should I?

[thepigsmustdie]

I have been meditaing for some time and have been getting closer to the idea of "Why not make the full conversion?" I want to know some info and don't know where to look on the net, and would like to know what I have to give up doing and learn. I am really looking for peace within my self and meditating has done wonders, has kept any kind of delemas out of my hands and stress.

I am really serious here I have the ability to go out and do this, and very stongly want to but I have a few reasons.

[Kelssy]

Conversion to what? Budism? Hunduism? Christians meditate too, maybe muslems do. Really need a bit more infomation to help you with this one.

[lazuris]

wow I didn't read this very carefully I thought it had something to do with a surgery that I didn't want to think...I'm a genie! Anyway, if your few "reasons" for not converting outweigh the inner peace you feel...then you shouldn't do it, if they're reasons that could be simply meditated away if you put your mind to it, then you already know the answer.

[Breandan]

Conversion to what? Budism? Hunduism? Christians meditate too, maybe muslems do. Really need a bit more infomation to help you with this one.hell, even us screaming heathens meditate, after a fashion :D Kinda need to be a bit more specific, because the list is long and distinguished- Vedism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, etc. are just some of the Eastern religions, and then you have a long list of non-Eastern ones who do so as well :-)

[Takara]

Yeah, not sure what you mean by conversion?

Conversion is extra points scored after a touchdown ... advancing the ball into the endzone from the three-yard line .... what you do with money when you go to Canada.

it has nothing to do with meditation.

[bob the goat]

No, converting to Linux is definatly something you should never undertake alone. I sugguest the guidance of a professional. :)

[thepigsmustdie]

Conversion to what? Budism? Hunduism? Christians meditate too, maybe muslems do. Really need a bit more infomation to help you with this one.



Budism I am sorry I was not clearer on that I guess I was trying to cover everything, but did not get the what I want to convert to.

My appologies.

[Mutton]

In my understanding of Buddhism, it doesn't require you to disregard previous beliefs you have. If just requires you understand whatever religion you have studied in a different light.

Personally I would say believe what gives you peace and don't worry about acceptance from others. From my Christian upbringing I learned that the judgements of man are not important. This holds in the Jewish and Muslim religions as well. In the quest for Zen you'll find the judgements of man are counter productive to consider. If you look to the Hindu you find that through acceptance of Shiva's Judgements can you come closer to Brahma. And if you look to the Tao Te Ching you'll learn that the makeup of the flow is not important, its the way you journey that is.

Religion doesn't need a name for you to believe, it only needs a name when you try to explain your beliefs to other people. I find most people don't bother to understand their own beliefs. They will believe what they are told to believe and they will be happy. Talking about religion with people who've never questioned is arguing with sheep. So most of your life it will never need an established name, and if you look far you'll find the vocabulary hasn't been invented to properly name religion.

[Breandan]

There's real Buddhism, and then there's pop culture Westernized Buddhism. Big differences between the two, so study carefully and chose wisely.

[Mutton]

That's a topic I've always found interesting: Traditional versus westernized religion. I know alot of people would snub westernized religion on the sheer merit that it's not the traditional thousands year old method that has worked in reletivally secluded culturally similar regions from when it was concieved. Yet it is the same lesson except translated culturally for easier understanding in its new environment.

It always makes me wonder how some western philosophies might have evolved if people were converted naturally instead of at sword point.

[Breandan]

It always makes me wonder how some western philosophies might have evolved if people were converted naturally instead of at sword point.Speaking from experience, since not all of the indigenous Western philosophies were wiped out, they are very primal, aggressive, steeped in practical mysticism as opposed to essoteric mysticism, centered around the concept of the tribal community as opposed to the individual with an emphasis on the individual's responsibility to the tribe, much more feral, for lack of a better word, than Eastern philosophies, and generally vastly different in many ways while still being just as spiritual and deep.

[Takara]

You'll find a lot of links between Meditation, Buddhism, Hinduism and Yoga.

Meditation usually refers to a state of extreme relaxation and concentration, in which the body is generally at rest and the mind quieted of surface thoughts. Several major religions include ritual meditation; however, meditation itself need not be a religious or spiritual activity. Most of the more popular systems of meditation are of Eastern origin.

Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who came to be called the Buddha or “enlightened one”. There are two major divisions: Mahayana and Theravada, and many subdivisions (Ch'an, or Zen, Buddhism is not really one of these). Fundamentally, Buddhists believe that one must rise above desires, to reach a state of enlightenment. Buddha was idolized, and subsequently deified, but he never claimed to be anything more than a man.

Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic religions. They recognize a single deity, and view other Gods and Goddesses as manifestations or aspects of that supreme God. It is based on the ancient Vedic literature, it is a belief system in constant transition. It's populated by an almost infinite number of gods, the faith is open to adopting any or all of the gods created by younger religions. Reincarnation, and being held accountable for one’s deeds (karma), are fundamental components of Hinduism.

Many Hindu and Buddhists use Yoga and Meditation to achieve their goals of inner peace.

My suggestion to you would be to try seeking out someone locally who teaches meditation and has a structured meditation practice and ask them what might work for you.

[Evil_Gondi]

If it brings you peace, then why not?