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Confused..Lost..Don't know what to do!

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  • May 19, 2017 at 4:37 am #149961
    Inky
    Participant

    Hi Mirabelle,

    Instead of trying to convince them, leave a few Buddhist articles around the house. A fluffy tabletop book, a statue of a smiling Buddha, that sort of thing. Not a lot. Just a couple things. Through osmosis, they will get used to the idea.

    Refer to Buddhism as a mental way of seeing things rather than a religion. Even though they aren’t talking to you now, be happy and calm around them. Maybe one day they’ll want to have what you have. Who knows?

    Buddha would want you to be happy and peaceful in your own house, so try not to butt heads or argue. If they argue with you, just say, “You might be right” and move on. Don’t worry. They’re just in shock and are having a typical reaction.

    Best,

    Inky

    May 19, 2017 at 7:32 am #149973
    PearceHawk
    Participant

    Mirabelle you are not the one who is lost. I am a follower of Paramanhasa Yogananda and you would not believe the number of people calling me Atheist, which is a narrow minded reaction. I have been shunned by my family for YEARS because of this. But I am at peace with that because I know it is their choice, just as it is my choice to pursue happiness in my discovery in the teachings of Paramanhasa Yogananda. All you can do is wish them to discover peace, love, and happiness in their journey, whatever it may be. Allow them their path as you have yours, which, it looks like you are embraced with more love than ever before.  There inso reason for you to question or doubt your relationship with Buddhism because of other religions’ beliefs.

    I wish you all the love, peace, and happiness that life has to offer, for an eternity longer than a lifetime. It is the least you deserve.

    May 19, 2017 at 7:42 am #149975
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Dear Mirabelle:

    You are in a very difficult situation because you “live in a Muslim family and a Muslim circumference”-

    to be rejected by your family and society is very, very difficult for any individual. We need to be accepted, to be liked, to be acknowledged and interacted with-

    There is a famous poem starting with:

    “No man is an island,
    Entire of itself,
    Every man is a piece of the continent,
    A part of the main.”

    Neither is a woman, or child. You wrote that you “Don’t know what to do!”- I don’t know either, what to possibly suggest to you. I don’t expect your family to reject Islam as well, following your lead. If they persist in punishing and ostracizing you, isolating you, then I imagine the only solution, if you are to continue with your beliefs and practices, is to move away.

    anita

    May 20, 2017 at 7:02 pm #150121
    Hana L
    Participant

    Hello Mirabelle,

    Do stay strong in this situation. It’s also a bit trickier since you are still dependent on your family. To me, the act of them calling an Imam to come and speak to you is quite serious about their current ‘non-acceptance’.

    Apologies to Inky I have a different opinion to hers – I’m not sure if leaving Buddhist articles around the house would be accepted by your family. Do you have a school locker, or a safe spot that you can put all your Buddhist items for safe keeping (i.e. a sanctuary)?
    Just my thoughts, but I wouldn’t want the scenario of a family member or even friend (in their ‘non-understanding’ of your situation) to do something drastic like throw away those Buddhist items in an effort to make you return to your previous religion.

    Do take care.

    Hana

     

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