Embodying Eastern Lifestyles. What works for you?

[Aum]

In your daily practice of Eastern religions and Philosophies, what works for you?

How do you incorporate your path into your daily life? What kind of meditations do you do; deities you focus on; methods of ritual or social groups you are involved in? Do you do yoga, tai chi, practice the art of feng shui, magickal arts, pranic breathing, chakra centering?

What has worked for you and what suggestions would you offer about daily practices for beginners wanting to know how to begin on an Eastern path?

I ask this not only for others who may be interested but because I still feel like a beginner. I have interests in the philosophies of many traditions, Eastern and Western, but am drawn mostly to learning that of the East. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism I am familiar with and I know a small amount of Sikhism, but because my interests are so broad, I find my daily practice is not consistent or organized enough for the level I wish to attain. I am looking for input on what works for others and how your daily practices impact and benefit your life?

[Novembers River]

Well, I don't have a lot of advice as I'm just beginning to tread an eastern path myself. I've been learning about Hinduism, specificially Krishna Consciousness. Right now I'm at a cross-roads it seems as ultimately I still have my beliefs in the Goddess (all encompassing). However, many of my beliefs are reflected in Krishna Consciousness, thus my leaning towards this path.

Daily I simply try to be aware of my thoughts and actions. I try to remind myself of what is and isn't important in life (especially when I feel myself getting upset over something that really isn't all that important at all). I think on Krishna daily and chant the maha-mantra.

I practice Yoga three times a week. I take an organized class with an instructor that teaches not only the physcial side of Yoga, but the spiritual as well.

Like I said, I'm basically still learning about this path. I definitely wouldn't call myself a Hindu, however I feel a strong connection and wouldn't be surprised if this path is the one I end up following completely. I'm sure at that point my daily activities will enhance further.

[Windygo]

I do a little Yoga, but my main method, which I'm going to carry out soon, will be to actually move to Korea. Don't think you can get much better than that.

[Shanti]

I'm toaist. Its not a practise for us, its a way of life, of being, of thinking, of living. Even posting on the net its there..the ideals we believe, the way our minds worked based on our system of religious philosophy.

[RunningBear]

At present I'm learning and practicing Tai Chi on a regular basis, although not every day. I find the combination of physical movement and mental concentration works for me. I just can't get the hang of sitting motionless and meditating. Tai Chi can be done by absolutely anyone as it naturally adapts to the abilities of the individual. It's based on the principles of Taoism of course.

When I started out I did courses covering the basics of some of the Eastern religions. The problem I had was that there seemed to be some many variations which I found a little confusing. Having learnt the basics I then chose to look in more detail at the ones I found fitted best with my own outlook on life. It's still an ongoing process.