Hi Katrina,
Welcome. You seem to have come to the right place if you are interested in Buddhism and how it can help you with issues including weight loss. I have read extensively, practice with a group in the Virgin Islands, and find it most rewarding. It has really improved upon what I learned as a child growing up in a very peace-loving Catholic home. Hope you will continue to pursue and/or write to us. We have much to share here. Best of luck, Cathy
Cathy, I would love it if you would share the names & authors of your "fabulous books on Buddhism".
Quote:
There are some fabulous books for applying Buddhism in the western world that do not compromise any of the tenets. If you are interested I will be glad to share titles, etc.
If you prefer you can PM me.
The lastest book I bought was "Zen for Dummies". They have dummies books for everything!
Sadly I get busy with life and don't "pay attention" nearly as much as I should. I have always been interested in Buddhism but have always feared ( I know, I know ) that I don't have the dedication it requires. I have two Buddha statues that I love and have even tried chanting. Hmmmm, now that I wrote that I realize I haven't done it in awhile and did enjoy and feel the benefits.
Hello and happy to hear from you. I started to look for books, then thought I might have to divide them up according to theme and purpose that I used them for. Of course, depending on your level-needs, you are free to use them as you wish. I started with a secular for of meditation in a formal class with a master from Puerto Rico, who'd studied in India. But I just was not getting it. So off I went and did what I do best, learn from books. The first two I used are: Easwaran, "Meditation," Easwaran, "Mantram Handbook." Nilgiri press. Both have a mild eclectic religious approach, some humor, that can be applied without belonging or believing at all. The book that sent me over the edge, being a former catholic is: Marcus Borg, "Jesus and Buddha The Parallel Sayings." For meditation per se, I have also by Khenchen Thrangu, "The Practice of Tranquility and Insight." Then there are all the books written by the Dalai Lama as well as by Thich Nhat Hahn, the vietnamese writer and monk.
May I suggest that you not necessarily go to the sacred texts themselves, as they are very symbolic, allegorical, and require a good community (Sangha) or master. I tried the Lotus Sutra on my own and got discouraged quickly. Not to mention that these writings are written by people so long ago from a different culture and linguistic core. Hahn is perhaps the one who approaches the spirit of the sayings most closely and requires time and contemplation.
On a totally secular level, I have read the "Silva Mind Control Method," and "Self Hypnosis." Sorry I do not know the authors. Some people think that these books are evil because they imply controlling others' or one's own mind, etc. This is totally unfounded. These are inocuous texts that can be used for mind focus, improve mental functioning, control unwanted things (insomnia, weight gain, poor athletic performance) and conversely, to improve things (sleep habits, lessen desire to smoke, memory, etc.)
I hope you find the above satisfactory. I have lots more books which, if you like, I will share with you later on. How/why do I get these books? Reading in my family is like eating--we all do it for sustenance. I go to bookstores and head for the "Religions" or "Spiritual" sections, sometimes "Psychology", and take a slow, critical look at book inserts, read portions inside the text, etc. before buying. Or, if someone recommends something, I ask to borrow it or buy it.
Again, I hope these are useful. Please PM me if you wish to continue this dialogue or we can continue to post here. Best of luck in your endeavor! Cathy
Hello, everyone! I'm happy to see so many wonderful posts!
raindancer1, some years ago I was fortunate to attend teaching by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo. I know she's a controversial tulku, but her teaching was very powerful and seemed to contain many truths. In her talk, she gave an example of someone who is driving down the street, passing billboards, and on one billboard is a sexy person in a hot new car. And suppose one is feeling lonely, and begins to think about sexy people and the pleasures of love and how one wants to meet someone and experience these pleasures.
Well, Jetsunma said, it is not surprising if not long after that, one actually meets someone who becomes a romantic or sexual interest. The reason is that our attention and thoughts can actually cause karma to ripen. However, the result of this new interest may or may not be something positive in terms of our development.
Now, she said, suppose instead of seeing the billboard and having the romantic fantasy, one sees the image and realizes how the mind is being manipulated into having desire--I want that sexy partner, I want that car, my life will work if I have those things. And in having that realization about desire, one has an opportunity to reflect upon how attachment and desire can cause suffering. The result is bound to be different. That was Jetsunma's teaching.
Food can work in the same way. We are bombarded day and night with messages about foods--pizza ads, cola ads, name it. So how can it be surprising that the next thing we know, we're eating pizza? Even though we didn't want to, and we weren't going to do it. And goodness knows, supersize is better, isn't it? Isn't more better?
Is there any end to more?
We know that food is not the problem, it's the manipulation of desire and attachment by advertising media, past conditioning, experiences, etc. So what a wonderful area this is for practice. Being aware of food, of food choices, of why one is eating, of really observing it--not trying to manipulate it or change it or make a deal with it--just observe it. And seeing where that leads. Am I really hungry? If I am not hungry, why am I eating?
I can become aware right this minute. Every moment is an opportunity.
So that's kind of a long explanation! But I hope it can help someone.
As for books, I have found that THE TIBETAN BOOK OF LIVING AND DYING by Sogyal Rinpoche is an excellent summary of Buddhist thought, at least as Tibetan Buddhists see it.
Is anyone else familiar with the practice called Chenrezig in the Six Realms? It is one of my favorite practices.
Hello Jay and thanks for a thorough reponse. I think you really hit home when you said to "observe" it and not just make a deal or try to manipulate it (whatever it might be for the individual). In my case, I do try to be aware of what happens after dinner when I get my fiance's look of worship after a nice meal. Sure it feels good. But I want to observe this more and see where it takes me. Part of my issue is that there has been a void in this area in my life for so long ther sig. others who wanted a woman to cook because she is woman! Or, kids who just eat and speed off their own activities. And now my honey is showering me in compliments. I will certainly look at this closely to see what I make of it. I have been immune to ads, billboards (we have none on my tiny island!), TV (I hate the box) but I may be romanced, so to speak, by my own kitchen. Very interesting and thank you for you input. I suppose when you get to the nuts and bolts of it, "eating meditation" is hard for me, as is focus before I eat. I plan to try it a bit earlier in the day, so I am not distracted by the grumblings of my belly.
Sogyal Rinpoche, yes! Do you follow Tibetan or any particular school of thought? Each school has its own appeal for me, but I love Tibetan most of all for its gentleness.
My friend Jay, and you other lovely people, this forum is excellent, just simply people helping people. We have much to talk about and learn from one another. Everything happens for a reason...law of cause and effect. Wishing you all peace. Cathy
ps...I so hated the act of cooking: If you had told me years ago that I could ever view the kitchen with anything but disdain, I would have said, "Duh, gag me, will you!!" My kids would have died laughing and my husband would have said, "You are NOT talking about my wife!"
A gracious, "You are welcomed," to the ladies and gents who thanked me for the book list. Hope you find something worthwhile there. There is no book that is inherently evil...it is what we do with them. Certainly if someone tries to control another with so-called mind control, that is bad. But even the secular books on meditation, creative visualization, etc. are useful for people who do not want to get into a spiritual practice. May even be good for adults with Attention Deficit Disorder. Who knows?!
Please share book titles, video titles, etc with us too. I will tell you the name of a book that I find to be superb with reference to Western Buddhist practice just as soon as I uncover it in the bookpile...probably tomorrow. Thanks for your interest.
It is lovely to see the thread buzzing along.. just a short post today as i am feeling a bit under the weather.
I agree that The Tibetan book of Living and Dying is wonderful. Unfortunately I didn't get too far into it before my trip, and my aunt now has it to read.. so perhaps I will read it before the end of summer break at university. Jay.. if you wouldn't mind, I find the Poem in 5 Chapters to be very applicable to weight loss.. The poem about walking down a different street. Do you think perhaps you could post it on this thread? The section of the book is concerned with how we make positive thoughts blossom into habits and then we have created effective change in our lives.
Hi Friends...I am very interested in that Poem from the Tibetan Book. If it applies to weight loss and habits, bring it on. I find "How to" manuals on weight loss most unmotivating, even though their authors help many people. Maybe it is the poet/romantic in me, but those books don't really ring my bell. I would love to see that poem. Mariana: HI! hope you are feeling better soon. Jay: waiting to hear from you again soon. Writers to this forum: Isn't it a great place?!
Greetings, my friends. It took me awhile to find the poem that Marianna requested, but here it is:
AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE CHAPTERS
1) I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost . . . I am hopeless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
2) I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I'm in the same place.
But it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.
3) I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in . . . it's a habit.
My eyes are open
I know where I am
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
4) I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
5) I walk down another street.
From THE TIBETAN BOOK OF LIVING AND DYING by Sogyal Rinpoche.
Jay...thanks for printing the poem. It is not as simple as it appears. Very interesting. Talk about falling into holes with eyes wide open! That is what it feels like when I engage in a bad habit, knowing it is unhealthy, still do it, than scramble out and make a "resolution" to quit real fast. Can very readily be applied to some of our habits that make us overweight: binge eating, craving junk, thoughtless eating in front of TV, grabbing quick fixes because we are too hurried to sit at a meal, etc.
Thanks again for printing it.
OneLove, Raindancer1
While tackling my problems with food and my weight, I have come to realise that it is going to take a drastic change in my habits to actually effect any lasting change in my weight and how I view myself. I know that sounds obvious, but i have steadfastly continued the same behaviours thinking I could get different results - lunacy really.
So how do I change my habits and how do I move along these five chapters? Am i destined to continue falling into the same hole and blame others for being there? Or can I seek practices and wisdom that will empower me to alleviate my suffering...can I walk down a different street?
In The Art of Happiness the Dalai Lama is asked what it takes to overcome obstacles and to bring about change in your life (pages 217-245). He says that the five steps are education, conviction, determination, action and effort. The education about the change you want to make will fire your conviction. Let the conviction flow into determination that you can make the change. This determination spurs your action and gives you the effort to establish new patterns of behaviour, to change your habits.
For me this is where meditation and mindfulness are starting to help me. By being more mindful I am able to cease some of the negative thoughts that fill my day. By stopping these thought patterns which invariably lead to eating for me I am less inclined to seek solice in food. Meditation (which I have been very slack at lately) provides me with some peace and gives me a center to move forward from in my day.
Everytime I stop the negative thought, stop the actions the usually preempt me stress eating or making bad choices, I am forming a new habit. That I believe will eventually replace the old habit. It is simply a matter of time, patience and persistence... So this year I think I definitely started off in the first chapter.. not knowing that I had made the bad choice and looking to blame others. The further I go along and educate myself the closer I get to a new chapter. I feel that I am approaching chapter 3. I am still making the same mistakes, but I pick myself up and dust myself off a lot quicker these days.
Hey Cathy, Marianna, Katrina, Lucky, and all others dropping in!
I think in my own case I'm on the 3rd chapter--I know it's there, I fall in anyway. It is my fault. Not always--I think occasionally I walk around the hole.
In other areas of my life I have gone down a different street. This one street is a tough one, though.
During the "holiday season" the holes are everywhere! LOL
Have you folks experienced the situation where you want something to eat... and what is it... can't decide... eat something... no, that wasn't it... eat something else... nope, that's not it either... and so on... and sometimes you just never find what it was?
It's a perfect illustration of dukkha, which is the term most often translated into English as "suffering." But that's not a very good translation of the term. Dukkha, I have read, means suffering, but it also just means the general "unsatisfactoriness" of life. There is never "enough," there is never total, lasting satisfaction in this realm.
So when cravings like that strike, it can be useful to reflect that there may be nothing you can eat that will fill that desire... because it is not fillable!
At any rate, it could save a couple trips to the kitchen!
They have dummies books for everything! 
ther sig. others who wanted a woman to cook because she is woman! Or, kids who just eat and speed off their own activities. And now my honey is showering me in compliments. I will certainly look at this closely to see what I make of it. I have been immune to ads, billboards (we have none on my tiny island!), TV (I hate the box) but I may be romanced, so to speak, by my own kitchen. Very interesting and thank you for you input. I suppose when you get to the nuts and bolts of it, "eating meditation" is hard for me, as is focus before I eat. I plan to try it a bit earlier in the day, so I am not distracted by the grumblings of my belly.
