This month (August 2005) we talk to Jack Schneider, who works as a Senior Principal Engineer.

Jack lives in Fort Lauderdale, where he is a regular member of the Drolma Center Sangha. He studies on the Teacher Training Program with Kadam Nick.

When were you first attracted to Buddhism?

I am not sure where it came from but I have carried a statue of Buddha around with me for the last 20 years or so.

What made you choose to come to this Buddhist Center?

The Buddhist meditation group met at the UU Church I was attending.

Were you apprehensive about coming? What did you expect?

I had decided that Buddhism was the best method for exploring what I was calling my "inner world". Being a Humanist, materialist, engineer who liked to meditate and do Tai Chi, I thought that there were two mutually exclusive worlds, the inner and the outer. Searching for a philosophy to combine the two, I was lead to reading Ken Wilber. He convinced me that the inner and outer worlds were not mutually exclusive and that I should study Buddhism. I was not apprehensive because I was not going to let anything stop me. I was expecting to search until I found a teacher. I expected to learn more about meditation.

What were your first impressions when you arrived?

I felt like I had come home. When Kadam Nick quoted Buddha as saying "Don't believe anything I say just because I said it" I knew I was in the right place.

What do you like best about coming here?

Buddha, Dharma, or Sangha... If I had to pick, it would be the way it makes me feel.

How would you explain the benefits of meditation to someone new?

First, I probably wouldn't bring it up unless they were having problems that starting to meditate might help. Then I would try and do a quick five minute meditation with them so they could experience the benefits right then. Once they felt the relaxation and inner peace they could begin to understand. I also might quote them the scientific research on how meditation can lower your blood pressure and improve your immune function and such. Most people know that meditation is good but complain they don't have enough time or can't seem to quiet their minds. The main way to overcome this would be to show them simple powerful techniques. These can have an impact right away and give them confidence that they can use Dharma in everyday life.

How has what you have learned here made a difference in your everyday work and home life?

My anger has lessened. I have much more compassion. I have much more bliss. A couple of weeks ago I was rear-ended by someone who was being careless (the people in the other car were fine, there was no damage to my car but my back was stiff for a few days). I felt anger surge through my body for about two seconds. Then I realized it and pacified it very quickly. The skill of recognizing negative non-virtuous minds and pacifying them is priceless. I now see a path to help people.

What do you feel that Buddhism can offer to the world today?

People seem to be relying on cameras, guns, and bombs for security. Anger and violence can never give security. Without inner peace there can be no outer peace and no security. Buddhism can offer that inner peace.

What is your favorite Kadampa Buddhist quotation?

In Meaningful to Behold, Page 284, paragraph 2, it says:

"It is necessary to be able to posit and establish an object's conventional nature without refuting its ultimate nature, and vice versa. When these two natures are seen as non-contradictory then we have understood the union of the two truths."

What is your favorite Dharma movie, and why?

"It's A Wonderful Life". The compassion I feel makes me cry every time I see it.

What is your favorite Dharma song, and why?

The song the birds sing outside my window in the morning. It seems so ancient; Buddha could have heard the same song.

With which historical Kadampa Buddhist practitioner do you most identify, and why?

I immediately identified with Geshe Ben Gungyal. As it says in Eight Steps to Happiness, "he neither recited prayers nor meditated in the traditional position. His sole practice was to observe his mind very attentively and counter delusions as soon as they arose. By watching his mind closely all the time and judging it with complete honesty in the mirror of Dharma he gradually became a very pure and holy being. Why can we not do the same?" This makes the practice a universal 24/7 opportunity.

What aspect of Buddhism most inspires you?

The balance of wisdom and the compassion for all living beings inspires me the most.

What aspect of the Bodhisattva's way of life most inspires you?

The elimination of the ignorance caused by self-grasping inspires me.

What's the first thing you're going to do when you become a Buddha?

I will do the laundry, vacuum the carpet, and wash any dishes that are dirty.

What question(s) would you like to see added to this questionnaire?

I'd like to add: Do you have a favorite part of any sadhanas?

Mine is "Seen as a Buddha Land and offered thus, May all beings enjoy such Pure lands."

Anything else you'd like to add?

May everyone be happy!