[maysubers]

Okay. Well, to use a metaphor the Buddha was fond of, you must first know your afflictions, and then take the appropriate medicine in the appropriate quantities. What you're describing doesn't sound like it would require taking up monasticism. It's perfectly possible to learn how to relate skillfully with your emotional life with a lay practice.

The Buddha's monks renounced all worldly life to free themselves from worldly existence and the samsaric cycle of suffering-laden rebirths; this entails disenchantment with all sensory pleasures, including attachment to things like sex, music, or food. This does not sound like what you're going for. As such, I don't think you need to worry about having to become celibate.

I think a good place to look in terms of how to apply the Buddha's insights to a lay life would be the work of lay teachers: Gil Fronsdal, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Sylvia Boorstein, et al. are some people who have written books and given many talks (some of which you can find for free at Dharma Seed). Again, it's important to know your goals. Otherwise, you'll become completely lost.




edited by admin for spacing (visual migrain)