Buddahs path to enligtenment

[Elephant86]

I personally have been on this journey of buddism learning and understanding the concept and using it in my own life. I wanted to share some books that Ive read that has put me on this journey of personal and peacful discovery. I feel that the experiences I have had with my mental health and in my life has led me to learn about each of the concepts in buddism.

When I learnt about compassion I was volenteering in a soup kitchen serving coffee and meals to the underprivaleged. I feel I have also experienced compassion for others while doing my job at beyond blue. All of us at some point in our lives come across these concepts and they enter our lives in both a positive and sometimes a negative way. 

I would love to hear your story if you wish to share?

My search for peace and acceptance of my condition took a long time and I still have to face the difficulties still. I want to give everyone on the platform hope that they can overcome there health issues like I have even though I know it is a different path for everyone.

I learnt about compassion from my parents. There was a story of how when anyone would come to our house there is always is a warm beautiful meal for everyone no matter who you are. My mum and I love to cook curry and feed the family that is a beautiful form of compassion and love for everyone.

One christmas we had 40 people at our place and I had to buy the biggest turkey I could find . We were making lasanga 10pm on enight. I did not mind because I was helpig my parents at christmas.

I beleive compassion is love for community

The way that the concept of acceptance entered my life was a bit unorthadox. I had had my bipolar episode and I was stuck at hme for a month reading books and waiting to get better from. I had to go on a journey of acceptance and forgivness for the struggles I was going through. At times with mental health and other health issues it is very hard to accept and come to peace and forgivness for your situation.

We must realise we are not alone in our struggles with our health we all have the support of our family and friends. The second time I had to learn acceptance was when I was told I could acheive my car licence due to my epilepsy and I know there are many epileptics who struggle through a similar fait. I have grand Mal epilepsy with are earth shaking seizures and it doesn't happen as often anymore but I had to come to acceptance and forgivness of my condition and make peace with my health condition 

[white knight]

Hi Elephant, 

I've read your post and have mixed feelings. So there's good and confusion mixed for me. Perhaps if I can be bold and mention both as a conversation.

I love they way you promote compassion, family values of kindness and gatherings, how special they can be. In an ideal world we might all want to desire that. But, alas, we arent all "blessed" with that life.

Compassion doesnt need religion. I'm an atheist. Compassion doesnt need a "love of community". I'm so anti "community" as I've seen its destruction and felt its negativity like politics, power cravings and domination. Hence I prefer this site rather than a group therapy session. The more people involved the more I frown. 

Re: "We must realise we are not alone in our struggles with our health we all have the support of our family and friends."  Sadly, its the lack of support from family and friends as to why so many post here. It's the lack of compassion by others, the lack of understanding and the lack of empathy as to why members exit here. 

Re: "but I had to come to acceptance and forgivness of my condition and make peace with my health condition "  Accemptance has been covered well in recent years on this site and it is a journey we can all try to make for sure.  I sure do not believe we have any reason to seek forgiveness for our condition - that breeds guilt that we are to blame for it and to seek forgiveness is to enforce religious beliefs onto others so you can recover. It is not unlike my niece (a christian) that told me I'd recover if I sort the connection with Jesus. In fact in all the years I've been on this forum I've never read of anyone pushing religious undertones fto help them with their mental health issues.

To clarify a little more, freedom of religion is a given as is opinions. I'm actually happy if anyone has a religious belief and they can find peace in their lives. 

I hope you have a great day.

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/humility-and-quot-the-good-samaritan-quot/td-p/3075...

TonyWK

[WaterFront]

Hi Elephant86 and White Knight,

I have spent quite a bit of time over the last year or so reading about buddhism as a means to deal with my own particular issues. it has helped me a lot in terms of calming my mind, accepting things as they are and always attempting to be kind in the way I relate. I am not a religious person and don't see it as a religion. More a way of approaching myself and the world around me. It's not for everyone though it has certainly helped me.

WF

[white knight]

Hi Elephant86

It's been 3 weeks now and no response to my and Waterfront's reply. Yet you did say youd like to hear our stories.

TonyWK