Where Does The Time Go

Wow, it's been six days already? I guess time does fly when you're having fun. Or maybe that and working like an ox. I had this goal of posting every two days or so, but I ran out of things to say really quickly, haha. I need to go out and get kidnapped or something, having something cool to talk about. I'm skinny enough, I'd be an easy target.

Gas prices are retarded here in Phoenix. $2.87 yesterday for the middle-grade gasoline. I think the highest one was like $2.98. Then they put that third decimal place on there, that's just annoying. I wish our public transportation was better. We need one of them light rails or whatever like they have in Washington.

I am now the proud owner of Sin City and Kung Fu Hustle on DVD! Both are awesome, awesome movies. Sin City was just so purdy and cool, and I love the stories and characters. Kung Fu Hustle is absolutely amazing. For me, hands down the coolest/funniest/bestest martial arts movie ever. Stephen Chow is so dreamy! (Thanks again to Aero!)

I've also been eyeing that Transporter 2 movie that's coming out in theatres. I've never seen the first one (which will change shortly) but I like that actor and it looks pretty cool. People told me the first one was ridiculous, so I didn't go see it. But from what I see now it looks ridiculous in that cool intentionally over the top way.

Earlier this week I experienced a disillusionment about my religion. Now, I know that in every religion and philosophy there are good and bad people just like everywhere else. But I guess because Buddhism champions compassion and good will to all living beings I figured there wouldn't be any mean Buddhists. "How could you be mean and be Buddhist at the same time?" I thought. "They contradict each other!" While its true that they do, that doesn't mean some Buddhists aren't mean. Consciously I totally knew this, but I guess underneath I didn't really believe it.

In my almost two years of practicing I'd never once run into a mean Buddhist. Then I started frequenting a large Buddhist forum and realized that just because someone follows a philosophy that practices respect, kindness, and acceptance towards others, doesn't mean they actually do it. Kinda made me sad. I just hope anybody that was thinking about or was new to Buddhism didn't read some of the threads I did. It would have put me off it, to see people talking like that.

That "Miracle of Mindfulness" book is turning out really well. I'm not very far but already I've received tons of good, simple advice. Thich Nhat Hanh is truly a master. I feel a lot clearer and have more energy already, and I'm not even done with the book yet!

I think from the forums I mentioned above (I read so much from so many different sources I get confused on the origins) a poster mentioned adopting practices from other religions, like the Muslim practice of praying five times a day for example. I believe the five times are (and I'm so sorry if I'm wrong, Wikipedia must have lied to me) day break, noon, between noon and sunset, sunset, and when night sets in.

A Buddhist could use this same schedule (or one adapted to their life) to stop whatever they're doing and only watch their breath for ten minutes, recite mantras, take refuge, or just collect themselves. For the past couple of days I've been doing just that and it's really beneficial. I've caught myself being sluggish and restless and after a ten or fifteen minute break of just watching my breath I feel so much better. Very refreshed.

I think that every one, not just Buddhists, could benefit from this practice. So often we get caught up in our day to day business and forget to take some time to relax and re-energize ourselves.

I have to call my dad today and ask for a loan. I reeeeaaaalllllly dislike asking my dad for money, but this time I can't avoid it. *sigh* I know he doesn't mind, but I do. I've put it off for like four days now and its coming down to the wire. All the stress we put on this imaginary thing called money...

Well, I think that's good. Have a good Sunday and whatever else comes between now and then!

- BuddhaDave

Just when I think I'm free of your sweet undertow, I find myself suddenly back out to sea.