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What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:28 am
by zAnt
Greetings,

I have been introduced to Buddhism for about 2 years now, and I have made many pushes towards it, but I can never find my self to continue with it. It always fades away for me. I like Buddhism, but it's hard to find sources to study teachings, or even learn about the different types of Buddhism.

I've been searching, but I can only find the basics of Buddhism. There is no definite starting point, and I need a guide, because I can't do this alone.

I come from a Christian family, and have been Christian for my younger years. Then i devoted two years to Wicca, which I didn't enjoy. I've been atheist for majority of my life and I see Buddhism as the key to happiness.

I know the basics of Buddhism, I know the basics of meditation. But I want to be taught more. I want to be self sufficient. I want to be happy.

Re: What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:42 am
by viniketa
Sometimes these boards tend to hide things... so, you may or may not have seen this thread:

Buddhism Resources
http://dharmawheel.net/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=2984" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Best wishes.

:namaste:

Re: What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:43 am
by Konchog1
For Tibetan Buddhism study the "Lam Rim" texts

Here's a Lam Rim summary: http://tinyurl.com/96xonl2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Here's a short Lam Rim: http://tinyurl.com/93dp4jc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
For a fully fleshed out Lam Rim buy the three Book "The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment" set.

Re: What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:50 pm
by catmoon
You want to be happy, read "Healing Anger" by the Dalai Lama, and hop over to Wildmind and do the guided meditations. Then you'll be happy. Or well on your way to it.

Re: What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:12 pm
by lobster
zAnt wrote:I know the basics of Buddhism, I know the basics of meditation. But I want to be taught more. I want to be self sufficient. I want to be happy.
Seems reasonable. :smile:
However you only want it for a bit. Then you get bored, distracted and wimp out? So we need some general purpose teaching to strengthen resolve? Seems my situation too . . . :reading:

How about this, let's hope it works . . .
http://youtu.be/SPpzKQPhV2E

Re: What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:39 pm
by philji
Dear Zant,
A couple of points in your post which lead me to believe you are on the right track.
One..you recognise that you need a guide
Two....you want to be happy, this is a basic recognition that all beings want to be happy and free from suffering but our actions caused through ignorance lead us in the opposite direction.
Good luck with your search.

Re: What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 2:57 am
by kirtu
Hi zAnt!

Initially read the life stories of great Buddhist masters beginning with Shakyamuni Buddha.

Kirt

Re: What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 12:41 pm
by seeker242
It's hard to go wrong with a daily breathing meditation practice. That's a great activity for anyone, regardless if they are just starting off or very experienced. :smile:

Re: What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 2:34 pm
by Thomas Amundsen
kirtu wrote:Hi zAnt!

Initially read the life stories of great Buddhist masters beginning with Shakyamuni Buddha.

Kirt
I concur with this recommendation.

Re: What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:17 am
by zAnt
I have more of a question for you guys now.

Me being an atheist, I've found myself not governed to moral codes or ethics. I've noticed today that I am a mean, judgmental person, corrupted with luxuries and pleasures. Even with all of this, I am not truly happy. I only found potential "highs" when I'm with friends or drowning myself in entertainment.

I want this to end. I want to be a good human, with respect for life. I don't want to be so desensitized to all situations. Will Buddhism cure my sickness? Or are there extra steps to take, since I'm so far in the hole.

Re: What are good books/sites/activities to start off?

Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:30 am
by Konchog1
zAnt wrote:I have more of a question for you guys now.

Me being an atheist, I've found myself not governed to moral codes or ethics. I've noticed today that I am a mean, judgmental person, corrupted with luxuries and pleasures. Even with all of this, I am not truly happy. I only found potential "highs" when I'm with friends or drowning myself in entertainment.

I want this to end. I want to be a good human, with respect for life. I don't want to be so desensitized to all situations. Will Buddhism cure my sickness? Or are there extra steps to take, since I'm so far in the hole.
Oh yes.

You should reflect on and observe:
The first two Noble Truths: Life is unsatisfying and this is because of craving.
Impermanence: Everything ends. Furthermore, every second everything has decayed by one second.
Cause and effect. Everything exists because of something else.

Thus you should enjoy pleasure while not craving it or clinging to it and keep karma in mind at all times. Craving and clinging doesn't make sense, because everything ends thus suffering arises when your pleasures end. Also, Karma is simply cause and effect.

Please feel free to post questions on the forum or PM me. There are no stupid questions.