Twitters and Bloggers and Facebooks, oh MY!

The yellow brick road of cyber social networking really can feel like having a house dropped on you in the middle of OZ. When you have a thought - you start to formulate it into a Tweet, then if it keeps going, you find yourself composing a full on blog post. I feel like I am going to soon be back at the computer more and get my life online back in balance. All has been heavily Blackberry dependant lately which limits my poliferation a bit!

I am looking forward to getting back in touch with my blog. And therefore all of you.

I have under nourished you as readers this year, and for that I do truly apologize. My creative energies sort of gummed up after a run at our poetry salon last year... and a mild depression settled in for the better part of Spring through Fall. But there have to be cycles in life. up swings. down swings.

And so as I prepare to delve into a new career (and for once it feels like I may be pursuing a career instead of just a "job") I am igniting little pilot lights in my brain.

The basic concept of holistic living (as my untrained self understands it) is to bring your whole life into balance. I believe that it is done through proper ratios of work and play, creation and demolition (as you bring art into your wolrd, you destroy some inner privacy or blockage or "stuckness" - so that is my idea of the demolition... truth and honesty playing out as a discomfort or stepping into your medium.) And by considering diet, health, exercise, vocation, play, prayer (or your spiritual component whatever that may be) family, friends, pets... ALL of it. The SUM being greater than the parts kind of thinking.

The two Anis (anis= nuns) that I will be working for (they insist that I am working "with" them as opposed to "for" them/potatoes-v-potatos) are diving wild eyed into this new business. D&D as I will call them are both healthy and ambitious risk takers in their professional realms, and both are painting a canvas for an artwork of right livelihood to be born. I can't wait. I will be challenged by their expectations no doubt, but as D1 (or D2 - depending on how we list them) has ensured me - this is to be taken as an opportunity to unleash my own joy about my vocation.

SO tonight I was brainstorming some things. Ideas about what I hope to bring to the table, what I hope to learn in this adventure - and where I see it going for me and the double D team. (Wait - I just made nuns sound like Dolly Parton ~ but you know what I meant.)

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the nun who got me my last job. There is a pattern developing in my career track. In Sedona - my first job that lasted 5 years was via a nun from the temple. In April as I was still S.O.L. for employment here in Maryland.... again it was a NUN rescued me from the unemployment abyss. And today I sit poised for a double-nun vocational leap of faith.

I consider it a blessing to work alongside these women who have not only devoted their personal lives to something I VERY MUCH believe to be useful and meaningful for all beings, they also provide me with a sisterly advice and guidance that makes me feel loved and looked after. And we all get to laugh a lot too!

So I guess I am blowing the dust off the keyboard (again) in preparation for a nuance to my perspective. The organic market & holistic center of Poolesville is taking shape - and I have the pleasure of helping mold its future. I hope you all will join me for the ride. And though I am leaving the animal realm of employment (Three Dog and then VHC made for a lot of pet talk) we can grow and learn together about Organic products (locally grown no less) and holistic living. See the website I am starting for D&D over at itsbetter4you.com and also now that I am earning back some hours (no more Metro/bus/Tyson's commuter treks) I hope to become more involved over at Tibetan Buddhist Altar too!

Till we tweet ~er~ I mean "meet" again...
Peace ya'll!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Well folks, the cat is out of the bag on the Bowdawg. Giving thanks this Thursday for an exciting new opportunity on my career path.

I will be parking my commuter pass on Dec 4th. It has been so nice working with the amazing and gifted people at Veterinary Holistic Care in Bethesda ~ and I know they have helped me grow in the brief but meaningful stint I served since April.

But when a gift horse falls in your lap from greener pastures and his mouth looks you in the eye {STOP ALREADY-the metaphor is murdered} Rephrase: if 2 friends open a business 5 minutes from my front door and ask me to come on board-I'll take them apples!

So I am gonna be "proud Mary" and leave a job in the big city... for the role of third wagon on the "Organic Market & Holistic Center of Poolesville" train.

Details to follow-but had to share the excitement. We will be building the site for OMHC at http://itsbetter4you.com very soon, so stay tuned!! :)

Peace ya'll-and enjoy your turkey-n-such!
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The Unmistaken Child

If as a blogger, I could clear my throat... Look meaningfully into the readers eyes and speak in the most sincere tone I am able, I would preface this post with that display.

Today I wish to discuss a film titled "The Unmistaken Child." And to do so I call upon the most reverent voice I am able to speak with.

I thought that it would be a familiar movie inasmuch as I have seen portrayals of the search and discovery of a tulku. After all it is described in the dramatic style of American films when one sees "Little Buddha", and Scorcese painting a panoramic canvas of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's recognition in "Kundun".

Even so, I was not expecting the beauty of a simplistic documentary that chronicles the actual search for Lama Konchog's current encarnation.

Discovering a Rinpoche (reincarnate teacher) is a miracle. It is not a once every several millenia phenomena, it is not probably exclusive to a religion. But I would guess that it is only occuring where lots of emphasis is given still on the method of accomplishment. (See Ngundro instructions!)

No person who walks among us is prepared to take rebirth with purpose and intention unless that person has practiced diligently and accomplished progress on the path. We spend countless calories planning meals or dates or parties-but give little thought to our subsequent life. And yet when the door closes on this human existence, a labyrinth of endless corridors opens during our transition to the next life. And few if any of us have really studied the map. (See P'howa instructions.)

The teachers and texts implore us to study, prepare and achieve what is possible, yet most of the time-even those of us convinced we want the outcome-are reluctant to put in the time.

I came to watch "The Unexpected Child" rather by accident. I had a to-do list a mile long on Saturday. I allowed myself a 3 hour frivilous movie break on Netflix at the end of the day-choosing my first feature based on the habit of desire and the unending obsession I have with gay themed films in the romantic comedy genre. (Side note: being gay-not a big issue for studying the subject matter of tulkus and practicing p'howa... Just seemed a topical point to make given current political rumblings from some homophobobic religious voices. To hell with seperation of church and state right? Oops, I digress...)

The first movie was mildly amusing in that brainless, predictable, stereotypical and unchallenging "eye candy" kind of way. Yet even as the credits rolled-I felt sickened by the lie it perpetuated. That a stupid overture or oddyssey resulting in emotionally charged relationships (or the promise of one) is what youth and life are all about pursuing. Even when they last-what ultimate outcome is brought?

The sharp contrast that blossomed in my mind was what compelled me to click on another movie in my Netflix suggestion list.

I watched mostly assuming I would sense the familiarity of the Tibetan-esque cinematic feature, and then file it to come back to. (Or go enjoy "The Cup" again if this weren't my particular film of choice.)

But very quickly the documentary landed me in the midst of lama last rites, ringsel collection and tulku prediction. These are the very mystical and mechanical underpinnings of life. The secrets we avoid when we distract ourselves with sports, or music, or politics, and the very reason that the lamas encourage us to persevere. Working hard NOW to step off the endless Merry Go Round, and receive your diploma in a different field of study. Not a bachelors degree, but a commitment to serve and be of benefit throughout all future lives.

That phrase is challenging to comprehend for me. Like on the first day of kindergarten, you could hear the word calculus or physics-but the training and comprehension is a slow and long academic road to being able to perform those equations with competence.

So the film reminds me (without saying much) to study hard in life. Because many teachings exist about the actual journey between lives and the rebirth you will take either blindly-or well prepared. As I once more bring an imperfect metaphor to a close: every student who prepares for the S.A.T. does not necessarily ace it-but woe onto those who ignore the preparations altogether. One route helps transition for the future, even if an additional attempt is required to attain the goal. To not prepare is silly, stubborn and states a clear unwillingness to advanced toward a beneficial future outcome.

Peace ya'll. Study hard, see the film if you get a chance, and always bring a #2 pencil to you test!

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Like Christmas for Buddhists.

Okay-it is not a 100% perfect analogy, but let me 'splain my meaning.

We all have learned that Jesus was not actually born on Dec 25th. There were Pagan rituals (perhaps winter solstice - do not quote me on that tho) that Christian observers par lay into the Christ Mass-the observation of their holiest day.

Now it is universally recognized as a cultural holiday-whether you celebrate it or not. Christmas conjures the thoughts of peace, joy, goodwill and generosity.

Not to say there is a complete and unified reaction to Christmas-you have your bah humbugs and your nay sayers. But most people in our civilization have at least the ability to say, "Christmas is supposed to be the celebration of the birth of Christ."

Now as a new generation of Buddhists in American society, I like to post little acknowledgments on our four most holy days. Each one is called a duchen (pronounced doo-chin) which means great day or great festival. You can learn about the historical significance over on Tara.org, or on TibetanBuddhistAltar.org or even a more generic/scholastic explanation on wikipedia perhaps. Each Duchen is a marker of a miracle in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha of our planet and this age.)

Today is Lha Bab Duchen. And its significance is multiplied for me because I took refuge (closest Christian parallel might be confirmation- but don't go thinking they are really the same) on Lha Bab Duchen in 1998.

The actual calendar dates slide so the anniversary date varies, but it is the last ten million day of each year (we call it ten million day because karmically all your thoughts, speech and action are more potent on these days, so be it positive or negative you create strong future conditions on a Duchen.)

My colloquial term for it is a spiritual "double coupon day" as a friend of John's once cleverly named it!

So Happy Lha Bab Duchen. Mind your karmic scenarios today-since it is more weighty for us all (in the way gravity affects both those who understand it and those completely unaware-I recommend people don't drop breakable stuff. Therefore on a heavy karmic imprint day, engage in karma you want multiplied-generosity, kindness, compassion! Not a good day for anger, impatience, self righteousness-we can do that tomorrow if we must...)

May all of you experience the Truth and Beauty of your Nature in whatever expression has value and meaning to you!

Peace ya'll...
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A Burning Issue

My mind keeps reflecting on this young man (Michael Brewer) who was purposely lit on fire by peers. I read the story before my prayer shift and found myself contemplating the very minor burn I suffered in my youth. Maybe 30% of my right hand was injured in a grease burn, and the recovery was excruciating for me and my mother who had to clean the wound nightly and re bandage and dress it with Silvadene and slide on a flesh tone glove that was like a "second skin" that I wore in fifth and sixth grade. ~NOTHING~ compared to Brewer's condition.

My worst vanity about having a hand that was discolored and badly scarred is NOTHING compared to what this young man faces in the wake of this incident.

First and foremost, he is fighting for his life. At an estimated 65% of his body having been burned, there are few biological systems kicking in for his survival according to the news report - he is being stabilized by medicine and machinery.

Secondly, if our prayers are answered and he survives - what a long and arduous recovery lies ahead.

Third - imagine the legal nightmare that his family must surely face as these 15 year olds (and one 13 year old) are charged and prosecuted as adults (the 13 y.o will only be charged as an adult if the young man dies from this incident.) And all for what - $40 and a stolen bike?

Samsara is endless in her display of suffering, but this one was a gut punch to my solar plexus. I guess I think I can relate on a tiny scale - and then I try to extrapolate from there what young Mister Brewer faces in his life.

Like Matthew Shepherd knocked the wind out of me... so does this hate crime. Different entirely in its "subject matter" - but the fact that our young population have no sense of consequence, no fear of karma, and no compassion for their fellow man. And that somewhere it is within my constitution, or I could not see it displayed in my world.

I pray for this whole train wreck of a scenario to pacify... may ANY blessing or merit I have earned go to this young man's survival, his family and their support, and those who perpetrated this horrible event that they may feel remorse and turn their hearts around even to become upstanding pillars of virtue whether behind bars forever or somehow out in the world.

May this bring love somewhere in the universe, where right now all we see is the fiery display of hate and the damage of that wretched energy.

May all beings know peace and compassion. Hang on to your precious human life Michael Brewer... and may you be strong and healthy and have a kind heart despite this awful thing that has been put on you.

Over The Moon

Alright, so in this day and age-your lama can tweet-and you can commune online and via text. The techno devotee access is amazing.

My friend and upstairs neighbor Atara is a nun and attendant for the lama. She shared a text poem that Jetsunma had written about her knee issues. Jetsunma's wit is off the chain! (That is modern speak for Funny. Very Funny!)

So I offered up this little ditty in response from the bus stop on my commute home! Holly invited me to post it on Jetsunma's blog with the lama's approval- but I got stimeyed by some issue on my Blackberry trying to post it-so here it is until we can get it published over on Tibetan Buddhist Altar:

"Ode to J.A.L."

Love my teach
She's one hip lama
Higher reach
Than Prez Obama
Leads us daily
On the path
Her Tweets and Tales
Of mirth and wrath

Guiding All Those
Beings she calls
With song and Prose
Bout rise and falls
Endless Lies
Samsara brings
But countless lives
Dakini Sings!

So happy boy
Crackberry raises
Making Noise
With clicky praises
Brooklyn Goddess
Palyul beseeched
To have her Modest
Brilliance Teached!

Come One Come All
Her feast laid bare
With achy knee
But Kick Ass Hair
Her Beauty guides
A Motley Crew
As she hooked us
We'll Hook you too!
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