Buddhism without beliefs does seem kind of silly, when you really stop to think about it. It’s like practicing Christianity so you can enjoy Christmas presents. None of the personal/spiritual growth is entailed, just personal amusement.

People do enjoy their diversions ever so much.

(Speaking from experience)

It does appear that a lot of Western people take up meditation without beliefs, without Buddhism. I do not know if that is good or bad. What I did was take up a Buddhist practice, so meditation is only part of that. It’s a very large part — but without a vow to liberate all beings, why does a person sit? As you said, is it only to make yourself feel better?

Well, you could eat ice cream or something if that’s all you want to do.

Good luck with your practice, Doug! Be well!

I definitely appreciate your thoughts on the subject. Your conundrum is no doubt a very common one. I do get concerned retreat to the “just sit” answer to any question, but I don’t feel you’re doing that here. Mindfulness and meditation are quite important to the Buddha Path, and are one of the Six Perfections outlined in Mahayana Buddhism (and encouraged in the Yogacara book above), so you’re right to treat them as something important.

I guess what needs to offset this is your intention. Is your attention to relax and feel good? Then Buddhism is little more than a self-help exercise (I think Rev. Kosho Uchiyama called it utilitarian zen), but if your aim is Bodhi, then you’re practicing mindfulness in the right context.

Best of luck as you figure out this conundrum. I am still stuck on “what to practice” to reach from here to there. Even the precepts keep me busy these days. :-/

In my school we are often encouraged to live only “moment by moment.” Be fully present in THIS moment. When that happens, the mind is not concerned with the road ahead. The mind is only … HERE. And yet, we are also aware of the bodhisattva path — a very long road indeed. How can we stay on the path (and not wander to one side, by accident) if we are always only in this moment?

This is not an impossible puzzle. It is like every koan — difficult, yes. Impossible? No.

Seriously, I’m not trying to sound clever (just re-read what I wrote, and someone might interpret it that way). No, I’m only saying what the student is studying now (me — the student). My task at this time is to learn to live moment by moment, with my full attention here. Keeping my full attention on that which is before me.

If I cannot do it, then I will not be able to stay on the path.