Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

[Siggie]

Re: Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

yes!

Don't worry, I'm fluent in typo: reading and writing.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

Sounds interesting; thanks! I can't believe I didn't think to search for science and Buddhism.... I did search for Buddhism and atheism though.

Buddhism Plain and Simple is the one I'm reading.

I did want to read this one: Buddhism Without Beliefs but there's no kindle format. *grumble*

To borrow from your post in "tattoo in Armenian"
.... I think Buddhism is the "tr@mp stamp" of the middle class.

[Siggie]

Re: Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

To borrow from your post in "tattoo in Armenian"
.... I think Buddhism is the "tr@mp stamp" of the middle class.

Are you being mean to me?
Actually, I hear what you're saying as far as the new age "woo" is concerned, but that isn't the kind of thing I've been reading.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

Are you being mean to me?
Actually, I hear what you're saying as far as the new age "woo" is concerned, but that isn't the kind of thing I've been reading.

I couldn't resist, and I knew you were wise enough to take it in good humour!

I agree with what you are saying too - Buddhism can be a serious subject to study, and has made important cultural contributions and influences to the world.

Maybe it's yoga that's the full-blown middle-class tr@mp stamp, the equivalent of the big ugly tattoo at the base of the back that women in overly tight jeans reveal when they bend down in the supermarket to get their 5L bottles of cola.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

Sounds interesting; thanks! I can't believe I didn't think to search for science and Buddhism.... I did search for Buddhism and atheism though.

Buddhism Plain and Simple is the one I'm reading.

I skimmed through the reviews of it, for the first "Over the last fifteen years, a growing number of books have shown up in trade paperbackland on the subject of Buddhism. More seem to arrive daily, invited or not. Most of them are aimed at the general reader and beginning buddhist." at first glance I thought it had said "budding Buddhist"! Good book title or not?

[Siggie]

Re: Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

I couldn't resist, and I knew you were wise enough to take it in good humour!

I agree with what you are saying too - Buddhism can be a serious subject to study, and has made important cultural contributions and influences to the world.

Maybe it's yoga that's the full-blown middle-class tr@mp stamp, the equivalent of the big ugly tattoo at the base of the back that women in overly tight jeans reveal when they bend down in the supermarket to get their 5L bottles of cola.

It's an apt comparison. I have a similar response to having to dodge a carelessly swung about yoga mat as when I'm flashed the stamp.

My motivation isn't that of the bored suburban housewife. I think a lot of it is helpful, albeit often commonsense, advice conceptualized slightly differently. I'm actually interested in the meditation aspect and wanted some background in case I have to find a center or something to learn it better. I've actually used it intuitively as a pain management technique and on occasion for relaxation (e.g. for stress-induced insomnia) and I just want to improve my ability a bit so I can utilize it more effectively/efficiently.

I skimmed through the reviews of it, for the first "Over the last fifteen years, a growing number of books have shown up in trade paperbackland on the subject of Buddhism. More seem to arrive daily, invited or not. Most of them are aimed at the general reader and beginning buddhist." at first glance I thought it had said "budding Buddhist"! Good book title or not?

Uh-oh! It is a good book title! I think that means you must now write the book.
My advisor operated that way. Sometimes he'd think of a title and then he'd feel compelled to do the required research study and publish a manuscript with that title.

[Haykakan]

Re: Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

I wrote a paper in my last class on Sun Tzu. His Art of War is 2500 years old and is considered a historic document as well as a important guide on waging war and leadership. The use of his teachings are finding more applications today in war, business, and in many other competition based formats. His teachings have been a huge influence in China for 2.5 milleniums and studying Sun Tzu helps us understand Chinese business and government customs and actions. A centralized government like the one in China is perhaps the perfect fit for the writings of Sun Tzu.

[jgk3]

Re: Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

I wrote a paper in my last class on Sun Tzu. His Art of War is 2500 years old and is considered a historic document as well as a important guide on waging war and leadership. The use of his teachings are finding more applications today in war, business, and in many other competition based formats. His teachings have been a huge influence in China for 2.5 milleniums and studying Sun Tzu helps us understand Chinese business and government customs and actions. A centralized government like the one in China is perhaps the perfect fit for the writings of Sun Tzu.

The question is, does Sun Tzu have anything to do with Buddhism?

It's ok though, I really liked Sun Tzu also, I have a miniature little pocket book with the Art of War, and I would listen to an audiobook version while playing some online games where you're a soldier and have to shoot people. It would help me make strategies, and I actually increased me kill to death ratio lol.

[jgk3]

Re: Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

My motivation isn't that of the bored suburban housewife. I think a lot of it is helpful, albeit often commonsense, advice conceptualized slightly differently. I'm actually interested in the meditation aspect and wanted some background in case I have to find a center or something to learn it better. I've actually used it intuitively as a pain management technique and on occasion for relaxation (e.g. for stress-induced insomnia) and I just want to improve my ability a bit so I can utilize it more effectively/efficiently.

Ooof, I went through a couple of phases where I'd just listen or watch videos on google (and youtube) about meditation, some of the ones that I liked a lot, but were long enough to just leave playing and go lay down on the couch and fall asleep to, albeit in an altered state of mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nwwKbM_vJc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_30JzRGDHI&feature=relmfu

I've had some lucid dreams while listening to these things...

[Siggie]

Re: Anyone familiar with Buddhism?

The question is, does Sun Tzu have anything to do with Buddhism?

I wasn't brave enough to ask!

Thanks for the links. I'll check them out soon.