behind with my studies...

I hope i make any sense.. i guess this isn't a proper question but just some seemingly random confusion, but i really could not find better words to convey in what way i'm lost =S.

Again, any help will be really appreciated.

TheJourney

Ah yes. Many people are attached to buddhism. I'm glad you see this. The truth isn't found in a religion. Buddhism is simply a means to the truth. Do not get caught in it. Simply see the truth that is contained within.

compassionate_warrior

They say (for the umpteenth time on this site in the last few weeks) that there's "skillful attachment" and "unskillful attachment". The Buddha was attached to liberating as many people as possible, to teaching the path. This is constructive attachment. As for students/practitioners, attachment to the teachings and practice, they say, is a raft to get you to Nirvana. Once you get there, all attachment dissolves.

I'm surprised at how many beginners are concerned about "attachment". That seems like jumping ahead of the game a little. Beginners should be studying the 4 Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, the precepts, developing compassion, and initiating a meditation practice. Matters like attachment and emptiness are for more advanced students, I would think. By the time you've studied and meditated a bit, these more advanced concepts will make more sense, and you won't be stumbling over them so much.

So, instead of beginning in the middle, begin at the beginning. Does that make sense?

Roger

IMO, Study hard. Maybe find some aspects of B. which you enjoy and make you happy. But first and foremost study hard. Your aspiring __profession__ is __already__ aimed at decreasing suffering, so you want to learn it well. AFAIK, The purpose of B. is to end suffering. Limiting attachment to things in order to suppress desire is one of those ways of reducing suffering. It might make you better at something when you don't have the burden of attachment. Like a Samurai who is not attached to his ego is less afraid of death and better able to concentrate on combat. Avoiding sections of medical books might be less tempting if you could figure out what you are afraid of and attached to. I'm not sure (I'm trying to imagine what my teacher would say). I have no idea how to go about doing that because I'm just a beginner. Anyway, what I do know is you have your whole life to "wake up" and realize all or some of your Buddha nature, right now your plate is full with med school; go with that noble cause 100%. Meanwhile Keep B. close so it will be there when you can shift your focus. That's my two cents probably worth one cent.

mithril

So you guys suggest i delete my buddhist books and concentrate on my studies? But what if my understanding of buddhism is still not good enough, and how do i tell when i've read enough? Im trying to see where the line between getting cought in it and making full use of the ideas is =S

Than really, whats the difference between meditation and daily life? Attachment to what practice is a raft to nibbana? I can see that the teachings can be helpful, but i'm not sure what would really be considered practice. I mean, what is it that is considered practice? How can i decide what is skillful and what isn't, the thing that i think will turn out best in the long run and hurt the least people/beings in the process? You see, i'd love to start a good practice, i just can't see why sitting meditation would be better practice than reading an anatomy book? In what way is such meditation different from doing anything else? Does it really matter whether my object of "meditation" is concentrating on ones breath or memorizing a muscle insertion? How are they different?

@ compassionate_warrior, i don't think i see which part is the beginning, that's why as you said i might have started in the middle... And i don't see how my question is different from a question i would ask about four noble truths, the eightfold path and so on since they all seem to be so deeply connected...

Also in some areas i think i know how to go about it, for example with physical pain i can totally see how not attaching to the idea of "i wasn't hurting before and i deserve not to hurt now" can help so that things still hurt but it doesn't really matter anymore (I get cramps in my pelvic area every month, before i used to take anti-pain meds, since i found buddhism if i have a lighter schedule i just concentrate on the pain and it changes so that it really doesn't matter anymore, at least if it doesn't outlast my patience/effort... If i got much or important things to do i still take the meds though, seems that a "being not fair that i'm hurting" is still my default way of thinking, so i get sucked into it fast even though i know its silly...).

But i guess i'm still wondering, whether becoming so said not-attached to things translates into better performance or does it just destroy the motivation?

I guess the attachment not being a burden in the process would make some sense, but how do you know when you are attached just enough?

Thanks of the awesome answers up to now, you guys seem to have quite some insight:)

@ aHN, i'd love to hear about your insight!

Ada_B

You really need a teacher. Just a couple of hours study and meditation with a teacher per week would do you far more good than studying advanced Buddhist text books. It would also give you a break for all that studying you have to do as a medical student.

Do have a look around to see if there are any Buddhist groups in your college. Often there are lay teachers around who can teach you the basics.

And yes, study medicine mindfully, diligently, and with compassion for your future patients. Your Buddhist practice is not something you do plus medical training: for you, your medical training IS your Buddhist practice.

Make sure you understand the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Try as hard as you can, to live the Eightfold Path in your everyday life - your medical studies go under "Right livelihood", which is about living morally and properly.

Hawkins

You think too much
"I think"
"I'm wondering"

Joshua

Buddhism is something to be done actively, not passively. Blind devotion to what you believe it means to be a Buddhist is certainly attachment. Of course this functions as the proverbial raft for many it isn't necessary, especially for those of superior intellect as I'm sure a medical student possesses. In many ways your inability to blindly devote yourself to Buddhism while having your intellect will benefit you as Buddhism is about common sense. Don't focus on rebirth and blind precepts. Forget reading heaps of (e)books. I say with your intellect in your spare time when you're feeling especially motivated read articles from good sites. Start with emptiness and expand to karma and dependent origination, afterwards if your interests have ripened you'll know which subjects require your attention. In fact, let me personally ask you to simply do a few Google searches on 'emptiness buddhism' to get an idea. Remember when I said Buddhism is to be practiced actively? After you read those few articles try to think about it when you're not busy by testing its validity against your own life. You won't be let down because no faith or devotion is necessary. It is common sense as I said. Then you'll know if Buddhism is for you.

Epicurus

Besides just put it all in perspective. It wasn't Buddhism until someone put a label on it. This was one man's journey in finding the truth. We all have our own journey. We need only to assimilate ideas from a third party if they make sense. You can have truth if it makes no sense.

[DeletedUser]

Attachment and diligent are two different concentration, the latter evokes enlightenment of self nature and its surrounding. You may study hard in medical field while not attach over it and read up sutra such as the Diamond sutra and meditate on Buddha Amitabha or Om Mani Padme Hum as and when free - it is just a method to free/harmonise your bad sectors :thumbsup:

buddhajunkie

Great topic, I've worried about this in the past. Here's my take:

1. You're a layperson, thus you shouldn't expect yourself to be free of attachments.

2. You can still strive while reducing attachments

3. As far as the dharma goes, read less and practice more.

4. Pre-designate meditation times so that you are not doing it to procrastinate.

5. Use your increased mindfulness to identify and reduce procrastination.

ravkes

great answers..
i mean buddhadharma is just a tool used to help you see reality clearly so you don't suffer and others don't suffer.
just do whatever you have to do to get a good job, study, help others.
that's your practice, and you'll make good money so you can survive while doing it.

clear now? work, help others.

in terms of meditation it will help you see clearly to reduce suffering for yourself and others. practical mindfulness has helped me as well, seeing things as they are helps. like seeing your thinking as just thinking, sensations as just sensations, emotions as just emotions.. on and on.. seeing all phenomena as empty of self seeing them simply just as they are. this is seen in meditation practice and can be transferred to everyday life.

remember buddha was just concerned with the origin and cessation of suffering right?

so where's the confusion, go meditate.

here's a good video to get you started: http://www.youtube.com/user/yuttadhammo#p/c/603BD0B03E12F5A1/1/mH2sEqrCza4

buddhajunkie

P.S. I want my doctors to be mindful and compassionate don't completely stop the practice.

mithril

Ok so this is what i'm going to do:

- schedule mindfulness of breathing for half an hour daily (probably not much for most of you but i'm really not used to regular meditation so i think i should start slow)

- scroll through my books today and than delete them if any remain so i won't be tempted to go on a reading marathon instead of practice

- i will substitute the buddhist books with my medical books but will stop every now and than to examine my thoughts, feelings or emotions regarding them, in hope of finding the reason for my occasional avoidance of them or general procrastination regarding stuff i have to do. I will work on being mindful while doing things.

- if i'm still tempted to read about buddhism i will get myself an audio book or podcast and listen to it while doing my exercise; read an article on a specific topic on the net; or come here ask you guys/read the forums

@Beta: I don't think i'd dare go around looking for a teacher in real life. While my parents are not strictly speaking Christian (they don't go to church except for Christmas and put up things such as... well i don't know how its called, the models of Baby Jesus and such? ) it would still be picking a fight if i were to do so, as they would see it in a Christian way, that is that i was converted to a non-Christian religion and am now even interested to go to the "new church" regularly, and have accepted some non-Christian dogmatic world view. Its hard to explain really, they claim not to be religious, but last time some special Christian group came to our house to talk about religion (they were from some sect), and when i mentioned it to my parents they became quite rude and concerned that they wouldn't convert me, while not wanting to talk why do they dislike them in the first place, as they seemed quite nice people after all =S So not to open-minded environment here - i think i will just wait with things such are teachers or symbols and the like until i'm on my own.


So what i see is that striving with non-attachment is again something that can only be practiced, but doesn't seem logical when talking about it. Like the fact that you can't outreason physical pain...

Thanks to everyone for their input

buddhajunkie

Sounds like a great plan.

There are some great podcasts out there. They are both instructive and motivational.

Checkout Gil Fronsdal's lectures on audiodharma and zencast.org. You can search by topic if you have a particular question in mind.

Congrats on moving forward on the path