Answer to ForbiddenKnowledge22

One Buddhist teacher that I respect once said:

"If it shouldn't be it wouldn't be."

The Fountain

“Asia, Europe are mere nooks of the universe. Every ocean is a drop in the universe: Mount Athos a spadeful of earth in the universe. The whole of present time is a pin-prick of eternity. All things are tiny, quickly changed, evanescent.
All things come from that other world, taking their start from that universal governing reason, or in consequence of it. So even the lion’s gaping jaws, poison, every kind of mischief are, like thorns or bogs, consequential products of that which is noble and lovely.
So do not think them alien to what you worship, but reflect rather on the fountain of things.”

Marcus Aurelius
Meditations, Book Six, 36

Value

Happiness is measured by the unconscious through the experience and presence of Love, friendship, humour, gratitude, hope and Truth.

These elements are cultivated and paid for with sacrifice, resilience, loyalty, courage, Honor.

This is the true value of our lives and it follows us onto our next journey.

The rest stays.

On religion, mindfulness and the Cosmos

Humans identify with certain religious beliefs out of a deep need for purpose and connection. I've had contact with Buddhists for a couple years and I could see that most of them got relief form delivering themselves to a group of people sharing the same set of beliefs and practices. And also by giving their hearts a honorable path to walk upon throughout their lives brought them purpose, guidance, safety and peace.

Buddhism is still a religion or set of beliefs yes but out of all those that our species as come up with, it's one that I can respect.

I believe that it would be beneficial to understand that ending with religion, criticising it, pointing it's flaws and so on won't solve the problem. Because those deep needs are still there no matter how much we fight religion.

Instead we could shift our focus and try to better understand those deep needs that drive human beings in identifying themselves with religion, cults or even political groups... This way we could present better alternatives to religion.

I for one feel in myself a very deep need in believing, pay respect and gratitude to some kind of higher power: the Cosmos itself feels to me like a very good alternative. I don't really know what the Cosmos is. No one really does. It's a mystery. But you can see it, taste it, feel it. It's all around us and within us.

Mindfullness is actually a very good tool in that it provides us a way to connect to this mystery and achieve some balance within ourselves.

Enter the flow

I've been practising BJJ for about a year now and I feel very happy to have made the decision to start practising this art.

Practising BJJ helps me to develop a number of qualities which out of the mat are of great importance.