Practice in daily life

[Jundo]

Letting this go, letting it all go and just being with what is, right in the present, whether it is shouting mothers, annoying loud neighbours, wild children...this is where practice happens.

This is also where peace and quiet happens ... at least peace and quiet on the inside!

Gassho, J

[Byokan]

Wonderful thread, wonderful wisdom here, I am grateful

Gassho
Lisa

[Jika]

also how late I did notice this way existed

Yes, Walter, I've been thinking along these lines too.

First I had thoughts on my own stupidity (of course I had endless chances to encounter the way, I only never opened my eyes).

Lately, I've been thinking about this from a bodhisattva-view (as I imagine it):

How I'm bursting to tell people of this way, feeling it can do the world really good, but I can't, as people will simply think I'm nuts.

Like, there is a right moment when each person is ready to see or listen. Unfortunately.

And even with lowering obvious obstacles for a modern westerner's mind, atheists and scepticists like my friends just don't see the way, even if illuminated like an airfield.
I see their suffering, and it hurts me so much.
Not being able to make people see this way is dukkha, too.

Another opportunity for practice in daily life, I suppose.

Gassho,
Danny

[Tb]

Hi.

Yes, Walter, I've been thinking along these lines too.

First I had thoughts on my own stupidity (of course I had endless chances to encounter the way, I only never opened my eyes).

Lately, I've been thinking about this from a bodhisattva-view (as I imagine it):

How I'm bursting to tell people of this way, feeling it can do the world really good, but I can't, as people will simply think I'm nuts.

Like, there is a right moment when each person is ready to see or listen. Unfortunately.

And even with lowering obvious obstacles for a modern westerner's mind, atheists and scepticists like my friends just don't see the way, even if illuminated like an airfield.
I see their suffering, and it hurts me so much.
Not being able to make people see this way is dukkha, too.

Another opportunity for practice in daily life, I suppose.

Gassho,
Danny

The practice is like rings spreading.
With each new ring the surface it covers expand, while leaving no trace on the water.

Thank you for your practice.

Mtfbwy
Fugen

[Myoku]

Thank you everyone,

....I see their suffering, and it hurts me so much.

Thats is a big problem for me too, this is hurting and you cant do much.
Gassho
Myoku

[Kyonin]

How I'm bursting to tell people of this way, feeling it can do the world really good, but I can't, as people will simply think I'm nuts.

Hi Danny,

Yes this is very difficult. We can see suffering and we know the Buddha was a very smart guy. He left us with this outstanding diagnosis and a framework to lead our lives, that we want people to know and practice. And maybe make a better world.

But then, we can't go evangelizing everywhere we go. Buddhism is a personal path that has to be discovered by each of us. All stories are different and we all have different motives, so we come to this when we are ready to listen.

But us practitioners have to remain silent, but available to help if needed.

I have lived this again and again recently. Not with Buddhism, but with nutrition. I found a way that works for me that improved my health and made me lose weight. People get curious and ask how I lost weight. I do my best to explain what I did and encourage people to jump in and try it, but when I say that I quit sugar and bread, they just smile and ignore me. Like if I was crazy or ill.

It's frustrating because I live the fattest country in the world!

I remain silent and keep on my personal path.

We can change for the better, but it's only until we are ready.

Gassho,

Kyonin

[Daiyo]

What is harder for me is that now I believe I have something to try, to experience and find out myself, as the Buddha suggested in the Kalama Sutta.
So I want to tell everybody "Hey!! try this!! it looks really good!!"
But it's as you say, Kyonin, unless the other one is already prepared to open him/herself, most probably we will end up being perceived as fanatics trying to persuade and getting adepts.

That's another of the things that attracted me to buddhism: nobody was compelling me to do so.

BTW, I love this exchange of opinions and experiences.


Gassho,
Walter

[Jundo]

A caution to everyone on this Forum:

DON'T BE SO SELF-ANALYTICAL, REFLECTIVELY PHILOSOPHICAL, SELF-STORY CREATING! There is a tendency to write beautiful prose, and luscious descriptions of our life, our problems, our personalities and such ... but we risk drowning in a river of words and nice thoughts. Wash it all clean, and leave the analysis, philosophizing and story making behind more.

I think we all can fall into this trap of overthinking. Leave it all on the cushion please, and simplify the mind! See what clarity may result when all is put down. Go Sit!

Gassho, Jundo