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- Glen
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Hello!
OP - May 10, 2009, 05:56 PM

Hi people just thought id say hi!

My name is Glen and im from the UK.

Im not a muslim but i have been following buddhism for a 6months.

I like all religious discussion and you all seem open to good debate! I found this site through Hassans youtube videos!

Peace and love!

Glen
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Re: Hello!
Reply #1 - May 10, 2009, 05:58 PM

Welcome to the forum Glen. What made you turn to Buddhism?

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Reply #2 - May 10, 2009, 05:59 PM

Welcome to the forum Glen

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Reply #3 - May 10, 2009, 05:59 PM

Glen!

World renowned historian Will Durant"...the Islamic conquest of India is probably the bloodiest story in history. It is a discouraging tale, for its evident moral is that civilization is a precious good, whose delicate complex order and freedom can at any moment be overthrown..."
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Reply #4 - May 10, 2009, 06:14 PM

Thanks guys!!

what got me into buddhism firstly was i felt i always had those questions, you know, whats it all about, what is my mind? all that 'seeker' type stuff! lol

Anyway i got interested in buddhism through doing martial arts, i just read about it really.

But i felt i needed something to give me some guidence on life, not just a book, bible or quran to read with orders in, but buddhism attracted me because it stays away from that but has within its guidence actual ways to become a nicer person, to have a peaceful mind, after all its all good for the bible to tell us to love but it dont help us tell how!!

So i just went to a few meditation sessions and the people were so friendly there. So i like buddhism for a few reasons personal to me;

1 - meditation

2 - open mindedness - the whole way is tolerance

3 - the other buddhists ive met have been very warm and kind people

4 - there is no 'thou shalt not' and no sins just compassionate understanding...oh and no GOD!!! lol

well actually its ok to believe in god and still take the advice of the Buddha.
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Re: Hello!
Reply #5 - May 10, 2009, 06:20 PM

Welcome Glen!
I was actually reading about Buddhism recently and everything I've read so far tells me it's a beautiful, great philosophy. I really hesitate to call it a religion because I think its mentality is far higher than all other major religions. I love how open-minded it is, and how it teaches people to think for themselves.

"when you've got thousands of hadith/sunnah and a book like the Qur'an where abrogation is propagated by some; anyone with a grudge and some time on their hands can find something to confirm what ever they wish"- Kaiwai
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Re: Hello!
Reply #6 - May 10, 2009, 06:29 PM

Quote from: Glen on May 10, 2009, 05:56 PM
Hi people just thought id say hi!

My name is Glen and im from the UK.

Im not a muslim but i have been following buddhism for a 6months.

I like all religious discussion and you all seem open to good debate! I found this site through Hassans youtube videos!

Peace and love!

Glen

Welcome, Glen
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Re: Hello!
Reply #7 - May 10, 2009, 06:30 PM

Quote from: AlmostAisha on May 10, 2009, 06:20 PM
Welcome Glen!
I was actually reading about Buddhism recently and everything I've read so far tells me it's a beautiful, great philosophy. I really hesitate to call it a religion because I think its mentality is far higher than all other major religions. I love how open-minded it is, and how it teaches people to think for themselves.

Yeh i see it for me personally as more a life philosophy.

Im new to it, but the meditation has helped me to be more at peace and realise what is more important in life.

I personally love Thich Nhat Hanh, when i watch his videos on youtube he warms my soul!
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Re: Hello!
Reply #8 - May 10, 2009, 06:32 PM

Quote from: Hassan on May 10, 2009, 06:29 PM
Quote from: Glen on May 10, 2009, 05:56 PM
Hi people just thought id say hi!

My name is Glen and im from the UK.

Im not a muslim but i have been following buddhism for a 6months.

I like all religious discussion and you all seem open to good debate! I found this site through Hassans youtube videos!

Peace and love!

Glen

Welcome, Glen

Thanks Hassan!
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Re: Hello!
Reply #9 - May 10, 2009, 06:33 PM

Welcome Glen

Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit.
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Re: Hello!
Reply #10 - May 10, 2009, 06:40 PM

Quote from: Glen on May 10, 2009, 06:30 PM
Yeh i see it for me personally as more a life philosophy.

Im new to it, but the meditation has helped me to be more at peace and realise what is more important in life.

I personally love Thich Nhat Hanh, when i watch his videos on youtube he warms my soul!

Aw, could you link a good one?

I like the idea of meditation but I don't think I have that ability to quiet my mind and slow down my thoughts enough to be able to do it.

"when you've got thousands of hadith/sunnah and a book like the Qur'an where abrogation is propagated by some; anyone with a grudge and some time on their hands can find something to confirm what ever they wish"- Kaiwai
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Reply #11 - May 10, 2009, 06:43 PM

Quote from: AlmostAisha on May 10, 2009, 06:40 PM

I like the idea of meditation but I don't think I have that ability to quiet my mind and slow down my thoughts enough to be able to do it.

That's the problem I have - that and I couldn't do it straight away so gave up (I really am very lazy )
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Reply #12 - May 10, 2009, 06:53 PM

Hey i was the same!lol

But what i didnt know to begin with is this is a good thing.

Try just sitting for 5-10 mins a day and just taking note of all the things that comeup in your head...what your doing tomorrow, how some guy cut you up at the roundabout, how you have still to pack your bag for tomorrow, then as each thought comes up try to identify it and see what feelings come along with it...

Then later if you have another 5-10mins try and investigate all these thigs that race through your mind and the feelings they bring, did they make you angry? restless? happy? and just look right to the root of it all, kind of makes it easier to let go of things more.

It takes time but it can be done!

Might help to start might not!! lol
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Reply #13 - May 10, 2009, 06:54 PM

Same here almost aisha and hassan lol my mind is always buzzing with thoughts. I have been told though that even sitting still and calming myself and just following the thoughts where they lead me with my eyes closed will give me a relaxed effect too.

I'm just too busy/lazy/apathetic to try.

Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit.
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Re: Hello!
Reply #14 - May 10, 2009, 06:58 PM

Quote from: AlmostAisha on May 10, 2009, 06:40 PM
Quote from: Glen on May 10, 2009, 06:30 PM
Yeh i see it for me personally as more a life philosophy.

Im new to it, but the meditation has helped me to be more at peace and realise what is more important in life.

I personally love Thich Nhat Hanh, when i watch his videos on youtube he warms my soul!

Aw, could you link a good one?

I like the idea of meditation but I don't think I have that ability to quiet my mind and slow down my thoughts enough to be able to do it.

Sure there are a few!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aubF7v-MlMM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXQhspVJKxY&feature=related

Hes a gem!
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Re: Hello!
Reply #15 - May 10, 2009, 07:10 PM

Quote from: Glen on May 10, 2009, 05:56 PM
Hi people just thought id say hi!

My name is Glen and im from the UK.

Im not a muslim but i have been following buddhism for a 6months.

I like all religious discussion and you all seem open to good debate! I found this site through Hassans youtube videos!

Peace and love!

Glen

Glen and

...
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Re: Hello!
Reply #16 - May 10, 2009, 07:23 PM

I did Yoga for many years, just the physical part of it.

As you may know, you end the exercises with Sau Asana (sp ?) total relaxation ( which I found difficult in the beginning - got impatient).

So there you are, lying on your mat, covered by a warm blanket, the instructor, starting with your feet tells you to relax, feel that your feet are warm and let that warmth spread up through your calves, tells you that your limbs feel heavy and relaxed and so on and so forth until she reaches the top of your head. It is all very soothing. She also tells you that whatever worries you had when you arrived, you are to push aside and sort of blank out your mind and just lie there and relax. Well usually we just fell asleep, which you are not supposed to do.

Before I started doing Yoga I would have sworn, that I could not fall asleep lying flat on my back I usually had to lie on my stomach to fall asleep, but after a while - no problem.

Oh, and the relaxation also started with some breathing exercises and when you have to concentrate on following the counting, you cannot think of anything else, so perhaps BE and Hassan Yoga might be something for you .

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Reply #17 - May 10, 2009, 07:25 PM

I'm definately interested in trying yoga, I may go and check out the classes down the road. I tried tai chi but the teacher was a fruitcake and I felt very uncomfortable with him so I quit.

Inhale the good shit, exhale the bullshit.
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Re: Hello!
Reply #18 - May 10, 2009, 07:27 PM

Quote from: Glen on May 10, 2009, 06:58 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aubF7v-MlMM

This one reminds me of when I discovered the blue sky and white clouds while tripping with some friends and I suddenly said, "Look at the sky! It's fucking AMAZING!"

Everyone agreed it was indeed "Fucking AMAZING!" (Those exact words were used - several times lol)
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Re: Hello!
Reply #19 - May 10, 2009, 07:35 PM

Paloma;

yes a lot, if of not all meditations start off that way, trying to bring awarness to the body, relaxing and feeling where any pains are and what feelings are residing in our heart area.

When i go to bed after reading or a little TV i always do this a little and im out light a light! lol

Hassan!!

Yes ive had that many times although more so after a few beers, worst one was when i was at ayres rock in australia, because its so dark there you can see the milky way and all the stars, we were camping and id had a few beers and was a little merry then i looked up and was tripped out by what i saw! lol! it had been dark for 5 hours and i hadnt looked up once! lol
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Reply #20 - May 10, 2009, 08:09 PM

@ Paloma: that sounds so soothing! just reading your description makes me want to try it. we'll see where i can get. haha i can totally see myself falling asleep though... i once fell asleep while getting a facial lol. it had been a pretty sleepless week and the music and lighting was just awfully calming... i woke up pretty embarassed but so rested

@ Glen: thanks for the videos! i'll watch them later, gotta go for mother's day celebrations now

"when you've got thousands of hadith/sunnah and a book like the Qur'an where abrogation is propagated by some; anyone with a grudge and some time on their hands can find something to confirm what ever they wish"- Kaiwai
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Reply #21 - May 11, 2009, 12:53 AM

Hi Glen.

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Reply #22 - May 11, 2009, 02:45 AM

Quote from: Glen on May 10, 2009, 06:58 PM
Sure there are a few!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aubF7v-MlMM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXQhspVJKxY&feature=related

Hes a gem!

Wow, agreed

what a breath of fresh air to listen to, thank you

"when you've got thousands of hadith/sunnah and a book like the Qur'an where abrogation is propagated by some; anyone with a grudge and some time on their hands can find something to confirm what ever they wish"- Kaiwai
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Re: Hello!
Reply #23 - May 11, 2009, 03:39 AM

Welcome welcome.

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Reply #24 - May 11, 2009, 06:20 AM

Welcome Glen,

"Ask the slave girl; she will tell you the truth.' So the Apostle called Burayra to ask her. Ali got up and gave her a violent beating first, saying, 'Tell the Apostle the truth.'"
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Reply #25 - May 11, 2009, 06:33 AM

Welcome Glen!

I too love Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings. Also, I have studied and would recommend wonderful teachers like Pema Chodron, Matthieu Ricard, Osho and Eckhart Tolle.

I agree that Zen Buddhism at least is more of a state of mind and a way to experience consciousness without bounds, labels and dualism, and not a "religion". There are many though who practice Buddhism as a religion and that I find to be quite contrary to what Gautama Buddha himself taught: "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

In any case, I find many Zen Buddhist teachings to be agnostic/atheist/existentialist enough for my tastes.

"Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused."
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