Of all the religions I have experianced, Buddhism is the only one that has rang true with me. My only problem is that I tend to live in rural areas, where there are no other buddhists, and definetly no temples. Right now I am in Ohio, but I will shortly be moving back home to Saskatchewan, as there is some sickness in the family and I am needed. Basically, the head of the family is going to be out of commision, and I will have to take over for her. It will be stressful, and I will need the calming influence of Buddhism. Do any of you live in remote areas? What do you do to keep in touch with your faith? I have some books which help me, but would a meditation area help? Any suggestions would be greatly appreiciated. Thank you!
If you feel the need for a temple or some sort of sanctuary, I would definitly bring one with you. Stock up on Good books, There are plenty of them. Maybe read the Tibetan book of the dead or some Leary or something. I have no idea what to suggest.
set up a seperate space in your house for meditating. adorn it with calming things. In buddhist countries, it'd be a shrine, probably with an altar with a statue of buddha or something. I don't know your feelings on all that, but I would probably hang some pictures of nature (since that's calming for me), set up with a meditation cushion, candles, some plants, etc.
Remote areas can be very calming if you don't get bored! Stock up on books or visit Amazon or Barnes n Noble and order some when you get there. Read a chapter or so and go sit on the back porch and connect with nature.
that's exactly what i was going to suggest. take advantage of the fact that you're in a rural area! your temple or sanctuary can be nature itself. there is nothing needed - no outside forces or things - for you to practice buddhism. it is all already within you. now, just tap into it. of course, some books or talks with some people may help for you to learn how to do this, but once you do, you'll see that you're in a great position for these new changes in your life. since you say that you'll be the "head of the family," look within yourself to cultivate compassion, which you can pass on to everyone else in your family. good luck!
Thanks for the help, Everyone. The area I am moving to is a weird urban-rural mix. It's considered a city, as there are 10,000 people living there... but there is nothing but farm land all around it. Its the kind of place that you can watch your dog run away from for 5 days. Farm land and open-ness as far as the eye can see... at least, once you get out of the city. There is a temple an hour away... which is also the place where I will be taking my mom for treatments. So, I will probably check it out. There is also a little wooden area in my "city" that is pretty quiet.. so I will probably hang out there a lot. Ironically, the wooden area surrounds a mental hospital! lol... just what I am trying to avoid! Thanks for the help!
just a reminder - dont feel like you have to go to any special place to enjoy nature. i mean, by all means DO go to special places, but also take a GOOD look around you everywhere you go. notice every little blade of grass, every leaf. listen for the chirps of birds, etc. i just wouldnt want you to miss all the nature and life that you might pass on your way to those quiet woods.
Rural areas are the best for Buddhists. Well, they're best in general too, but especially for people who meditate. I don't think temples and shrines are of any real importance - buddhism certainly isn't a 'faith' in the Judeo-Christian sense. Of course, if symbols and signs help you, then good for you - but don't think that you need them, because that would be contrary to the spirit of the thing.
