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The choices I've made to live a better lay life.
LostLight
Veteran
I've thought about becoming a Theravadan monk many times. The reason I couldn't do it in the end was too many medical problems (physical, not mental). Even though I can't be a full monk, I still take steps to be as "skillful" a lay Buddhist as possible. Here are some of the things I believe to be helpful to my progression. And please, let me know what all of you have been doing to live a simpler and nicer life.
I only purchase clothing from charity clothing lines, or from friends' lines. I made the decision to not care about style; nonetheless, I need clothes to wear and I figured I might as well help others. I also only have one pair of shoes at a time, I only buy a new pair when mine fall apart. It definitely has helped me escape from the vanity that my younger self used to chase.
I find tea and coffee to be perfect substitutes for alcohol.
I've learned to remove the biases that come with music and art. People will fight over opinions and become savages. I've learned to accept and approve of the colored lenses people wear. If someone hates on something I like, I don't get defensive, because that shows a sense of ownership or attachment to that thing.
I follow the Buddha's rule on eating meat. Luckily there are TONS of really good imitation meats, so there is really no conflict with craving meat.
I forced myself to no longer (intentionally) kill insects. I hated them more than anything my entire life, but I have to respect all life and make sure I never act under fear or anger.
I only purchase clothing from charity clothing lines, or from friends' lines. I made the decision to not care about style; nonetheless, I need clothes to wear and I figured I might as well help others. I also only have one pair of shoes at a time, I only buy a new pair when mine fall apart. It definitely has helped me escape from the vanity that my younger self used to chase.
I find tea and coffee to be perfect substitutes for alcohol.
I've learned to remove the biases that come with music and art. People will fight over opinions and become savages. I've learned to accept and approve of the colored lenses people wear. If someone hates on something I like, I don't get defensive, because that shows a sense of ownership or attachment to that thing.
I follow the Buddha's rule on eating meat. Luckily there are TONS of really good imitation meats, so there is really no conflict with craving meat.
I forced myself to no longer (intentionally) kill insects. I hated them more than anything my entire life, but I have to respect all life and make sure I never act under fear or anger.
2
Comments
I really like that shoes idea. That is awesome and I'm gonna start doing that.
Do you have a favorite kind of tea? This place I used to frequent had a blend called "Jasmine Green" and it was very tasty. Also one called "Dragonwell" that I really liked.
Seriously, bugs are my number one most hated thing. I can't bear them. We went for a weekend in cottage country over the summer and the bugs stressed me out so much I spent most of my time hiding indoors! We tried to have a beer on the deck and I nearly broke my finger running away from something
I made a conscious decision to stop watching commercial television or watching commercial news a few years ago. It has certainly helped lessen my anxiety about the world and the way they tell me I should live.
I don't buy clothes that have a brand or label on them.
I also try and only buy my clothes from a local clothing store that I like. They have a really good charitable foundation and I often make a point of donating a small amount of money to the charity each time I buy clothes from them.
Oh yeah.....and I like bugs too! Not sure why people have a problem with them? Having said that, I have a fear of heights so I guess we all have our phobias :hair: :hair: :hair:
The total time it took was about 3 months. I have not intentionally killed a bug since getting to this point, which I think is something to be proud of considering how insanely hateful of them I was.