I'm not sure what to say, but hello!

[Reiyana]

Thank you for stopping by my introduction. Hopefully I won't be boring to you. My name is Kelly, but my nickname is Reiyana(which comes from an online game I play). Most of my friends have come to call me Reiya. Currently, I live with my mother, father, and elder brother in Georgia(USA). I was born and raised in this state in a town called Warner Robins. Just a few little things about me, then I will move on to why I am here. I am almost always an introvert. Most of my days are spent alone, reading or listening to music. Yet, there are days where I burst out of my shell and talk with lots of people. I love being creative, and I've been writing since I was a in middle school. My goal is to become a teacher, and I will begin college in the fall to work towards that. I love old movies, especially from the 20's and 30's.

Anyway, why am I here? I have never been a religious person, although I am a person with very deep beliefs who loves to study religion, philosophy, etc. Yesterday, I got into a philosophical discussion with my peers. The question: Pain. What's the point in living if there's so much pain? My friends argued that no one should feel pain, and they wished there was nothing but happiness in the world with no arguing or fighting of any kind. I argued that pain is a part of life that is needed for growth. If no one felt pain and no one disagreed with one another, there would be no growth, no new ways of thinking, no learning. Everyone would just sit around agreeing with each other. Anyway, the details are not necessary. That argument is only the first event in the chain that seems to be unfolding my life. Later that day, I told my friend that I felt empty and I believed that perhaps I needed religion or something in my life to believe in. He asked me, "What are your beliefs?" So, I listed of some things I deeply feel to be truth which I associate with religion and basic questions religion answers. I said I believe in karma and reincarnation. I listed a few things. After I got done rambling(as you will probably find I do quite extensively), I looked back and realized much of what I believed was what I knew of Buddhism. While I've never studied it in the slightest, there is that sort of "pop culture" aspect of it that gave me basic knowledge of some of the beliefs. That night, after all my friends had gone to sleep, I read for quite some time about the history of Buddhism. I read of Buddha and his life. I read about many things and found that not only did most of what I read expand on my basic beliefs, but a lot more touched me deeply. I've spent much of my life studying and searching for what I connect to. I read about Wicca, Christianity, Shamanism, Druidry, etc. Buddhism was always there, but I passed it by. While I can't fully explain why, I always wanted to read of Buddha, but it felt like I shouldn't. Not like I shouldn't in my entire life, just not at that time. I hope that makes sense. Last night just felt like the right time. At this point in life, I am in need of something. What I've found, even just in my initial research, has already touched me. I've read about so many other things, never finding something I could truly believe in, and now I feel that I have.

So, here I am. New to it all. I admit that I am young. Only 18 years of age, soon to be 19. My family always pushed me to explore, to figure out my own way of thinking. They have been my biggest supporters in life. Always telling me to read, think, learn, and grow. That is what I am doing now. I wish to learn, to grow, to expand upon my beliefs, and to find what it is I'm looking for. If that can be found in Buddhism for me, then so be it. If not, I still wish to learn and to know. I respect all of this greatly. Thank you for your time and for reading my post. If any ignorance has been displayed, I am sorry. Have a wonderful day.

[Moggalana]

Welcome, Reiyana

[Mawkish1983]

Hello there I hope you learn loads in your time here

[bodom]

Welcome Reiyana!

[Reiyana]

Thank you for welcoming me.

[PeterB]

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

Welcome to Dhamma Wheel.



Metta,
Retro.

[Zom]

Hello, Reiya,

I had a similar experience about 4 years ago - and from that moment I felt very clearly how all the course of my life changed radically - so be prepared for that -) Right now as I look back - I can't remeber a more weird thing in my life than this sudden rush to Buddhism. It was like a seed matured and sprout appeared. And now it have grown up and even borne some tasty fruits -)

[Ben]

Hi Kelly
Welcome to Dhamma Wheel!
I hope the following publication is of interest to you!
The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... toend.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
kind regards

Ben

[Wind]

That's a nice intro Reiya. Glad that you are finally exploring Buddhism.

[dhamma_spoon]

Hi, Kelly-

You wrote a few things that I find quite unusual for any 18+ years old person to do or think about.

"Most of my days are spent alone, reading or listening to music I love old movies, especially from the 20's and 30's."
"Yesterday, I got into a philosophical discussion with my peers. The question: Pain. What's the point in living if there's so much pain?
Later that day, I told my friend that I felt empty and I believed that perhaps I needed religion or something in my life to believe in."
"I listed of some things I deeply feel to be truth which I associate with religion and basic questions religion answers. I said I believe in karma and reincarnation. I listed a few things. After I got done rambling(as you will probably find I do quite extensively), I looked back and realized much of what I believed was what I knew of Buddhism. While I've never studied it in the slightest ..."
"That is what I am doing now. I wish to learn, to grow, to expand upon my beliefs, and to find what it is I'm looking for. If that can be found in Buddhism for me, then so be it."

The following two articles may help you understand more deeply about pains and suffering as taught by the Buddha. Who knows what that understanding may lead you to?

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... el186.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... el202.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Best wishes,


Tep
-----

[OcTavO]

Hello Reiyana,

[Lori]

Hello and welcome Reiyana/Kelly. I am new here too and I feel that I have finally found the right path.