I went on a day course at a local buddhist centre this weekend, and my goodness it was a wonderful day, which I just wanted to share with you. There's no need to be a buddhist to enjoy it; I am not, although the more I learn the more I'm interested in the buddhism way of life.
It was about "being happy", and although its not something I have ever overly concerned myself with, I was drawn to attend this course. So I did, and it was wonderful. The monk who led the course spoke about "self cherishing", which he describes as a misleading term, relating to pride and a fear that we aren't important or powerful, which we try to make up for by putting ourselves on a pedestool, having excess pride, and thinking we are somehow more worthy than others. I would love to recite the whole thing here but it would be too long, but suffice to say I'm probably not explaining it as well as I could. Its NOT the same as self confidence and loving yourself, more of the attitude putting self above all else. You know what? There's something very liberating about being reminded that you are just one person of ten billion on this earth, and that you don't matter any more than anyone else 🙂
So we set to work meditating on why "self cherishing" was to blame for everything we've ever been unhappy about. Its truth - whenever we feel sad, or lonely, or upset, wrong done by, ill etc, its because we think we're too important to experience these things - the "why is this happening to ME" mentality. Again, its not the same as loving and accepting yourself - its the false feelings we create because we're scared that we're not (X Y or Z).
Then we set about becoming deliriously happy, and blowing a hole in the rubbish that is self cherishing/pride. How? Another meditation, that I'd recommend to anybody. Focus on a cup of tea (or coffee, or whatever your choice of beverage). Think how wonderful it is that the local shop are kind enough to stock it, to keep you hydrated in a refreshing way. Think how wonderful it is that the shop worker works in there, to serve it to you. Go back to the Manufacturer, and all the 100s of people working there, just to provide you with this cup of tea (I know this is oversimplifying, but go with it, it works). Think how wonderful it is that there are 10000s of people enjoying cups of tea as a result of those people in that factory. Then the people who picked it. Then the people who feed those who picked it. Soon you have gone around the whole world, cherishing others.
If that's not *ahem* your cup of tea (sorry!) then try remembering a loving mother/father figure who looked after you as a child, who literally saved your life 100s of times by being there and looking out for them, and feel the love for them. If you have your own children, focus on feeling the love for them. Then think about everyone who you know or don't know, who has children and how amazing it is that they have saved their children's lives 100s of times. Its not hard to go on from there, and I can honestly say it was a state of blissful extacy to travel home from that course, feeling very humble, but looking at every other car driver on the road (Aaah, they're cherishing others by driving safely), the pedestrians who have children, or a bag of shopping (that's nice of them, it looks as if they're going to cook someone else a nourishing meal tonight), the dog walkers (look at the way they're caring for that dog, if it wasn't on a lead it would be under that car by now. How good of them to cherish and love those dogs) etc.
I hope I haven't just rambled like an incoherant idiot (but hey, if I lose the self-cherishing that doesn't matter one jot 😉 ) and hope this will be of interest and help to one of you out there.
With love, from a very loving Naturally 🙂
Hi Naturally,
It sounds like you had a wonderful day. I too have found buddhist meditation workshops to be really good.
I went on a day course at a local buddhist centre this weekend, and my goodness it was a wonderful day, which I just wanted to share with you. There's no need to be a buddhist to enjoy it; I am not, although the more I learn the more I'm interested in the buddhism way of life.
Whilst I find great truth in a lot of their philosophy, there are certain aspects that don't sit right, so I'm happy to just take what I can put into practice and test for myself as being true.
Then we set about becoming deliriously happy, and blowing a hole in the rubbish that is self cherishing/pride. How? Another meditation, that I'd recommend to anybody. Focus on a cup of tea (or coffee, or whatever your choice of beverage). Think how wonderful it is that the local shop are kind enough to stock it, to keep you hydrated in a refreshing way. Think how wonderful it is that the shop worker works in there, to serve it to you. Go back to the Manufacturer, and all the 100s of people working there, just to provide you with this cup of tea (I know this is oversimplifying, but go with it, it works). Think how wonderful it is that there are 10000s of people enjoying cups of tea as a result of those people in that factory. Then the people who picked it. Then the people who feed those who picked it. Soon you have gone around the whole world, cherishing others.
You may be interested in the book "One City : A Declaration of Interdependence" by Ethan Nichtern ([url]One City: A Declaration of Interdependence: Amazon.co.uk: Ethan Nichtern: Books[/url]) who gives a great (although slightly Americanised) buddhist viewpoint on interdependence (which is what you're talking about).
I hope I haven't just rambled like an incoherant idiot (but hey, if I lose the self-cherishing that doesn't matter one jot 😉 ) and hope this will be of interest and help to one of you out there.
I enjoyed reading it. Thanks.
May I ask, which school of Buddhism it was? Mahayana (New Kadampa Tradition) is one of the larger ones in the UK and was the one I've had teachings from.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Hi naturally,
Thanks for your enthusiastic and uplifting post! Your joy and enthusiasm really came through. Glad it was such a good day for you! 🙂
Love and peace,
Judy
May I ask, which school of Buddhism it was? Mahayana (New Kadampa Tradition) is one of the larger ones in the UK and was the one I've had teachings from.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Hi Energylz 🙂
I am woefully ignorant of which school of Buddhism it is, although a google says it is Kadampa Buddhism. I am aware of the different schools, but have no idea what their differences actually are 😮
Hi Energylz 🙂
I am woefully ignorant of which school of Buddhism it is, although a google says it is Kadampa Buddhism. I am aware of the different schools, but have no idea what their differences actually are 😮
The differences can be subtle in relation to the teachings, though some schools have a greater focus on certain aspects of buddhism that is more like a religion than a philosophy (they've all got certain aspects of that to a lesser or greater extent).
Also, there are some schools that are set up by people in the West and are not headed up by one of the world renowed teachers such as the Dalai Lama or Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (who were both taught by the same teacher, though it was the Dalai Lama who was determined to be THE worldwide head of buddhism).
It can be quite interesting looking at the differences, just as it's interesting to look at the differences between other things such as those who claim to follow Christianity etc.
As long as you don't get led into believing things you can't test for yourself, then you'll be ok (and that stands for any teachings from anyone :))
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Very nice post naturally. If acknowledged, the blessings double and treble or even more! May the peace you experience be contagious.
xx