Buddhism in College

College life is tough. We students have to deal with a lot of stress in our academic and social lives. There are many ways to deal with the modern pressures of being an educated young adult in a fast-paced world. Some choose drugs and alcohol, but I'm here to offer an alternative choice. Buddhism is a relatively misunderstood religion in these parts. When most people here the word "Buddhism" they think about monks with shaven heads dressed in orange robes. Well I'm here to tell you that there is a lot more to it and you can apply the teachings of Buddhism to your everyday college life. I'm not going to get into the intricacies of Buddhism; I'm going to show you how you can take the teachings and use them to make yourself happy. Let's start off with the number one enemy of college students: Stress. This nasty little affliction can overwhelm us and prevent us from finding peace and happiness. One crucial aspect of Buddhism is the act of meditation. In Buddhist meditation one meditates on the emptiness of all things and attempts to reach enlightenment. While that is all well and good...meditation can also be used by non-Buddhists to calm the mind when it is in turmoil. To start you should set aside at least twenty minutes a day for meditation. Make sure you are in a quiet area with no distractions and that all your physical needs (like hunger and thirst) are satisfied. Take a cushion and sit on it in a cross-legged and comfortable fashion. Make sure to keep your back straight and then partially close your eyes. Now there are many different kinds of meditation, but I'm going to describe a basic method for beginners. Begin by breathing in and out slowly and calmly. As you breathe begin to focus on your breath and only your breath. If you're like me this is the point in which other thoughts start to fly around, but ignore them and just focus on your breathing. As you progress in your focus the mob of thoughts will begin to disappear and you will only be thinking about your breathing. That ten page paper due next week is no longer on your mind, nor is the argument you had with your friend earlier. Once your mind is free from distraction you are able to truly relax and take control of your own mind. From here you can go on to other advanced forms of meditation that can help you in different aspects of life. Human beings, in their current state, are prone to anger and conflict amongst themselves. College students are no different and drama can spring up everywhere you go. Your friend may have said something behind your back or you may have gotten in an argument at a party. This conflict creates anger and this anger is detrimental to one's life and happiness. This is where mediation can come into play as well. Some forms of meditation allow a person to see negative situations as if they are looking from the outside in. When you try and see a problem from another perspective, you can gain insight on the real issue and work to remedy it. Once you are able to meditate on an issue you can use your insight to remedy it with those involved. Attaching yourself to materials and emotions is a road block on the path to true happiness. The world can seem like a cruel place that is filled with nothing but pain and misery. There is so much room for hate and it feels like we are all alone in the world. This way of thinking can be especially prominent when things aren't going your way in class or with your friends. This is when one must contemplate loving kindness for all human beings. We are not alone in this world, our existence is dependent on all of those around us. Your parents gave birth to you and their love raised you to the person you are today. Your friends directly build you to be the person you hope to be. The clothes you wear were made by somebody else and the food you eat was prepared by others as well. The professors you see throughout the week grant you the knowledge you need to develop your intellect. Their kindness, whether they know it or not, has benefited your life in some way. Every cell in your body is the result of another humans kindness, so when you think about it, you are never independent from the world. All living beings deserve to be cherished because of the tremendous kindness they have shown us. When you consider these points you will have a better realization of yourself and your place in the world. These are just some basic techniques you can use to improve your life and increase your happiness. Again college is not easy, but we are privileged to have such an opportunity and must use it to its fullest. Applying these Buddhist ideas to your life may benefit you and I hope they do. If you are interested in learning more about Buddhism, which doesn't have to be a religion, there are plenty of great books out there that have greater details of the practice. Open your heart and mind to everything because there is always something to fill them. In the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama: "Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions."