simple buddhism's all it is

[charlie k-pin]

The titles pretty straightforward. i want to become buddhist, or at least take a look into it....im not really interested in the religious aspect, just the meditative part. Im only looking to attain a higher state of conciousness, i dont see all the myths to be relevant. i want to be learn to "distance" myself from my emotions better, and just be an observer.(not all the time obviously, im still human:P)
As well as just achieving a better sense of being, a more contemplative, balanced reality. I cant really label what i want, its deeper than that, but id just wanna be able to practice the techniques of the buddhist, not neccesarrily the Theology behind them.

tl/dr: Totse....becoming a buddhist..how is it, and where to start?

[---Beany---]

You could start by asking Totse.

[killallthewhiteman]

You could try transcendental meditation

this is meditation in which consciousness is focused on consciousness itself.

If you seek spiritual knowledge try the vedas.

The bible is one book whilst the Vedas is an entire culture with enough literature to fill a library

http:../../buddhism.kalachakranet.org/index.html

Really good site, even if you're not into the "religious" aspect. The "Practice and Meditation" and "Problematic Emotions" sections are pretty informative.

[yango wango]

Originally Posted by charlie k-pin

tl/dr: Totse....becoming a buddhist..how is it, and where to start?

You have already begun:P.

Seriously though just pick up some books, start reading and incorporate it into your life. I'm by no means a buddhist but I can recomend a couple:

http://www.amazon.com/When-Things-Fa...8765097&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Glimpse-Nothin...8765257&sr=1-1

[ArmsMerchant]

OP, you need to realize there are various schools and sects of Buddhism, for one thing.

I would recommend going directly to the source, the Teachings of The Compassionate Buddha (I think that is the exact title.)

FYI, the Vedas are more about Hinduism, not Buddhism, and TM is a spirtual practice, not a religious one.

[Yggdrasil]

I you live in a town with a sizable Asian population (almost any major city), you'll likely find a local Temple. Just go there and talk to the instructors for information.

[kurdt318]

Save yourself the time and money and learn about Taoism:

[EpicurusGeorge]

Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant

I would recommend going directly to the source, the Teachings of The Compassionate Buddha (I think that is the exact title.)

I agree, I really liked that book and I think that it changed my life for the better.

[killallthewhiteman]

Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant

the Vedas are more about Hinduism

I disagree; although i admit you are somewhat correct. You understand that Christians follow the bible but that does not mean they follow the teachings completely- they make their own interpretation of it; not to mention it only contains a fraction of spiritual knowledge the Vedas does.

Just like Hinduism is only using a fraction of the spiritual knowledge in the Vedas; it uses the Vedas but that doesn't mean someone who uses the Vedas is a Hindu ( for a start this is a derogatory term used by the west- Hindu's find this term offensive).

Hinduism is formed on the basis of the vedas not the other way around.

The fact that the original incarnation of Buddha is mentioned in detail in the Vedas illustrates this point.

Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant

TM is a spirtual practice, not a religious one

couldn't agree with you more; however i was trying to keep it in context to the OP

many people don't understand that spiritual knowledge can be attained without religion, im guessing that because Buddhism is typically known by the west as a more spiritual religion because it lacks theism the OP wanted to become a Buddhist because he wanted spiritual knowledge without the Religious devotional component; not knowing there are other means of this besides Buddhism.

I see vedic culture as a good alternative or at least something worth exploring