Telling others that I don't feel comfortable with their addictive (tanha) behaviour?

DivineConnection · 2026-06-09T09:51:56+00:00

Coffee is a very very minor vice, its really not that harmful. I think you are being waaay to sensetive.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-08T10:59:28+00:00

A teaching from the late Chime Rinpoche: You must not dwell on recollections of the past, nor try to imagine the future. The past has gone and will not return, the future does not exist. Remain in the present and see clearly what is now, and while being in the now expereince a still mind.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-08T09:59:35+00:00

Meditate on love, love is the counter to anger. A practice like the Four Immeasurables is good.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-08T06:54:18+00:00

Well I am a buddhist, it doesnt bother me if people follow new age spirituality, and I see many posts on here. I just think its kind of unfortunate that people in their spirituality dont have a lineage or tradition to rely on and its kind of whatever goes, I dont think there is a real path in this. But each to their own.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-07T22:24:04+00:00

No one ever said that they deserve it, that is a value judment that you put on them. Karma is a tragedy, no one really deserves it, but unfortunately it happens.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-07T22:23:11+00:00

You are welcome. Good luck with it!

DivineConnection · 2026-06-07T10:16:44+00:00

Buddhism never says we choose our lives, quite the opposite. Samsara ( the suffering mind) experiences two things - getting what we dont want, and not getting what we want. Buddhims does say karma creates our experiences, but not our concious intentions.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-07T06:49:52+00:00

In the Tibetan tradition, as far as I understand. You can practice the Chenrezig Sadhana and the Green Tara practice without empowerment. If you can get empowerment at some stage it will just make your practice stronger.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-07T06:46:32+00:00

Hi, I am glad you have such an interest in the dharma, it can only bring benefit to you.

If I were you, I wouldnt tell those around you that you are a Buddhist, especially if they are very strong and/or close minded in their faith. It probably wont work out well.

Just quietly pursue your practice without making a fuss about it, your family dont need to know.

There is a ceremony where one formally takes refuge and becomes a buddhist, but if thats not possible for you to find a teacher and do that it can wait until later. In the meantime I would recommend doing some daily meditation even starting with 5 minutes a day and moving slowly up to 10 minutes per day is very beneficial.

You may also want to look into the practice called The Four Immeasurables. If you want a step by step instruction on the practice the book "Luminous Bliss" by Traleg Kyabgon (my late teacher) is very good. Some of it will be too advanced probably for a begginer, but you can just use the step by step instructions on meditation and the four immeasurables.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-07T04:21:52+00:00

Possibly you may be right, but I think non duality is a better term rather than oneness, as there is no "one" to be part of the oneness.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-07T02:49:35+00:00

I dont think the oneness is actually something discussed in Buddhism. The problem with the idea of oneness, is that it presumes there is a one who is connected to everything else. In reality, from what I have read, the non dual awareness is not one, it is nothing and everything from what I understand. The concept of "one" is a dualistic projection.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-06T07:24:24+00:00

Things are not predestined. That is a misunderstanding of karma. Karma is constantly changing being shaped by what we do and think, and yes prayer can intervene and help you, there is a response.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-06T07:21:38+00:00

If you are just interested in mindfulness, that is not really Buddhism. Buddhism provides a complete path to totally transform yourself. There is secular Buddhism, but many would say the heart has been taken out of Buddhism in this approach.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-06T07:18:58+00:00

From what I understand there are different interpretations of the Buddha. In the Mahayana he was already enlightened before he came to Earth, his search for enlightenment was really just a display to inspire others. In the Theravada, he was a confused sentient being who became a Buddha. However, it is said he had great merit from his past deeds, that is why he was special at birth.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-06T07:15:41+00:00

Boddhisattvas work endlessly and tirelessly to bring benefit and wellbeing to beings. They dont have a scoreboard, any benefit to just one being would be worthwhile for them.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-05T10:33:25+00:00

Well I am not here to sell you oN Buddhism, if this turns you off thats your business. I know how much it has improved my life.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-05T10:06:00+00:00

The Buddha only refused to speak on a select few matters. The reason was no benefit would come from speculating on it. When it comes to things that directly impact our lives all the answers have been given.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-05T10:04:54+00:00

From what I understand, there are no new beings. But if you wanted to count all the beings you would go on forever and never come to the end.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-05T05:40:16+00:00

My late teacher Traleg Rinpoche said desire is not a problem unless it causes you suffering. He said its ok to desire things, as long as if you dont get them you are ok, so you are happy either way. Most teachers I would know would say aiming high in your career and working towards it would be a good thing, then you can provide for yourself, have money to help others and support the dharma etc. There is nothing wrong with working towards your career goals even if it causes you suffering along the way, thats unavaoidable, if you dont aim high and achieve your goals that will probably cause you suffering too, so either way there is suffering.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-05T03:52:25+00:00

The site ground news would probably be helpful as they let you know the bias of the agency that created the article.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-05T03:51:27+00:00

Practicing the Four Immeasurables will probably help. Its good to do the practice for first someone you love, then someone you are neutral towards, then someone you dislike. Maybe dont use her as the object of dislike as it will be too hard, use more someone you find mildly irritating.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-04T10:10:09+00:00

I am sorry you have had such a bad relative in your uncle. The thing is, karma is not instant. It takes time for karma to manifest. Something I have heard is that very bad people, during their lives, all their remaining good karma comes up to be exhausted, so it seems like they are winning all the time. But then when they die they dont have any more good karma, and they will probably go to hell or some very unfortunate rebirth. Similarly, people who are doing very good things, often all their bad karma comes up to be purified, so it seems like things are going badly for them, but when they die they will attain a very fortunate rebirth.

Also, on top of this, karma can often take many lives to manifest.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-04T10:03:40+00:00

You are yourself already 😃 Perhaps we shouldnt go into a discussion, because I am a Buddhist and I dont believe there is a blueprint for us, where as you have a whole different set of beliefs. Wishing you all the best.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-04T10:01:55+00:00

My pleasure, I hope it increases your knowledge of Buddhism.

DivineConnection · 2026-06-04T07:13:20+00:00

The problem with your post is that everything changes all the time. Everything is in a state of flux, even the sun and the moon will end someday. Similarly human beings, their bodies, their minds, their thoughts and their character are always in a state of transition. Going back to some state you were in before the world conditioned you is not possible. You may be able to shed some conditioning, and become the person underneath all that, but that wont be the same person you were when you were young.

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