The Self Proclaimed Solitary Buddhist: Top 10 Buddhist Books For Children – And The Benef...

The Self Proclaimed Solitary Buddhist: Top 10 Buddhist Books For Children – And The Benef...: Top 10 Buddhist Books For Children – And The Benefits Of Buddhism For Children Buddhist books for children are a great way to introduce...

Stages in the Bodhisattvaâs Journey

Stages in the Bodhisattvas Journey

This is a link to an article I found on the stages in a Bodhisattvas Journey as described in the Avatarsaka Sutra. No matter where you are on your path in Buddhism or life, this writer did a great job in his explanation of one of many Sutras that at times can be very overwhelming for the beginner like myself and the knowledgeable Buddhist as well.

Stages in the Bodhisattvaâs Journey



I hope this information, helps you move a little farther on your path as it has mine.



The Self Proclaimed Solitary Buddhist

The Self Proclaimed Solitary Buddhist

I am the "Self Proclaimed Solitary Buddhist" follow me on my journey as I navigate this thing called life. I have no known Buddhist communities near me or like minded people in my mostly Catholic family. But that is not going to stop me from doing what I feel is right and what I need to be doing.

My intentions are to post several times per month if not weekly on my progress on my Buddhist practice and thoughts. Any input from Blog readers will be appreciated and will be taken as constructive criticism.

In my continued postings I'll discuss a little more about myself and the path I have chosen as a Buddhist and the knowledge I seek. 

The Choices We Make, The Paths We Take.

This path can be a lonely one, but one can not let an emotion like loneliness take control of our journey. Do you have a Sangha to share your thoughts on Buddhism? Maybe family members who are easy to talk to? Whatever your situation, remember this is your life. Karma good or bad, it is ours. Will you do anything different today, or follow the same path you have been following? I wish all of you the clarity of mind to make right choices in this life.

The Illusion of I and Why Practice Buddhism?

The Illusion of I

          The Buddha said that this self which we call an "I" is an Illusion created by a mind which cannot penetrate reality - such a mind is suffering from ignorance. As we practice the Buddha's path we will begin to replace ignorance with wisdom. With wisdom, we will realize that a person is essentially a set of processes, or behavior's grouped into two classes: Mind and Matter. The second group appears as a solid body but is in reality a series of processes or qualities (solidity, fluidity, heat, and motion) which are forms of energy in various combinations. They are never constant, always moving, always changing, so they have no ultimate reality. The first group is more subtle, although they are also energies ( feelings, perceptions, mental habits, consciousness). They too have no ultimate reality, but are constantly changing, and so rapidly that the normal person cannot perceive the change and mistakes it for something permanent. These energies are neither are neither created at birth not destroyed at death, but go on relentlessly through what we call samsara. (The Buddha went further and discovered Nirvana, in which the energy and its ceaseless activity is permanently stilled, like the flame of a candle being blown out.)
       
      The Buddha's path can be realized gradually depending on how sincere, and how determined we are on following it. But understanding must be there in some degree, no matter how small, if we are to practice Buddhism correctly.

Why We Need To Practice Buddhism?

      The Buddha teaches that, because of ignorance, we must have created the illusion of a "real" self and then we are trapped in the cycle of births and deaths because of this. We cannot escape from it even though we enjoy temporary flashes of pleasure; we are at it's mercy. But when we come into contact with the Buddha's teaching we are offered a way out to overcome this suffering; we become masters of our own fate. We must follow the Noble Eightfold Path. When we have followed the path successfully, and broken through delusion, we have have achieved Nirvana - this is the final peace and salvation. And following of this path is what we call PRATICE of  BUDDHISM.

I would like to thank Vijaya Samarawickrama for this great teaching from his book "A Buddhist Reflects On Spirituality".

This is The Self Proclaimed Solitary Buddhist wishing you a Blessed day and passing on all of my accumulated merits to you and yours in this life or the next.

Deep Sleep Meditation

Deep Sleep Meditation                                                  

Want deep, restful sleep? Try a deep sleep meditation.

Next to a good workout, you can’t beat it… The typical stress of family, relationships, and work can often distract us and cause restless nights.

If you find any of these issues popping up in your life, using meditation can allow you to stay in the moment, be less anxious, and give you a much needed, restful night.

mindfulness-meditation-deep-sleep 

Multiple studies over the last several years have measured brain activity during sleep cycles with mindfulness meditation practitioners vs. control groups. These replicated studies have shown that practitioners experience greatly enhanced states of Slow Wave Sleep (Deep/Quiet Sleep) in comparison to non-meditating control groups. Meditation seems to have a positive effect on deep sleep for those of all age groups. Meditation and mindfulness practices that remind us to stay in the moment have repeatedly shown to keep an increase and steady rise in peace throughout our life.

Mindfulness Meditation Leads to Good Sleep 

If you’re someone who has trouble falling asleep at night, meditation before bed can lead to physiological changes that might help. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep, with higher levels in the blood easing us into sleep. In a study comparing meditater's to a control group, night-time plasma melatonin levels were measured. Mediators showed higher plasma melatonin levels at night following their meditation than non-meditater's, with the implication being sleep would be much more likely to follow. Furthermore, much attention in psychology has been focusing on using meditation in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to treat insomnia. Indeed, a 2008 study showed promising results that patients who used meditation in addition to CBT experienced decreased pre-sleep arousal and decreased sleep dysfunction. In short, they had an easier time falling asleep and sleeping well.  

Deep Sleep Meditation for Beginners 

Science is beginning to back up and give us greater physiological understanding on how meditation puts our minds in connection with the body. If you’re someone who is just learning to meditate and are having trouble sleeping, try this:

As you are lying in bed, close your eyes and begin to take deep breaths in through your nose and slowly out through your mouth. Slowly visualize your body, part-by-part, starting with the feet. Breathe into each body part, and just feel it. With the slow out-breath, just repeat the word “relax” in your mind, here is a  to help guide click    Video to guide you into deep relax-full sleep.
 
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The Buddha Gave Relationship Advice?

Dhammapada for the 21st Century

Who knew the Buddha was giving relationship advice so many years ago?

Of course the Buddha at the time was talking to monk's, in reference to them all getting along. In my opinion, I think it would apply to FRIENDS and RELATIONSHIPS today. 

Please leave a comment after reading, let me know if you found this useful. Thanks!

Dhammapada Verse 328-330

Friends on the road again.

Verse 328 - If one finds a thoughtful friend who is honest, reliable, and dependable. One should remain friends with that person joyfully and mindfully overcoming all obstacles.

  

Verse 329 - If one can not find a thoughtful, honest, and reliable friend one should continue your virtuous life alone until you do.....  (note: of course you still have the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. So you are not totally alone. Just saying.) 

Good friends are hard to come by but are worth it

Verse 330 - It is better to face life alone, because there is no friendship with a person who lacks good judgement.

   



 

Wisdom of the Buddha Dhammapada 27

What's Stopping You From Advancing on Your Path to Enlightenment?

Rev. Dr. Muko Takei from Shingyo Pre-sectarian Buddhist Temple explains what we need to advance in our spirituality.  To maintain a good focus and become unstuck on our path to enlightenment.