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Hi,
I’m a Dutch woman, new on LJ and in this community.
Some recent entries in this community immediately felt familiar to me.
I realize however that Buddhists, like Christians or Muslims, don’t form one community.
That shows on LJ, in different communities involving Buddhism. And after once visiting this community I already got the impression, that
< what we have in common >, maybe is not even the core of Buddhism. The overlaps may be even more arbitrary and more detailed than I realized, at first.
People are from different cultures, countries, social standings; have had (or are having- if any -) different levels and sorts of educations, occupations and social relations; have different intellectual intelligence, emotional intelligence, taste, aesthetics, ethics, sensory orientation (auditive, visual, etc.); have different reasons for, methods and goals in occupying themselves in Buddhism, have reached different levels of enlightenment, etc. etc.
--- Luckily having no expectations is a Buddhist exercise?
In a haiku- and in a ‘whatiweartoday’-community, I perceived that - due to expectations - there was some understandable, justifiable disappointment in the - say - kind of, in fact < quality of input > they were getting. Well, let’s name it: there may be people who understandably, justifiably, think that they really know what - like a proper haiku and cool clothing - Buddhism is really about, and/or think that they are really practicing Buddhism like it is supposed to be practiced, according to authoritative holy books or Buddha himself, and/or réally consistent and disciplined. And on the other end of the continuum there are persons - like me - who feel drawn to, and inspired by Buddhism, take it seriously, but share sòme ideas and ideals ‘to an extent’ and practice it merely as a guide for conducting oneself.
--- Are they, am I, less worthy, perhaps? Or in the wrong community? I read the guidelines and ‘About Zen/ …’ by butsz/enclear, and that may or may not include me. I understand the concern.
--- On the surface, these persons seem incompatible. But are they? Or can we inspire each other anyway, because we can learn from various people in various ways?
I’ll introduce myself by indicating < my connection to Buddhism > : I’d say it’s philosophical and psychological, not religious nor even practicing sitting meditation. I do think however that the way I live is inspired by buddhist’ principles. It means, that I occasionally take a stroll on a buddhist path, find pebbles, pick them up, and carry them into my daily life. I experience that even just that, reduces suffering and produces happiness to me and others. I need and hope to grow in wisdom and compassion. I < intend > to contribute nonetheless to the hearts and minds of some of you.
However I’ll have to become more tolerant first! And it’s only recently that I’ve accepted respectively gradually love myself for who I am.
Before that, I unexpectedly found happiness in my inner mind & body (yeah, both mentally and physically), due to realizing more and more how fortunate I am and feeling more and more grateful for that, and (only) a bit humble as well. Being grateful grounded me, made me feel positive inside, which made me happy to gó inside of me, because my mind & body had become a pleasant place to be. I still think a lot, ‘cause my mind ‘s faster than my heart, and I enjoy thinking (too) much. Hence this long entry … But I always have my body center - so comfortably and comforting nearby - to focus on, finding an anchor, warmth and happiness there. That changes my perspective on a lot.
The username ‘hfdfel_navlgluk’ I chose to express a sharp mind and navelhappiness.
--- That’s where I am in my life at the moment. Still occupied by ego-stuff. I’m no wiser, nor nicer than that.
And I want to be influenced, inspired by some of you. I recognize and don’t mind that I won’t be of use to a lot of you, but maybe there are persons dealing with the same issues, at about the same level or …
I thank you, for being here with me for a while.
May 29 2007, 03:43:42 UTC 5 years ago
You've got a great healthy approach, intelligent and thoughtful. I think it is great that you are in a good space at the moment. I've tried for that center but find myself mired in the suffering aspect of life. Attachments to results is my downfall. I want to heal the world but find what I can do is worry a lot about the state of things. It sounds like you can make a profound contribution here. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts. Cheers.
May 29 2007, 05:17:59 UTC 5 years ago
Thanks, wanting to do good , Mark
Hi Mark, Well, I’m flabbergasted and feel honored by such a positive reaction. Thank you so much. Maybe I understand the suffering you mentioned. ‘Do good’ seems so simple, but it can hurt deeply when you want to do good so (too?) much, and trying so (too?) hard, and it doesn’t work out. I experience that in my life as well. I’m a perfectionist, so that - dùh - I fail a lot. Me too, want to change ‘the world’, and I’ve got the suspicion that it’s so compulsory, because I find focusing on an imperfect world less frustrating than on imperfect me. Also intention may have something to do with it. ‘Truth without love is criticism.’ I often do or say things because I am negative about how other people do things. I forget (!) to treat them with compassion. Having recently learned to be more compassionate towards myself, I hope I'l be nicer and more constructive to others. I have made some, but little improvement. For feeling miserable, there are always reasons, but the reasons don’t make you feel that way, I think. Worrying is mind racing. Get out of the car. Am I too blunt to you now? This is how I speak to myself. Hope you understand what I’m trying to say. How do you apply Buddhist teachings when you’re in pain?May 29 2007, 06:03:38 UTC 5 years ago
Re: Thanks, wanting to do good , Mark
You can be as blunt as you like! I'm not as fragile as all that! And that was an excellent point you make about getting distracted by worldly events. It is perhaps telling that I consider the greater world to be more important than my little ego-self. Buddhism allows me (when I let it) to practise detachment, looking at the underlying problems, perhaps what is 'really' going on, without getting all emotional. It can be difficult at times - especially when I read about Iraq and America's War on Terror - the reality show based on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (I can explain further if this doesn't translate well. I know Dutch is your first language and this is definitely a North American reference). Thank you for responding to me!May 29 2007, 16:17:43 UTC 5 years ago
Re: Thanks, ... > World + suffering + practice
I asked you how you deal with pain and you come up with ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ Interesting, I do remember the name, not images though. But you’re distracting me now as well. Maybe I’ll meet you in your lj or mine. Here & now we’re on ZW.Finding yourself unimportant may be a key. Fuel for meditation. < My practice > for now is to stop thoughts that make me feel that way if they are irrational, and to feel and accept being unimportant if my thought is rational , true. (It reoccurs, so my pride hasn’t died, yet.) And I can feel so great, that whether I am great or not, simple doesn’t matter.
The Iraq War worries me, too. < My practice: > When I feel pain & anger concerning the Iraq War, I feel pain & anger. But the war doesn’t make me unhappy. I’m not at peace with pieces of the world> at that moment, but I’m still at peace with <me. My shortcoming in this is, that I can, but I don’t take political action against it. So I cannot claim to really be involved or compassionate. I let the Iraq people and western soldiers suffer. I won’t stand up for them! That’s my problem and that of millions of others. Lack of compassion. I think indignation may be a diversion. As is this observation, in itself. I don’t beat myself up for it, but I’m aware of it. You were the first to welcome me on lj. You did me good.
May 29 2007, 14:50:36 UTC 5 years ago
As to how you apply Buddhist teachings when you are in pain - here is a great koan:
The Case:
A monk asked Dongshan, "When cold and heat come, how can we avoid them?" Dongshan said, "Why don't you go where there is no cold, no heat?" The monk asked, "What is this place where there is no cold or no heat?" Dongshan said, "When it's cold, the cold kills you. When it's hot, the heat kills you."
Yuanwu's Comment:
"One phrase commands the universe and is followed throughout ten thousand eons. Even the thousand sages are amazed at an energy which can capture tigers and rhinos. His speech is unequaled. His body is all directions. If you want to deepen your training, enter the master's forge. Tell me, who has ever had such a style as this? Study this."
Eihei Dogen’s Verse:
On your way,
mindless,
hands swinging
in the coming of cold, coming of heat.
Drop through body and mind
and cold and heat.
Field Marshall Dongshan
established this peaceful realm
but don’t let him rest gazing upon it.
May 29 2007, 16:52:56 UTC 5 years ago
re: suffering + practice
Thank you, having walked the talk, for welcoming me so warmly.I’m sorry, I tried to understand, but the buddhist' reasonings you gave about suffering appears to be beyond my reach. It was abacadabra to me, really. I don't know if explaining is possible or worth your while.
In your profile, however, I found words on (emotional) pain that do resonate in me, by:
Zm Dogen: ‘Those who see worldly life as an obstacle to Dharma [..] there are no everyday actions outside of Dharma.’
Kafka: ‘You do not need to leave your room …’
Wilcox: ‘So many [..] while just the art of being kind is all the sad world needs.’
NK Rinpoche: ‘Rest in natural great peace …’ (beautiful)
RA, Roshi: ‘Completely freed from yes and no …’
Applicable!
July 13 2007, 07:39:48 UTC 4 years ago
July 13 2007, 21:03:53 UTC 4 years ago
contributing to a better world?
And I say ‘Hi’ to you, Maggie, I welcome your comment. On Zen_within there’s not much communication, so I didn’t expect anything anymore. Thanks for your friendliness & inspiration . Are you referring to my entry about my failing in feeling enough compassion to come into action, needed by people who suffer? I do believe that simply coming into action is changing the world, a little more than by breathing and smiling. (Although I recognize that that is debatable!) But since I don’t come into action, I guess, breathing (love), and smiling at people is a at least a warm, doable start. Changing oneself into a not so selfish and self centered human being, does take too much of a/my lifetime, I find. In this tempo it takes centuries for humanity to evolve into a loving species, if ever. Interesting: the deeper & warmer my contact with me, the deeper & warmer my contact with others. That feeling ’s awesome. (Totally different interest you named in your profile, Tom Waits : yeah, great feel & timing ...) What's your current theme in life, that made you wanna contact this community? If you want to express yourself, share that with others and me?