As you may know, Buddhism does not worship or acknowledge a God. So in a sense Buddhism could be atheistic. But this is for the atheists who have an aversion to anything spiritual: Did you know that Buddhist practices such as meditation have been scientifically proven to bring greater happiness and peace of mind? I’m not out to get anyone to start practicing it, I was just wondering if you were aware of this. Also, secular Western Psychology is implementing many Buddhist practices such as Mindfulness and meditation, because of their proven benefits.

This link is just one of many sources, but it’s particularly good information seeing that it comes from BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3047291.stm
sisyphus you are thinking about Hinduism.
Sisyphus, all of your information is entirely false. Buddhists do believe in Karma and rebirth.
Sisyphus I’m not sure why you’re lying about Buddhism to make it look bad, but it’s not appreciated.

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I am studying Buddhism so give me your opinion or symbol idea(s) and try to keep it simple. This may look complicated, but it is just a lot of writing.
A Symbol For:

1.) Right Resolve (I am thinking a check mark) (making a firm decision to live according to the Eightfold Path)

2.) Right Speech (I am thinking a mouth) (speaking in a manner that doesn’t harm others; not gossiping, lying, or using mean words)

3.) Right Conduct (I am thinking a "C") (Acting in a way that doesn’t harm others; not killing, not stealing, and also not acting selfishly)

4.) Right Livelihood (?) (Earning a living in a way that doesn’t harm others)

5.) Right Effort (?) (Striving to get rid of any evil within oneself)

6.) Right Mindfulness (I am thinking a brain) (Paying attention to responsibilities)

7.) Right Meditation (I am thinking of someone meditating) (Thinking deeply for the answers to problems)

Thank You if you can help!

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Authors of books on Buddhism & meditation often mention
"awareness" and "mindfulness." The definitions of the two
are very similar, yet also very different.
Who can explain the difference between them?

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R&S,

To my understanding, there’s an aspect of Buddhism that has you focus on the things around you, what they feel like, how they look, how they smell…a form of meditation, I believe.

Right now, I am a vegan and into fitness, but I also drink and sometimes smoke, so this would clearly be the first to go.

I am interested in this mostly because I feel that I need to be on a path to enlightenment. I have flashbacks to a possible past life, and I feel karma has caught up with me too fast, as if to say, "Look, you need to get back on track, you were on your way!" I am still rather young (in my mid-20’s), and yet every type of person I have ever badmouthed when I was younger is exactly what I have been handed in life.

I tried looking up information, but wasn’t really sure what was a good source and what wasn’t. My religious background is Christianity, and I was very interested in the peace and harmony preachings of Christ, as well as the meditation and fasting spoken of in the Bible in hopes for religious enlightenment. However, much else wasn’t mentioned other than fasting and prayer, which is why I’m interested in a religion that has more of a "guide" for meditation.

Thank You and Namaste,
Thomas
Thank you so much so far. I have tried consuming while in the dark as well. It is hard for me to do because I become distracted easily. It’s not an ADD thing or what have you…I just am very aware of everything else around me and start to focus on a noise I might hear outside instead of the tea in my hands.

Any tricks to overcome this, or just practice?
@ HUMBLE ONE: The object in question is a cup of tea, usually lukewarm.

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*Explain* the Foundations of Mindfulness {the 22nd Long Discourse of The Buddha’s Discourse) in detail ? !

Thank You to all Students of Buddhism for all your Intelligent and most encouraging answers.

With Metta.

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Since I first started reading scripture as a pre-teen (18 yrs ago), some of Jesus’ instructions have been hard to fathom.

Matt. 6:1-4 - http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/6/1-4#1

To me, v. 3 seems to say I shouldn’t even be aware of my own actions… (thus eliminating boastfulness, pride, self-congratulation, etc.) But how?

The following is a list of NT scriptures wherein Jesus tells his disciples to "take no thought" (ie not to think what one will say/do in future).
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/search?type=words&last=take+no+thought+eat+wear&help=&wo=checked&search=take+no+thought&do=Search&iw=nt&tx=checked&af=checked&hw=checked&sw=checked

It wasn’t till I learned a little about Buddhism & practiced some mindfulness (& meditation) that I understood HOW to implement these commands of the Lord.

Being "in the moment" solves a lot of Qs I previously had about HOW to implement teachings of Christ. Patience, childlike learning & trust have also come to me thru mindfulness.

Thoughts?
((( Phoenix )))

… inclusive… (I am in complete agreement)

♥ Jesus ♥ (paraphrase): I am the way through which all people come to the Father.
Praise to the Trinity… I know you probably won’t come back to read this, but practicing Buddhism is NOT an act of worship, except because truth comes from the Light (ie God the Father) and accepting any truth is an act of worship to God, because it is an act of faith in Him (well, it is for me, anyway).

I trust in the peaceful, warm feelings of my heart … ie the Holy Spirit… to tell me what is good and true…. and that is why I have so much faith in Jesus, the Redeemer of every human being. ♥

I see no Love in the concept of rejecting some truths, simply because one is not familiar with the particular messenger used at the time. Truth is sweet… but only if you take a bite & chew.

"By their fruits ye shall know them." For me, the fruits of meditation and mindfulness are sweet indeed, for which I give thanks to my Heavenly Father.

It’s true that it would not help everyone to obey the Lord Jesus. It does help me to, however. It helps me to overcome my "issues."
Last para: By "it" I meant Buddhism…. doesn’t help everyone…. but that is why God has provided us all with so much diversity…. so there’s something to help everyone to come closer to Him, if that is their heart’s desire.

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Hello, all:

As a Wiccan, I find spiritual as well as intellectual fulfilment in my job as a freelance commercial artist. I honor specific Goddesses that are patrons of creativity, and set up a small altar in my studio when I’m running to a tight deadline and feel in need of a little extra endurance and inspiration.

I know that some Christian orders believe in dedicating the work of each day to God as well, and have read that in some forms of Buddhism, every activity — including work — can be a form of meditation and mindfulness.

So — how does your own faith (or lack thereof) relate to your occupation, if at all?
Arysa — I am a comic book colorist, and my husband is a penciller/inker. We work for international comic book publishers out of our home studio. Blessed be the FTP protocol, for lo, it makes this possible.

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In Ajahn Brahmavamso’s: the Quality of Mindfulness
http://www.bswa.org/modules/icontent/index.php?page=80
he speaks of The Gatekeeper and instructing The Gatekeeper
within us during Meditation.

Who or What exactly is the Gatekeeper? Is it simply memory within the Mind? It isn’t an entity guiding us is it? Wouldn’t necessarily think so, with proper understanding of Buddhism and Mindfulness (Insight) Meditation. Does it actually use the term ‘The Gatekeeper’ in any of The Buddha’s teachings or Suttas?

Do you instruct your Gatekeeper-whenever you daily practice
Insight Meditation?

*What do you think of this article and references to The Gatekeeper? Please elaborate-Thanks.

Thank You for your friendship and assistance - from a new
practitioner of Mindfulness/Insight Meditation.

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