A Buddhist, Plain and Simple.

Posted in Reviews & Previews, Uncategorized

I’m not really a religious person as I’m sure you may have noticed. I struggle to get my head round the belief that there is a creator that thinks some of us have it right and some of us are just way off base. I suppose anything is possible, but I doubt there is a bearded one shaking his head in amazement and muttering under his breath and pointing to one area of the globe “These are my favorites, but what the hell (God in-joke) is wrong with those people (other part of the globe) can’t they get anything right?”

Having said that, Buddhism ticks a lot of the boxes that I personally like ticking. It is totally inclusive, anti-violence, pro-tolerance, peace loving and having a receding hairline really isn’t a problem because you can just shave your head and fit nicely in. About two years ago I stumbled on a book called Buddhism Plain and Simple by Steven Hagen. The title appealed to me because I’m fairly plain and somewhat simple and I decided to check it out.

The book opened my eyes to a religion (if indeed that is what it is) and more importantly a way of life, that seems to make perfect sense to me. I wanted to learn more even though I wasn’t quite ready to commit to spending the rest of my life eating veggie burgers and sitting cross legged on a mountain top.

At the time I was starting to get more and more into meditation and bought a number of guided meditations by people like Deepak Chopra, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wayne Dyer et al. I also bought one from Amazon by a Buddhist teacher named Bodhipaksa.

When I first put it on my iPod to listen I was somewhat surprised because the guy leading the meditation had a gentle Scottish accent. I’m at risk of admitting I can be as guilty of ignorantly stereotyping people as the next person, when I say I’ve never really associated Scotland, the land that brought us Kilts, bagpipes, The Glasgow Kiss, Trainspotting and the deep fried Mars bar, with Buddhism.

Within a few days of first listening to Guided Meditations: For Calmness, Awareness, and Love by Bodhipaksa, it was pretty much the only cd I was using. The gentle Scottish brogue and the fact that it didn’t rely on music to help the process, really resonated with me. I have been using is regularly ever since.

Imagine my surprise when recently I was on Twitter and saw the name Bodhipaksa. A Buddhist teacher on Twitter? Whatever next, Deepak Chopra asking me to be his friend on Facebook, Eckart Tolle raving about Digg or his Holiness the Dalai Lama Stumbling this post?

Bodhipaksa was asking people to review his latest cd ‘Still the Mind’. I’m not overly keen on doing reviews, but I did want to listen to it and I really wanted to do an interview with the man they call Bodhipaksa.

And so it has come to pass.

‘Still The Mind’ is as good a cd on meditation as I have heard. It contains different versions of the Breath and Metta Bhavana meditations that were on the previous cd, but it is much more than that. Bodhipaksa does a fabulous job of explaining in very simple terms the process of meditation whilst giving an insight into the Buddhist philosophies.

If you are a novice or even an intermediate meditator I HIGHLY recommend you go and buy a copy NOW! If you are open-minded and curious on the subject, I similarly recommend it as a great starting point.

What will meditation give me you maybe thinking? Not much really. Just reduced stress levels, peace of mind, self-awareness, improved concentration and clarity as well as a sense of well being. Only you can decide what those attributes are worth to you.

Now read on and find out what a Buddhist thinks of George Bush, Tolerance and Mosquitos…

Tim: My personal number one value is peace, although I sometimes get carried away and forget this. In fact, I frequently get carried away and forget this. I know you don’t pull any punches on your blog and like a good rant. Do you see any conflict between that and teaching meditation?

Bodhipaksa: I draw a distinction between anger and ill will, and try not to cross that line. Anger is just passionate energy in pursuit of some end, while ill will is a desire to hurt someone. You see ill will expressed in insults, name-calling, lying, willful distortions of what someone’s saying, etc. I think it’s fine to be passionate, but not fine to cross over into that kind of behavior.

Let’s face it, some of the stuff going on in the world is outrageous. There’s war, torture, deceit, irresponsible business practices, etc. I think it’s healthy to be angry about that kind of thing. Even the Dalai Lama says he gets angry with China, and I think that when you look at the Buddhist scriptures you can see definite signs that the Buddha himself was sometimes angry.

At the same time anger can be a bit addictive and I’m wary of falling into a pattern of writing “The Angry Buddhist Blog” (although that’s a great title). I also like to express appreciation and wonder.

And I can’t rule out that I sometimes cross the line. I do experience ill will and although I try to weed it out while I’m writing I’m not always sure I’m successful.

I get a lot of problems with my knees and it is the single biggest reason I don’t meditate more. Sometimes after 15 minutes sat cross-legged or on my haunches I’m in a lot of pain. I know there are meditations for lying down but the ones I have of yours specifically mention being seated upright. Do you have any suggestions?

Have you tried a seiza stool? Most of your weight ends up being on your butt and not on your knees. It’s my standard way of meditating. I’ve sometimes had to meditate lying down when I’ve had back pain, but I find it hard to be focused. My body, not surprisingly, associates lying down with going to sleep and I end up doing more dreaming than meditating.

Which reminds me. I’ve never seen anyone using or even recommending the parinirvana posture, which involves lying on the side, the head supported on one hand (the elbow being on the floor) and the other arm along the upper flank. I think I’ll try it out next time my back’s bad.

I get a lot of mosquitoes barging their way uninvited into my home. The other night I had 8 bites on my body, most of which were unfortunately on my head and I looked like somebody had stapled a map of a mogul field to my face I’m going to spray the yard in an attempt to stop this unprovoked vicious assault on my body. What would you do under such circumstances?

Ouch! Dealing with biting insects is a problem for me too. I’m badly allergic to insect bites, and sometimes a bite on the ankle will mean my foot swells up and I can’t walk for a couple of days.

Despite screens on the windows they do sometimes get into the house. I kill them. It’s not as if mosquitoes has a very developed form of consciousness. I doubt they can feel pain, and as a friend of mine once said, as he killed a bug, “He didn’t know he was alive, so he won’t know he’s dead.”

With other creepy crawlies, though, I have a catch-and-release policy. I’m pretty good with a glass and a piece of card, and I once caught six house flies in one glass at the same time.

I’ve just started gardening, so I may soon have to decide what to do about bugs that eat plants. One Buddhist teacher said something to the effect of, “You have to decide whether you’re growing plants or greenfly.”

Presumably this is one of the reasons that Buddhist monks aren’t allowed to grow their own food or even to dig the earth. It keeps them from having to wrestle with these questions.

I once heard an interview with the Dalai Lama in which he said (paraphrase) that he thought there should be 6.5 billion different religions, one for each person on the Planet. What do you think he meant by that?

Just try asking a bunch of Buddhists what karma is. Dig deep enough and you’ll get different answers from each of them. I think actually that if there are 6.5 billion people you’ll get slightly more religions than that. We often contradict ourselves.

I often use your Metta Bhavana cd on Loving Kindness. I got to the point where there wasn’t anybody I knew that I had an issue or grudge with. So I’d use George W Bush. Is this taking it a stage too far, even for committed Buddhists like yourself?

Well it’s great news if you ran out of people you feel ill will for! If there’s no one you have personal contact with that you have a grudge or ill will towards, then it makes sense to shift the focus to people you know about second or third-hand. The main thing is you’re working with the forces of hatred that exist in your own mind. I imagine you’re not alone in cultivating loving-kindness towards George W. Bush.

Are you intolerant of intolerance?

My head started to spin as I contemplated different responses to this question.

I don’t think “tolerance” or “intolerance” are very useful terms because they can be interpreted broadly or narrowly and it’s hard to know what sense they’re being used in at any given moment. Being “intolerant” can mean simply disagreeing with someone’s position or it can mean killing them out of hatred. And “being tolerant” can mean “hating people and the positions they take, but refraining from violence” or if can mean “being a decent human being who recognizes that there are great differences in opinion and in the choices people make.” And I’m sure there are other interpretations I haven’t even thought of.

I feel moved to criticize the actions of those who try to force their beliefs on others, for example, but in that case my “intolerance” is a very different kind of “intolerance” from theirs.

You do a lot of work with people that are incarcerated for serious crimes and believe that people can and do change. What is the most amazing reversal in a person you have ever seen?

I know one inmate (now a former inmate) who moved from getting into fights for kicks, to becoming a nonviolent defender of newcomers to the prison. When he saw someone young and naïve coming into the prison he’d have a word — in a friendly way — with some of the other guys and ask them to cut the new guy some slack. It probably helped that people knew he was a fighter, because he’d earned respect that way.

Do you ever worry or get nervous?

I experience the full range of human emotion! I get anxious about lots of things, and I’m grateful that I have tools like mindfulness and meditation for dealing with that.

The title of this blog post is obviously a play on words with the Steven Hagen book, Buddhism Plain and Simple, the first book I ever read on the subject. If you could recommend just one book as an introduction to Buddhism to a complete novice, which would it be?

OK, now I do feel anxious! Just one book?

I really like “Who Is The Buddha” by Sangharakshita. However, there are lots of books I haven’t read and probably some I’ve read that aren’t springing to mind, so I’m not saying this is the best introductory book on Buddhism. But I think it’s clear and thorough and deserves to be better known.

The link to the Amazon site is NOT an affiliate link. I’m not reviewing this for the money, I’m doing it because I think it will add value to your life.

I’d really love to hear your take on any of the answers given by Bodkipaksa. I know I had a lot more questions and I’m hoping that I can tempt him back in the not too distant fiuture. What’s your take?

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25 Comments So Far.

Comment by Stephen – Rat Race Trap on 3 May 2009:

Tim, one word: Fantastic!

OK, some more words. I’m a novice meditator so I’m getting the CD. I’ll let you know how it works out.

There is some great wisdom in them there words. I like this one because it represents my view:

“I feel moved to criticize the actions of those who try to force their beliefs on others, for example, but in that case my “intolerance” is a very different kind of “intolerance” from theirs.”

P.S. I like your religion.

Stephen – Rat Race Traps last blog post..Freedom From Compromise and Control
Comment by Mike Nichols on 3 May 2009:

Thank you for this illuminating interview!

I am not very conversant with Buddhism beyond some basic readings. It seems that it is something that could add a great deal of peace to my life, along with the mental health benefits of meditation. I will be looking into the books and CD’s mentioned in this interview.

My question (perhaps that of an ignorant newbie): Is Buddhist practice something one can learn and do on ones own through books, etc. Or is it done better with a teacher?
Comment by Lori on 3 May 2009:

Very insightful interview! I think the difference between anger and ill will is so important to make. I’ve shied away from strong feelings in my life because I’ve been scared of both feeling them and acting on them. It’s been very cathartic to realize I can experience anger and not harm anyone else. I’m still working on expressing that anger to other people effectively…but that’s another conversation.

Loris last blog post..The Benefits of Being Unproductive; Why Are We So Busy?
Comment by Dave on 3 May 2009:

Well, thank (insert appropriate deity / non-deity name)for rough and tumble spiritual teachers.

After struggling with Buddhism and meditation for years now, I know at least one thing: I’m certainly not a fan of perfectionist, aloof teachers. Bodhipaksa sounds like the real deal, someone I could really listen to.

I appreciate you introducing him through this interview and CD review.

Daves last blog post..Soar Like A Hamster
Comment by Haider on 4 May 2009:

@Tim: Thank you for such an excellent interview. You asked the right questions, but not ALL the questions! Which got me thinking: Would it be possible to do such an interview on a regular basis?

Oh, and can you please include an affiliate link to the CD’s for us crazy people who think you deserve to get paid for introducing us to great resources? Yes, I know it’s too crazy to ask, but I’m seeing a therapist to help me recover from these wild ideas.

@Bodhipaksa: To be very honest with you, my impression of Buddhism has always been that it’s a simplistic look on life. I confess I haven’t delved deep into it, but whenever I read something, I feel it lacks substance. “The answer is love,” “we must be one with the universe” that kinda thing.

I really appreciate your answers in this interview because you’ve shown the considerations we need to have in applying Buddhist principles to real-life situations. The distinction between anger and ill-will is very important, and the acceptance of the “full range of human emotions” is crucial.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and changing my impression of Buddhism. I look forward to reading more from you!

Haiders last blog post..Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Comment by guy on 4 May 2009:

What a great article Tim.

Despite apparently being the least spiritual person you know, I have begun to take a slight interest in meditation, and have attempted to meditate a couple of times in recent weeks. A calm peaceful enviroment is a difficult thing to find in my household so have not had much success yet, but will keep on trying. And this article has piqued my interest in learning more about buddishm. A religoion without the God problem cold be just the thing I need. Thank you.

I also took my SO on a date to a yoga class the other night, I sure know how to show a girl a good time…

guys last blog post..Alternatives to Passion
Comment by Dave Fowler on 4 May 2009:

Hi Tim, fascinating as always.
I know very little about this subject so I feel moved to read up on this topic a little more and leave another little piece of my ignorance behind me.
I’m not so much interested in the religious aspect of Buddhism, as I’m not religious, nor am I especially interested in the Buddhist way of life as (just as one (possibly erroneous)example) I believe that violence has a place in the world, but I am interested in learning new ways of thinking. Even if I don’t like the whole philosophy I’m willing to bet I’ll be able to get something of value from it.

Dave Fowlers last blog post..Hate Mail
Comment by Tim Brownson on 4 May 2009:

@ Stephen – You’ll not be disappointed, it’s a great introduction and glad you like dthe interview.

@ Mike – I’m a novice Mike, but even as such I would say without a doubt you can learn it on your own. I’m sure that having a teacher can be helpful and I really want to do a retreat and throw myself into it for a few days.

@ Lori – Another example of me learning on the job with this blog because I don’t think I’d ever considered the differences. Nicely done by Bodhipaksa

@ Dave – Thanks, and I agree about aloof teachers. Having said that, my experience with books and cd’s on Buddhism hasn’t really been like that which is partly the reason I like it so much. Maybe I have just been lucky?

@ Guy – I know you’d get some benefit from it, although I appreciate that with a house full of kids it can’t be easy. I get stressed if the guy over the road starts mowing his lawn.

@ Haider _ I certainly would like to get Bodhipaksa back again and will ask the question. The more I read on Buddhism the more I realize I don’t know, it’s fascinating to me.

Here’s the link and I hope the therapy pans out for you ;-)
http://sn.im/hbpl8

@ Dave – There’s only a need for violence in some peoples eyes because violence already exists. Where would the requirement be if it didn’t?
Comment by Dave Fowler on 4 May 2009:

@Tim As long as animal/human life exists on this planet there will always be violence. It’s necessary. It may even be essential. Would life be better without violence?

Dave Fowlers last blog post..Hate Mail
Comment by Michael Panebianco on 4 May 2009:

Enjoyed the read Tim, as a martial artist I have been exposed to multiple takes on Buddhism, and the interview brought out what I have always felt was of true value.

The thing I find so enlightening about Buddhism is exactly what Tim started with. It is inclusive. My own Church growing up does not approve of many of my beliefs and choices. It seems Buddhism is a look inward to find outward answers. Buddhism does not sell, it tells.

Definitely going to give a listen to the meditation! Got lots of opportunity to do it, and need it to keep the balance of self, family, occupation, and entrepreneurship in balance!

Great post (again) Tim.
Comment by Writer Dad on 4 May 2009:

My wife is Buddhist. She was just saying last night how she wishes it wasn’t regarded as a religion, because it is more school of thought than anything. In my short time with Buddhist teachings, I’ve found them fascinating to say the least.

Writer Dads last blog post..How to Give Your Child a Limitless Life
Comment by Ian | Quantum Learning on 4 May 2009:

Really loved this article Tim. Down-to-Earth wisdom at it’s best.

I’m especially pleased to hear the appropriate nonviolent response to mosquitos. Despite my mission to promote nonviolence I’ve always worried that my squishing approach to mozzies might undermine my credibility – so I keep quiet about it. Now I realise I needn’t worry and can be quite open about it!

Ian | Quantum Learnings last blog post..Something for the weekend – animals
Comment by Louise on 4 May 2009:

Thanks for the interview! I became interested in Buddhism for many of the same reasons, and agree – meditation can bring many good qualities to your life.
Louise, aka @ThoughtsHappen

Louises last blog post..Complaints Happen
Comment by Tim Brownson on 4 May 2009:

@ Dave – There will always be violence of people believe there will always be violence and a need to perpetuate it. Personally it makes my stomach churn, so yeh, we’d be better off without it.

@ Mike – Thanks for your input mate! Where’ve you been?

@ Writer Dad – I actually tried to research that (I didn’t want to come across as a complete muppet) and it seems like there is no real consensus. Interesting though because I think it feels almost areligious in a lot of respects.

@ Ian – I’m thinking of starting a bug extermination company called Buddhist Bug Batterers

@ Louise – You’re welcome and glad you enjoyed it.
Comment by CathD on 4 May 2009:

I loved the down-to-earth honesty of this interview. One thing I DON’T love about so many religions is “piety” (also known as pretending to be perfect). What I’ve learned about Zen so far has resonated with me, but after leaving the Christian church, because I’m reluctant to become formally affiliated with any religion at all, I’ve never actively pursued learning about Zen. I might do so now, after reading this post… but I’m still not going to call myself a Buddhist!

Cath

CathDs last blog post..Why I’m Unsubscribing From Problogger (And Painting Instead)
Comment by Mary Anne Fisher on 4 May 2009:

Fascinating topic and fantastic interview, Tim.

So glad you did this. There are a ton of misconceptions around Buddhism / spirituality, etc. A lot of people shy away from such teachings because they’re unaware of or “choose” to forget that Buddhist teachers are people, too! ;-)

And thanks to you, I’m now following one on Twitter. Hope you’ll write more posts in this vein.
Comment by Haider on 4 May 2009:

@Tim & @Dave Fowler: The issue of violence reminds me of the joke:

A man went to a therapist convinced that he’s a chicken and was frightened of cats. After extensive therapy he came to accept that he was a man and not a chicken. The therapist brought in a cat to see how the man would respond. The man, on seeing the cat, jumped onto the table and started running in circles for fear of his life. The therapist said: “You’re not a chicken!” The man replied: “I know I’m not a chicken, but does the cat know that?”

I know violence is bad, but do those around me know that?

If they don’t, then I need to be aware of the need to resort to violence in some circumstances, especially in self-defense. I believe it’s unjust to blame both sides in every war, when one side is sometimes justified in using violence.

Of course we need to promote tolerance and a bias for peace, but we can’t completely dismiss violence as immoral.

Haiders last blog post..Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Comment by Tim Brownson on 4 May 2009:

@ Cath – I’m a bit like that. I don’t actually feel any need to ‘belong’ and that’s what I like about Buddhism. I’m not sure I’ll ever call myself a Buddhist per se, but who knows in the fullness of time?

@ Mary Anne – Thanks very much! It’s funny the way this blog has morphed over recent months with stuff like this. Somebody asked me if I wrote a blog on life coaching the other day and I replied “not really” I think they thought I was being obtuse, but I wasn’t. I’m definitely going to ask Bodhipaksa if I can do a follow up at some stage because I feel like I’ve only just scratched the surface.

@ Haider – I never really said it was immoral, in fact I’m not sure what I thought in terms of morality. I understand what you are saying, but then I look at people like Gandhi and MLK and see what can be achieved without resorting to violence. I think that is something we should at least be aiming for and the starting point has to be a belief that it is better to live in a peaceful world, surely?

Now if you were to ask me if I think it’ll ever happen, well that’s another matter altogether.
Comment by Steven Aitchison on 5 May 2009:

Hi Tim

I have to say this has been one of your best posts, I thought it was thought provoking, funny and illuminating.

I am not religious at all but I have said many times buddhism sits very comfortably with my beliefs about the world and the mind.

Thanks for this.

Steven Aitchisons last blog post..Guided Meditation – Well of The Wyrd
Comment by Ned on 5 May 2009:

I liked your insight about us each having a personal religion. That’s probably more true (or apparent) today than ever.

A lot of Westerners are attracted to Buddhism these days. It looks like a good antidote to Christianity. The truth is that Buddhism is a religion and it is more like other religions than it is different.

Neds last blog post..The Voice in Your Head
Comment by Laurie on 5 May 2009:

I especially liked your question on intolerance and his response. Interesting interview. I bet your palms were all sweaty while you were typing out the questions. he he he.

Knowing me a bit Tim, which one of his CD’s would you recommend to work on reducing anxiety?
Comment by Tim Brownson on 5 May 2009:

@ Steve – Thanks a lot mate and I’m glad you enjoyed it.

@ Ned – To be fair I’ll bow to your better judgment on that, although it kinda feels unreligionlike to me, if there is such a word, which there isn’t ;-)

@ Laurie – I think the one I reviewed in so much as it is a great introduction to meditation period. The only thing I think is paramount to understand is that it isn’t an overnight fix, it takes patience and perseverance.
Comment by Michael Panebianco on 6 May 2009:

Tim,

Sorry so vacant lately, Im starting to teach regularly, and am on the learning curve (in a good way). Hope to have you and Helen up for a class and maybe a stop at the Ocean Deck for a Beer and a Mahi Sandwich afterwards….

Note to all.. I purchased the cd’s, and am very happy with the decision. Word of Caution; When doing the “walking meditation”, do not rely on the kindness or enlightenment of your fellow man during this process. I had a guy veer off the road and almost take me out on the sidewalk this morning. Be alert!

I didn’t find the “put your heart back in your chest, and change your shorts” track anywhere on that cd. That would be my only suggestion for improvement to the set.

@Haider – I spend a fair amount of time helping people cope with violence. The spirit surrounding the application of self defense in conjunction with a moral, legal, and ethical directive, can still be congruous with a peaceful peoples “way”.

Those who act with violence, or threats of violence, rather than self defense show their one true weakness…cognitive diplomacy. Thus “Walk softly, but carry a BIG STICK”. Or Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum. Let he who desires peace, prepare for war. Not to engage in it, but to place consequence with the lack of diplomacy, encouraging a peaceful resolution. We are still quite animalistic aren’t we.

Best to all, I am sure you will enjoy!
Comment by Jake | Revive Your Life on 14 May 2009:

I enjoyed this one. Thanks!

Jake | Revive Your Lifes last blog post..Identifying and Overcoming Career Burnout
Comment by chicago office on 19 May 2009:

I love Buddhism, I see it more of a philosophy than a religion. It’s one of the few that makes sense to me and that you can utilize in everyday life.

Taoism is another one you should read about, The Yin and Yang, the essential balance of life.

chicago offices last blog post..Launch of our new blog