What do you think of the Buddhist concept that life equals suffering?

And how does that mesh with your beliefs, if at all? Do you find that your life has a lot of suffering?

It's been a while since I've done any reading on the subject of Buddhism, but if I remember correctly practitioners of that faith believe that life is suffering because everything we do and life itself has no permanence. Everything and everyone passes away. And that's if things are going good for you. For many in the world life is much more difficult than the majority of us have it here in the U.S. and is truly suffering.

I find that the Buddhist teaching is true about my own life. I had a hard life up until about a year ago. But even now that things have settled down considerably, I still find myself suffering. I still worry about things. I'm absolutely obsessed with past mistakes I've made and can't seem to let them go. I'm struggling with depression.

If you're a Buddhist would you be so kind as to give me a few book titles about Buddhism in your post? I'd like to read more about Buddhism and I may become a convert.

The Three Principal Aspects of the Path
(Geshe Sonam Rinchen, Ruth Sonam)


How to Practice - The Way to a Meaningful Life
(H.H. the Dalai Lama, Jeffrey Hopkins, Ph.D.)

I would try to read them with somewhat of a non-denominational mindset. While a conversion is a possibility, it's also possible that you might experience an emergence of a philosophy that is already in you.

This year when the Dalai Lama was in Toronto, he spoke on the fact that compassion, humility, etc. don't belong to the realms of Buddhism or Christianity per se, but to the realm of humanity.

I'm likely not to become a practicing member. Probably more of a secular Buddhist. I think the Dalai Lama is right to say that religions do not have a monopoly on virtuous behavior.

"For a future to be possible", or "The Miracle of Mindfulness" are both good.

From what I understand, Buddhist believe suffering is a part of life, and that a Buddhist's goal is to alleviate other's suffering. I have heard of Vapassana Buddhist men who have studied for so many years that they can be in a room full of people and absorb all of their suffering.

I think the Buddhists say to notice your suffering, but not judge it. Concentrating on one's breathing, repeating a mantra, being in the now, in the present, is the best way to live one's life.

and for the clarification on suffering. It's probably been about ten years since I've read anything about Buddhism.

of his works, I've read "The Wisdom of Insecurity", "The Way of Zen" and "Tao:The Watercourse Way." (There is a book with all three which my hubby had me read--and he rereads it periodically, always finding something good.) Watts has a good way of explaining Eastern concepts to Western minds, and wonderfully relates the philosophy to real human situations like depression, making mistakes, etc. It's good reading.

As to the notion that life is suffering--this is but a part of the Dharma. In the Dhammapada, the verses of the Buddha go (this is a translation by Eknath Easwaran) "Hard it is to train the mind, which goes where it likes and does what it wants. But a trained mind brings health and happiness."

In meditation, the minds does wander, and thoughts, both unhappy and not, surface. But although one can not always change one's circumstance, one can often choose one's outlook. Things simply are the way they are. To minimize suffering, one chooses right action, right speech, etc. But while one is alive--the desire for things to be otherwise than they are always exists, unless overcome by understanding that they are not and will not be made so by mere *desiring*. The impermanence is actually a positive message--even in suffering--this too, shall pass. I don't think you even need to become Buddhist to appreciate the message.

I don't think they were the ones you recommended, they didn't ring a bell. That was probably about 12 years ago and I remember nothing about them except the author's name. Thanks for the recommendations and I will check him out. Also, thanks for your thoughts on Buddhism.

re: judging my past. I mostly overcame it myself but a book I just listened to "Stillness Speaks" by Eckard Tolle helped. He also has a book called "The Power of Now" which is well reviewed. These are not "Buddhist books" per se but he espouses a lot of Buddhist beliefs. I do think he is what you're after for your specific problem. For instance...anyone, given the same exact experiences as yourself at a given time, would have made the same exact choices as you. Good luck.

I now know what to ask my relatives for Christmas thanks to you guys.

I guess I'll never be free of the memories of those past mistakes, but I think it's possible to not have the same attatchment to them, to not feel the same emotions again as if you were experiencing the mistake all over again. I hope it's possible. BTW, it's been a little while since I wrote the original post and since then I've started feeling much better. My depression is gone due to the anti-depressants that were prescribed to me a month ago. This has happened just in the last couple of days. I've noticed that I don't feel as bad about my memories as I did before now that the depression has lifted, but I still do have a strong attatchment to them.