Buddhist beliefs and practices can be woven into everyday life. In fact it really should not be any other way since Te Buddha’s teachings do not interfere with nor disturb any other beliefs or practices.To many people, Buddhism extends beyond religion into a way of life. Here are a few suggestions to help you live more mindfully and explore your faith in everything you do.
Take Walks Regularly – Walking is one of Buddha’s four postures, and it is a type of meditation that allows us to practice mindful awareness. In our everyday lives, be sure to take walks regularly while appreciating the natural beauty that surrounds us. Go for walks in different locations. Mobile apps such as AllTrails, which covers over 50,000 trails across Canada and the United States, make it easy for us to find new and beautiful routes. Another way to explore the Buddhist faith is to take part in a walking retreat. These events put a new spin on meditation retreats, allowing us to practice mindfulness in groups while going on walks in stunning locations.
Make Friends with Other Spiritual People – One of the best ways to explore our faith is with other people, engaging in thoughtful discussion. It’s easier than ever to get in touch with these individuals as a wide variety of technology enables us to connect with people who share similar interests. Around the world, there are over 1,300 Meetup groups for Buddhists. These range from meditation groups and book clubs to general hangouts, so you’re sure to be able to connect with other people who share similar interests and wish to engage with others about their shared faith.
Discover Buddhist Musicians – Modern artists are finding new ways to express their Buddhist faith using music. Jazz musician Jen Shyu describes Buddhist ceremonies and lessons in her songs while Kansho Tagai—also known as MC Happiness—is a monk/rapper who combines Buddhist sutras with Hip Hop. Both artists use different genres of music to propagate the Dharma, allowing Buddhists all over the world to connect with their faith in a new way. Jen Shyu’s music is available on Deezer, Spotify and YouTube.
The key to exploring Buddhism is to really explore life and all we are fortunate enough to know and find. There are no situations or moments in which we can apply, learn, grow and experience in this beautiful moment known as life.
Peace and Love, Jim
