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General Buddhism => General Buddhism => Topic started by: Q on May 03, 2012, 08:04:52 PM

Title: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: Q on May 03, 2012, 08:04:52 PM
Approximately 2 months ago, I noticed a friend of mine seemed rather troubled. I didn't know what was bothering him, so I decided that a casual chat would probably cheer him up and hopefully he would open up to tell me what was wrong. True enough, he expressed how he is feeling unsure about Dharma... or simply put, doubting Dharma and his Spiritual guide. It reached to a point where he actually stopped coming to the Dharma centre for pujas and broken many promisses made to his Dharma friends...

However, because of such doubt arised... he actually took the extra step to study Dharma texts intensively... and because he's more of an intellectual person rather than believing in faith when it comes to religion, reading all that Dharma text actually removed his doubt and made him more motivated and became more reliable as well as consistent with his involvement in our Dharma centre.

We have always looked at doubting the Dharma as something negative.... but is there any chance that 'doubt' can be a tool to push us forward in our spiritual practice? What do you think?
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: dondrup on May 04, 2012, 04:02:54 AM
Deluded doubt is one of the six root delusions i.e. desirous attachment, anger, delude pride, ignorance, deluded pride and deluded view from which all other delusions arise.  Deluded doubt is a mental factor that engages its object two-pointedly or waivers in hesitation between two alternative viewpoints.  The objects involved is anything e.g. karma and true sufferings that are important to realize in order to attain liberation.  The hesitation is in favour of the wrong view denying the existence of such an object. Doubts for objects which are not important for liberation are not deluded e.g. if someone comes visiting, we wonder if the person is the one we were expecting. 
 
It is important to differentiate between deluded doubts and doubts that are the beginning of wisdom.  Deluded doubt must be abandoned whereas the latter is necessary to gain realization. For example, we have doubts when we first study the Dharma because Dharma contradicts our wrong views and incorrect assumptions and makes us undecided about them. Without such doubts at the outset, we cannot gain conviction in Dharma. These doubts help us develop our wisdom.

Deluded doubts destroy our faith in objects that are virtuous and worthwhile and make us undecided about objects that are trustworthy and beneficial. Deluded doubt is dangerous as it quickly halts our spiritual practice.  It is especially important to avoid deluded doubt when we are practising secret Mantra because success in Tantra practices depends on our having perfectly pure faith.
 
Fortunately your friend had made the effort to find out more about Dharma.  Even an intellectual understanding initially helps clears up some queries or doubts that he may have.  Please advise your friend to be patient when studying Dharma.  Also encourage him to study further by attending Dharma classes in your centre.  Through active listening, sharing, debating and participating in the Dharma classes, he will learn and understand more about Dharma.  Encourage him to talk to more senior Dharma practitioners in your Dharma centre who may help clear some of his doubts.
 
A spiritual guide is someone who is qualified to teach us Dharma.  A true spiritual guide cares for our spiritual development.  Please advise your friend that all of us had been conditioned by our countless past habituations and we are very deluded in our minds.  It takes time to remove our delusions.  When our spiritual guide advises us, gives us assignments, it is only for our benefit.  If we develop faith in our spiritual guide and the Dharma, we will eventually be able to remove all our delusions.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: hope rainbow on May 04, 2012, 04:09:31 AM
If think that doubt is our best friend and our worse enemy.

Doubt will be with us for a while, depending on the karma we have created, and as a spiritual practiotioner, we need to learn how to deal with our doubt.
One thing that I have learned is to not just ignore it when doubt arise, because it may just rotten and get worse, I think it is best that we face our doubt, that we analyse it with logic, with knowledge, with experience and with the help of our friends in Dharma and those not in Dharma.

It is important that we learn to do that because the only way our Guru has to strengthen our faith is to put us on the edge, at a point were we can really test our faith, at a point where we are to face our doubts.
When we go through such experience and have established a stronger faith, doubts gets lesser, but if in this challenge we give in to doubt and let doubt win, then we loose up.
A Guru always takes a risk when pushing his students on the edge, a knowledgeable risk of course, but a risk. The risk of loosing a student to samsara, and it happens sometime.

Even without a Guru, we'll have doubts to deal with for a while.
I don't claim to be an expert, and I am not a good practitionner, but these are my tools that I put in motion when I experience doubt:

1. I recall Dharma teachings, or I open a Dharma book and read, or I watch a Dharma talk on you tube,
2. I do a puja,
3. I imagine what I would loose if I let doubt win over my mind,
4. I imagine what would I "gain" if I let confusion win,
5. If somehow, I think I would gain something good from letting my doubts win, I think: how "good" is that really? how long will that last?
6. I open my heart to a Dharma brother that I know is reliable and that can help and that I know I won't damage with my clouded thoughts,
7. I test a little bit the people that I know are not in Dharma (as a last resort).

This last point, to me, has proven to be very effective and very destructive too, for I have done this once only, and the very worldly construction I had built up in my mind as an alternative to my Dharma journey simply collapsed in a matter of 2 or 3 days, displaying in full force its fragility, un-reliability and lack of solid foundations. The very people I had targeted as being my support and friends to rely on if I was to let go of my Dharma journey and "rely" on samsara turned into enemies in a matter of a few days, in a matter of an hour and over years of friendship. Like a live display of the un-reliability of samsara for me to see with my own eyes!

Maybe it is thanks to my merit that it happens though, and maybe some of us do not have the merit to have samsaric "friends", unknowingly working for Mara secret services, simply destroyed by enlightened snipers... But, then, we simply need to look at our samsara friends and see what they do, where they go, what they engage into and analyse seriously.
I find that they only entertain themselves in escapes (that is if they have it "good" all right), holiday, movies, food, party nights, car collection, whatever collection, travels, drink, family, career, money, books, art, jokes, clothes, social recognition...
None of this is wrong in any way, but really, if that is all there is, then one must be real and recognize the value of this stuff for what it is: deceptive.

This does not mean that I "like" all my Dharma brothers and sisters, for sure there are some I like more than others, and some that irritate the hell out of me. Why like that? because I am not enlightened.
But the thing is this: I am there for them, they are there for me, because they know more, much more than anyone however successful in samsara.
And yes, I work with those I "like", those I don't "like" indifferently, and I learn even more with those that I don't like, I learn to apply patience, I learn to apply generosity, I learn to control my mind, I improve, I learn to love them. I learn to look at my short-comings, I can go to them and ask them to show me who I am, to show me how I treat people, they will hold a mirror for me so I can see the real me, the good practitioners will scold me out of compassion, they will even embarrass me to make me understand...
Now, these are real friends!

In fact, I am asking:

What do you gain from letting delusions fuel your doubts, for letting doubts cloud your mind and for letting go your Dharma journey? Where is this leading, to what state of mind, that what kind of experience...
What is there to gain? What is there to loose?

And: what do you gain from clearing confusion away, and get clear about what Dharma means, get clear about what kind of mind one's Guru displays, get clear about the opportunity at hand, get clear about HOW LONG that window of opportunity is to remain open?
What is there to gain? What is there to loose?

Then, at least, if you mind is not a mind of total faith, it must be one of intelligence, logic and analysis.
Doubt works from a basis of intelligence, logic and analysis but with a background of delusions and worldly concerns.
Faith works also from a basis of intelligence, logic and analysis but with an open mind, no bias, no pretense, no defensiveness, and with no other background than reality itself and as a whole.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: lotus1 on May 04, 2012, 12:41:50 PM
Good question to be pondered and very good suggestions from Hope Rainbow on how to deal with doubts.
I think it is common to have doubt sometimes. Therefore, it would be important to know how to deal with doubts. For me, I would normally ask my Guru or spiritual friends or contemplate & check in Dharma text. Lamrim would be a very good source for us to check what should we do or believe.
In addition, I would think it is also important to practice to purify our negative karma that hinders us from practicing Dharma such as having a lot of obstacle and doubts and at the same time to create more merits for us to have the wisdom to receive higher practices and meditation. According to Lamrim, in the seven limbed prayer, Confessions by using the four opponent powers will help us to purify our negative karma. At the same time, the other limbs such as prostration, offering, rejoice, dedication, etc will help us to create more merits and this will help in our spiritual path.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: pgdharma on May 04, 2012, 01:58:12 PM
I think for beginners it is natural to have doubts as we are new to the subject. In this modern age, it is easy to access to the net to search and learn up if one is in doubt. Reading dharma books, contemplate and apply the dharma into our daily lives will help clear some doubts away. Thus doubt is helpful in our practice as it will help us to learn and push us in our spiritual practice.  Through knowledge we clear away ignorance and gain wisdom.

Our deluded mind is the cause of our doubts due to the negative karma accumulated through many lifetimes. The only way to clear these is to purify our negative karma and collect merits to support our dharma practice. If we have faith in our spiritual guide, by listening to his advise and guidance, we will be able to clear away our delusions and doubts and continue with our spiritual practice.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: vajraD on May 04, 2012, 04:44:26 PM
Personally “doubt” can be good because it can enhance our knowledge and also chase for an answer and want to learn more to clear the doubt.

But on the other hand having “doubt” sometimes also will slow us down from our dharma practice or worse is loosing faith toward the practice.

When ever I have doubt I’ll watch some dharma talk, listen to some Cd’s or read some very light books alto books are not so much my favourite. Then contemplate over and over again until I find the answer. But there is never the right answer hence ill dwell in the situation for some time, but sometimes is just within a few days my doubts are clear. I guess I have so much doubt or obstacles are due to my pass negative karma.

Last but not least as said above it can be both ways but at the end whatever answer we have and decide to apply, we have to bare the consequences that comes along with it even if things were to turn out negatively.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: Tenzin K on May 04, 2012, 05:33:43 PM
Personally I feel ‘doubt’ definitely a tool to push us forward in our spiritual practice. By wanting to know we learn up. For most of the intellectual kind of person, it’s not easy for them to have faith at the early stage. Their faith develops much later after they get their answer but this should be a good start rather than totally reject. Everyone is different in their learning process, some are faster and some are slow. Their interests play a big role here. The more the know and make them found their purpose of life, this will be the acceptance.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: vajratruth on May 04, 2012, 06:03:01 PM
We all have doubts especially in the earlier stages of our practice. If we do not have doubts then perhaps our conventional mind is not being sufficiently challenged by the infusion of dharma knowledge. In a lot of cases, conventional wisdom can be very different to wisdom that arises out of dharma knowledge. At some point, we have to analyze and choose which one is correct.

If doubts is followed by a sincere desire to learn more and test the new information, then it is good to have doubts. It may even be better to have some doubts than to absorb the dharma completely without proper understanding which may lead to spiritual dishonesty.

Take the Dorje Shugden controversy as example. Many practitioners became very strong in their practice after they have struggled with doubts as the result of the rubbish that the CTA has been sprouting about this Protector. They take the doubt, do more research, analyze, ask deeper questions and cross examine what has been said against their personal experience of the DS and then come to a conclusion. By the end of the journey they become very firm in their belief and their faith is based on true understanding.


Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: hope rainbow on May 04, 2012, 06:58:25 PM
Take the Dorje Shugden controversy as example. Many practitioners became very strong in their practice after they have struggled with doubts as the result of the rubbish that the CTA has been sprouting about this Protector. They take the doubt, do more research, analyze, ask deeper questions and cross examine what has been said against their personal experience of the DS and then come to a conclusion. By the end of the journey they become very firm in their belief and their faith is based on true understanding.

Dear VT, I like what you said about how doubts arising first when confronted with the Dorje Shugden ban and related events can eventually bring us to faith. This shows the skillful means of the Buddhas at work.
In fact, this is a display of enlightened skillful means for those who have the merit to see it.

This also shows how doubts can be helpful to our practice, for as long as there are tools and methods for us to analyse doubts and overcome them. This website is one of these tools.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: DSFriend on May 04, 2012, 07:47:41 PM
It's not easy to get rid of doubt due to ignorance. Doubt controls our perception so strongly that it's hard to shake it off!

Doubt usually manifests towards our lack of confidence in others, be it our teacher or any other external experiences/phenomena.

What I find helpful is to turn that "doubt" energy inwards instead of towards someone/something.
Example :
Doubt yourself instead of others. Doubt your own fixated perceptions instead of your supreme teacher's words. In this case, doubt can be helpful in our practice.

The mara of doubt exists as long as we are not free from ignorance. While it exists, use it for help our practice...it's a matter of what and who we re directing it at and the result will be different.

just some thoughts...
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: Carpenter on May 04, 2012, 08:01:14 PM
Doubt is not necessary negative, it depends on your action too, just like a knife, it can help to assist people in life, it can also take people’s life, so how you use it is the key factor.

When we have doubt onto something, but we refuses to go find out, we just sit there and continue doubting or worse still, spread our ‘doubt’ on an organization to the people around, then this is bad.

If we have doubt and we try to check it out, to find out the answer to our doubts, then this will be something very good, because when our doubt is clearing, we gain more faith in it, and eventually our will be stable and to help more people.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: diamond girl on May 04, 2012, 09:14:33 PM
Thank you all for your thoughts and knowledge on this topic of doubt. I personally got a lot from Dondrup's explanation of deluded doubts. Before reading about deluded doubts, and understanding now that it is deluded doubt which is bad, I used to think that doubt is bad.

However, I still do think that doubt is negative because it will cast a "block" in our minds for new information and knowledge. And the pursuit of knowledge is in the attitude. So is the attitude key in eradicating doubt? I know so many people who say, "I doubt this is true... " then because of no attitude to want to learn they just let the doubt stay and used an excuse for staying ignorant...   
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: hope rainbow on May 05, 2012, 02:19:01 AM
Thank you for your post DSFriend, thank you.
It is straight to the point, I am taking the liberty to repeat it and to highlight it:


Doubt your own fixated perceptions instead of your supreme teacher's words.

Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: Tammy on May 05, 2012, 05:05:09 AM
Q - thank you for sharing!

I am glad your friend takes his doubt positively and made the effort to clear them by studying up and researching dharma texts.. In fact, DOUBT is the best gift we can have. By doubting, it shows we have contemplated on the subject matter (in this case dharma and spiritual practice) and not just take anything as it is without proper understanding. 

Anything goes through proper thinking process, will be better understood and remembered for a longer time frame. Such is the way of learning.

May your friend keep up the positive attitude in his dharma practice.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: ratanasutra on May 05, 2012, 09:03:17 AM
Doubt can be harmful or helpful depend on how we do with it after we feel it.

If we just ignore it and put it down then it can be harmful later as it accumulate until the point that can bring faith down. but it can be helpful once we have doubt and we find the answer by study, research and contemplate it in logic term.

but that doesn't mean that we always have doubt in everything.. in that case we have to look ourself as we are lack of knowledge therefore everything to us is so doubtful.
 
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: negra orquida on May 06, 2012, 05:57:40 AM
Doubt can be both positive and negative, as what most of us have deduced.  It becomes a positive push when we take action to learn up more about the subject matter to clear the doubt.  It turns negative when we don’t do anything and let the doubt take over and prevent us from having an open mind. 

Sometimes we are actually lazy to clear the doubt, or we use the doubt as an excuse to not think further, find out more, so we can remain in our comfort zones.  Hence if we don’t work at clearing doubts in our minds, it creates the cause for us to not receive more wisdom and knowledge, because we choose to stop learning.

This is what my friend told me when he approached another friend for donation to a charity.  The charity organization is very well established and had great facilities.  The friend refused to donate, stating that the organization is rich and just swallowing public funds.  My friend explained that everything the organization has is due to the kindness of sponsors and donors, and everything it had was for the benefit of the public.  The reason why it is so established and “well off” now is because many people have benefited from the organization.  My friend told the guy to check out the organization’s website for more information, or come to the organization to find out himself, but the guy did not budge and did not want to know any further.  Needless to say, he did not donate, and he has closed himself out from benefitting from whatever opportunities the organization had to offer.

When we doubt our teacher’s words, it basically means that we think we know better.  It is like the doctor tells you to eat this medicine to cure this sickness, but we don’t think the medicine will work and we don’t think the doctor is qualified and we think we can heal ourselves.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: biggyboy on May 06, 2012, 06:20:54 AM
In the first place, how is the doubt came about?  Out of expectations within his limited understanding and knowledge that are not met?  Felt disappointed.  If this person is properly nurtured, the doubt may turn into something positive or change of attitude and understanding.  This person's faith may even be strengthened should his motivation is to find the "ultimate happiness".  If it is for the samsara happiness then his doubts will grew more.  Hence, it is important to nurture and to support this person within or out of the centre skillfully.  Everyone has different level of understanding. Some learn and understand faster than others.  Hence, the nurturer's knowledge and understanding is important too for he or she is going to nurture this person who has the doubts.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: Positive Change on May 06, 2012, 07:42:10 AM
In the first place, how is the doubt came about?  Out of expectations within his limited understanding and knowledge that are not met?  Felt disappointed.  If this person is properly nurtured, the doubt may turn into something positive or change of attitude and understanding.  This person's faith may even be strengthened should his motivation is to find the "ultimate happiness".  If it is for the samsara happiness then his doubts will grew more.  Hence, it is important to nurture and to support this person within or out of the centre skillfully.  Everyone has different level of understanding. Some learn and understand faster than others.  Hence, the nurturer's knowledge and understanding is important too for he or she is going to nurture this person who has the doubts.

It is indeed interesting to note or observe where this doubt comes from. Sometimes doubt can be good as it pushes us to examine and explore beyond our comfort zones to find the truth. That kind of doubt is good in my mind! Doubt that is dangerous is when it stems from an egotisical or delusional view whereby we disbelief because we think we are right. With the latter doubt we actually close up and resist or refuse to explore which is in complete contradiction with how we are to view contemplation.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: jessicajameson on May 06, 2012, 09:12:33 AM
I really like everyone's comments, especially Hope Rainbow's and Dondrup. It's true that there are many kinds of doubts, some healthy (if you look to find the answers to remove your doubt) and some unhealthy (where you just remain ignorant).

This is what Buddha Shakyamuni says about doubt:

"There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts, it is a sword that kills.

Neither naked asceticism, matted hair, dirt, fasting, sleeping on the ground, dust and mud, nor prolonged sitting on one's heels can purify a man who is not free of doubts.
"

This is what His Holiness the Dalai Lama says about doubt:

"Although individuals may be highly intelligent, they are sometimes dogged by skepticism and doubts. They are clever, but they tend to be hesitant and skeptical and are never really able to settle down. These people are the least receptive."

Conclusion? Doubts = Bad.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: Klein on May 06, 2012, 10:03:17 AM
Doubt can be both positive and negative, as what most of us have deduced.  It becomes a positive push when we take action to learn up more about the subject matter to clear the doubt.  It turns negative when we don’t do anything and let the doubt take over and prevent us from having an open mind. 

Sometimes we are actually lazy to clear the doubt, or we use the doubt as an excuse to not think further, find out more, so we can remain in our comfort zones.  Hence if we don’t work at clearing doubts in our minds, it creates the cause for us to not receive more wisdom and knowledge, because we choose to stop learning.

This is what my friend told me when he approached another friend for donation to a charity.  The charity organization is very well established and had great facilities.  The friend refused to donate, stating that the organization is rich and just swallowing public funds.  My friend explained that everything the organization has is due to the kindness of sponsors and donors, and everything it had was for the benefit of the public.  The reason why it is so established and “well off” now is because many people have benefited from the organization.  My friend told the guy to check out the organization’s website for more information, or come to the organization to find out himself, but the guy did not budge and did not want to know any further.  Needless to say, he did not donate, and he has closed himself out from benefitting from whatever opportunities the organization had to offer.

When we doubt our teacher’s words, it basically means that we think we know better.  It is like the doctor tells you to eat this medicine to cure this sickness, but we don’t think the medicine will work and we don’t think the doctor is qualified and we think we can heal ourselves.

I agree. Doubt is only helpful in our practice if we are sincere in clearing the doubt. If we doubt and not do anything to clear it, then it doesn't serve us ultimately. It becomes an excuse to avoid and stay stagnant. I believe that there is no hard and fast rule for everyone because we have different mindsets. So the only way to measure is to look at our results.

Are we more kind to people and animals around us? Are more people and animals around us better off because we made positive difference in their lives?

With regards to people who do not donate because the charity organisation is well established, it's a common excuse I hear. They don't realise that these charity organisations have become well established because they are organised and effective? So doesn't it make sense to support them so that they can do more? You're right, the excuse given is just a way to NOT donate.

I realised that it takes time to develop an altruistic nature if it's not in their character to be so. My teacher always say that it's important for us to walk the talk. It's more powerful to inspire others as compared to preaching to others.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: RedLantern on May 06, 2012, 10:05:57 AM
There are many reasons why a person will begin to have doubts.The traditional way to dispel doubt is to reflect on the dharma( the path and teachings that help us reach enlightenment) Doubt is a hindrance to spiritual progress and is not helpful at all.
A lack of confidence in oneself can also be a source of doubt. When we feel inadequate demotivated,or confused we may fuel an inner sense of doubt- doubting ourselves,our abilities,conscience and so on.To build confidence in ourselves and the people around us,we must identify the source of our doubts,which is the deluded mind that can be purified by collecting merits to support our dharma practice.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: Manjushri on May 06, 2012, 12:58:50 PM
As with many other things, doubt can make us go both ways - it could either throw us off or push us to find out more. It depends on what kind of person we are.

If we are in doubt, of course the obvious thing to do is to find out more about the subject matter, to use logic to explain our doubt. Why does the doubt arise? Because of lack of knowledge and understanding thus whatever anyone says that critises or puts something down, it'll make our minds sway. If we knew and had strong facts and understanding of our beliefs, then whatever someone says, you will be able to logically evaluate and debate back to make your stance.

Of course, if we are lazy and don't want to find out more, we accept negative criticisms and the doubt increases. With that, the more negativity we hear, the more misunderstanding we develop, the more it pushes us to just believe what the others say and not find out the truth for ourselves which inherently arises from laziness and a lack of drive.

So doubt in our practice can push us both ways - what we accept and understand is up to us, and how much we really let ourselves to learn more.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: hope rainbow on May 07, 2012, 07:47:25 AM
Doubt can be harmful or helpful depend on how we do with it after we feel it.

Doubt can be harmful if the object is the Dharma, or worse our Guru (which would mean that we doubt Buddhahood itself, thus actually the whole Buddhist path).
Doubt can be helpful if the object is anything related to samsaric pursuits.

If we just ignore it and put it down then it can be harmful later as it accumulate until the point that can bring faith down.
But it can be helpful once we have doubt and we find the answer by study, research and contemplate it in logic term.

For as long as the logic, the study, the research and the contemplation is not bias.
Non-bias = anything related to spiritual truth, any Dharma.
Bias = anything disconnected from spiritual truth (thus limited), such as: business methods, fitness instructor, etc...

but that doesn't mean that we always have doubt in everything.. in that case we have to look ourself as we are lack of knowledge therefore everything to us is so doubtful.

Well, I think we should beware of the things we do  not have doubts into.... Or at least the things that we did never bother to doubt and check before we got faith in them.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: Dondrup Shugden on February 25, 2015, 01:19:23 PM
"It is important to differentiate between deluded doubts and doubts that are the beginning of wisdom.  Deluded doubt must be abandoned whereas the latter is necessary to gain realization. For example, we have doubts when we first study the Dharma because Dharma contradicts our wrong views and incorrect assumptions and makes us undecided about them. Without such doubts at the outset, we cannot gain conviction in Dharma. These doubts help us develop our wisdom.

Deluded doubts destroy our faith in objects that are virtuous and worthwhile and make us undecided about objects that are trustworthy and beneficial. Deluded doubt is dangerous as it quickly halts our spiritual practice.  It is especially important to avoid deluded doubt when we are practising secret Mantra because success in Tantra practices depends on our having perfectly pure faith."

Doubts are the arising of negative Karma or the search for logical answer.  The above definition of Doubt as contributed by Dondrup is very clear.

I have read that even saintly Mother Teresa had doubts about the existence of God, but that did not obstruct her compassion and care for the underprivileged to die with dignity.  Having said that, doubts in any of our practices either religious or otherwise is to have the tenacity to explore and study more instead of giving in to doubts due to ignorance. Learning creates clarity.

Doubts is definitely a double edged sword which can be good and bad.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: ilikeshugden on February 26, 2015, 10:00:04 AM
I believe that critical thinking is very important in any practice because if you blindly follow the first thing that comes to you, you would be easily lead astray. Doubting the holy texts is acceptable as long as you have a good and analysed reason to do so. If I am not mistaken, Buddha said to absorb the knowledge that makes sense to you but that doesn't mean to be selective in your choices of teachings.

Go forth and learn more. If you doubt, then read more to understand and clarify your doubt. Always question so you can always learn.
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: MoMo on March 03, 2015, 02:26:10 PM
Doubt is a double edged sword it could lead one astray from the path as well open the door to develop wisdom. All of us had doubt at one point or another in our spiritual path. To temporary suppress these one could start by relying on one's faith on the qualities of the Three Jewels or it representation the Guru. 
As in the Jataka tales:
Whoever had studied will develop faith;
He will be steadfast and will delight in virtue
He will develop wisdom and have no benighted ignorance.
It is right even to sell one fresh to obtain it.

From the above study great text such as the Lamrim is the first step in enhancing one's faith and door to realizing the truth nature of things. By learning, contemplating the instructions and putting them into practice is the key to dispel one’s doubts and turning them it to true wisdom. 
Title: Re: Is doubt helpful in our practice?
Post by: kelly on March 04, 2015, 05:24:30 AM
Doubt can be good or bad is up to the individual description, some people can react it positively but some people can react it negatively, I guess it all depends on individual karma. I think the best thing we can do when doubt arises especially during our spiritual journey we should seek advice from the seniors or even talk to our spiritual guide to clarify the doubt , anything in life we can give but we do not want to give the Dharma.