When you want to be a Buddhist practitioner you don't need to shave your head, change your clothes, or change any other part of your external appearance. What do you need to change? Change your mind! You don't have to change your form to be a Buddhist, you have to change inside.

The sources of unhappiness that arise within us are basically jealousy, desire, attachment, high expectations, pride and the wish to compete with others. When we realize that we need to practice the training of our own minds, to shape or temper our minds into staying away from these afflictive emotions, then we can gain all the happiness in the world.

Meditation is a mental exercise intended to increase the mind's concentration and stabilize emotions. If we have this stability in your mind, then although our daily life changes we will not have worry, stress, anger, or other negative feelings.

Source: Red Deer Buddhist Meditation Society newsletter