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Hello from Oregon!

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 9:47 pm
by duckfiasco
Hi, everyone. I'm Erik and I hail from Tigard, south of Portland in Oregon :) I'm 27 and work as a captioner for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing. I've been practicing Buddhism for only two or three years.

I'm coming to Theravada after starting in Zen, and a brief stint at a Kagyu center in town. My first introduction to Buddhism was Henepola Gunaratana's "Mindfulness in Plain English" which I read while deeply depressed. I had tried to find relief in Christianity, but was unsuccessful. The directness and practical advice of the Buddha and the authors I've read have made such a difference in my suffering and ability to help others with theirs.

I don't know why I never thought to explore Theravada more fully. I delved into Zen because of its no-nonsense approach, which is great for a self-admitted addict to complex theories and metaphysical speculation. It certainly helped put that into perspective. Several things have lined up to bring me full circle back to the tradition that was my gateway from depression into a surprising love and humor I never knew were there. I'm eager to explore it more.

If anyone can recommend local centers, I'd be so grateful. I'm hoping to attend something with the PDX Friends of the Dhamma.

So after all that, hi :hello:

Re: Hello from Oregon!

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:05 pm
by cooran
Welcome duckfiasco!! :group:

With metta,
Chris

Re: Hello from Oregon!

Posted: Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:11 pm
by DNS
Welcome to Dhamma Wheel!

:yingyang:

Re: Hello from Oregon!

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 2:58 am
by Monkey Mind
I'm near Portland, too. Pleased to meet you. :clap:

There's these folks: http://www.portlandinsight.org/home_main.html

And this group: http://pdxdhamma.org

You are a 1.5 hour drive from a very nice vipassana meditation center: http://www.kunja.dhamma.org
And that group has an active associated Oregon Vipassana Association, with activities in Portland, Bend, Eugene, Ashland... http://www.or.us.dhamma.org

You are also about 1.5 hour drive from an outstanding resource, an Ajahn Chah lineage hermitage: http://www.pacifichermitage.org
There are several people from Portland who drive out there with regularity, it is easy to find carpools.

You are also near Theravada monasteries and centers based in immigrant communities.

http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/search.ph ... =theravada

Re: Hello from Oregon!

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 3:23 am
by Monkey Mind
Oh, I forgot to mention... There is a very active Dharma Punx contingent in Portland. Not strictly Theravada, but heavily influenced by some of the Theravada teachers.

Re: Hello from Oregon!

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:14 am
by Ben
Greetings Erik and welcome to Dhamma Wheel!
kind regards,

Ben

Re: Hello from Oregon!

Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 8:31 am
by floating_abu
Welcome.

Re: Hello from Oregon!

Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:57 pm
by PadmaPhala
we share some key aspects about our life's experiences... "io sono*" 27 years young, really liked Zen (still do), gived christianity a chance (even gnostic christianity), went to a kagyu local sect... we even live in the same continent!

*in italian "I am"; one difference, the other is that I'm living in Costa Rica, not USA
N/ tathagata can be used as gender and number neutral pronoun

Re: Hello from Oregon!

Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 10:09 pm
by duckfiasco
Interesting Padma Phala :) I was fascinated with the Gospel of Thomas for a while, then realized I was trying to find a way to make Christianity more Buddhist. So that put an end to that.

I did try the Portland Insight Community and was unfortunately a bit put off at the newcomers' meeting. I'm not sure how much stock to put into gut feelings. I should probably try again since it's the only Theravada place I can go with my work schedule. I'm also looking around for places to (finally) attend my first multi-day retreat. I found a Cloud Mountain retreat lead by Rodney Smith that seemed interesting.

Thank you everyone for the welcome and the resources.