More thoughts

Just a few more thoughts on being a Buddhist. I think it is about being more peaceful, level headed, taking the middle path, not extremes, and also being more self aware of ones actions and thoughts.

I see the eightfold path as a way to find nirvana, a sort of inter-mixable 8 step program to be a better person. Here is an exert from Wikipedia on the eightfold path of Buddhism.

The Noble Eightfold Path—the fourth of the Buddha's Noble Truths—is the way to the cessation of suffering (dukkha). It has eight sections, each starting with the word "samyak" -frequently translated into English as "right", and presented in three groups known as the three higher trainings.

• Prajñā is the wisdom that purifies the mind, allowing it to attain spiritual insight into the true nature of all things. It includes:

1. dṛṣṭi (ditthi): viewing reality as it is, not just as it appears to be.
2. saṃkalpa (sankappa): intention of renunciation, freedom and harmlessness.

• Śīla is the ethics or morality, or abstention from unwholesome deeds. It includes:

3. vāc (vāca): speaking in a truthful and non-hurtful way
4. karman (kammanta): acting in a non-harmful way
5. ājīvana (ājīva): a non-harmful livelihood

• Samādhi is the mental discipline required to develop mastery over one’s own mind. This is done through the practice of various contemplative and meditative practices, and includes:

6. vyāyāma (vāyāma): making an effort to improve
7. smṛti (sati): awareness to see things for what they are with clear consciousness, being aware of the present reality within oneself, without any craving or aversion
8. samādhi (samādhi): correct meditation or concentration, explained as the first four jhānas

there is also some rules/precepts laid out for right living, beyond and involving the eightfold path which I tried to follow, also clearly spoken of from wikipedia.:

1. To refrain from taking life (non-violence towards sentient life forms), or ahimsā
2. To refrain from taking that which is not given (not committing theft)
3. To refrain from sensual (including sexual) misconduct
4. To refrain from lying (speaking truth always)
5. To refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness (specifically, drugs and alcohol)

The precepts are not formulated as imperatives, but as training rules that laypeople undertake voluntarily to facilitate practice.In Buddhist thought, the cultivation of dana and ethical conduct will themselves refine consciousness to such a level that rebirth in one of the lower heavens is likely, even if there is no further Buddhist practice. There is nothing improper or un-Buddhist about limiting one's aims to this level of attainment.

6. To refrain from eating at the wrong time (only eat from sunrise to noon)

7. To refrain from dancing and playing music, wearing jewelry and cosmetics, attending shows and other performances

8. To refrain from using high or luxurious seats and bedding

The complete list of ten precepts may be observed by laypeople for short periods. For the complete list, the seventh precept is partitioned into two, and a tenth added:

6. To refrain from taking food at an unseasonable time, that is after the mid-day meal

7. To refrain from dancing, music, singing and unseemly shows

8. To refrain from the use of garlands, perfumes, ointments, and from things that tend to beautify and adorn (the person)

9. To refrain from (using) high and luxurious seats (and beds)

10. To refrain from accepting gold and silver

I was easily able to follow many of these, but some were hard to do, or I'd find later in the day that I'd done one of them, often, right after breaking one of these precepts I would acknowlegde it and correct my actions. I wore make up daily, ate after lunch, danced as much as possible, I drank to get intoxicated. I lead a life of simple pleasures, but when the occasion arises, I do take pleasure how I want to whether it be drinking, dancing or wearing jewelry. It is part of being young and enjoying life to it's fullest, gaining experiences now that later in life I may give up and follow these precepts and attain nirvana.