Three Jewels

I mentioned that I am reading An Open Heart by the Dalai Lama. It's been slow. I read just before bed, which, of course, makes me sleepy. But is calming and gets me ready for sleep. The book is a hard read. You have to want to read it as it will not pull you in.

I am reminded that Buddhists believe in reincarnation. We harbor our emotions and mental experiences from our past lives. As we indulge in afflicting emotions and mental response patterns, they grow stronger and influence our future lives. They cause us to create "mental projections"--and emotional attachment to something, or similarly, repulsion to something. It is this desire of people and things that creates unhappiness.

Spiritual practice will help tame our emotions and mental patterns (whether we have been cultivating them over past lives, or just in this one) and bring us closer to ultimate happiness (bliss--the same state we strive to achieve in the practice of yoga).

One things about Buddhism that bothered me--due to a negative attachment--was the concept of seeking refuge in the Three Jewels: Buddha, his doctrine known as Dharma, and the spiritual community of Buddhists known as the Sangha. I projected this to the Christian concepts of Jesus, Bible and Church. I have no problems with Buddha or Jesus. I begin to have issues when the pure messages are twisted, written down, and preached. And to be told that my soul will be damned if I do not prescribe to one particular society of people's views.

This is why I have been searching for the true meaning of God. Yoga has put me on the right path. I feel like I know the end answer, but getting to that answer is hard to discern. As with any religion, there is the extreme and the malleable. I am hoping that in this book I find help in guiding me on my journey to happiness.