I can only remember two statements from 'Buddhism'
1. "My teachings are to only be a temporary raft for you on your journey, not an enslavement" apparently attributed to the Buddha
2. "Before Zen, it's chop wood and carry water; after Zen, it's chop wood and carry water" goodness knows where I go that from
I find 'meditation' beneficial in assisting me with some arthritic pain that I have (reducing the amount of medication necessary) But beyond a relaxation technique and stress relief I can't say....getting to heavenly realms via meditation??? I don't think so.
I enjoy my life here and now. I'm too long in the tooth to be worried about much, least of all guilt (I think I ditched that somewhere on the road along with -can't, shouldn't/ should and couldn't) If that is Hedonistic (as i have been accused of being) then so be it. I do what I can when I can.
Sounds to me that 'Buddhism' is getting very "religious" these days.
1. "My teachings are to only be a temporary raft for you on your journey, not an enslavement" apparently attributed to the Buddha
2. "Before Zen, it's chop wood and carry water; after Zen, it's chop wood and carry water" goodness knows where I go that from
I find 'meditation' beneficial in assisting me with some arthritic pain that I have (reducing the amount of medication necessary) But beyond a relaxation technique and stress relief I can't say....getting to heavenly realms via meditation??? I don't think so.
I enjoy my life here and now. I'm too long in the tooth to be worried about much, least of all guilt (I think I ditched that somewhere on the road along with -can't, shouldn't/ should and couldn't) If that is Hedonistic (as i have been accused of being) then so be it. I do what I can when I can.
Sounds to me that 'Buddhism' is getting very "religious" these days.
"The Universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest." G'Kar-B5