Good introduction to eastern philosophy?

[Omario]

I'm interested in learning more about mindfulness, being present, self awareness, consciousness, meditation, proper mind sets and attitudes, etc.

I was planning on buying power of now, but I've heard people here say its not that great and there are better resources out there. Any recommendations?

[Cosmo]

I'm a pretty big Alan Watts fan myself, you can find him on youtube.

[relep]

As a simple, practical introduction to meditation I liked this book: http://www.amazon.com/Minute-Meditation-...0399529950

For a more thorough explanation, with some eastern ideas presented as well: http://www.vipassanadhura.com/howto.htm

And this site gives a good introduction to buddhist concepts in general: http://buddhism.about.com/od/basicbuddhi...basics.htm


I liked the power of now as well. It could do with less fluff, and I wouldn't say it's strictly eastern but it is interesting none the less.

[TheoJ]

http://www.swamij.com/yoga-sutras.htm

[CartesianTheater]

You're about to go down the rabbit hole.

Power of Now is not a bad book per se, the thing is though it's going to have you trying to not think and that doesn't lead to a result but rather is result of something else, something that is describe in The Power of Now but really described how to attain.

Really just go buy something like the dummies guide. The first book I ever had on it was this http://www.amazon.com/Best-Guide-Meditat...editation. I'm not gonna say it's the best but you could do worse. If this is absolutely the beginning for you I would go with something like that and if some method piques your interest more than others, follow that.

[Omario]

So, I've read a good amount about the basics so far, and I have a problem with its teaching on the cause of suffering. To my understanding, one of the main causes of our suffering is our desire. Because we always want things and have the drive to go after things, we are doomed to suffer and be unsatisfied.

So I shouldn't try to go after a good job or build a successful business? I shouldn't try to get laid or find a good girlfriend? I shouldn't follow my dream of traveling the world? I shouldn't try and get in good shape and be fit? Because my desires will just make me suffer, I should just be happy with what I have and not go after anything more?

If that's the message, then I don't think Buddhism is for me. (or really anyone else who visits this site.)

[Cosmo]

When buddhists talk about suffering and desire, they really mean a striving towards, lusting for or obsession with getting what you want. An addiction or compulsion is an example of desire.

So its perfectly possible to want and go after tangible things and be compatible with buddhism as long as you stay on the holy path.

ps this is a bit of a problem with Buddhism for westerners, all the terms are translated from Sanskrit (or hindi I think) and in the west we don't necessarily have a synonym for those words! To use an example from another field, when people talk about psychoanalysis they talk about the id, ego and superego. But Freud never used those words! He talked about the "it", the "I" and the "above-I"! which gives a totally different sense of things!

Buddhism is better understood experientally or non-literally anyway, Try not to put too much stock in the vocabulary.

[nila11]

i would like to books reading for getting knowledge, philosophy and geography is my favorite subjects. i have no idea about eastern philosophy...