Letting Go Of Enlightenment

Like all things, the more you study and practice the better results you will get. In the initial stages the more complex and deeper teachings are best avoided, after all if you were beginning Karate you wouldn't want to be full contact sparring with a black belt on your first lesson would you? The effects of getting ahead of yourself can be detrimental and lead to confusion and frustration. If you want to start learning about Buddhism then try to be humble and start at the beginning with the eight fold path and the four noble truths. Simply apply these ethics to your life and meditated on them, you will soon start to see the benefits. Try meditating alone or with a group and don't push yourself too hard or expect too much, it can be very challenging at first. You just need to practice quietening the mind at first, that is all.

Mindfulness

Right Mindfulness

Sati  (Pali). In Buddhism the word ‘Sati’ usually carries the meaning of awareness or skillful attentiveness.

#7 on the eightfold path

Let it flow

Right mindfulness is ability to see and feel life as it is with complete awareness.
For many of us our usual condition is a kind of waking dream involving trains of conditioned thoughts that may be pleasant, neutral or unpleasant.
These thoughts are interwoven with many underlying emotions and sensations that influence our decisions and guide us through life.

Understanding Karma

Karma

Thoughts are the Seeds of all Actions

It is a common misunderstanding that Karma is the retribution or the good fortune metered out to us as a direct result of our actions.

The theory of Karma is that every action we make be it physical, mental or vocal sows a seed in our memory. In other words it stays with us for the rest of our lives.

For example if we are nasty to somebody and cause hurt. Later on the memory of it will replay in our minds and we will recoil and feel guilty. Even though the event has passed, the memory lingers.

Over time we may be able to repress the memory and push it down with all the other bad memories. That can have harmful repercussions that are  not good for you at all.

This memory and response is called a Karmic formation and will continue to affect you in an adverse way as long as you are unaware of how to react to it.

Through developing mindfulness and awareness it is possible to gradually decrease the effect of karmic formations by learning not to react to them by simply observing them and letting them pass away like clouds in the sky.

The opposite is true of good actions and the pleasant effect that the memory of them has on us. Its ok to feel good about the kind things you have done as you build up the good feelings and loving compassion inside you.

When we realize the actual consequences to our selves of our thoughts words and actions then we become a lot more responsible. Selfish or not this must be a good thing.

Of course there is so much more to karma and the effects of our actions on all levels to all things, as we are intrinsically part of the greater whole.

What is Buddhism?

Buddha, Kamakura, Japan

Buddhism in today's world 

• Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in the world and it has been around for over 2500 years!
• Buddhism is a set of ancient tecniques and guide lines for living that if implemented can change your life.
• The fundamental guide lines are not difficult to comprehend and you do not need to be an expert of the teachings, or change your current religion to benefit from its teachings.
• Buddhism is about nurturing and practising loving kindness; both to your self and all  other beings
• Buddhism is an approachable and practical philosophy for everyone.
• In this Blog I have attempted to explain the most basic principles of Buddhism in a clear way, and within the limited boundaries of my own knowledge.