BonosSaint
Rock n' Roll Doggie
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2004
- Messages
- 3,566
Didn't quite know where to post this. Or even if it should be a journal entry. But hey, it's offtopic and it has something to do with spirituality and I am certain there are people on board more versed in zen than I am.
I discussed Buddhism online over several months with a Buddhist.
I think we frustrated each other because although I was curious, I think he held to a dogma which seemed anti-zen to me. I also think I was dumped by a Buddhist, lol, because I think perhaps he wanted to convert me, which was also anti-zen. I wanted the practicality of zen and not the esoteric. He talked about circles of light. I wanted to know how to practice zen when I'm stuck in a traffic jam.
I think what attracts me to Buddhism is that it requires no beliefs--not in a deity, not in reincarnation, not even in enlightenment. It demands questioning--of authority, of belief, of self, of Buddhism.
It requires a stripping down. What is reality as opposed to my perceptions of it and what of my perceptions are coloring it? I renewed my interest by reading a book called Hardcore Zen. I'm starting to find it gels more with my natural approach than the other paths I've looked at.
Anway, I'm obviously a novice at this. I'm not a Buddhist, but I am looking at it and I was hoping for discussion on it. I know there are many schools of Buddhism that are just as dogmatic and esoteric as the religions I've abandoned. But also there are schools that are just as pragmatic as I am.
So, for all the Buddhists or Buddhism explorers out there, how do you practice?
I discussed Buddhism online over several months with a Buddhist.
I think we frustrated each other because although I was curious, I think he held to a dogma which seemed anti-zen to me. I also think I was dumped by a Buddhist, lol, because I think perhaps he wanted to convert me, which was also anti-zen. I wanted the practicality of zen and not the esoteric. He talked about circles of light. I wanted to know how to practice zen when I'm stuck in a traffic jam.
I think what attracts me to Buddhism is that it requires no beliefs--not in a deity, not in reincarnation, not even in enlightenment. It demands questioning--of authority, of belief, of self, of Buddhism.
It requires a stripping down. What is reality as opposed to my perceptions of it and what of my perceptions are coloring it? I renewed my interest by reading a book called Hardcore Zen. I'm starting to find it gels more with my natural approach than the other paths I've looked at.
Anway, I'm obviously a novice at this. I'm not a Buddhist, but I am looking at it and I was hoping for discussion on it. I know there are many schools of Buddhism that are just as dogmatic and esoteric as the religions I've abandoned. But also there are schools that are just as pragmatic as I am.
So, for all the Buddhists or Buddhism explorers out there, how do you practice?