Can Buddhism help me?

We chase a mirage - seeking something, a temporary relief, from things that we think we need to achieve happiness. Money, possessions, physical pleasures, food. We can turn to drugs, alcohol and other distractions. But eventually, you may see they are just that: distractions or hindrances from what we are able to do for ourselves.

All feelings are generated within - things influence our feelings, but a feeling is a concept within ourselves. Can you see a feeling, or hear a feeling? Is it tangible? It is our perception.

That's where we can benefit from Buddhism. It is many things to many people. For many, it is a religion. � I personally consider it more of a philosophy and way of life - something that starts within.

We can learn from each other to help us improve ourselves, but ultimately, those improvements, or knowledge, come from changes we make inside.

One of the key concepts for me has been mindfulness. Paying attention to things around us and within ourselves. Mindfulness is attempting to see things as they really are. Peeling away concepts, perception and looking simply and clearly. A teacup is a teacup. It doesn�t have to be more complicated than that.

Mindfulness is a major requirement for meditation. And meditation is an absolute necessity in our practice to help focus and clear your mind. But where do you start? Trying to clear your mind from the busy sounds, sights and distractions of our complicated lives can seem like an insurmountable task. Just sitting in a quiet room isn't enough to quiet your mind from thinking about your bills, harsh words spoken by you or against you, thinking about your chores.

For me, the key to finding a way into the wonderful benefits or meditation is found in the simple words given to us by Thich Nhat Hanh. (more on this in a separate section). Teaching us to be mindful and present in the moment, he teaches us that focusing on our most basic body function can lead us down the peaceful path we need to meditate.

Concentrating on the breath, our mind clears itself. Focusing on our breath as it comes in and out, a door is opened for us to free our minds of those things that keep us from being really present for ourselves and for others, too. It takes practice, but it works. Your wandering mind will become still and focussed. The feelings of peace are being generated within yourself.

From there, you will gain confidence in yourself. And you will gain strength and confidence. By trying, you are already starting to practice and follow the Noble Eightfold Path - you are already showing Right Intention and working on Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.

I wish you well on your journey I believe we can all make a difference in this world - and it starts with something we can do for ourselves by practising mindfulness.

Comments: [email protected]