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Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:28 am
by bigkenobsd
My name is Ken, I'm 50 years old and in the golf course management profession. I started studying world history at 38 years of age.I was searching for knowledge of where we came from and how societies formed. After a conversation amongst friends, that made me realize how ignorant I was about human history. It has been 12 years and I have unearthed such a passion for world history and theology. I just can't read enough or discuss and debate these topics enough.
As I studied more and more I came to the realization that religious beliefs played a major role in in the formation of civilizations and how they were governed. I then started looking into the history of world religions to understand their influence. During my studies I came across Buddhism. I then moved on to the others as I came to them in their proper time.
I was raised by a Free Will Baptist preacher that hurled hell fire and brimstone at me sitting in the second row of the church for years. I honestly and personally found no peace or direction in his teachings, still don't to this day. During my studies something kept drawing me back to the the teaching of the Buddha. As I started to dig deeper into the Buddhas teaching I found what I had been missing for awhile. I had reached a dark place in this life. My son said to me one day "Dad you hate everyone now and you have always loved all kinds of different people and different cultures and by the way they called you smiley and you never smile any more". That statement sent me back to the Buddha.
As of two months ago I committed and professed to be a Buddhist. I have a peace and a direction I have never possessed before. I have set my wheel in motion and I am a better man today than I have ever been. It makes me wonder what my life could have been like had I found my path as a young man. I now start my morning with a beautiful version of Om Mani Pad me Hum instead of the gangster rap and porn I was filling my mind with in the past. What a difference it makes in my mood and direction for the day.
As for now I am concentrating on the Dhammapada for my studies and love it. I keep finding new meaning to the text the more I read it or listen to it while driving.
That is me, my friends.Thank you for the information and insights I have gained from this site. :clap:

Re: Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:46 am
by cooran
Hello Ken,

Welcome to DhammaWheel! :group:

Many of us came via other faiths.

You may also be interested in visiting our sister website for Mahayana/Vajrayana teachings:
DharmaWheel
http://www.dharmawheel.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Look forward to seeing your posts! :smile:

with metta
Chris

Re: Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:48 am
by mikenz66
Welcome Ken,

:hello:

:anjali:
Mike

Re: Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 12:30 pm
by Chi
Welcome Ken. Enjoy!

Re: Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 12:43 pm
by Ben
Greetings Ken, and welcome!

Re: Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 2:26 pm
by bodom
Welcome Ken!

:anjali:

Re: Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 3:43 pm
by DNS
:hello:

Welcome to Dhamma Wheel!

:buddha1:

Re: Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:06 pm
by bigkenobsd
Thank You for the warm welcome.I have many questions I will post and will welcome and appreciate you opinions and insight :namaste:

Re: Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:36 pm
by LonesomeYogurt
bigkenobsd wrote:Thank You for the warm welcome.I have many questions I will post and will welcome and appreciate you opinions and insight :namaste:
Please don't be afraid to ask! Welcome to the community.

Re: Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 12:32 pm
by waimengwan
Welcome welcome!

Re: Hello from Monterey California

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 4:34 pm
by Gibraltariana
Hi Ken! Nice to meet you! I personally came from another faith (recovering Catholic here!)
lso, but sometimes life pulls you in the best direction.