The a few years ago, I started noticing Buddhism. At first it was watching a documentary on the Dalai Lama on the History Channel. Then in my1st year of Nursing I noticed a classmate reading "Making The Mind an Ally", By Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. I asked the girl what she thought of the book, and she told me that it was about meditation, but she found meditation to be incredibly boring. Then a month or so later, I saw an article in one of the Student nurse journals regarding relaxation techniques. Meditation was prominently featured, and I read it with great interest. So, I started to try my hand at meditation. I found it difficult, but having read about the potential benefits (better focus, less nervousness) I committed myself to work at it. I also bought myself a copy of the Sakyong's book, and voraciously read it. This began my path to the teaching of the Buddha. I read everything I could get my hands on regarding Buddhism, and decided to begin a practice at home, which I continue to this day. Now, I know that I really should be visiting a meditation center and become part of the Sangha (followers of the teachings of the Buddha), and I intend to do that, but only as I feel comfortable with the idea. I still read & view all that I can find on the Dharma (Teachings) and I meditate everyday for at least 10-15 minutes, but mostly I do about 30 minutes/day.I am also a member of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, which I give to regularly. I don't know that all Buddhists would consider me much of a follower, but I'm still working on it.
An interesting insight was afforded to me recently when I mentioned to my mother that I considered myself to be Buddhist. Mom is pretty much an agnostic, but seemed interested in what Buddhism was about, and I explained (not very well) what I knew of it. Sometime later, she had mentioned my conversion to my brother who apparently thought it was humorous. Now, my brother had himself converted to Roman Catholicism some years earlier when he married his wife, something that only recently I found that my late father quietly but immensely disapproved of. My father, raised as a Baptist, had issues with Catholicism (the reasons for which I never did learn) but kept his disapproval a secret to all but Mom. Anyway, Mom told my brother of this fact and also told him that he might consider allowing me to practice my own religion in my own way, just as Dad had done for him. Very Buddhist, in her own way.
Combining My religious practice and nursing also seems a perfect fit. Buddhists aim to end suffering and Nurses do the same, except in a different manner. So, I believe for the 1st time in my life my being and my life are in synchronization.
Namaste'
An interesting insight was afforded to me recently when I mentioned to my mother that I considered myself to be Buddhist. Mom is pretty much an agnostic, but seemed interested in what Buddhism was about, and I explained (not very well) what I knew of it. Sometime later, she had mentioned my conversion to my brother who apparently thought it was humorous. Now, my brother had himself converted to Roman Catholicism some years earlier when he married his wife, something that only recently I found that my late father quietly but immensely disapproved of. My father, raised as a Baptist, had issues with Catholicism (the reasons for which I never did learn) but kept his disapproval a secret to all but Mom. Anyway, Mom told my brother of this fact and also told him that he might consider allowing me to practice my own religion in my own way, just as Dad had done for him. Very Buddhist, in her own way.
Combining My religious practice and nursing also seems a perfect fit. Buddhists aim to end suffering and Nurses do the same, except in a different manner. So, I believe for the 1st time in my life my being and my life are in synchronization.
Namaste'
