I'm really scared.

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kalyana.mitta
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by kalyana.mitta »

JamesTheGiant wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2020 6:03 am If you are that scared, you must stop wasting time, and start to practice the dhamma! What are you doing?!
8 precepts, meditation, 8fold path, study, visiting monastery. Go!
Thank you. but like I said before no matter how much I practice precepts, read suttas, visit the monastery on a weekly basis, I still get very scared.
JamesTheGiant wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2020 6:03 am Also it might be a good idea to go to the doctor and talk about anxiety.
I guess this could be a reason?
"Whatever treasure in this world or in other any worlds, whatever precious jewel there is in the heavens, none is equal to the Buddha. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By there truth, may there be wellbeing."
:candle: Ratana Sutta | Sn 2.1 :candle:
kalyana.mitta
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by kalyana.mitta »

DooDoot wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2020 6:12 am The Buddha taught "ottappa", which means "fear of results of evil deeds", is one of five required virtues or "gates" to the Dhamma, together with mindfulness (sati), clear-comprehension (sampajjana), concentration (samadhi) & moral shame (hiri). Your fear about hell won't lead to hell; as long as you do good deeds. Have faith friend. With metta :)
Thank you, that was well explained. Like others have said I might be over-worrying. But from what you're saying, it's okay to have a at least a small fear of evil deeds right?
"Whatever treasure in this world or in other any worlds, whatever precious jewel there is in the heavens, none is equal to the Buddha. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By there truth, may there be wellbeing."
:candle: Ratana Sutta | Sn 2.1 :candle:
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Lucas Oliveira
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by Lucas Oliveira »

kalyana.mitta wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 3:58 am
Ceisiwr wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2020 3:35 am Greetings,

It’s probably best to stop watching videos about hell and to stop overly worrying about it. You don’t know what the future holds. If you keep your sila then you will find a pleasant abiding.

Metta

:)
Thanks. Is it still also wrong to watch these videos to get a fear of wrongdoing?
When your mind is calmer ..

and also remember the Buddha’s teachings about Hell ..

You will be able to watch horror movies peacefully ..

after a few months .. take the test ..

I was also impressed with some scenes from films about hell .. a while passed and I reflected more on the topic .. now I can see with more tranquility
John Constantine Going to Hell Scene (Movie 2005)

constantine visits hell

YouTube
:namaste:
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pegembara
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by pegembara »

kalyana.mitta wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2020 3:10 am I just watched an animated video about hell and it really scared me so much.
I've watched lots of these before too, and I've always got really scared of them when I was younger. I thought now that I'm older I wouldn't be as scared when watching these types of videos but I was wrong. I couldn't even watch up to 1 min of the video as I got really terrified just like I did when I was little.
The Buddha didn't share your concern. He was more concerned with what he and the rest of humanity knew to be "true".
"And what may be said to be subject to aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement? Spouses & children... men & women slaves... goats & sheep... fowl & pigs... elephants, cattle, horses, & mares... gold & silver [2] are subject to aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement. Subject to aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement are these acquisitions, and one who is tied to them, infatuated with them, who has totally fallen for them, being subject to birth, seeks what is likewise subject to aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement. This is ignoble search.

"And what is the noble search? There is the case where a person, himself being subject to birth, seeing the drawbacks of birth, seeks the unborn, unexcelled rest from the yoke: Unbinding. Himself being subject to aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement, seeing the drawbacks of aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement, seeks the aging-less, illness-less, deathless, sorrow-less, undefiled, unexcelled rest from the yoke: Unbinding. This is the noble search.

"I, too, monks, before my Awakening, when I was an unawakened bodhisatta, being subject myself to birth, sought what was likewise subject to birth. Being subject myself to aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement, I sought [happiness in] what was likewise subject to illness... death... sorrow... defilement. The thought occurred to me, 'Why do I, being subject myself to birth, seek what is likewise subject to birth? Being subject myself to aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement, why do I seek what is likewise subject to illness... death... sorrow... defilement? What if I, being subject myself to birth, seeing the drawbacks of birth, were to seek the unborn, unexcelled rest from the yoke: Unbinding? What if I, being subject myself to aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement, seeing the drawbacks of aging... illness... death... sorrow... defilement, were to seek the aging-less, illness-less, deathless, sorrow-less,, unexcelled rest from the yoke: Unbinding?'

https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html
And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter: This is called right speech.
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robertk
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by robertk »

And people have told me that as long as you do meritorious things in this life, you don't have to be scared of going to hell. But no matter how many uncountable good things I have done in my life so far, I get so frightened every time I watch a video about hell. Just thinking about it is like a nightmare while I'm awake.
Dear kalyana.mitta,
It is not surprising you have this reaction to the perils of samsara. It is really the only thing that is worth fearing.
Yet the Buddha never encouraged unwholesome fear.

I think there are various reactions to the teachings on the lower realms.
1. Try to ignore them.
2. Decide they must be metaphorical or meant as similes for states of mind in this brief life only.
3. Think that the Buddha was caught up in the worldviews of his time, and that they are not actually correct teachings.
4. Believe that they are real but get propelled to put forth unwholesome energy and seek out various supposed shortcuts that are current.
5. Learn that the heart of the Dhamma is anatta, and then the possibility of the lower realms becomes not so fearful. It really does spur wholesome states - and wholesome states never arise with unpleasant feeling or fear. There is detachment then, momentarily, and this can become a little more Frequent and so confidence and fearlessness grow..
This is from a book by Sujin Boriharnwanaket on the perfection of energy, which is also courage..
https://dhammastudygroup.org/audio/lvgP ... Energy.mp3
kalyana.mitta
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by kalyana.mitta »

robertk wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 5:26 am Dear kalyana.mitta,
It is not surprising you have this reaction to the perils of samsara. It is really the only thing that is worth fearing.
Yet the Buddha never encouraged unwholesome fear.

I think there are various reactions to the teachings on the lower realms.
1. Try to ignore them.
2. Decide they must be metaphorical or meant as similes for states of mind in this brief life only.
3. Think that the Buddha was caught up in the worldviews of his time, and that they are not actually correct teachings.
4. Believe that they are real but get propelled to put forth unwholesome energy and seek out various supposed shortcuts that are current.
5. Learn that the heart of the Dhamma is anatta, and then the possibility of the lower realms becomes not so fearful. It really does spur wholesome states - and wholesome states never arise with unpleasant feeling or fear. There is detachment then, momentarily, and this can become a little more Frequent and so confidence and fearlessness grow..
This is from a book by Sujin Boriharnwanaket on the perfection of energy, which is also courage..
https://dhammastudygroup.org/audio/lvgP ... Energy.mp3
Thank you for taking the time to write all those suggestions. Although I have to disagree with #3 but still thanks. I think I'll stick with #4.
"Whatever treasure in this world or in other any worlds, whatever precious jewel there is in the heavens, none is equal to the Buddha. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By there truth, may there be wellbeing."
:candle: Ratana Sutta | Sn 2.1 :candle:
kalyana.mitta
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by kalyana.mitta »

dharmacorps wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2020 4:02 pm
JamesTheGiant wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2020 6:03 am If you are that scared, you must stop wasting time, and start to practice the dhamma! What are you doing?!
8 precepts, meditation, 8fold path, study, visiting monastery. Go!

Also it might be a good idea to go to the doctor and talk about anxiety.
James is wise, listen to him!

I'd also say, fear of going to hell often does not spur people to action but rather, despair. The Buddha's message is we can do something about it. Take action!
:goodpost: Thank you
"Whatever treasure in this world or in other any worlds, whatever precious jewel there is in the heavens, none is equal to the Buddha. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By there truth, may there be wellbeing."
:candle: Ratana Sutta | Sn 2.1 :candle:
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lavantien
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by lavantien »

kalyana.mitta wrote: Sun Mar 08, 2020 3:10 am And people have told me that as long as you do meritorious things in this life, you don't have to be scared of going to hell.
Having spiritual urgency is a good thing, but this statement is false, only stream-enterer or one who is on the path to stream-enter will be free from bad destinations, but you not need to be scared as long as you are going in the right direction.
https://suttacentral.net/sn55 wrote: “Mendicants, a noble disciple who has four things has gone beyond all fear of being reborn in a bad place. What four? It’s when a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the Buddha … the teaching … the Saṅgha … And they have the ethical conduct loved by the noble ones … leading to immersion. A noble disciple who has these four things has gone beyond all fear of being reborn in a bad place.”
"Then the Teacher, being sympathetic, and having compassion for the whole world,
said to me, “Come, monk!” That was my ordination.
Staying alone in the wilderness, meditating tirelessly,
I have completed what the Teacher taught, just as the victor advised me.

In the first watch of the night, I recollected my past lives.
In the middle watch of the night, I purified my clairvoyance.
In the last watch of the night, I shattered the mass of darkness."
- KN Thag 12.2
kalyana.mitta
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by kalyana.mitta »

lavantien wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 5:58 am Having spiritual urgency is a good thing, but this statement is false, only stream-enterer or one who is on the path to stream-enter will be free from bad destinations, but you not need to be scared as long as you are going in the right direction.
https://suttacentral.net/sn55 wrote: “Mendicants, a noble disciple who has four things has gone beyond all fear of being reborn in a bad place. What four? It’s when a noble disciple has experiential confidence in the Buddha … the teaching … the Saṅgha … And they have the ethical conduct loved by the noble ones … leading to immersion. A noble disciple who has these four things has gone beyond all fear of being reborn in a bad place.”
:goodpost: Yes that's exactly what I thought as well. They said that if I do good things in this life then I won't be reborn in a bad destination. But what about future lives? It's not certain that I'll always be reborn into the human world or the heavenly world.
"Whatever treasure in this world or in other any worlds, whatever precious jewel there is in the heavens, none is equal to the Buddha. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By there truth, may there be wellbeing."
:candle: Ratana Sutta | Sn 2.1 :candle:
SteRo
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by SteRo »

kalyana.mitta wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 6:11 am ...
Yes that's exactly what I thought as well. They said that if I do good things in this life then I won't be reborn in a bad destination. But what about future lives? It's not certain that I'll always be reborn into the human world or the heavenly world.
Be aware that thinking along these lines you are cultivating conceit.
Cleared. αδόξαστος.
SteRo
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by SteRo »

"This is how he attends inappropriately: 'Was I in the past? Was I not in the past? What was I in the past? How was I in the past? Having been what, what was I in the past? Shall I be in the future? Shall I not be in the future? What shall I be in the future? How shall I be in the future? Having been what, what shall I be in the future?' Or else he is inwardly perplexed about the immediate present: 'Am I? Am I not? What am I? How am I? Where has this being come from? Where is it bound?'

"As he attends inappropriately in this way, one of six kinds of view arises in him: The view I have a self arises in him as true & established, or the view I have no self... or the view It is precisely by means of self that I perceive self... or the view It is precisely by means of self that I perceive not-self... or the view It is precisely by means of not-self that I perceive self arises in him as true & established, or else he has a view like this: This very self of mine — the knower that is sensitive here & there to the ripening of good & bad actions — is the self of mine that is constant, everlasting, eternal, not subject to change, and will stay just as it is for eternity. This is called a thicket of views, a wilderness of views, a contortion of views, a writhing of views, a fetter of views. Bound by a fetter of views, the uninstructed run-of-the-mill person is not freed from birth, aging, & death, from sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, & despair. He is not freed, I tell you, from suffering & stress.

"And what are the ideas fit for attention that he does attend to? Whatever ideas such that, when he attends to them, the unarisen fermentation of sensuality does not arise in him, and the arisen fermentation of sensuality is abandoned; the unarisen fermentation of becoming does not arise in him, and the arisen fermentation of becoming is abandoned; the unarisen fermentation of ignorance does not arise in him, and the arisen fermentation of ignorance is abandoned. These are the ideas fit for attention that he does attend to. Through his not attending to ideas unfit for attention and through his attending to ideas fit for attention, unarisen fermentations do not arise in him, and arisen fermentations are abandoned.

"He attends appropriately, This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress... This is the way leading to the cessation of stress. As he attends appropriately in this way, three fetters are abandoned in him: identity-view, doubt, and grasping at precepts & practices. These are called the fermentations to be abandoned by seeing.

And what are the fermentations to be abandoned by restraining?
...
And what are the fermentations to be abandoned by using?
...
And what are the fermentations to be abandoned by tolerating?
...
And what are the fermentations to be abandoned by avoiding?
...
And what are the fermentations to be abandoned by destroying?
...
And what are the fermentations to be abandoned by developing?
...
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html
Cleared. αδόξαστος.
sunnat
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by sunnat »

It's not a good idea to deliberately expose yourself to things that makes you tense or worried, just as its not a good idea to watch porn if you're inclined to break sila if stimulated. Avoid entertainment. Aim to calm the mind and be still, not agitated. With stillness you'll be able to see subtleties.



On the other hand, as you progress there will come times when terrors arise without stimulation. To have learned to have a stillness from which this is observed will help you to calmly observe the fear rise and pass away without clinging to it.
kalyana.mitta
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by kalyana.mitta »

SteRo wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 8:10 am
"This is how he attends inappropriately: 'Was I in the past? Was I not in the past? What was I in the past? How was I in the past? Having been what, what was I in the past? Shall I be in the future? Shall I not be in the future? What shall I be in the future? How shall I be in the future? Having been what, what shall I be in the future?' Or else he is inwardly perplexed about the immediate present: 'Am I? Am I not? What am I? How am I? Where has this being come from? Where is it bound?'

"As he attends inappropriately in this way, one of six kinds of view arises in him: The view I have a self arises in him as true & established, or the view I have no self... or the view It is precisely by means of self that I perceive self...

"And what are the ideas fit for attention that he does attend to? Whatever ideas such that, when he attends to them, the unarisen fermentation of sensuality does not arise in him, and the arisen fermentation of sensuality is abandoned; the unarisen fermentation of becoming does not arise in him, and the arisen fermentation of becoming is abandoned; the unarisen fermentation of ignorance does not arise in him, and the arisen fermentation of ignorance is abandoned. These are the ideas fit for attention that he does attend to. Through his not attending to ideas unfit for attention and through his attending to ideas fit for attention, unarisen fermentations do not arise in him, and arisen fermentations are abandoned...

"He attends appropriately, This is stress... This is the origination of stress... This is the cessation of stress... This is the way leading to the cessation of stress. As he attends appropriately in this way, three fetters are abandoned in him: identity-view, doubt, and grasping at precepts & practices. These are called the fermentations to be abandoned by seeing.
https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitak ... .than.html
thank you i'll be sure to read the whole sutta
sunnat wrote: Mon Mar 09, 2020 12:06 pm It's not a good idea to deliberately expose yourself to things that makes you tense or worried...Avoid entertainment. Aim to calm the mind and be still, not agitated. With stillness you'll be able to see subtleties.

On the other hand, as you progress there will come times when terrors arise without stimulation. To have learned to have a stillness from which this is observed will help you to calmly observe the fear rise and pass away without clinging to it.
:goodpost: thank you

Much appreciated to everyone that posted. I have realized that I was just overthinking unnecessary things and watching unnecessary things and should instead just focus on practicing the path.
"Whatever treasure in this world or in other any worlds, whatever precious jewel there is in the heavens, none is equal to the Buddha. In the Buddha is this precious jewel. By there truth, may there be wellbeing."
:candle: Ratana Sutta | Sn 2.1 :candle:
2600htz
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by 2600htz »

Hi:

I think there is a commentary recommendation that is something like:

"if the student when informed about a description of hell is afraid and dont want to keep hearing, the teacher should stop and wait until he attains sotapanna, and then re introduce the subject".

Regards.
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robertk
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Re: I'm really scared.

Post by robertk »

2600htz wrote: Tue Mar 10, 2020 11:17 am Hi:

I think there is a commentary recommendation that is something like:

"if the student when informed about a description of hell is afraid and dont want to keep hearing, the teacher should stop and wait until he attains sotapanna, and then re introduce the subject".

Regards.
I would love to see that commentary..
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