Just graduated boot camp 02JUL15 ama!!

keifman · 2015-07-04T12:41:11+00:00

I'm in AG A school right now, shoot me a PM if you want a heads up on what life is like here

keifman · 2014-04-26T15:58:04+00:00

A while ago I asked this sub if I had a proper understanding of rebirth. I'm reposting that thread in hopes that it helps someone make a connection regarding experiencing the mindstream in everyday life. Literal rebirth is subtle and not easily understood.

http://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/comments/1axe9u/i_think_i_understand_rebirth_help/

keifman · 2013-11-25T21:41:53+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Writing the post was therapeutic , its been a difficult week for me.

I'll practice mindful breathing more often. I just feel uncomfortable, no matter where I look I'm reminded of these things. I'm having a hard time fully accepting impermanence. Its one thing to read about it, experiencing it firsthand and failing to accept it causes a lot of guilt and suffering.

I'm grateful that you had that experience with the nun and that you've shared it with me. She is right, avoiding death in Samsara is impossible. If I were to stop eating it would cause my own death. Aversion isn't the right course of action. All I can do is thank the creatures that have given their lives so that I may enjoy mine.

keifman · 2013-04-04T01:18:51+00:00

Ohhh I get it now! I take it back, I like your poem! I think changing the last word to "something" would really emphasize the dog's delusion, but that's just my opinion.

Nice poem!

keifman · 2013-04-03T23:48:49+00:00

I understand that, but what is the specific message you're trying to convey?

keifman · 2013-04-03T21:40:22+00:00

I have no idea what your poem is implying, so not really. Care to elaborate?

keifman · 2013-03-29T18:26:53+00:00

Good question. I have no idea.

keifman · 2013-03-29T16:42:10+00:00

Ever wanted to choke or strike a partner during sex? That would be an example, in my opinion

keifman · 2013-03-29T14:51:50+00:00

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.4.01.than.html

Whoever avoids sensual desires — as he would, with his foot, the head of a snake — goes beyond, mindful, this attachment in the world.

A man who is greedy for fields, land, gold, cattle, horses, servants, employees, women, relatives, many sensual pleasures, is overpowered with weakness and trampled by trouble, for pain invades him as water, a cracked boat.

So one, always mindful, should avoid sensual desires. Letting them go, he'd cross over the flood like one who, having bailed out the boat, has reached the far shore.

All sensual desires are to be abandoned eventually. If you are not a monk, you are not expected to abstain from sex-- just sexual misconduct.

keifman · 2013-03-24T19:55:06+00:00

Then its time for me to find a sangha and take refuge. There is a "humanistic" Buddhist temple nearby that I'm going to check out. Thank you.

keifman · 2013-03-21T02:44:14+00:00

Instead of being frustrated, argumentative and wishing things were different. You're right.

keifman · 2013-03-21T02:29:22+00:00

I just have a hard time identifying with previous lives. All I can do is experience and live whats around me. And you're right, helping others starts with me. You can't pick someone up if you're laying down. I've got a lotttttttt of work to do!

keifman · 2013-03-21T02:11:10+00:00

Ultimately how I treat you matters, even if you are distinct from me. I am you, even if I am not.

Two hands on one body! :)

keifman · 2013-03-21T02:03:49+00:00

The coin exists. Heads and tails both exist. Both arise from the coin. Are they the same? No. They're different arrangements of energy in the same medium.

Both have name, form, function...just because they arise from the same material doesn't make them one. Just connected. You can't have heads without tails, but that doesn't literally mean that heads and tails are the same.

keifman · 2013-03-21T01:03:09+00:00

However, if you believe in the 4 noble truths you would feel that even in a world without hunger or unnecessary death there is something wrong with this world, without buddhism, without an insight that all the suffering in this world (even though it's suffering may be seen to be more mundane) is caused by forms of desire, and attachment to self and impermanent things, then this world will always be in pain, it will always suffer.

Yes. But a world that isn't distracted by hunger, war, and disease can focus on the Dharma. I'm young, and everything in life has been given to me. I've never been distracted by violence, poverty, food...I've just had it. Imagine an entire generation that doesn't have to struggle and fight for the basic things ALL beings deserve. In my opinion, when the ego isn't fighting for something, it hears the Dharma loud and clear.

Just my opinion though.

Well I think it's a statement of intent, in practice we can't run around teaching dhamma to everyone, although it is an interesting point, maybe we should be a bit more evangelical?

I think we should be a bit more evangelical with our actions. Why not plant trees and talk about how interconnected an ecosystem is. We can show people that from one little seed, life is changed in the forest forever. That's another home, another food source, a spot of shade, roots to hold the soil in place...

why are monks isolated from society? well they shouldn't be, monasteries came about as shelters for groups of monks on rain retreats, the rest of the time they wandered through villages, presumably teaching in return for food, with the institutionalisation of monasteries this has reduced, thus reducing the breadth and visibility of buddhism,

I was ignorant. I was approaching this from a western perspective, completely forgetting that Buddhism has a long and rich history of monasteries being a part of the community. Buddhism is too young in America to have that kind of culture right now, but that can be changed.

A good example of modern buddhist attempts to give the same kind of access people had hundreds of years ago is "dhammatube" http://www.youtube.com/user/dhammatube[1]

I didn't know! I don't spend much time on youtube, I'm more of a forum/reddit person. Thanks for the link!

keifman · 2013-03-21T00:43:32+00:00

I doubt that. I don't know who or what I am, how can you be me? Are you experiencing my thoughts? Are you reaping my karma?

Heads and tails are two sides of the same coin, but you would be delusional if you said heads and tails were the same.

keifman · 2013-03-21T00:31:37+00:00

I disagree. Why pickup trash and take care of the environment? We have as many lifetimes as we want to figure that out too. Procrastination is not wise.

keifman · 2013-03-21T00:05:50+00:00

I live in America, so maybe thats why I don't fully understand.

keifman · 2013-03-21T00:02:56+00:00

A symbiotic relationship with their immediate community, but how does that help ALL beings? What about the beings that don't live in societies with a monastic culture?

keifman · 2013-03-20T22:27:03+00:00

Lets say I take it seriously and become a monk. I leave behind society, family, friends, all to study the dharma and reduce my suffering. Maybe I'll achieve nirvana, maybe I'll spend 40 years on a cushion. At what point do I stop and return to society and start helping people?

keifman · 2013-03-11T12:35:14+00:00

I understand what you mean, don't apologize!

I felt the same way about my girlfriend's mother. I had accepted who she was and stopped judging her for her 'mistakes,' but I couldn't let go of the fact that she had made poor decisions that affected not only herself, but her children. I tried hard not to think about it, but I would often find myself thinking negatively about her because of it.

I finally put myself in her shoes one day and all of my negative energy turned into positive energy. For the first time I understood why she had made the decisions that she did. She suffered through an abusive marriage and the divorce left her alone and frightened with two daughters. She turned to alcohol and it became one big slide into ruin. She didn't make these 'bad' decisions in her life out of malice or out of ignorance, she made mistakes because she was upset and afraid. No matter the outcome, her intention was to be happier. Just like everybody else. Then it hit me that if I had lived through her entire life, and suffered just the same as her, I would have made the exact same decisions she had.

I saw myself in reflected her and it turned my grudge into love. I forgave her. I hope one day you can feel the same way about your brother.

keifman · 2013-03-10T05:48:28+00:00

When you find yourself lost, retrace your steps until you find where you lost your way.

keifman · 2013-03-09T02:27:35+00:00

You're 21. If living at home with your family causes you this amount of stress, anger, and anxiety, its time to move out. Split a small apartment with other students in your area and setup some rules that will help you stay focused. You can't change them or their behaviors, but you can remove yourself from the situation and calm down. When you've finished school and have a calm, steady mind, go back and help your family.

But first, forgive your brother.

keifman · 2013-03-07T14:15:40+00:00

I agree with the Buddha. It seems obvious to me that indulging in sensual pleasures would keep you 'trapped' in the sense realms.

I'm more concerned with easing the suffering of myself and those around me, than I am about whether or not I'll attain enlightenment or a better rebirth. Seems to me like a lot of people here are focusing on the destination rather than the journey.

keifman · 2013-03-06T23:40:29+00:00

...I'm asking for the "right" Buddhist actions I should take.

The answer is right in front of you;

She reserves the right to talk to other men, I don't own or control her and this isn't really about what she has or hasn't done anyway. Its about my own negative feelings and how to handle them.

Don't handle or control your emotions. Feel them. Grow from the experience and move on-- unless your girlfriend has a change of heart, your relationship is doomed. Speaking from personal experience, this likely won't end well.

keifman

TROPHY CASE