Practical Buddhism is the foundation for being a monk at work.” ~Me
Practical Buddhism-is what I call the three practices that frame my daily life- it’s not a religion, but a way of being in the world; It’s very different from observing religious doctrine, dogma, and beliefs and instead, focuses on experiencing life moment-by-moment.
As Stephen Batchelor, author of the brilliant but brief book, Buddhism Without Beliefs, wrote:
There is nothing particularly religious or spiritual about this path. It encompasses everything we do. It is an authentic way of being in the world.”
Instead of following a systematic belief system or a prescribed pattern of rituals, I choose to focus my daily life on the following three active practices that anyone can implement to eliminate suffering:
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Compassionate-Kindness
My journey to Practical Buddhism
In 2012, I wrote a memoir about my spiritual journey called The Practical Buddhist. In it, I wrote about my upbringing in the conservative Southern Baptist tradition. At one time I was a devoted churchgoer and member of the Protestant community.
However, my experiences within the Christian church, and later as an initiate in Kriya Yoga, convinced me that I was still required to adopt someone else’s version of the truth. I came to realize that just because someone said something is true, didn’t make it so…at least for me.
As the years have passed, I came to see that religion was not something I could endorse. My own direct experiences proved it to be a hindrance rather than a path to self-discovery, growth, and happiness. All of these I eventually found in Practical Buddhism.
You can learn more about my journey and the book by clicking here.
Here are some posts about how I live as a Practical Buddhist
What’s Practical Buddhism? – a basic primer on what Practical Buddhism is all about.
How 3 Simple Practices Can Eliminate Suffering – their role and effect in my own life.
Why I Practice Buddhism, Don’t Attend Church, and Hold No Beliefs – A 2,500-word article that dives deep into my experiences in Christianity and Kriya Yoga
The Four Noble Truths – an excerpt from my book, The Practical Buddhist, on the Buddha’s four basic teachings in Christianity and Kriya Yoga
The Eight-fold Path – the path that ends all suffering; also an excerpt from the book
Compassionate Kindness in the 21st Century– an example of how I experience compassionate kindness at 30,000 feet.
How To Live Without Beliefs – Practical Buddhism is a belief-free concept and trust what we experience as reality.
The Importance of Asking the Big Questions – asking the truly big questions can change your life; Practical Buddhism is about asking these question openly and honestly.
Sitting Quietly, Simply Being – how to begin a practice of sitting quietly and simply enjoying the present moment.
