What are common mistakes that beginners make?

[Wesley1982]

What are common mistakes that beginners make?

[zerwe]

To try to take on too many practices or studies at the same time.
Shaun

[justsit]

Expecting instant results.

[Mr. G]

Not relaxing.

[conebeckham]

For those not raised in Buddhist culture, being too quick to see Dharma through the lens of of their own faith or metaphysics.

Inevitable, to some degree, perhaps, but nevertheless it's a good idea to try to take things on their own terms, or resist the urge to simplify by seeking correspondences with what one knows.

[kirtu]

Thinking they're enlightened.

Kirt

[Jinzang]

Placing too much significance on random stuff that happens when they meditate. Their left toe twitches and they think it's shaktipat.

[Andrew108]

Wanting to become part of an organization.

[conebeckham]

Ha Ha, Andrew! Good one, and true.
Conversely, "Not wanting to become part of an organization" can be a mistake too!
(You take my meaning?)

[Andrew108]

Hi Cone - yep I get it. True I think. It's a fine line.

[greentreee]

perhaps not so much a mistake, but something that may lead to the cause of mistakes, is having a lack of sincerity.

[practitioner]

Trying to teach their understanding of Buddhism to others.

[SooYiMongSeng]

Practicioner, could you please extrapolate your statement further for me?

I'm not sure what you mean by "teaching?" In my mind, i'm confusing it with sharing experience, preaching, being a false teacher, holding oneself in a high position, etc. I would like to have clarification.

[Seishin]

Telling the teacher they are wrong.

[plwk]

Start collecting statues, malas, cute mala bags, brocades, books, incense and etc more than one's shelves and drawers can fit...

[dharmagoat]

Start collecting statues, malas, cute mala bags, brocades, books, incense and etc more than one's shelves and drawers can fit...

Not a problem, just get more shelves and drawers.

[dharmagoat]

I have a common mistake that beginners make: Trying to be Tibetan... or Japanese, or Thai, or Sri Lankan, or Korean... but especially Tibetan.

[Simon E.]

Rejecting even the positives in their cultural heritage and becoming pretend Tibetans/Japanese/Thais/Chinese. ( Or of course pretend westerners. )
" Eating -with- Chopsticks Syndrome " as Chime Rinpoche calls it.

[Simon E.]

"Great minds think alike " Dharmagoat.

[plwk]

I have a common mistake that beginners make: Trying to be Tibetan... or Japanese, or Thai, or Sri Lankan, or Korean... but especially Tibetan.

Hey at least one gets to learn the tea ceremony to impress that gal and K Pop is planetary phenomena!