Why I ditched Buddhism

[Lobster]

throwing out the baby with the Buddha water

We all have a tendency to be infantile at times (speaking for myself)
and part of Buddhism is about growing up - becoming a real human being. 

So we discard our infantile behaviour and expectations.
As we progress we may also 'kill the Buddha' as they say in Zen
or the Buddha vehicle as used by those requiring a big raft . . . or even a whole flotilla . . .
The most immature response is to think we have finished when (speaking for myself)
we have barely begun . . . 

[Dark as the Night]

"I'm not tryimg to be unkind....but just sit quietly for a minute or two and think about how you sounded in that original post.
A whole 18 months and you didn't get the magic key to the door of Buddhisim!
How terrible that must have been.
There are certainly people on this forum who have at this "Buddhisim thing" (as you probably would call it) for half their lives and are still searching and exploring.
And you expected to "get it" all in one try.
Do you understand how silly that sounds upon reflection on it?
But it is a typical beginner delusion.
But if you will listen, I will try to explain somrthing.
Your problem, and the problem of many beginners, is that you are deep in the trap of your Ego...your "I" mind or "Ego mind".
The Ego mind is the mind that says "I am", "I like", "I want"....and all such "I" terms.
From the day you were born as a concious and aware human being (a sentient being" in Buddhist terminology) you have been growing, feeding, and consolidating that Ego mind.
By now everything you think you percieve is fed to you through the filter of that Ego mind...and that Ego mind is profoundly selfish and wants to control you...the part you (mistakenly) think is "yourself".
By controlling all your perceptions through that filter, your Ego mind controls your You or Yourself.
Then you went for a session and to "do Buddhisim".
Your Ego mind was appalled...how dare you! You were questioning your Ego mind's superiority and it's (rightful, in your Ego minds understanding) absolute domination of your life.
So your Ego mind rebelled...and You were told (instructed) to experience all those events that occured as "Bad"...because your Ego mind could not tolerate the idea that there was some "other thing" outside that your Ego mind could not control.
It's a common first reaction...and it is a delusion of your Ego mind.
Think about that...and when and if you understand it...go back in your mind and consider the events in the light of your new understanding of the Ego mind, it's selfish nature, and it's need to control your life."


Where does the Buddha ever mention "the Ego mind?" That's a concept that comes from Western psychology and it's not applicable here. Buddhism is not about getting rid of "the ego."

[Monkey Mind]

Welcome, DatN, I hope you take an opportunity to introduce yourself.

[Lobster]

The brain and being is plastic (malleable). It takes time to change and evolve.
Instant Buddhism, one trick dharmas or retreats of less than a lifetime will result in temporary respite.

We need study, following the 8 fold path. Good company, cyber company if no other and so on.

We ditch Buddhism and end up in the waterway of going nowhere but death, wandering aimlessly (fine for advanced Taoists) or wasting effort trying to [insert present life choice]. Are we worthy to call ourselves Buddhists?

. . . Pah! 'Get thee to a nunn'ry,
why woulds't thou be a breeder of
sinners?
Hamlet Act 3, scene 1, 114–121

Thus have you heard and knew all along. 

[Bodhisatta2012]

Throwing out the baby with the Buddha water is always a good policy. 

This is a bit too cryptic for me - could you explain?

Spiny

Well, the process is quite simple, especially for a Britain like yourself:

Materials Needed

1 Buddha Tea Hedge.
1 Large cauldron of water
Fuel Source (Propane, Natural Gas, or Electric)

Process

1. Shape tea hedge into the shape of a Buddha
2.  Place cauldron over heat source and ignite burner
3.  Bring water to an active boil.
4.  Cut stalk of tea hedge and place entire hedge into the boiling water.
5.  Turn off the heat and let hedge steep for five minutes.
6.  When water has turned a light brown or green, depending on the type of tea hedge selected, using a one cup ladle, empty a portion into your tea cup and sip.  Adjust steeping time to taste.
7.  If the tea is bitter tasting then add lumps of sugar to taste.
8.  When the tea has reached the appropriate taste, remove hedge and allow to dry. 
9.  When leaves are dried, they may be picked, containerized and used again to make a weaker tea.

If you do not wish to grow and shape your own Buddha Tea Hedge, then Buddha teas are available for purchase online.  This will eliminate the need for a large cauldron:

http://www.buddhateas.com/store/

WARNING:  Never add tea to a full cup!

[Spiny le Norman]

Well, the process is quite simple, especially for a Britain like yourself:

I just use Tescos Value tea-bags...