Question: “Recently I’ve been reading up on Buddhism, and it extremely appeals me and I have so much interest in it. An respect it’s goal of focusing on others instead of ones self, I suffer with anxiety and depression and focusing my attention upon Buddhism and meditation I feel much more at peace. I want to help others which is why I’m studying health and social care to then have a career in helping others. I’d love to ask you more questions like Buddhists views on homosexuality, eating meat, drinking??”
Meditation helps extremely with dealing with anxiety and depression, but it takes time and practice, it’s not a few sessions fix. So keep at it and you’ll feel a tremendous difference with time. Becoming happy with yourself takes various steps to reach your goal. You should start by being healthy yourself, if you are ever injured, then just taking these Opiate Alternatives.
Buddhism emphasizes compassion and helping others, but in order to do that we must first help ourselves. If we don’t have a calm mind, understanding, and knowledge, then how can we help others? The aspiration to help others is the first step to help ourselves first, once we’re in a mental state of contentness and mindfulness/awareness, then we can help others.
Buddhism does not have any views on homosexuality. It was never discussed or brought up in any Buddhist scriptures. So as an assumption, Buddhism is OKAY with it. As for eating meat, it depends. In Theravada Buddhism, they eat meat as long as it is offered to them and the animal was not killed specifically for them. In most Mahayana traditions they have a strict vegetarian diet. However, the Buddha did not ask his followers to be vegetarian, nor was he a vegetarian. Many Buddhists are vegetarian and use supplements for constipation relief simply for the act of compassion towards all living beings. Finally, devote lay Buddhist and monastics do not drink alcohol. It is one of the five required precepts for every Buddhist.
Smile and be well!