The Path to Enlightenment

[scottmandue]

This be more relevant to motion:

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

That's easy and I've said it many times here. True happiness is actively trying to make the life of the person next to you a little better whether they are family, friends or strangers. Most instances are tiny, sometimes you are blessed with bigger ones. You have to look for opportunities but they are always there, you just have to look at life a little differently. Sacrifice your own needs so that others may benefit. I urge everyone to try it, it's a lot of fun.

That's a great post - inspirational. Thanks, Shaun!

[tabs]

To follow the Shining Path and the teachings of Chairman Gonzalo.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Buddhism is less of a “religion” than a philosophy. There is no divinity, no mystical mumbo-jumbo, no hierarchy, no institution to be satisfied with tribute, none of that. It is simply a brilliant way of looking at suffering as stemming from craving and acknowledging that suffering can be ended if only one seeks to eliminate the underlying craving(s) that ultimately spawn it. I find something in studying the teachings of Buddhism that no other belief system has ever given me - a sense of truth - as in easy-to-understand, simple common sense truth without the need for obfuscated “teachings”, musty old books, fire-and-brimstone preachers or “faith” in completely intangible and impossible-to-prove principles. It’s so simple to understand and put into practice it’s almost laughable. The core beliefs (the four noble truths and the eightfold path) seem almost dumb in their simplicity.

A lot of it is about realizing and admitting ones own cravings - for material things but also things like prestige, position, power, recognition, acceptance by others, attention, etc. Only by lowering one’s expectations to nothing or nearly nothing can one really rid themselves of cravings and therefore, suffering. There’s simply no way around it. The moment you say “well, I still want X” there is craving and by extension, suffering. Where a particular person chooses to draw that line for themselves (i.e. how much suffering they’re willing to accept) is up to them. Not everyone is expected to become a Shaolin monk.

It is a fascinating belief system and way of thinking that I wish would take hold in a more mainstream way. There is simply nobody I can think of who wouldn’t benefit from giving serious consideration to what it teaches and the change in attitude / mindset it almost inevitably creates.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Baz

That's a great post - inspirational. Thanks, Shaun!

Thanks Baz, appreciate it coming from who I consider the happiest person on this board. You should definitely tell us your secret!

[R K T]

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by Jims5543

I know nothing about the religion. My neighbor around the corner, another car guy is a Buddhist. He just traded his 700HP Twin Turbo 911 for a newer Turbo 911.

Either he does not follow his religion to the T. Someday I will ask. Every time I stop to talk to him it is typically about cars, I always leave impressed by how mellow he is.

Next time I will ask him about his Buddha statues all over his front garden. Maybe I am assuming too much. Maybe he just likes the statues.

Porsches (full boat Porsches) and a yard full of Buddha statues. Is he taking a page from Creflow Dollar's playbook?

[JD159]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Buddhism is less of a “religion” than a philosophy. There is no divinity, no mystical mumbo-jumbo, no hierarchy, no institution to be satisfied with tribute, none of that. It is simply a brilliant way of looking at suffering as stemming from craving and acknowledging that suffering can be ended if only one seeks to eliminate the underlying craving(s) that ultimately spawn it. I find something in studying the teachings of Buddhism that no other belief system has ever given me - a sense of truth - as in easy-to-understand, simple common sense truth without the need for obfuscated “teachings”, musty old books, fire-and-brimstone preachers or “faith” in completely intangible and impossible-to-prove principles. It’s so simple to understand and put into practice it’s almost laughable. The core beliefs (the four noble truths and the eightfold path) seem almost dumb in their simplicity.

A lot of it is about realizing and admitting ones own cravings - for material things but also things like prestige, position, power, recognition, acceptance by others, attention, etc. Only by lowering one’s expectations to nothing or nearly nothing can one really rid themselves of cravings and therefore, suffering. There’s simply no way around it. The moment you say “well, I still want X” there is craving and by extension, suffering. Where a particular person chooses to draw that line for themselves (i.e. how much suffering they’re willing to accept) is up to them. Not everyone is expected to become a Shaolin monk.

It is a fascinating belief system and way of thinking that I wish would take hold in a more mainstream way. There is simply nobody I can think of who wouldn’t benefit from giving serious consideration to what it teaches and the change in attitude / mindset it almost inevitably creates.

If people didn't want X, nothing we have today would exist. Wanting leads to progress. I welcome cravings and hope that my society does as well. Why live at all if your objective is to deny your own humanity?

[vash]

Inner peace.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by vash

Inner peace.

Oh no wuhat a concept. So what does this inner peace consist of? So that I might see if I have some of it already lyeing about.

[scottmandue]

Visualize whirled peas!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by JD159

If people didn't want X, nothing we have today would exist. Wanting leads to progress. I welcome cravings and hope that my society does as well. Why live at all if your objective is to deny your own humanity?

Nobody’s passing judgment but if you invite wants / cravings then you also invite all the suffering that goes with it. The two are linked and there’s simply no getting around it. I suspect for most people there is a willingness to accept some suffering and inner conflict for some craving. The path to inner peace certainly doesn’t lie in a big bank account, flashy car, McMansion, job title or even list of personal accomplishments however. Those things have value but they also create pain - both for us and for others. Just consider what you do and the cost to your own true happiness, that’s all. Most people (particularly those in western societies) do not.

I guess that’s how I’d consider it and try to. I’ve found a lot of joy in simplifying my life, getting away from the “climb the corporate ladder” ratrace mentality and not being so competitive about everything. Of course being around folks that really enjoy life and in a beautiful / peaceful place that’s not such a grind anymore helps with that too. At least for me.

Ambition isn’t all bad or evil - it just has its price and that price can be pretty insidious.

Some of the happiest people I know are those with the least to show by our western / ‘mercian standards. By contrast I’ve worked at (and been) a very high-functioning, driven, type A but truly, deeply miserable inside. Many “religions” teach that the path to salvation lies through suffering. I don’t believe that at all and Buddhism certainly doesn’t teach it either - rather that the path to true peace and happiness and enlightenment is the result of eliminating suffering. Ironically this is pretty similar to what Jesus taught (Christianity) too (“sell all you have and come follow me” - Buddhism might suggest “sell most of what you have and do more for others” rather than “follow me”, but it’s not too far off) but that message is completely lost on most so-called Christians these days it seems.

Just consider it. That’s all. Best of luck on your path.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Watched this recently:

https://www.netflix.com/title/80185801


Studied Socrates in college. Although I watched this thinking it would be a good review of him (and it did have some good insight into how his methods were not well received in the changing political climate he lived in), I found the episodes on "The Buddha" especially interesting. If you can get past the series presenter's ever present presence, this series is a quick and accessible review of these three trains of thought.

[berettafan]

Contentment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[recycled sixtie]

A road trip or overseas trip frees up the mind from our normal surroundings. Besides a moving target is harder to hit than one standing still. Keep walking, cycling or running and do what the body was designed to do.

I drove my daughter to her hairdresser's place yesterday and she was there six hours. That was the longest time she had been away from her baby since the baby was borne six weeks ago.

I learned from that you should not take your freedom for granted.....

[RKDinOKC]

"To find your path to enlightenment you start by defining enlightenment. That determines the direction to start looking." —RKDinOKC

Is enlightenment happiness, calmness, zen, detachment from possessions, accumulating possessions, being centered, at peace, these have all been described here so far.

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Buddhism is less of a “religion” than a philosophy.

Thank you for taking the time to post this information. Buddhism and Hinduism have both been in my periphery for a while now, the wife and I have discussed learning about them more. Being raised christian in 2 different versions of Christianity I developed a disdain for it about 10 years ago. I walked away from all religion about 6 years ago.

Now that I am no longer being told how to think or worship I find other religions or philosophies regarding spirituality interesting and want to learn more about them. You might be the push I needed to start exploring now and stop putting it off.

She wants to sign up for some transcendental meditation instruction. I know I would benefit from it as would both our sons.

Thanks Motion, see!! Everything has not been covered on here.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’ve come to the realization in my life that stuff doesn’t bring happiness. Experiences, moments, sharing with people I love, that is happiness. Cars are great but they can be fairly selfish in the enjoyment that they bring. For me I’m finding that I enjoy shared moments better. It’s why I’m selling cars, bought a bigger boat, and am paying off my house. I want to be able to fully enjoy the experiences that life brings, particularly while my kids are still at home.

[Por_sha911]

Let's start with understanding the situation.

The words of the Teacher,
a son of David, king in Jerusalem:

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”

What do people gain from all their labors
at which they toil under the sun?

Generations come and generations go,
but the earth remains forever.

The sun rises and the sun sets,
and hurries back to where it rises.

The wind blows to the south
and turns to the north;
round and round it goes,
ever returning on its course.

All streams flow into the sea,
yet the sea is never full.
To the place the streams come from,
there they return again.

All things are wearisome,
more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing,
nor the ear its fill of hearing.

What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Is there anything of which one can say,
“Look! This is something new”?
It was here already, long ago;
it was here before our time.

The rest of the book is the enlightenment.

[red-beard]

I always said GE used the Zen Buddhist managerial style:

We were asked impossible questions, then beaten with sticks if we couldn't answer properly...