Thought this was pretty funny. Seen a few Dave Chappelle bits and think he's pretty funny. Watch out for Black Tony Blair :-)
D Day
On Thursday I did something that I'm generally not very good at .. I made a decision.
I attended a Buddhist Discussion meeting in the evening and someone gave an experience about how they'd completely changed their job from one that they were good at but didn't feel was creating any value to turning it round to create a job at a social enterprise kind of job despite initially having the wrong qualifications.
This inspired me as, for some time now, I've been wondering whether being self employed suits me and with another month with money coming in late leaving me struggling to pay bills etc made me take the decision to get back out in the real working world. Basically I am going to look for some part time work .. most likely in the morning and continue the web work in the afternoons/early evenings. I don't quite know how this will pan out yet but should be perfectly viable.
Even though the part time employment is likely to be low waged, it should be sufficient to make sure that I can save a bit as well as paying my bills and that would fulfill one of my two determinations by the end of the year to be financially secure.
The day after I made this decision I mentioned it to someone who told me that there were jobs at their place .. one of which seems at first glance to be almost ideal. I don't have any real details yet so it's extremely early days but it's encouraging .. All I have to do now is to re-create my own CV .. something I haven't had for 10 years !!!
I'll keep it posted here with my progress and for now .. here's a quote I find really inspiring.
"Fearing hardships and bemoaning and resenting our environment is to live with the belief that the Law is outside our own life. So is losing confidence in our ability to overcome our circumstances and turning to others in the hope that they will save us, or blaming others for our problems, or giving in to hoplessness and resignation.
When difficulties beset us, no matter how trying they may be, we must clearly see them for the obstacles or devilish functions they are and battle against them without retreating. This is the way of life of those who chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and dedicate their lives to the Mystic Law. The Daishonin says: "Nichiren's disciples cannot accomplish anything if they are cowardly" ( WND 1 - pg 481). In accord with these words, let us cast aside cowardice and make courage our foremost attribute".
I attended a Buddhist Discussion meeting in the evening and someone gave an experience about how they'd completely changed their job from one that they were good at but didn't feel was creating any value to turning it round to create a job at a social enterprise kind of job despite initially having the wrong qualifications.
This inspired me as, for some time now, I've been wondering whether being self employed suits me and with another month with money coming in late leaving me struggling to pay bills etc made me take the decision to get back out in the real working world. Basically I am going to look for some part time work .. most likely in the morning and continue the web work in the afternoons/early evenings. I don't quite know how this will pan out yet but should be perfectly viable.
Even though the part time employment is likely to be low waged, it should be sufficient to make sure that I can save a bit as well as paying my bills and that would fulfill one of my two determinations by the end of the year to be financially secure.
The day after I made this decision I mentioned it to someone who told me that there were jobs at their place .. one of which seems at first glance to be almost ideal. I don't have any real details yet so it's extremely early days but it's encouraging .. All I have to do now is to re-create my own CV .. something I haven't had for 10 years !!!
I'll keep it posted here with my progress and for now .. here's a quote I find really inspiring.
"Fearing hardships and bemoaning and resenting our environment is to live with the belief that the Law is outside our own life. So is losing confidence in our ability to overcome our circumstances and turning to others in the hope that they will save us, or blaming others for our problems, or giving in to hoplessness and resignation.
When difficulties beset us, no matter how trying they may be, we must clearly see them for the obstacles or devilish functions they are and battle against them without retreating. This is the way of life of those who chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo and dedicate their lives to the Mystic Law. The Daishonin says: "Nichiren's disciples cannot accomplish anything if they are cowardly" ( WND 1 - pg 481). In accord with these words, let us cast aside cowardice and make courage our foremost attribute".
Chanting Determination Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 20 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 25.25 hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 23.75 hours
Excellent Study
At last .. something to post !!
Last night's Buddhist Study was really excellent and captured the main points of why we practise Buddhism really well. Really good turnout too ... I didn't count but a couple of us estimate 55-60 people. The lecture was given by Sanda McWilliam who came up from Taplow Court and gave the study on 'On Attaining Buddhahood'.
Anyway .. key points below .. copied up from my notes:
Last night's Buddhist Study was really excellent and captured the main points of why we practise Buddhism really well. Really good turnout too ... I didn't count but a couple of us estimate 55-60 people. The lecture was given by Sanda McWilliam who came up from Taplow Court and gave the study on 'On Attaining Buddhahood'.
Anyway .. key points below .. copied up from my notes:
- We attain Buddhahood as and where we are; NOT as a different person or in a different place. The key is inner change (Human Revolution)
- It is important to make the DECISION to change and to continue in the effort once we have made the decision.
- We should become the master of our own minds and not let our (negative) minds 'master' us.
- A Mentor teaches others to believe in the potential that exists in their OWN lives.
- To be a Bodhisattva means to give hope and fight negativity, which can often be very subtle. To fight negativity means to fight disbelieff in our own and others Buddha nature. It is essential to chant plenty of daimoku (nam Myoho Renge Kyo) to keep our energy levels high enough for this fight.
- Buddhahood exists only in our conduct as human beings (walk the walk, don't just talk the talk).
- It is important to INITIALISE our determinations and be active, not passive.
- Each morning, we have no idea what lies ahead for us during the day. It is therefore important to prepare for the day ahead with a strong gongyo and daimoku.
All good straightforward but key stuff !!!!
Chanting Determination Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 13 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 16.25 hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 16.5 hours
Beg steal or borrow !
Ok .. for the lack of anything interesting to post right now, I've 'borrowed' a section of Peter (Newbuddha's) blog which is an article from the World Tribune talking about Kierkergaard a Danish religious philosopher ... it was the final section that caught my eye so I thought I'd re-produce it here. You can read the whole article on his blog here if you want to.
and for info ... my chanting to date (as last night)
Chanting Determination Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 12 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 15 hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 15.25 hours
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Believing is seeing
Finally, if you want to look at yourself in the mirror…you must not promptly forget how you looked (p. 44).
Kierkegaard’ s final advice is his warning against our forgetfulness. When we study the Daishonin’s writings, we may intellectually understand that we are Buddhas full of courage and compassion. While chanting, we may feel confident that our lives are essentially no different from that of the Daishonin .
But minutes after we leave our homes for work or school, we often start acting in a manner unbefitting Buddhas. In the course of a day, we may also face one situation after another in which others disregard us as if we had not even an iota of Buddhahood. This is why our consistent Buddhist practice and study become important as powerful reminders of our innate Buddhahood, especially when our environment seems to suggest its non-existence. Our diligent, conscious efforts steadily transform our intellectual idea of Buddhahood into our action as Buddhas and our fleeting awareness of Buddhahood into our unmovable conviction in the face of great hardship. In this sense, seeing ourselves in the Gohonzon is often a process of gradual transformation, rather than an epiphany to attain once and for all.Kierkegaard’ s vision of an ideal Christian was a “doer of the Word” (p. 25). To this end, he set down those three requirements for Christians to see themselves in the “mirror of God’s Word.” By the same token, genuine Nichiren Buddhists must not be simply admirers of the Gohonzon who see it with awe yet fail to see themselves in it. Indeed what those admirers think of as their pious respect for the Gohonzon is a kind of fundamental disrespect that perverts its purpose. Nichiren Daishonin wished us to become “practitioners” of the Gohonzon who uphold this mirror of ultimate self-knowledge and appreciate their own reflections.
To this end, the Daishonin stressed the importance of faith, urging us (WND, p. 3) “to summon up deep faith that Myoho-renge- kyo is your life itself” . So the true value of this wonderful mirror lies in the heart of the beholder—the heart that knows believing is seeing .
and for info ... my chanting to date (as last night)
Chanting Determination Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 12 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 15 hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 15.25 hours
...............................................................................
Believing is seeing
Finally, if you want to look at yourself in the mirror…you must not promptly forget how you looked (p. 44).
Kierkegaard’ s final advice is his warning against our forgetfulness. When we study the Daishonin’s writings, we may intellectually understand that we are Buddhas full of courage and compassion. While chanting, we may feel confident that our lives are essentially no different from that of the Daishonin .
But minutes after we leave our homes for work or school, we often start acting in a manner unbefitting Buddhas. In the course of a day, we may also face one situation after another in which others disregard us as if we had not even an iota of Buddhahood. This is why our consistent Buddhist practice and study become important as powerful reminders of our innate Buddhahood, especially when our environment seems to suggest its non-existence. Our diligent, conscious efforts steadily transform our intellectual idea of Buddhahood into our action as Buddhas and our fleeting awareness of Buddhahood into our unmovable conviction in the face of great hardship. In this sense, seeing ourselves in the Gohonzon is often a process of gradual transformation, rather than an epiphany to attain once and for all.Kierkegaard’ s vision of an ideal Christian was a “doer of the Word” (p. 25). To this end, he set down those three requirements for Christians to see themselves in the “mirror of God’s Word.” By the same token, genuine Nichiren Buddhists must not be simply admirers of the Gohonzon who see it with awe yet fail to see themselves in it. Indeed what those admirers think of as their pious respect for the Gohonzon is a kind of fundamental disrespect that perverts its purpose. Nichiren Daishonin wished us to become “practitioners” of the Gohonzon who uphold this mirror of ultimate self-knowledge and appreciate their own reflections.
To this end, the Daishonin stressed the importance of faith, urging us (WND, p. 3) “to summon up deep faith that Myoho-renge- kyo is your life itself” . So the true value of this wonderful mirror lies in the heart of the beholder—the heart that knows believing is seeing .
Just in front
Hanging on in there with my chanting determination ... just 1/4 hour in front at the moment which will be challenged over the weekend when there's 4 days of cricket so I can see me falling behind then .. could be interesting !!!
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Chanting Determination Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 11 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 13.75hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 14 hours
......................................................................
Chanting Determination Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 11 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 13.75hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 14 hours
be patient I will post soon
Chanting Determination Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 10 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 12.5hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 12.75 hours
Time Chanted to Date (day 10 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 12.5hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 12.75 hours
Daimoku Update
Chanting Determination Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 9 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 11.25 hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 11.5 hours
Time Chanted to Date (day 9 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 11.25 hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 11.5 hours
A mixed weekend
Just about recovering from a mixed weekend and a bit of a grumpy mood generally .... Maybe it started with missing a Mayfair night out though I think it started before that .. Maybe it's my determination to chant 230 hours (1.25 hours a day) before the end of the year that brought out the negativity .. I honestly don't know but it's been a grumpy few days and I just feel that I'm starting to pull out of it now .. maybe it's because I decided to do absolutely sod all yesterday and watched daytimne TV under the duvet until mid afternoon before going for a leisurely stroll/coffee in town as the sun was out for the first time in nearly 2 weeks !!
I think my grumpiness peaked mainly on Saturday .. probably not helped by having to be up at 4.30am to get a lift to Taplow ... all in all not a bad day but not one of my more inspiring trips, but then again, negativity breeds negativity I guess ... I always looked for teh bad bits when I'm feeling grumpy .. I suppose it's a bit like trying to pull people out of their happiness so they are down to ours when we're feeling 'off'
Anyway .. one good thing came out of the trip at least in that I bought a Study Lecture on the 'Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime' gosho by Daisaku Ikeda and have just started reading it and it's a really good read .. takes the Gosho apart bit by bit in detail .. hopefully he'll do teh same with most of the major writings of Nichiren Daishonin.
Anyway .. bit of a slow start to the week as still feeling a bit tired but I've determined (as well as the 1 1/4 hours a day) to focus on my work more during the day so I'd better get on with it !!!!
Chanting Determination Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 8 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 10 hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 10.25 hours
I think my grumpiness peaked mainly on Saturday .. probably not helped by having to be up at 4.30am to get a lift to Taplow ... all in all not a bad day but not one of my more inspiring trips, but then again, negativity breeds negativity I guess ... I always looked for teh bad bits when I'm feeling grumpy .. I suppose it's a bit like trying to pull people out of their happiness so they are down to ours when we're feeling 'off'
Anyway .. one good thing came out of the trip at least in that I bought a Study Lecture on the 'Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime' gosho by Daisaku Ikeda and have just started reading it and it's a really good read .. takes the Gosho apart bit by bit in detail .. hopefully he'll do teh same with most of the major writings of Nichiren Daishonin.
Anyway .. bit of a slow start to the week as still feeling a bit tired but I've determined (as well as the 1 1/4 hours a day) to focus on my work more during the day so I'd better get on with it !!!!
Chanting Determination Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 8 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 10 hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 10.25 hours
I want to learn this
I bought one of these years ago from an old rembetist in Greece and though I've messed around with it, I've never been able to learn (not many baglama teachers in the UK !)
Wish I could play like this
or this
Sadly ... I;m more like this !!!!!!
Sponsored Chant Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 3 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 3.75 hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 5.25 hours
Wish I could play like this
or this
Sadly ... I;m more like this !!!!!!
Sponsored Chant Update
Time Chanted to Date (day 3 of 184) >>>
Target to be chanted by end of day - 3.75 hours
Actual amount chanted so far - 5.25 hours
##### SPONSOR ME ####
Ok .... so here it is ... I've decided to encourage myself to chant more and to raise some money for Childline at the same time. Any sponsorship always appreciated and you can sponsor me online at:
http://www.justgiving.com/chantathon
I'll be posting my progress on here throughout the process .. initial post coming soon.
http://www.justgiving.com/chantathon
I'll be posting my progress on here throughout the process .. initial post coming soon.
Tozo Weekend - Day 2 (see yesterday for Info)
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Daimoku Chanted So Far at 20:00 Saturday >> 3 Hours
Daimoku Chanted so Far at 19:15 Sunday >> 3 Hours
Total Daimoku Chanted over weekend >> 6 Hours
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Good start to the weekend daimoku campaign today as it was Kosen Rufu Gongyo in the morning. Only 3 of us there for various practical reasons, but still a good gongyo. Hung back afterwards and did another half hour afterwards to get me going. Planning to do another half hour shortly and then if the weather holds out, pop into town for a coffee and read etc .. just to get out of the flat really.
Ended up a bit of a struggle as I spent a bit of time in the afternoon doing other bits before going into town late on .. Realised when I got back that I'd have to do an hour with only a 10 min break in the middle if I wanted to finish before the cricket started .. managed it though !!
Watch this space for sponsored event details tomorrow.
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Daimoku Chanted So Far at 20:00 Saturday >> 3 Hours
Daimoku Chanted so Far at 19:15 Sunday >> 3 Hours
Total Daimoku Chanted over weekend >> 6 Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daimoku Chanted So Far at 20:00 Saturday >> 3 Hours
Daimoku Chanted so Far at 19:15 Sunday >> 3 Hours
Total Daimoku Chanted over weekend >> 6 Hours
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good start to the weekend daimoku campaign today as it was Kosen Rufu Gongyo in the morning. Only 3 of us there for various practical reasons, but still a good gongyo. Hung back afterwards and did another half hour afterwards to get me going. Planning to do another half hour shortly and then if the weather holds out, pop into town for a coffee and read etc .. just to get out of the flat really.
Ended up a bit of a struggle as I spent a bit of time in the afternoon doing other bits before going into town late on .. Realised when I got back that I'd have to do an hour with only a 10 min break in the middle if I wanted to finish before the cricket started .. managed it though !!
Watch this space for sponsored event details tomorrow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Daimoku Chanted So Far at 20:00 Saturday >> 3 Hours
Daimoku Chanted so Far at 19:15 Sunday >> 3 Hours
Total Daimoku Chanted over weekend >> 6 Hours
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