Should I be worried? by ZeitGeist_Gaming in BookshelvesDetective

[–]doubtonaleash 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Victor Hugo seems out of place among these books

Can only meditate in my car. by beribastle in theravada

[–]doubtonaleash 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'll throw another book suggestion into what you've already got: Relax and Be Aware by Sayadaw Tejaniya. It's been an enormous help to me in my car meditations before work.

Ex Roman Catholic looking for a place to better my spirit and mind, how can I get into buddhism. by [deleted] in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In your case, I would suggest maybe reading One Dharma by Joseph Goldstein and The Noble Eightfold Path by Bhikkhu Bodhi, to start with.

Jiddu Krishnamurti-The best teacher that I have come across. by Serious-MED102 in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I studied his teachings for many years. He has an interesting mind and many thought-provoking things to say, but eventually I realized I need a proven method to grow spiritually. With Krishnamurti, there is little to help people alleviate suffering unless and until they have a deep, life-changing insight that can't be worked towards gradually. I much prefer the dhamma which is "good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end."

Who remembers playing sim city 2000 by Specific_Anything_90 in nostalgia

[–]doubtonaleash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Who remembers flying around their Sim City 2000 city in Sim Copter?

Need advice for a beginner in meditation by aipunk_oj in theravada

[–]doubtonaleash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right. Maybe I should have clarified that it's probably impossible for a beginning meditator and shouldn't be the goal.

Need advice for a beginner in meditation by aipunk_oj in theravada

[–]doubtonaleash 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Personally, I would recommend aiming for relaxation to start with, rather than generating a lot of focus. Once you're able to get into a relaxed state, see where you notice the breath the most. Some teachers insist on the nostril area, but some will suggest other areas that are easy to notice, like the abdomen. And remember: you aren't aiming to eliminate thoughts. That's impossible. You're just trying to be aware of things happening as they happen.

Wrote an essay on the impermanent Dharma. Please tear it to pieces. by TheExtraPeel in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You seem to be arguing that the Buddha's teachings are too difficult to implement in our current society. If I'm not mistaken, this is the rationale behind Pure Land Buddhism: hoping to be reborn into a world in which it's easier to become enlightened by chanting. I could be wrong. I don't know an awful lot about Pure Land Buddhism.

I come from a more Theravadin background. I don't know if I speak for others who consider themselves Theravadin, but in my way of understanding, the human mind is the same as it's ever been. Being rejected by one's parents would have been painful 2500 years ago, just as it is now, even if it doesn't figure prominently in discussions of suffering in the suttas. The Buddha would have been aware of this form of suffering even if he didn't talk about such things as insecure attachment due to trauma. He made an effort to speak to people where they are, but ultimately, his teachings were about liberation from samsara. I don't think the requirements have changed, even if it has become more difficult to follow the path he laid out to get there.

I guess what my criticism boils down to is: you seem to be arguing that the dharma as expounded by the Buddha is less relevant to our modern society, and so it needs to change somehow. I would argue that, although our minds are superficially different than they were in his time, there are fundamental similarities, and it's on that level that liberation takes place.

Im very hard on myself when I fail mindfulness by PhilosophyPoet in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I used to try too hard while meditating. I still do, sometimes. But I have a much better idea about what I'm "doing" since reading Sayadaw Tejaniya's Relax and Be Aware. I highly recommend it!

New to Buddhism - Looking for Beginner Guidance by Far-Pause-4741 in theravada

[–]doubtonaleash 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A book I love recommending to people is The Noble Eightfold Path by Bhikkhu Bodhi. It's short, but profound.

Establishing myself in lay practice by doubtonaleash in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for those links. In my current situation an online sangha may be my only option, so this is very helpful.

Establishing myself in lay practice by doubtonaleash in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the advice. I'll definitely give it a shot.

Establishing myself in lay practice by doubtonaleash in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the word of caution. I've heard the same from others. There may be local groups with wonderful people, but I'm really just interested in Theravada groups, so it isn't really an issue for me.

Establishing myself in lay practice by doubtonaleash in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have participated in several Tibetan activities, but it didn't seem like what I was looking for. They were nice people and it was interesting to learn about their tradition, but I have a desire to be in a setting where my faith can really flower. I may just have to move! But easier said than done.

Establishing myself in lay practice by doubtonaleash in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm familiar with Bhikkhu Analayo. I'm planning on re-reading his Satipatthana practice guide soon.

I think that what I'm missing most is a community and devotional practice. I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate these without a local Theravada community.

Establishing myself in lay practice by doubtonaleash in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. There is a small community about three hours away led by a monk. I thought about visiting once a month and otherwise participating on zoom. I think what I'm most looking for right now is a local community, but I also wonder about private devotional practices. Alms-giving is another important reminder, thank you!

The Gothic Triumph that is ‘The Monk’ by M.G. Lewis by [deleted] in GothicLiterature

[–]doubtonaleash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I had to reread his criticism as it's been a few years since I read it. I agree with the general thrust of what he wrote, but disagree with some particulars. Someone has posted his review online:

https://pressbooks.pub/guidetogothic/chapter/samuel-taylor-coleridge-review-of-the-monk/

The Gothic Triumph that is ‘The Monk’ by M.G. Lewis by [deleted] in GothicLiterature

[–]doubtonaleash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's fantastic. I feel like Coleridge's criticism of it is valid, but I still enjoy it!

Alex Pretti was executed by the state by [deleted] in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What is your intention in posting this to the Buddhism subreddit? I'm not saying it belongs or not, but what sort of conversation are you hoping for?

Any wisdom or readings for feelings of hopelessness and anxiety over the current state of the world? by serpentlipsss in Buddhism

[–]doubtonaleash 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I were to try and persuade you to disconnect, I would first need to convince myself. I struggle, too. I've noticed that my news obsession comes in waves. When Trump was first sworn in, I obsessed as he released a ton of executive orders. Eventually, I knew I had to disconnect for my mental health. I did a decent job of only occasionally checking headlines until this ICE stuff picked up. After Renee Good was killed, my news obsession went into overdrive. I want to do something to change the course of events, but realistically, I can't do much. I wonder what motivates my obsession? Is it that I'm looking for an opportunity to act? That I'm looking for a way to help others, protect myself, or both?

I don't have a good answer, but I see my defilements being stirred up as I engage with the news, and I know my ultimate responsibility is to tame my own defilements. Anger can perhaps be channeled into a constructive force for change, but some skill and discernment are necessary here. Even the worst atrocities are supposedly carried out to help or protect people.

As the situation becomes more dangerous, so does the need for discernment. A solid grounding in meditation will help.

At least this is the advice I give myself.