ASD and non-sectarian Buddhism

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Hello

I am new to WrongPlanet and have introduced myself under "G'Day" getting to know etc.........

I am wondering if anyone is also interested in Buddhist views and methods, such as the development of compassion.

I believe in world peace and wish other people with other spiritual views to also post in the open spirit of non-sectarism.

On a humanistic level, belief in our potential as humans is paramount in our right to a geniune view offered by neuro-difference.

Our neuro-diversity provides new approaches to the human condition.

Thank you for reading my post

I'm interested in some of the ideas of Buddhism but I am not the sort to be attracted to any kind of ritualized religious behavior. It seems to me all you should need is your mind and your heart.

Hello Aimless,

Yes I can see how religious behaviour is ritualised.

Our Minds and Hearts is what we have to care for ourselves and others around us. Just the mind itself contains our heart or heart-mind as sentience itself. The luminosity within!

Thank you for reading and posting

Hi , i work as a teacher of the alexander technique and Mindfulness practioner. I am also a part of the Heart of London Sangha.....see link below.

http://www.heartoflondonsangha.org.uk/

I study Buddhist philosophy, but I'm not interested in the more religious-like aspects. I think that since I've become more aware of Buddhist ways I've become a better, happier person.

Hi, and welcome!
I am a buddhist practioner, I have been practicing buddhism since I was 20 years old.
I studied Sanskrit because of my spiritual path, many ancient buddhist texts are written in Sanskrit. I took Bachelor in Sanskrit and to translate buddhist teachings from the original language is something so powerful and nourishing for my heart and all my being.
I practice meditation in my daily life, and I went many times in buddhist monasteries for retreats.
I am interested in developing mindfulness and awareness and cultivate my heart.
If you want to know or share something about it, you can pm me.
Thank you.

Hello

I think that Buddhism has many benefits for people with ASD. I am a Mahayana Sutrayana Preceptor of the Indo-Tibetan schools. The view I support is the Madhyamaka-Yogachara or the "Greater Middle Way", of the Nyingma lineage, although I remain non-sectarian.

To practice with mindfulness and awareness is a noble path of the inate intelligence within.

Namo Buddhaya Guruve
Namo Dharmaya Tayine
Namo Samghaya Mahate
Tribyopi Satatam Namah

Others here are well versed in the Buddha-dharma. Lets talk together about both compassion and wisdom.

Thank you for reading my post!

I am a Theravadin buddhist, but I integrate my practice with Zen approach, particularly Soto-Zen.
I am also deeply inspired by the Bodhissatva ideal.
I agree with you, Buddhism has great benefits for people with ASD, and actually for every human being.
Spiritual life is to realize our Buddha nature in the present moment.
At the heart of our being there is that which is complete- the source of compassion and wisdom.
Through meditation we can develop mindfulness, how to be fully present, and this is the way to awaken to our original nature, our enlightened nature.

Hi Sraddha,

I started in the Theravadin school when I was 14. Then I started Zen in my early 20's [I am ordained as a novice priest in the Rinzai and Soto schools].
Then I met Tibetan Lama's in my mid 20's. I am 47 now and still learning the fundamental message of anatman.

I agree with you, the radiant reflexive nature of awareness is open to all of us. It is the first generation experience of mind, then the second generation of mind is the thoughts based on sensory experience, both internal phenomena and the outside fields of perception. The Bodhisattva Way of Life is both inspired and engaged.

Have you ever read Shantideva's work? [So... good]

In the 9th Chapter on Wisdom he writes;

1.
All these branches of the Doctrine
The Powerful Lord expounded for the sake of wisdom
Therefore they must generate this wisdom
Who wish to have an end of suffering

2.
Relative and absolute,
These the two truths are declared to be.
The absolute is not within the reach of intellect,
For intellect is grounded in the relative.



Thank you for your email Sraddha.


Sri Vajra

It is so refreshing to have connections here on matters Beyond the intelect. Thank you.

Hi Ambiguity [I see this everytime I look into the mirror]

Thank you for your post. We all seek happiness, don't we- in our own way. Even the bees and ants seek their own happiness within their relative experience.
We are not so different in our seeking.

One of the great benefits of the spectrum is the attention to detail. The Buddhists appreciate this quality of mind.

All the teahings are based on clear logic.

What philosophy do you relate too?

Hello Quaker,

I had a look at your link, thank you! You have a great teacher.

Please share your thoughts and experience.

Beyond the intellect is pure awareness- stainless in quality. Thoughts and emotions can not stain it. It works for our benefit 24 hours a day.

Beyond intellect is the heart essence!

Thank you Art-sung.

Like many quakers I have a deep respect for all traditions.. I have found the quaker way and the engaged Buddhism offered by Thich Nhat Hanh a Wonderful practice.

I have little desire for Religiosity, but I seek to nourish the seed of Mindfulness..

I have little interest in theology or 'holly texts' but every interested in applying mindfulness practice to all areas of my life..

I am deeply committed to non-voilence and peace and reconciliation.

For me to just simply be able to to put a space (conscious breath) beteeen a thought and a reaction not only helps me brake out of neurologically determined patterns (aspie conpulsivity, going off in tangents, poor listening etc), but it also helps me to be more anchored in my deeper nature and the present moment.

For many years I hid behind a frozen and contemplative type exterior, this is how i surviived life. These days and after many years practice, i can experience non- reaction in a deeply spiritual sence.

Perhaps my greatist acheivement in life is to be able to admit to myself that i do not know all the answers and often dont have any answers at all..

Some days i feel my Buddha nature is in stark contrast to my AS nature, in such times i can hear Thich wispering in my ear saying, "hello conpulsivity, I recognice yr pressence, thank you, but no Thank you......i will be fine just breathing"

Hi Quaker,
thank you for your post.
I am too deeply inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings.
Buddhist practice have already transformed my life, it is so beneficial, help me to be grounded, settled, to be aware of my feelings and thoughts, my AS, and to develop in my heart a spiritual sense of non- violence, appreciation, patient, peace.
Sense of interbeing, freedom, let go and how to be fully present. and develop the Buddha Nature within.

My main meditation practices are:
anapanasati, mindfulness of breathing
metta cultivation of loving kindness, compassion towards myself and towards all sentient beings, in the space of my heart and beyond.
These both practices nourish my spiritual path, also they are truly healing and helpful
to understand and overcome my AS reactions.

I am fully dedicated to my buddhist practice.

Art-Sung..Yes! I love and I translated some chapters from the Sanskrit Bodhicaryavatara, Shantideva.
How to develop Bodhicitta (the heart-mind of enlightenment) through the six Paramitas
I am also inspired by the Sanskrit text Bhaghavadgita and by the teachings in the Upanishads.

Thank you.

Hello to All,

The Zen teacher Hogen Roshi has visited Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh. I received ordination from Hogen Roshi.

Mindfullness = Carefulness.

How can we care if we are not mindful? It is not possible. Even mindfulness is loving kindness [Metta]. The radiance of minds nature just breaths through us.

I am posting the Metta Prayer as it is quite universal in it's appeal, and other people who view this thread may not understand what we refer too.
I do not think many people would disagree with it's spirit.

The Metta Prayer

May all beings be happy, content, and fulfilled.
May all beings be healed and whole.
May all have whatever they want and need.
May all be protected from harm, and be free of fear.
May all beings enjoy inner pease and ease.
May all beings be awakened, liberated, and free.
May there be peace in this world, and throughout the entire universe.



The Buddha himself taught that if we repeatedly practice this prayer
and it's meditation, with a forgiving loving heart, letting go of judgement, anger, and prejudice......
many great benefits will naturally arise.

You will sleep peacefully.
You will awake with ease.
You will have pleasant dreams.
People will love you.
Your face will be radiant.
Your mind will be naturally concentrated and serene.
You will live unconfused.
.........................................................

All the very best!

Very beautiful.....Thank you