Getting into Buddhism

[brendannz]

I really like a lot of what Buddha's said and a lot of ideas in Buddhism,

but I don't really want to practice buddhism, maybe take up meditation, but ultimately don't want to be free from desires. However, I do think that all life is suffering, and not being attached to our desires is the way out of suffering is a very good concept..

But I don't think abstaining from desires is really the correct answer.

Is it possible to get into buddhism, and take bits and pieces of wisdom but not really be a monk?

Zen Buddhism's pretty cool, and works very well for the great Phil Jackson (basketball coach)

Any books that would be a good starting point?

[brendannz]

I have just found on wikipedia that "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" was the book that influenced Phil Jackson, so I may read that..

[ethereal]

A concept that you may like about Buddhism comes from the Dhammapada, or collected sayings of Buddha:

"If by giving up a lesser happiness, one may behold a greater one, let the wise man give up the lesser happiness in consideration of the greater happiness."

The giving up of desires is like this -- by giving up temporary gratification into desires, one realizes that desire is the source of suffering and that without desire, one would be happy all the time, and that the happiness gained from satisfying a desire actually comes from the happiness of our true nature rather than the satisfaction of a desire. It is like an optical illusion, that happiness comes from our desires. One realizes that freedom from desire is a better state than desiring things and achieving them. To give up temporary gratification for the long-term goal of enlightenment is to give up a lesser happiness for a greater one.

As Nisargadatta Maharaj said, "Desires fulfilled breed more desires." Because fulfilling a desire keeps the energies of desire alive, whereas denying them and focusing the light of awareness on them eventually dissipates them.

One of my teachers said something like this: "Do whatever you desire, when you don't desire it anymore. When you do desire it, don't do it." Even waiting 5 minutes before fulfilling a desire allows much of the desire to burn out.

Personally, I satisfy my desires all the time, just to quiet the mind and focus it on the more important tasks of meditation and contemplation. Through meditation and eventually samadhi (concentration / absorption into reality), desires eventually wither away without our effort. I prefer that to suppressing or abstaining from our desires, like you said much easier

Feel free to take whatever works from Buddhism, and integrate it into your spiritual beliefs. I don't know what would help you at this stage, but the Dhammapada is a great place to get tidbits of Buddhist wisdom. Maybe Buddhism for Dummies, too?

[brendannz]

Thanks,

I can kind of see how giving up temporary desires can be useful, I remember in my early 20s I was often frustrated with life, and now I'm almost 28, and I see things more in terms of process. "Life's a journey, not a destination" - Aerosmith. So I can see how the long term happiness can be more useful than short term desires.

I think Buddhism for Dummies or Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, at this stage.

[Melchior]

Try: Zen Art for Meditation

[Strangemagik]

In the past few weeks there has been a lot of buddah sayings popping out to me too.

Interesting. I'd say you can lose desires and still have 'things" you wanted. You just have to separate the desire from the actual receiving of the "thing" then it won't put you in that vicious loop of seeking happiness in material things. They have less effect on your happiness. I don't think its so much about being happy all the time if you have no desires its just a cheerful content state.

[brendannz]

Originally Posted by Strangemagik

In the past few weeks there has been a lot of buddah sayings popping out to me too.

Interesting. I'd say you can lose desires and still have 'things" you wanted. You just have to separate the desire from the actual receiving of the "thing" then it won't put you in that vicious loop of seeking happiness in material things. They have less effect on your happiness. I don't think its so much about being happy all the time if you have no desires its just a cheerful content state.

yep, I think it's attachment to the desires is the cause of the suffering is what Buddha says, so the point is that we're not attached to our desires, not to say we have no desires..

But I'm just learning this stuff..

[Tanja]

Originally Posted by brendannz

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" was the book that influenced Phil Jackson, so I may read that..

It's a great book.

Originally Posted by Strangemagik

I'd say you can lose desires and still have 'things" you wanted. You just have to separate the desire from the actual receiving of the "thing" then it won't put you in that vicious loop of seeking happiness in material things.

When you realize you'll be okay even if you don't get want you (think) you want, attachment to the outcome disappears and that's when I usually achieve my goals/desires with least effort or 'nervousness''. You are not afraid of not getting something, so you just go out and get it, if that makes any sense to you.

[Antarananda]

My primary background has been Vedic spirituality, especially Advaita Vedanta, but if you're getting your feet wet with Buddhism, you can do a lot better than "Zen and the Art..."; while a cool book, it has very little to do with Buddhism. In the words of the author: "it should in no way be associated with that great body of factual information relating to orthodox Zen Buddhist practice. It's not very factual on motorcycles, either."

Buddhism primarily means establishing a personal wisdom practice (meditation) and lifestyle which incorporates your insights gained. In fact, I'd recommend you dive straight into meditation rather than get caught up in intellectual learning through reading books. Reading books or the teachings of Buddha can be more valuable after you have experienced your own truths. An ounce of practice is worth more than a ton of theory. Since you're inclined to the non-religious aspects, I recommend Vipassana meditation, as taught by S.N. Goenka.

Also check out Buddhist Geeks for a modern, fresh take on 21st century Dhamma and DIY Dhamma for more resources.

[Acting Like Godot]

I recommend that you search for Ajahn Brahm's Buddhism talks on Youtube. His talks are very accessible to Westerners (I assume that you're a Westerner).

[brendannz]

Originally Posted by Acting Like Godot

I recommend that you search for Ajahn Brahm's Buddhism talks on Youtube. His talks are very accessible to Westerners (I assume that you're a Westerner).

Thanks!

I think that's possibly a better starting point than a book.. and if I get more curious about it, I'll delve more into it

[Antarananda]

Good call. There's many talks by Ajahn Brahm, Thich Naht Hanh and other eminent teachers on the DIY Dharma site under DIY audio as well. Enjoy!

[Strangemagik]

Originally Posted by Tanja

It's a great book.

When you realize you'll be okay even if you don't get want you (think) you want, attachment to the outcome disappears and that's when I usually achieve my goals/desires with least effort or 'nervousness''. You are not afraid of not getting something, so you just go out and get it, if that makes any sense to you.

I've started to do that with one particularly toxic desire. I was in a good content place for several months until my work turned very bad then my new relationship became a short lived one. The desire for my relationship back is something I've struggled with the past 6 weeks. In the past couple weeks I've made progresses one day only to fall back 3 steps, it seemed. Ever since I was reading into this yesterday I feel like I've have done just that, realized I'm going to be ok if I don't get that particular relationship back. I'm losing my attachment to it and therefore him. And today have been more content than I have for weeks. I was even productive today for the first time in weeks.

[InnerTeaching]

This week I have found a fun movie about the life of Buddha on YouTube. Today I have posted it on my weblog: The Life of Buddha

It's really a recommandation!

[brendannz]

Originally Posted by InnerTeaching

This week I have found a fun movie about the life of Buddha on YouTube. Today I have posted it on my weblog: The Life of Buddha

It's really a recommandation!

I just looked at that today, I really enjoyed it, thanks!

[InnerTeaching]

Originally Posted by brendannz

I just looked at that today, I really enjoyed it, thanks!

No problem I looked at it I believe 3 times. The BBC can make great documentary's!