tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post5228145123513594260..comments2023-08-23T01:37:52.765-04:00Comments on ByChanceBuddhism: Buddhism and Minimalism?Renatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02443520247398112519noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-61511695223797401002012-03-06T11:32:31.005-05:002012-03-06T11:32:31.005-05:00That's perfectly fine, Dan- I appreciate your ...That's perfectly fine, Dan- I appreciate your comments anytime! I have honestly changed my initial attitude towards minimalism a little bit, in that I want to approach it with a mindful, 'Middle Way' mindset, as you and Dharmaloss both mention. You're right, there seems to be a very strong minimalist thread between important spiritual leaders from multiple traditions. It seems the key is ridding attachment to possessions while not attaching to the idea of fewer possessions. <br /><br />Thanks again for your insight, May you be well!Renatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02443520247398112519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-5933031884958894982012-03-05T00:48:42.093-05:002012-03-05T00:48:42.093-05:00Great post. It may be strange to comment so late b...Great post. It may be strange to comment so late but I just discovered your blog site when I returned from my trip and I really wanted to comment on this one. The minimalist path is very intriguing as it plainly is seen in the path Jesus proposed and also was suggested by Lao Tzu in the Tao Te Ching. Perhaps it could be said to follow the "minimalist path moderately".Dan Kurttihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11657517314943743049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-56244249992870858822011-11-26T22:31:35.456-05:002011-11-26T22:31:35.456-05:00Hello dharmaloss! Thank you so much for your comme...Hello dharmaloss! Thank you so much for your comment- you have some great points. Although I have not yet put all my intentions into practice, even the feeling of wanting less stuff is so freeing. I have a long way to go, but feel I am on the right track- two more carloads of stuff- gone!<br /><br />That being said, I do appreciate your caution about attachment to minimalism. I think as people embark on a new practice, the tendency is to be enthusiastic. That is fine, but enthusiasm can give way to fanaticism if we are not careful. I have read about people living the "100 Things" lifestyle, where they make do with a very bare minimum of possessions. That is fine, but I can't help but feel that often there is some kind of ego trip attached to having "less". If that is the case, isn't that just an exchange of material possessions with mental baggage? As you suggested, the best path is the Middle Way. <br /><br />Thanks again for your comment! May you be well! _/|\_Renatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02443520247398112519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-26048013797299502892011-11-15T22:41:06.338-05:002011-11-15T22:41:06.338-05:00I think you are on the right track with your embra...I think you are on the right track with your embrace of minimalism. Sometimes, intentionally cutting off our connection to material things is very strong practice. Just remember that attachment to minimalism is also a path to suffering. Sometimes I think that the best way that the lay practitioner can enter a life of having less things to be attached to is simply not replace things as they wear out. Like the blessings being released by allowing the prayer flags to decay. Otherwise, we often fall into the trap of thinking about how great we are because we're throwing so much stuff away. It's a fine line to walk between attaching to things or attaching to not having things. I hope that your practice is strong and that you walk that line, gain enlightenment and save all beings from suffering.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-85443221528216342622011-11-12T15:47:15.010-05:002011-11-12T15:47:15.010-05:00Thanks so much for commenting, Eline!
What a won...Thanks so much for commenting, Eline! <br /><br />What a wonderful thing, that your boss's sister was able to travel to Tibet! Not many people can. Also great that your boss gave you those prayer flags.<br /><br />As for not hanging them, don't feel guilty, because a lot of people, including myself, feel the same way. They ARE pretty, and to see the rich colors fade and the fabric tear seems a little sad.<br /><br />But when we look at the motivation, as you said, that as they fade and decay, blessings will be released, we can rejoice about the impermanence of it all! This is actually pretty amazing, because instead of resisting impermanence like we usually do, the prayer flags can teach us how to embrace- or at least accept- it. <br /><br />This shows us the great potential we have to be aware of and perhaps even reduce the grasping and attachments in our minds.<br /><br />Great comment, and great story- thanks so much!<br /><br />PS: I have been meaning to hang my prayer flags, too, but have been waiting for an 'auspicious' occasion, whatever/whenever that is! :)Renatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02443520247398112519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350618880009072374.post-53514891524568789902011-11-11T17:04:44.759-05:002011-11-11T17:04:44.759-05:00I enjoyed this post. I have a set of prayer flags ...I enjoyed this post. I have a set of prayer flags from Tibet that an old boss gave me about 8 years ago. His sister had been to Tibet and brought them back as a gift. He gave them to me, thinking that finally there is a person who will hang them up as they are meant to be hung! But alas....they are so pretty I don't want them to be "ruined" by the elements (which is how you release the blessings)!!! This year FOR SURE, I'm going to hang them up. lol!Elinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17875833608067687354noreply@blogger.com