Buddhism for Beginners
by Thea Knight
Give up thinking about myself? Only care for others? What are these mysterious eastern mantras?
Growing up in a home with undefined religious values, I have always had a niggling curiosity about the spiritual world.
So last week I went to a Buddhism introduction evening. One of those things you hear about, think about going to, but put off until the undefined ‘later’.
On offer was a religion which goes against everything Western society has taught me.
Buddhism asks you to stop ‘self cherishing’ and put others before yourself and only once you master this will you reach true happiness.
Although I knew that the money centered happiness capitalist society sells isn’t real, I had always thought happiness would come from what I did for me.
Buddhism teaches that you feel real joy when you let go of all your rules and truly enjoy the happiness of others.
An example I could relate to was parenthood. Many people say parenthood is the most fulfilling time in their lives. This is a time when people have to give up their own needs and put someone else first.
I have begun to watch how selfish people are when they move around in public places. People are often unaware of those around them and rush around believing their needs are more important than others. It does make me happy when I let other people in the line ahead of me, or stop to help the tourist looking lost.
I was not looking for a life changing experience but a different perspective, and I did get this. Most of all I recognised that I could get over myself a little as it’s strangely liberating to realise you just aren’t that important.
If you are interested in attending one of these classes visit www.meditate.org.nz