Siddhartha Guatama Buddha

With the creation of my new blog, I'm jumping in and joining the Pagan Blog Project ( http://pagan blog project.com )

This week is the letter S and I have chosen to write about Siddhartha.  In the above picture, my meditation table with a card picturing Siddhartha  Guatama Buddha from The Ascended Masters Oracle card deck by Doreen Virtue.  There have been many Buddhas, and anyone can become Buddha by practicing and living a life of non-attatchment and enlightenment.  Siddhartha Guatama was the "first" Buddha and most of the main teachings of Buddhism come from the lessons he shared.

Born to a wealthy family, he rejected the luxuries he could have had, in a search for true happiness and contentment. Spending long hours meditating he realized that true contentment comes from neither the rejection or the love of belongings or status, but from an attitude of non-attatchment. Non-attatchment means it is okay to have and enjoy things/people/experiences in your life, but to never become too attached to anything by realizing nothing in life is permanent.  He teaches of "The Middle Path" between a life of excess and a life of self-denial; finding a balance while learning to live in the present moment and not to let your inner peace be dependant on impermanent things.  

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha taught the importance of meditation as an important aspect of attaining this Middle Path of enlightenment.  Through meditation one learns to quiet the mind and still the body, wanting for nothing and finding peace in just existing.  

This week, take time to be still, be silent, meditate as often as you can, and think on the lessons & teachings of Siddhartha Guatama Buddha.