Learning to Shred Like a Buddha - The What, Why & How of Buddhist Practice

03/01/23 • 0 min

By definition, practicing means doing something repeatedly, to develop skill, proficiency, or competence, in order to become “better” at it. It involves spending time, implicitly focused on a particular area of interest, to rise above the surface level and master something; then perhaps eventually using your knowledge, talent or skill to help or inspire others to strive for excellence and develop themselves in that area as well.

As a young kid, my aspiration to be a great guitar player taught me the importance of disciplining myself to sit and practice. Music touched me on such a deep level that I wanted to be able to share it with others, in my own way. I knew that if I ever wanted to play like the guitar heroes who’d influenced me, I’d need to first put in the time to master the fundamentals, study the relevant theories and learn whatever I could from other players, in order to develop my own style, using the skills and knowledge I’d acquired. It was difficult at first, but I conditioned myself to make it a habit.

In that manner of thinking however, what does it mean to practice buddhism and what exactly, are we trying to become better at? Is there some “expert level” to strive for? (and, who’s judging, anyway?) Why should anyone even begin practicing in the first place? Does it contribute any value to others, or is it merely a self-indulgent pursuit for enlightenment? More importantly, if someone decides they want to practice buddhism, how does one actually do it? (hint: there’s no rulebook or blueprint!)

In this episode, I reflect on my own experiences as a musician and as a buddhist, to answer those questions and explain the similarities as well as the differences between practicing music and walking the Eightfold Path - and why practicing anything is a lifelong pursuit!

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Previous Episode

The Eight Winds - Using Resistance to Navigate Through Adversity

Whether you’re a Buddhist, a Christian, Jewish, or Jedi, or even if you don’t identify with any preconceived ideology, if you’re human, there’s one thing we all have in common, without exception. That is, none of us are able to go through life without eventually encountering obstacles and adversity. No matter how rich or poor, or how well-educated you may be, there’s no such thing as a perfect life, devoid of mishaps. Even Luke Skywalker had issues...

Regardless of how much we plan, or how hard we work on achieving something, at some point, without fail we’ll inevitably hit a roadblock that forces us to rethink our strategy. Just when we think we’ve got everything under control, we’re blindsided by a tornado of unforeseen dilemma. Sometimes a setback can throw us completely off course and discourage us from continuing on our journey, creating stress and frustration and subsequently, weakening our self confidence.

The strategy for dealing with adversity and remaining on the path is to first identify the root of the problem and then determine whether we’re allowing our ego to get in the way to distract us and sabotage our progress.

When we’re inadvertently tossed into the eye of a storm, most of us react impulsively, based on our deluded, egoic self. Unfortunately, the ego has a way of stirring up the waves and throwing us overboard, making things even more difficult. If we instead become more mindful and allow our enlightened consciousness to make decisions, we’ll eventually realize the issue isn’t really the problem itself, but rather, our reaction to it.

In this episode, I discuss the buddhist concept of the Eight Winds and how becoming aware of what they are and identifying how they affect your decisions can help you turn your sails more effectively and use resistance to navigate through the storms. After all, you were born to resist, not to be abused...

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Next Episode

Meditation - Relax and Float Downstream

It’s not a stretch to say The Beatles were pioneers on many levels, from music to pop culture and their experiences with meditation and eastern wisdom undoubtedly influenced several of their songs. Of all of them, the song that planted a spiritual seed in me was “Tomorrow Never Knows” as the lyrics were inspired by John Lennon’s own fascination with universal consciousness.

Although you may be familiar with what meditation is, without first hand experience, it’s difficult to grasp the profound benefits it provides, because results aren’t exactly obtained overnight and most abandon the practice before realizing its full potential.

What does a consistent meditation practice entail? How does one sit and focus their attention for five minutes, let alone hours at a time? Is it even possible to quiet the mind in a world riddled with random distractions?

There are several types of meditation and the disciplines vary, depending on which sect of buddhism one follows. So, how does someone choose which one is best suited for them? Are some methods more effective than others? Do they all provide the same benefits?

With so many questions, beginning a meditation practice can be overwhelming. However, it’s the discipline of consistently practicing that enables us to recognize and cultivate our inherent Buddha consciousness, which motivates us to continue.

In this episode, I address these questions and explore how meditation can positively impact anyone, even if you’re not a Buddhist. I also share my personal meditation journey spanning nearly three decades, shedding light on its evolution and the profound influence it’s had on my life.

So sit back, relax and float downstream with me, as I unravel the mystery of meditation, offering insights, guidance, and inspiration to both novice and experienced practitioners alike. Discover the transformative power of this timeless practice and embark on a journey towards self-awareness and the truth of human consciousness!