[CAxrrAYN]

Hello everyone
I'm in my early 40's and I've led a life so far with a low self esteem and I've often found the world to be a nasty place, full of aggressive unfriendly hurtful people. When I look back I suppose I feel like I've never been the real me, I've hidden from uncomfortable situations, lied to myself and generally had a very up and down personality with big highs and lows.

I've recently been looking at Buddhism and feel a strong connection with it.
I've read, The Art of Happiness, The Joy of Living, What makes you not a Buddhist, and Mindfulness in plain English. The things I've read about Karma and Mindfulness and Perspective I somehow feel that I've always known but I've not had the confidence to act on my inner feelings and have just acted in the "expected" way.

At the moment I have a calm peaceful mind and I'm not feeling troubled be the little things in life at all but I'm very aware that we all go through times like this and my focus is on building this feeling into a mental habit that will last and become more mindful and less reactive (and I must stop judging people, what a silly habit that can be).

I Don't really have a question to ask, I'm just taking the opportunity to share these feelings but I very much welcome any comments you might have.
Peace to you all

[WepKeyday]

Nice to read your post, Karma! Sounds like you're going through some tremendous growth at the moment. Good for you! Welcome to BWB.

[ENCOSEARRALIA]

Hi Karma,

Welcome to the group and thanks for telling us something about yourself. I hope you'll like it here.

Of the books you mention, I've read 'The Joy of Living' and 'What Makes you not a Buddhist'.
May I suggest that you might like to read and listen along to "What is Buddhism" and also "On the Four Noble Truths'' pinned at the beginning of the topics in this Beginners forum. Also, one of our members made some short videos on the First Noble Truth which might be of interest to you -and they can be found in the private Members Only forum next to the Tea Room.

There's also a variety of resources in our Study Links section if you feel like browsing them sometime.


with kind wishes,

Aloka-D

[Tusanoc]

Hi Karma,

Sorry if I use wrong English. The following is my opinion.

Nobody have ever been the real one because no 'I'.
'I' is something we are created and cling on because misunderstanding.
Mindfulness is the tool to let us to have a chance to understand the real thing that without 'I'.

[erepsysoulperj]

Hello Karma,

Thanks for shearing with us. Hopefully the teachings of Buddha will help you to have peacefulness in you mind.

Be welcome to the forum!

[Kolovorotkes]

....focus is on building this feeling into a mental habit that will last and become more mindful and less reactive (and I must stop judging people, what a silly habit that can be).

welcome Karma

as you have probably inferred, it is (also) important to stop judging ourself, using worldly frames of reference

and, instead, to look upon ourself from the viewpoint of Dharma, i.e., lovingly and respectfully rather than judgmentally

the Buddha taught "oneself is the protector of oneself"

the Buddha also taught good friends are also part of the path; understanding that those who take refuge in the Dharma also offer us lovingness and respect

peace to you, also

with metta

element

[mealiusarses]

Thank you all
I have listened to the "What is Buddhism" talk and enjoyed it.

Metta

[elton]

The Buddha said something like "no one deserves your love and affection more than you". It's often our habitual patterns (discursive thoughts among them) that can really hang us up!

Thank you for sharing and remember to be gentle with yourself.