Is any one Buddhist here? Do you find it difficult to practice....?

Question

the non attachment part when everything you deal with in your daily life is totally the opposite to it? I understand the non grabbling but sometimes you need to grab to achieve or to accomplish. It's the heart and mind you need to set in order to perform an absolute job. Therefore, I find myself feeling ambivalent and confused sometimes. Thank you for your answer in advance.

Answer 1

Non-attachment isn't something you should try to force yourself into... it should come by default as you practice and meditate on the concept of the emptiness of things.

Think of it this way: It's not about getting rid of everything absolutely all at once... it's about not getting all riled up when something goes wrong, the item breaks, the person dies, etc. (whatever it is that you think you're grasping at). You reflect on the emptiness of the object and it's impermanence and you see it correctly. You don't NEED to grasp anything and be overly attached to accomplish anything... you can USE the item, see it, work with it/them, etc. but when all is said and done you can let it go without having a "tantrum" (we'll say) IF you've developed a calm mind that is aware of the person or objects emptiness.

There's a difference between grasping and attachment and interaction with someone or something in order to accomplish a task. My favorite teachers always use the fine example of the boat... you need a boat to cross the body of water you seek to journey over, but when you get to the other side you leave it at the shore when you know you don't need it anymore... you don't carry it across dry land with you. Get it? USE vs. ATTACHMENT?

Hope this helps some

_()_

Answer 2

I know for me, I don't think I could practice Buddhism to it's fullest extent, because it seems like the end result would be complete detactment from everything. I find the same paradox - is my thinking it would be too much to handle only because I'm attached to what is ultimately an illusion? But where does that leave family? Friends?

I don't know if this helps, but it helps me to think that the true goal of the Buddha was to find a way to free one from suffering. And even if complete non-attachment is the end result, to go all the way when you're not ready doesn't end your suffering, it increases it. Buddhism (for me) has been like a swimming pool that I've had to wade into, not dive. When I was used to my knees being wet, I was then ready for the waist, etc. My first step in the water was just comtemplating the transient nature of all things, the size of the universe, the epocs of time that are behind and it front of us. Just those thoughts naturally start to disolve the importance of anything in my "little world" without me trying to achieve any realizations.

I don't go to a Buddhist temple or "practice" to any great degree. I find Buddhism to be a philosophy that is in accord with the true reality of things and a kind of guidepost for living in the moment. It sounds so cliche, but the closer I get to really doing that, the happier I become and the infinite beauty of this universe is there in the present only. And, ironically, ofcourse, it's always here, every moment, all the time. It's all there is. :)

The best book I ever read on Buddhism is by Steve Hagen called "Buddhism: Plain and Simple". Don't know if you've read it, but it's really great. Anyways, hope my two cents was helpful.

Answer 3

Yeah, I know what you are saying.

Society has a different motivation than an individual who doesn't associate themselves to the things they "own". Society tells you you are what you have. I think it comes from the nature of being human-people love to compare, and need a scale to judge by.
Personally, I have stuff, and I would like to have a big house and a car that drives nice. I want those things because they are practical, and if I get them, I will try to remember that I am not those things. Attachment is about associating yourself with your possessions, having things is good, (even a bird wants the best nest he can have). I don't know if I answered your question, hope so.

PS- I have a similar difficulty. In society, people are self promoting , and I try not to brag about anything. I'm realizing that I do need to self promote a little. It's just a game anyway. Why not play.

Answer 4

It is indeed very hard. That's why it's better to live one's life as simple and plain (with less complicated people and things) as possible. So you'll have less distractions and less chances of generation of negativities. This is also why Buddha teaches meditation. Meditation will help you feel detach, to let go of not only the material things but also emotional attachment (anger, greed, jealousy, pride,etc.) Practicing meditation will help you to grab to achieve and at the same time you'll still be able to feel balanced. Meditation will help you stay center and not loose the peace within in whatever you do.
I don't know if you practice meditation. If you don't, I really recommend that you go to a meditation center. They have meditation centers all over the world own by S.N Goenka. He is a very good teacher.

Answer 5

Buddhist does not translate well into the western culture, that is true. The Buddhist life in one not spend trying to achieve status, but peace. There is a conflict trying to do both. I am not judging your life, I am just saying strictly follow Buddhist is impossible if you want any type of comfort or possession in the real world. Currently I live in Asia. I have visited the Buddhist monastery. There guys live for nothing more than to achieve enlightenment. So try and modify the tenants a bit. Follow the spirit if not the law of Buddhism. Seek peace in all things. Do not judge the actions of others, but rather work on fixing yourself. And do not look for happiness in an external source. It is inside you always....find it and celebrate that.

Answer 6

Well, do long as you live in the world that is going to be difficult.

Unless you do become a nun, then there is no way to avoid some attachment. I think it's a question of not allowing those attachments becoming more important than anything else.

I am sorry you had so many stupid answers..

Go well.

Answer 7

attempting to be a Buddhist remains attempting. it incredibly is the main significant conundrum Buddhists could face. Wishing to do away with prefer remains prefer. My advice? loosen up, do no longer take it so heavily. Zen Buddhists in specific do no longer think of you could try for enlightenment. that's basically a contradiction. you could open your self up for enlightenment. it incredibly is the superb you're able to do. suffering against your self remains suffering. some people have been working in the direction of for some years. what's some months? in my opinion, I surely have got here across with time this concern would desire to no longer be conquer, a minimum of no longer that i will see. that's why Taoism has grow to be extra representative of my non secular perspectives, in spite of the reality that Zen remains this kind of Buddhism i will perceive with extra easily. Their answer has to do with vacancy - no longer forming a thought which would be recognized as striving in the direction of enlightenment. you will no longer be able to regard it as accomplishment; there isn't any accomplishment in meditation. it incredibly is the main suitable secret.

Answer 8

You really need to consult with a Buddhist monk (Bikku) to get the right answers.

Answer 9

Yeah, all that non-grabbling just drove me f*cking crazy and then one day i just freaking exploded! Much easier to just grabble now and then. Who cares really... The more you try not to grabble the more you'll end up grabbling. Like trying to grasp water.

Weed helps. But don't grabble over it like some damn silly hippie.

Answer 10

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