Buddhism: All My Questions (so far!)
Due to lucid dreaming's close ties with a lot of Buddhist ideas, I naturally stumbled across both at roughly the same time around the start of this year, and have been following both paths ever since. I do have a fair few practical questions about Buddhism that I've racked up since I started, and thought I'd blow them all out on you guys to see if you can answer any of them.
1. This is my main question really: how do I progress? As it stands, I try and meditate as often as I can, for up to 24 minutes, though it's rarely regular. The only 'style' of meditation is the concentrating on the breathing, which I love, but I get the feeling I could be doing a lot more. I've looked into the ideologies of Buddhism a fair bit and agree with them, but I've never tried proper contemplation or anything.
2. Leading on from the first question, is it necessary for me to find a teacher? If so, at which 'stage' of my progress should I consider this? Also, how do I find one living in South West London?!
3. As I mentioned in the first, I agree with Buddhist ideas. However, there are some (such as reincarnation, energies, premonition, etc.) which fall under a more 'supernatural' area to me, and, being a man of science, I struggle to get my head round them. A part of me says 'you're a rational guy, how could you consider believing something like this?', while another says 'over 2500 years, Buddhists have gotten so much right in terms of spirituality, maybe this is right too?'. Can one consider themselves a Buddhist without believing in the more supernatural side? Or is there some middle-ground I'm missing?
4. Is there a way of meditating in public? I've been wondering for a while, while on a train or waiting for an extended period of time for something, whether it was common to meditate in such an environment. Does anyone hear try it? Or does it need to be more tranquil/private?
5. Weed. From the viewpoint of a Buddhist, does it cloud the mind or open it? Please say the latter!
That's all I can think of for now, but no doubt answers will open further questioning. Any help you guys can offer would be hugely appreciated!