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Is everybody addicted to something?

in the beginning of each moment :P

one simply need to know at all time his state of mind. Just ask yourself, what am I doing? thinking about the past, the future, craving, remembering, judging negatively, having ressentments about the past? ect. One need to always be mindful of his thoughts if he has thoughts. ideally, its much calmer to focus solely on the body and the sensations that arise right now but if you have thoughts, you need to know its content and replace the negative with the positive because you realize quite fast that any negative thoughts makes you uncomfortable and stresses oneself so tis a bit useless to maintain negative thoughts.

if his mind is encouraging unwholesome thoughts about the past or the future, one need to encourage himself to stop that non sense negativity and go back to the present moment.

you cannot think and be in the present moment as the experience of the present moment is much faster then thoughts and well with thought, we judge and try to define but when you are mindful, you experience without judgments the present moment which is mainly calm and peaceful.

but this is a practice and its a bit hard in the beginning but like everything, with practice, it becomes habitual and not difficult, it bceomes second nature almost.

the 4 great efforts concerning mindfulness of thoughts are:
avoid unwholesome thoughts
being able to maintain a wholesome thought
replace a unwholesome thoughts that arise with a wholesome thoughts
to stop a unwholesome thoughts that hasnt yet arised
basically "avoiding," "overcoming," "developing," and "maintaining,"


this is the beginning...
 
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Erik.
Yes, my first drug was control. Or call it a habit
I couldn't process the trauma, abuse happening in my environment. Controlling my actions internally with ritualistic thinking as well as behaving based on numbers and counting practices when with others or alone - helped me cope and stay sane til I found drugs.
Perhaps call it OCD. It kept me from harming myself and sometimes it's the best one can do as a child.
Maybe not a drug or an addiction actually, but a daily practice to help me feel safe in the midst of chaos, abandonment and loss. Dad left, mom on her way dying… only child etc. No victim stuff here ... just what it was...
 
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@Smoky
I´m sorry to hear that you´ve been through so many difficulties still when you were a child.
I believe that, at the end, you somehow became a winner after all I see that you have not only identified your issues, but also discovered healthier tools to deal with them.
Wish you luck and that you keep up with the good work!:)
 
You might not treat Buddhism as a religion, and that's great, but many people do.
Unless I'm imagining the ornate temples scattered around town and the people worshiping within them.

The argument can certainly be made that it was never intended to be a religion, but that argument can also be made for Christianity (or any other religion).
You can adopt the tenants of the New Testament, without treating it (Christianity) as religion, but that doesn't prevent other people from doing so.

It tends to be Westerners that insist Buddhism isn't (treated as) a religion.
Probably because they don't spend much time in traditional Buddhist circles.

The quote, "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him..." is directly related to the idea of Buddhism being treated as a religion.

The vast majority of Buddhists are just going through the motions, like the vast majority of Christians.
This is according to Buddhist elders that I've had long discussions with, who compare Buddhists to Christians.

Buddhism, is unfortunately, a religion.
Perhaps it shouldn't be, but that's another kettle of fish.

...

How do you explain the various denominations of Buddhism, and all the ceremonial practices and traditional clothing, if it is not a religion?
 
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Even the so called 'leaders' of the various buddist demoninations dont refer to it as a religion, it is collectively referred to as a path, way of life, way of being, state, etc; it is not nor will it ever be a religion. If people choose to treat it as such they are missing the point entirely
 
Even the so called 'leaders' of the various buddist demoninations dont refer to it as a religion
Click to expand...

So they're leaders of what, a philosophy?

If people choose to treat it (as religion) they are missing the point entirely
Click to expand...

The same can be said for Christianity.

...

What's your definition of religion?
(Note: God is not a prerequisite.)

...

Can you name another philosophy that has temples?
 
I believe they refer to themselves as 'spiritual leaders'
The temples and other trappings are a consequence of people with guilt complexes that are hoping to buy some credit in the imaginatorium
My definition of a religion isnt really relevant but I suppose 'obsolete control mechanism' will do
Depends on how you define philosophy and temple but yes I can name many
 
Your definition of religion isn't relevant to a discussion about whether or not something is a religion?
Okay...

Depends on how you define philosophy and temple but yes I can name many
Click to expand...

Please do.
(So, is my definition of philosophy relevant?)

I believe they refer to themselves as 'spiritual leaders'
Click to expand...

A rose, by any other name...
 
My personal definition isnt relevant, I'm just pointing out the fact that Buddism isnt a religion nor is it considered one by its so called spiritual leaders...including his 'holiness' the dalai lama

philosophy capitalism temple wall street
philosophy nihlism temple poop
etc; etc; (willy wonka)

ForEverAfter I all of what you think relevant so yes your definition is relevant

A rose smells like the poop it was grown in
 
You're saying something isn't a religion.
So, your definition of what is a religion is relevant.
Otherwise what are you saying in the first place?

yes I can name many
Click to expand...

I don't think you can.
Apparently, the only one you can name is capitalism / Wall Street, which doesn't work even at the most basic level...

...

Christianity can be described as a way of life.
People can, and do, live by the tenants of Christianity without attending church.

...

You can't explain to me how Buddhism is not a religion, you just keep saying "It's not and it never will be!" like a child.
 
murphythecat said:
in the beginning of each moment

one simply need to know at all time his state of mind. Just ask yourself, what am I doing? thinking about the past, the future, craving, remembering, judging negatively, having ressentments about the past? ect. One need to always be mindful of his thoughts if he has thoughts. ideally, its much calmer to focus solely on the body and the sensations that arise right now but if you have thoughts, you need to know its content and replace the negative with the positive because you realize quite fast that any negative thoughts makes you uncomfortable and stresses oneself so tis a bit useless to maintain negative thoughts.

if his mind is encouraging unwholesome thoughts about the past or the future, one need to encourage himself to stop that non sense negativity and go back to the present moment.

you cannot think and be in the present moment as the experience of the present moment is much faster then thoughts and well with thought, we judge and try to define but when you are mindful, you experience without judgments the present moment which is mainly calm and peaceful.

but this is a practice and its a bit hard in the beginning but like everything, with practice, it becomes habitual and not difficult, it bceomes second nature almost.

the 4 great efforts concerning mindfulness of thoughts are:
avoid unwholesome thoughts
being able to maintain a wholesome thought
replace a unwholesome thoughts that arise with a wholesome thoughts
to stop a unwholesome thoughts that hasnt yet arised
basically "avoiding," "overcoming," "developing," and "maintaining,"


this is the beginning...
Click to expand...

Thank you for clarifying your meaning of the beginning. It's wonderful you have your own tool for living ...
Buddhism has it's place indeed, and has helped many transcend their daily sufferings, through practice, it brings much clarity to daily living. Many psychological therapeutic practices for 'in the moment' type maps for changing or reframing one's psyche or thought streams/behaviors are derived from buddhist practices. Maps, models or humanistic type in the 'now' therapies, like solution focused therapy, dbt, cbt rebt and so on can be very beneficial, and are borrowed from the East.
Yes - Thoughts will always arise, it's important to notice this ime, not give meaning or attachment to them… They don't come in sizes… they just come it's what one does with the thoughts. And to be able to thread back to the nature or origin of the programming… and be able to observe them and not personalize or make thoughts real

My only qualm is we can't ime, avoid unwholesome thoughts… In attempts to avoid something there is a blocking happening of what simply IS, or what is happening. For example, Who is it that is doing the avoiding? This is important to understand. In deep meditation there is an understanding of the witness. There is no separateness either between wholeness or un-wholeness. This is still a duality, that will remain in attempts to avoid, verses 'invite in' and let pass through, transcendence … healing.

I agree, it takes time to unlearn what is learned and have a new lens to see through. Conditioning or negative thoughts can often arise first based on what was internalized early on. :)
 
ForEverAfter said:
You're saying something isn't a religion.s,
Im saying Buddism isnt a religion, it isnt considered a religion by its leaders, followers, founder(s), and was never intended to be. Thats clear. Also for the record I believe this to be a postive attribute not a negative one...
So, your definition of what is a religion is relevan
My personal definition isnt relevant because as I have stated previously I dont belive in 'religion' other than as an out dated obsolete societal construct that should have been discounted and discarded along with the multitude of other organizational failures
Otherwise what are you saying in the first place?
Again pointing out the widely held misconception that Buddism is a religion, its not.
I don't think you can.
Apparently, the only one you can name is capitalism / Wall Street, which doesn't work even at the most basic level.
These were provided as examples to illustrate that virtually anything can be considered a philosophy as well as the temples that have been created to worship.
Christianity can be described as a way of life.
People can, and do, live by the tenants of Christianity without attending church
Dont care, people do and believe in all sorts of crazy bullshit and that is their perogative. I just continue to hope they will stop doing crazy shit to justify it
You can't explain to me how Buddhism is not a religion, you just keep saying "It's not and it never will be!" like a child.[/QUOTEy
I cant explain it any further to you, a couple google searches should help clear things up
Click to expand...
 
Okay, it is obviously pointless discussing this with you.

You didn't provide coherent examples.
You haven't made any attempt to explain how it doesn't fit into any (yours or society's) definition of religion.

This is one of the stupidest conversations I've had, recently, on Bluelight.

I dont belive in 'religion' other than as an out dated obsolete societal construct
Click to expand...

Now, you're saying that there is no such thing as religion?
So your original statement "Buddhism isn't a religion" is absolutely meaningless?
If there's no such thing as religion, then Christianity isn't a religion, either... ?!?

I'm done, here.
You can chalk this up as a win, if you like... 8)
 
Religion can come with an illusory security sometimes… promises, depending on the person…. Does buddhism do this? Bring security based on belief? People use buddhist practices for living. Are they buddhist? Are they religious? Do they call themselves religious? Do they consider it a religion? Is it a way? A path? How organized is it? Does this matter?

Within psychology some buddhist practices might be utilized for therapeutic purposes. In this construct, it's not religious but might be pulled from religious type practices.

For others it's a belief system, does this make it a religion? It's up for debate for sure. What defines religion to one doesn't to another. Is there a right answer?
 
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