learn about buddhism

Reading what others wrote about this goal, I seem to be in the wrong crowd. When I wrote “learn” I really meant I want to learn, not that I want to embrace Buddhism, nor become a Buddhist.

That would go against looking after my hair, and eating meat, and wanting to get a great job, and having toned up triceps… right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha%27s_Birthday

The more I learn about Buddhism, the more I realize I don’t know.

I am 1/2 way through Buddha by Karen Armstrong.

I am realizing that my skeptical nature lead me to choose this book among the several I have collected. I wanted to understand the history and origins of Buddhism before learning more of the philosophy. I am not the sort of person who can decide to believe something without understanding it or experiencing it, and as I read Buddha I find that this skepisism was felt by Gotama as well.

In all, this is fascinating and I don’t want to do anything all weekend besides continue reading.

Buddhists seem to hold the key to eternal happiness, love, and fearlessness. I am ready to learn.

I have always loved many of the aspects of buddhism and I think there is a lot to be learned from it regardless of your beliefs.
First on my reading list is How To Practice (Dalai Lama)

I finished How to Practice by the Dalai Lama several weeks ago. I’m still trying to put my thoughts together coherently.

I think it’s safe to say that I don’t think I can reconcile Buddhism with atheism (at least on the segment of Buddhism described here). But there is plenty that I can apply to my life in Buddhism, and unlike other religions, it seems possible to take bits and pieces.

I have 2 more books that I plan to read at minimum.

I am 40 and i seem lost in my life—i have a few friends that are buddhist and I am willing to try and get my life together.

For the longest time I avoided all religions (and “religions”) because I didn’t want to read/study/learn about any gods or the moral codes one should obey – being a pure atheist worked fine for me. I’m still very much a non-believer, but the spiritual void I’ve lived in has become so vast that I’m losing myself in it. I know I can be spiritual, but religious – not so much (at all).

Buddhism started to interest me some time around last year, I think, but I never got around actually reading about it (because of other things that got all my attention), but now I’ve finally started. I’m in the middle of a book about Zen Buddhism and find it very interesting. Many of the thoughts presented in the book I notice I’ve pondered over myself at some point in my life. I’m getting more and more drawn to the way of the Buddha. It brings me inner peace when I read about and study it, without getting the feeling of pressure from “God” or gods.

I’m merely just starting my journey, but I’m very interested in knowing more. I had an inspiring discussion about spirituality in general with some of my relatives at my aunt’s birthday party last Sunday, I’d love to be able to bring a bit more to such discussions in the future, not for the sake of argument, but to share what I’ve learnt and how I feel.

I know the inner peace is already in me, but if I can find it with the help of the teachings of the Buddha, then why not. This is not about following some charismatic leader, this is about getting to know the self to forget the self.

I read a book written by Dalailama on main principles and goals of Buddhism, as well as how should a buddhist act, think or feel. I really admired the principles, however I also realised how little I am doing to abide by them – how deep am I caught in samsara.

I think, before starting meditation, I should acquire deeper understanding and knowledge of the principles (I have to accept them “myself”), and, most importantly, deep conviction of the reality of Karma and Reincarnation.