This is my newest writings. I hope you enjoy them. Comments appreciated.


The Buddha’s Eightfold Path.


To remove confusion as to how the Buddhist tradition works, I will briefly describe the Eightfold Path to Enlightenment. The Eightfold Path is a general blueprint, or rather a teaching of advice and wisdom, rather than doctrine. It is not designed to bring about fears or doubts as to how one lives, but rather to cultivate positive interventions, so that a practicing Buddhist can have some guidance. It is simply the process of awakening. It’s all about learning to live a moral path that will bring about the legendary “Enlightenment” that the Buddha spoke of. I think for anyone to truly grasp the meaning of Buddhism, they must first read the basics of his teachings and also come to have some understanding of the purpose of it all --- Enlightenment (freedom from attachment, embracing the moment). So, here is my own interpretation of the Eightfold Path. This is truly my own personal view of it, and is also subject to change as I learn more and mature.



The Eightfold Path is divided into 3 categories: Morality, Wisdom, and Mental Development. In this order, here they are:



--Right Speech
--Right Livelihood
--Right Action
--Right View
--Right Intention
--Right Effort
--Right Mindfulness
--Right Concentration



This is the “Code of behavior”, so to speak. It is the rough guidelines, which differ in every Buddhist school or way of thinking. It is up to you to determine what works for you, but not to stray from the essential teachings of compassion and renunciation. Furthermore, it is important that when you study anything, from philosophy to physics, that you grasp the fact that you should try to see things with an open mind, and leave your ego aside. Also know that this is one tiny miniscule thing that Buddhism has to offer. It is like one page in a thousand-page manual on the subject. The teachings go on and on and one can never possibly read it all or understand it all. Let’s get started:


On Right Speech:


Right Speech is defined by me as speaking with thoughtfulness and timeliness. It is about speaking so as to bring about harmony and compassion, but also to provoke thought and understanding. It is as though you only speak when it reveals insight and provides others with something new. Also, in Buddhist philosophy it is said that Right Speech also means avoiding frivolous conversation. This means it is rather pointless to ramble on and on about things that do not matter and that do not lead to greater happiness and wisdom. Because if the saying is true that “Words breathe life”, than perhaps it is important to speak things that have a point, and to choose your words carefully. This is something that I wholeheartedly embrace, because I do not enjoy speaking with someone who is not sincere and who engages in frivolous and pointless conversation. By saying this I do not mean that we should demean other’s words, but rather to pay greater attention to our own. Right Speech also refers to abstaining from lying, slander, or hateful speech. In my own life, this means not demeaning someone behind their back, and not lying unless it proves something of greater value, such as protecting the innocent. Now that I have spoken of the moral reasons, I must also cover the fact that it’s important not to embrace this as doctrine and to understand that it is okay to use harmful speech if someone is being hurt, or to prevent further destruction. After all, death and suffering come from a collision of thousands of factors, not just because it is a coincidence or chance. According to this philosophy, all things are bound by Karma and therefore can be unbound. Watch your words, they can lead to great suffering. Also, it is ok to make mistakes and we shouldn’t have to feel guilty over minor things. Just live life. If you’re a worker or student, obviously your own rules will be looser than a Buddhist monk. Use your common sense, be flexible!



On Right Livelihood:





Right Livelihood speaks for itself. This is something that any Buddhist should not try to stretch to fit their lives. Let me explain. Here is a good example straight from the web of things to avoid: 1. dealing in weapons, 2. dealing in living beings (including raising animals for slaughter as well as slave trade and prostitution), 3. working in meat production and butchery, and 4. selling intoxicants and poisons, such as alcohol and drugs. Furthermore any other occupation that would violate the principles of right speech and right action should be avoided.




The purpose of Buddhist morality is to avoid causing suffering to other beings. So, any job that directly leads to suffering should be avoided. It always comes back to you anyways. (Read the Buddhist and Hindu teachings of Karma) Also, Right Livelihood to me means making an honest living and not taking advantage of the weak or oppressed, but rather promoting other people’s sense of well-being to encourage growth. Competition and working hard are the essentials to producing and effective and harmonious society too, so don’t be afraid to work hard and learn to hate laziness. Peace through livelihood does not mean stagnation and indifference. Seek the truth with diligence.


On Right Action:






Right Action is the basis of morality. The Buddhist precepts, which are basically vows of morality, are based on Right Action, and Right Speech. Not for everyone, but it is something to look into. This part is like the Ten Commandments of any Bible based religion. It basically means to abstain from killing or hurting other living things, no stealing, no sexual misconduct. Again, these things are pretty straightforward and form the base of all of the practice. This is a very serious step, because this is when we learn about the wastefulness of blindly killing things, destroying life, taking what is not given, and making others suffer through our own selfish impulses. The ignorant will laugh at this for being feeble, or claim that this is impossible, but it is precisely the ignorant mind that we must seek to change. To embrace life with compassion and energy is Right Action. To leave your home every day on the right foot, so to speak. This isn’t rocket-science. Through all my years of studying, I have learned to enjoy the simplicity of this practice. Right Action implies that we should become more aware of the consequences of our actions, learn to live in appreciation of others, and to enjoy the fruits of our actions. If whatever you’re doing reduces your anger and attachment and greatens your humility and understanding, keep doing it.



On Right View:


The next category of Buddhist ethics are the wisdom traditions, which include Right View. Right View is difficult to pin down and define. Right View is something to be well constructed and thought out. Here is the formal definition that I found on the web:

“Right view is the beginning and the end of the path, it simply means to see and to understand things as they really are and to realize the Four Noble Truths. As such, right view is the cognitive aspect of wisdom. It means to see things through, to grasp the impermanent and imperfect nature of worldly objects and ideas, and to understand the law of karma and karmic conditioning. Right view is not necessarily an intellectual capacity, just as wisdom is not just a matter of intelligence. Instead, right view is attained, sustained, and enhanced through all capacities of mind. It begins with the intuitive insight that all beings are subject to suffering and it ends with complete understanding of the true nature of all things. Since our view of the world forms our thoughts and our actions, right view yields right thoughts and right actions.”

The Four Noble Truths that are refered to in this selection are the basic conclusions that form the basis of all Buddhist practice. Right View means understanding things as they really are, not delusionally grasping at reality. I will not try to stray to far from my original purpose of this essay, so I will not go into depth about the endless books written about Right View. Just know that having a Right View is essentially learning to cultivate a spirit of mind that is conducive to focusing on what is going on inside rather than what the external world appears to be. Learn to understand yourself first, and the problems of this world will disappear before your eyes. When you look upon death, suffering, and loss, you will be profoundly moved to understand that the problems with these issues are entirely constructs of our own consciousness. We are our own world. We control what we think and feel. This is Right View. Right View means seeing things as they are: subject to change, subject to being and unbeing. What is born must be unborn. What is created or constructed must be uncreated and destroyed. Even the mightiest mountain will eventually erode to become become the lowest savanna, or jungle, or valley. You may be healthy and happy now, but one day you will suffer, get sick, and die. The importance here is that you realize this nature of reality and learn to understand rather than fear it. Right View means seeing the entirety of everything, seeing the entirety of this moment, without delusions.

On Right Intention:

“The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.” Right Intention is in seeing the importance of your own drive. Do not become crazy worrying of your intention, but more importantly do not live with the wrong intention, otherwise you will simply suffer, being bound to your own ignorance. Why do you wake up everyday? How do you intend to treat those around you? How do you treat your family, friends, community, or enemies? What kind of picture are you painting around to those?
If you can envision yourself, through the eyes of others as a positive aspect in their lives, then the rich fruit of Karma is already well on its way. If your intention is to overall seek peace and harmony , good things will inevitably come your way. Right Intention is your own personal tool, something that only you can see. Your intention will determine how you react to any given situation. If your intention is to help others than you will go out and make others more willing to help others, and sooner or later, with collective force, you can change your entire world. But, it starts now with your own intention. Do not be neurotic, but just be a human being helping another human being, or a human helping the world. In this way you will develop Right Intention. Be what you are, with a good intention.

On Right Effort:

Simple: put forth the effort to bring about change and straighten things out. Put forward tremendous effort in anything you undertake. Even doing simple chores is effected by your effort. If you drag yourself around all day, from one place to another, never wanting to be there, then no wonder you are not happy. Put forth effort and learn the simplicity of this teaching. Without effort, there would be no point to get up in the morning. You would eventually die. In fact, not caring or putting forth effort can slowly change and break down your body. If you have no effort, why live?
Now, rarely is effort lacking that much, but sometimes you have to exaggerate your own tendencies in order to see the ridiculousness of it. Right Effort means putting effort where it is needed. Logically, this would be for self-interest. We need to have a place to live, food in our stomachs, and so on. Be cautious, however, because too much self-interest can lead to a terrible system where we only watch out for ourselves. We are human beings, the most advanced life forms on planet Earth. Therefore, we should hold ourselves to the highest standards by avoiding greed, clannish behavior, and all forms of degradation and deterioration. All life is precious, and therefore using Right Effort means applying the effort to uphold these high standards.
Right Effort corresponds to all of the other steps to Enlightenment, without it we are nothing. So, start today by applying the Right Effort to make your home and community a clean and safe place to live. Be a human being, be advanced in your thinking, and counter your own suffering. When these problems are solved, move outwards and bring others along the same path as yourself.
So, Right Effort is simple, really.

On Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration:

Right Mindfulness and Concentration are the more advanced segments of the philosophy, something to be mastered at a higher level of understanding. I have included them together because they form the meditative qualities of Buddhist philosophy, and these two practices can make your life more tolerable and meaningful. Right Mindfulness always applies, and this step is essential to the rest of your Buddhist practice. Let me give you a formal definition of Right Mindfulness from the Web:

“Right mindfulness is the controlled and perfected faculty of cognition. It is the mental ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness. Usually, the cognitive process begins with an impression induced by perception, or by a thought, but then it does not stay with the mere impression. Instead, we almost always conceptualize sense impressions and thoughts immediately. We interpret them and set them in relation to other thoughts and experiences, which naturally go beyond the facticity of the original impression. The mind then posits concepts, joins concepts into constructs, and weaves those constructs into complex interpretative schemes. All this happens only half consciously, and as a result we often see things obscured. Right mindfulness is anchored in clear perception and it penetrates impressions without getting carried away. Right mindfulness enables us to be aware of the process of conceptualization in a way that we actively observe and control the way our thoughts go. Buddha accounted for this as the four foundations of mindfulness: 1. contemplation of the body, 2. contemplation of feeling (repulsive, attractive, or neutral), 3. contemplation of the state of mind, and 4. contemplation of the phenomena.”

Now how is that for vocabulary? Right Mindfulness means to see things as they are, being well focused and well balanced in your perception. It is in seeing how the mind clusters everything together and goes on auto-pilot. It has come to my awareness that in any given moment of your day, you should be mindful of exactly what you are doing. This is essential. The brain should never run on this so-called “auto-pilot”, but should rather focus on the present moment. This moment exists in its own entirety and therefore should never be overlooked. In other words, when you are eating a meal, do not be thinking about desert, and when you are driving a car or walking, do not be thinking about what you will do when you get to your destination. Live in this moment, as if it were your last. We humans have a tendency to only remember the extremes in our lives. In our history books, we only have documentation of the wars, the famines, and political movements, but we fail to document the vast quantity of time that goes on between those events, which, ultimately caused their arrival. Disaster rarely just jumps out of nowhere, but can usually be seen way ahead of time, if you pay attention to its arrival. Practicing Right Mindfulness can be quite liberating, because now you learn that you have the capacity to be fully awake and aware at all times, not just on the meditation cushion. Right Mindfulness is being wise and objective, and seeing the world for what it is. Now, related to Right Mindfulness is Right Concentration. Right Concentration can be formally defined as the following:

“The Buddhist method of choice to develop Right Concentration is through the practice of meditation. The meditating mind focuses on a selected object. It first directs itself onto it, then sustains concentration, and finally intensifies concentration step by step. Through this practice it becomes natural to apply elevated levels concentration also in everyday situations.”

To achieve Right Concentration, you will have to apply some sort of meditation practice to your life. I will not cover meditation in depth in this essay, so if you have any questions regarding this subject, check the web or library. There are countless volumes of writings on the subject. With meditation, you learn to focus your attention on one single “object”, such as your breathing, or posture, or a strand of meditation beads. By doing this, you are training your mind, and therefore yourself, to be more concentrated on your daily activities. In this way, the mind becomes more patient, more skillful, and has greater clarity and depth. Right Concentration means that you are no longer mentally scattered, no longer is your mind wandering, but rather it is single-pointedly focused on exactly one thing. Right Concentration can be used when you are in physical pain, to reduce its effects, or when you are doing something that requires tremendous concentration, such as painting, or writing a skillful essay. So, to conclude Right Concentration and Mindfulness, I must say that these are also critical parts of the Buddhist practice, and not something to be overlooked, forgotten, or underestimated. With more meditation and awareness, your mind will be sharp and alert, ready for anything.

The Eightfold Path is a guideline, and nothing more, to achieve Enlightenment. It’s design is to give you a holistic and multi-faceted approach to living. A true Buddhist master is living these at all times, and their results are clear. This can work for anyone, but it must be practiced diligently and with support. We are all in this together, so never hesitate to question, ask around, and study other philosophies as well. In fact, if you fail to study other approaches as well as Buddhism, you are cheating yourself. Part of Buddhist practice is to be open-minded and well-versed. This Buddhist approach continues to serve as a guide to many people wishing to escape suffering and confusion. Find out for yourself the truth of the Middle Way, the approach to the final and ultimate Enlightenment. As a writer and as a practitioner, I wish you the best of luck, and all my love and support.

Ok. I was just reading some headliners, on BBC.com. Here's your current world news: Brazillian native children dying of malnutrition. Chinese military spending up 8%!!!!! Martha god-for-fucking-saken Stewart is released from prison. Get this, experts predict that she will PROFIT from her time in jail. Hell, I say we should have put her in one of the more deadly prisons in NY or LA. Also, free speech journalists are getting capped in Alzerbaijan. AIDS is up in Africa in unheard of numbers. Insurgent strikes are WAY up in Iraq, because of the political vacuum. Oh, and Michael Jackson's child molestation case is going well for him.
Ok, so in the spirit of the higher minded, intelligent theories of this world, I will say that the world has become a shithole. The saddest part of it all is the Martha Stewart thing. On the plus side, if we do get rocked by China, at least we get to learn a new language. Peace.

Today I decided to take a break from playing WoW. For those of you who don't know, WoW is a massive online game. It seems to sap all my freetime and energy, and there is little I can accomplish when I am perpetually playing that game. So, I've decided to stop playing the game outright. There is no purpose in continuing something that you have clearly decided that you no longer can take. I know that a lot of my online friends will be disapointed, but I can't play that anymore, at least for the time being. There are more important things to do with my time that do not include my computer or sitting around all day. Certainly there is always something to do that can create a better sense of well-being. Well, anyways, I just wanted to update that to clear up any confusion to any of my online friends that might read this, wondering where I am. It's time to move on.

So, I had an interesting experience. Interesting, so what? Experience? You could call it that, or I could just explain what the hell happened. I'm in one of those Brad Pitt moods, from Fight Club, but not so angry, not so violent. I feel like a child feels when he's baptized, I feel like I just woke up. Sound all fuzzy and warm? Fuck that, don't attach labels to things we hardly understand. To simplify, generalize, and make an ass out of everything, I will just say that I am in the best state of mind I have ever been in a long time. Sound good? Ok, here's what happened:
So, I had a pretty ordinary day. I went to Mingo's place and hung out with him all day, had a good time. Then, later in the evening I went to another friend's place, my buddy David. He's an awesome guy, and I respect him and his ideas with the upmost scrutiny, sincerity, and approval. But that's not what did it, at least not being in company with good friends. I am blessed with knowing people that know more about this world than your average 9-5, popping-out-kids, middle-classed, middle-aged person will ever know. These are people who have never been contented with simple ideological concepts, simplifications, or even ways of modern living that many of us consider normal. Just about everyone I know considers me to be a pretty kind, intellectual type with an ideological and very philosophical mind. You must know that I am a person that is intently passionate about anything and everything. I am not a nice guy, but I sure as hell am not what anyone would consider evil. Maybe to some, but you don't have to be intelligent to have an opinion. But, all that is beside the point, because in the end we all are born screaming into this world, we all shit in this world, and we leave this world quite unexpectedly. Does it sound like I'm in a bad mood? Naw, screw that. In fact, if I am ever in a good mood I feel well balanced, totally at peace, but capable of many things and spontaneous. Anyways, to get to the point, we were watching this movie, I'm sure everyone knows about it. It's called "American History X". The movie was great and I think we should air it in Middleschools across America. Anyways, the movie kinda made me think about things, but to simplify it that much would be a travesty.
When I was about 14-15 years old, I went on a trip with my friend Andy and his parents, to Gulf Shores, Alabama. The whole experience was quite fun, but one particular night stands out as memorable to me because something happened. In fact, nothing happened at all. My friends and I simply walked the beach and talked. Then, after I got tired of ranting, for some reason I just shut up and walked the beach, just walked and walked. I felt something wonderful there, something holistic, something Zen. No ONE idea stayed in my mind. My mind was free of strain, of anger, of pain, or even confusion. But even to say that is to conceptualize and tear my experience to shreds. If you understand what I'm saying, more power to you, and if you don't then keep listening. That night I just shut up and walked, and let myself be myself. I didn't have to add anymore than that. I was silent and smiling the whole rest of the night, and nothing seemed to irritate me. I can't remember even what we were talking about that made me so serene, but I do remember the feeling as a very unique night.
So, to get on with this Zen nowhere rant, there I was and the credits were rolling on "American History X". I felt that I should say something, anything. I mean, don't normal people gab it up for three hours after a movie that was so compelling? Aren't we socially compelled, obligated, or even forced to say SOMETHING about the movie? No. The answer is no. It's simple. You can experience something and never have experienced it because you are obligated to descipher it, to take it intellectually, to examine it under a microscope. No, after reading a thousand books, traveling the world's oceans, or even winning millions of dollars, the wise man will know that what IS is just what it is. You can write it down, summarize, intellectualize, theorize. I was in awe for like an hour after the movie, still am, in fact. I feel great, like a million bucks. Is there any meaning to this rant? Is there any point? Have I really touched anyone by my experience? I can say with all honesty that if you, (my friends reading this) do not understand what I'm hinting at, or even trying to hint at, then we need to talk. Call me anytime.
Guess what, America? You don't have to think you know everything. You don't have to try to sound important, to sound meaningful. You don't have to have other people's recognition, to justify every breath you take. Think about it. Sometimes it's best just to live simply. And, you should always find out for yourself what something means to you. Some people live by one quote or another, but that is not the way to live effectively. Direct experience is key. In every aspect of life, the only knowledge that I would consider valid is knowledge that is recieved with an open mind, without grasping at one's beliefs, values, or even your ENTIRE life experience. When you eat, just eat. When you sleep, just sleep.
I am really in a good mood. If you understand this, great. If you value knowledge and wisdom, forget everything I just said. Look away from the screen in a few minutes and wake up. Just wake up. When you go out your door and accomplish anything, know that you are empty of meaning without those around you. Love and cherish them like you will die the next moment. We are what we are surrounded by. And, when you wake up tomorrow morning and go out and work, go to school, or take care of some business, just always remember the simple truths in life, and know that reality constantly changes and screws around with things. In the words of Bruce Lee :"Simplify Simplify Simplify! Cut out the complications!" Look at me, I'm being hypocritical with living by quotes. If you have a problem with this, go fuck yourself :-D. Now, I want you to take heart what I'm saying and go out and be yourself. Much peace and understanding. Have a good night.

Howdy. Bout time I posted something new. Let's see here... Things are going O.K. for me, nothing too tremendous to report, nothing sad, nothing dramatic. I finally got my AA degree at PHCC, so that is over and done with. I'm still working at Sam's Club, on the floor as a grocery associate. I am with Debbie still, which is a blessing and something that really has made an impact on my life. I hope that all of you reading this are doing splendid. As always, I've kept up on my reading, which consists mainly of Buddhist philosophy and Bruce Lee's book, "The Tao of Jeet Kune Do". My family is doing well. Debbie is still in school, working hard at Publix, and balancing it all nicely. Hmmm, I feel like ranting about something, but the Holy Spirit just isn't in me tonight. Har har. I will try to post more, I promise.

Hmm, lets see here. I haven't commented much as of late. Things are going splendidly for me. We are getting a new puppy tomorrow. He's a long-haired Dachsun. Cute as hell. Anyways, school is going well, and things with Debbie and I are as good as they've ever been. Work still sucks, and so do a lot of people. Later I'm going to Chillis with Debbie, where I will drown my sorrows in ghetto lemonade. I'm still heavily absorbed in Buddhist philosophy, and my room decorations reflect the passion of a Buddhist madman. I love it! Sooner or later I'll take a picture of my room for all yall to see. Ok, time to go. Peace out.

I had a wierd dream last night.

I was with my friend Tony, and we were fighting with some guys over something. My dreams usually leave out the minor details, but I remember we were fighting and his eyes were injured. His condition worsened, and I stayed with him the whole time, entil eventually his eyes were so infected that they had to be removed. It was a tragedy, but for the rest of the dream I stayed with him, guiding him through the city and helping him do things. I was his "eyes" so to speak. I went around with him and he was extremely emotional the whole time, yearning to see again. I had to console him many times and be a shoulder to cry on. I felt tremendous compassion toward him, and helped him through the process of coping and learning new ways of living.

It was a tremendously wierd dream, and I think it means something. I'm giving him a call now to see what's up. Got to go to work. Peace.

Good evening Vietnam. Its storming outside, and I'm sitting here pondering many things, as always. I have to work tomorrow at 7:30 am, but for some reason I am compelled to write. Perhaps I have something meaningful to say.


It is important to keep the mind clear and focused. This is an important lesson for someone who knows the perplexing, contradictory, suffering of human beings. Many people, upon hearing this, will jump on the defensive and say, "But, in my opinion, you are wrong and it is this way or that way". I know that there are opinions, but there goes the weighing-mind again. Opinions are like assholes, in fact, consciousnesses are like assholes... Everyone has them and some of them stink really bad, depending on how well they take care of them. Perhaps this sounds negative, but one must realize the perplexity and stupendous ignorance of a mind and it's search for something to bring it peace.


The fact that you are walking a path is the meaning of walking the path. In life, the process of living is the meaning or purpose of living. HOW one lives is important. It is important to wake up and see that the world does not end at your doorstep, your family, your nation, or even this planet. Furthermore, the things you see in your life are so largely interconnected that pointing at one thing and calling it a thing is ignoring its true nature. When I eat a salad, I am eating the sun, the rain, the soil, the work of the farmer, the work of the trucker, the company, the corporation, the nation, the world, etc. Things are so vastly interconnected at the seams that our senses are not capable of really SEEING the connection. It sometimes brings me much shame to see people who are self-centered and their entire focus of existence is purely and whooly upon themselves. Being blind to the world is a hindrance, and not a help to your own happiness. It is something that primitive animals do. It should be a shame to be so self-centered, but our society is embracing it more and more. Not all people, (maybe I've seen too much ignorance), but it seems that it is a popular trend to adopt this philosophy. It is often thought that peace can be found through controlling one's conditions with an iron fist, or by acquiring enough "stuff" to never have any problems. If this is true, why there so many wealthy people who walk around with a permanent frown on their face? I am here to say that happiness, at least for me, has been found in: compassion, sharing of my money(through gifts, favors, etc), in mental clarity, and most importantly: through letting go of piddly shit that many people have trouble letting go of. For the record, I am NOT enlightened, or even close to it, but if I don't get my advice out I will feel like it's all been for nothing.


A wonderful thing has happened in human evolution. The brain has developed to adopt abstract thinking, conceptualizing, and a sense of morality that is truly unique and miraculous. Sitting here reading this is a miracle. Writing it is a miracle beyond my farthest imagination. Only through "Seeing deeply" can we begin to realize that not one thing in the entire universe is separate and independent of all others. Your idea of yourself is not true, for you are in existence only in relation to the miraculous web of living and nonliving things that has brought you into existence. Even your brain is not independent in and of itself, because if you fall sick or ill, the mind suffers immensely.


Perhaps I am talking around in circles, but remember one thing. It is important to listen, and listen, and listen some more. I am here to present what I feel I absolutely MUST share with the rest of you. I am not negative or suffering as a result. In fact, seeing deeply and thinking about things in this manner has helped me tremendously. This is not for everyone, and I don't expect you to understand or practice it. To me, it is simply a door to a more enlightened mind. The process of living is where walking through the door begins. These thoughts are not entirely my own, but if you trace your "opinions" to their source, you will see that they exist only in relation to all things that have formed them.


To expand on my mental clarity mentioned in the first paragraph, what I mean is that it is important to keep the mind centered on what is actually happening in your life, instead of the dread and doubt that it can naturally go. Thinking about the future is good, and some doubt keeps the mind in check, but it is important to practice the art of refining your awareness into a sharp and distinct tool. Keep your mind free of distracting thoughts like passions, angers, beliefs, etc. Again, naturally the mind falls on these things, and it is important to recognize that, because reality is not without these things. But, to someone seeking happiness, it would help to realize the benefit of keeping the mind as clear as a sheet of finely polished glass.


On an end note, take good care of yourselves and reflect on what I've said. The more I contemplate this, the easier it is for me to live and be happy, and if there is something wrong about this, than may God strike me down. Don't wait around to find happiness, realize it now. The only thing that you will accomplish with waiting and escaping is an untimely and wasteful existence. Sorry to sound negative, but in order to teach sometimes one must drive his point home. Peace, im outta here.

Well, things have been going well. Been playing lots of a new game called City of Heroes. Debbie left yesterday for New Jersey, and I hope she has a good time. Life is fantastic for me, and I hope my entry finds most of you in good times. This morning the thunder and lightning were so severe that I thought that the world must be ending or something. My brother is away doing army crap, and my house is quite peaceful. I've made several friends on City of Heroes, and playing that game is very much worth my time. Work is going ok I guess, but I'm still not in the Tobacco Center. :( Oh well, it is beyond my grasp and control. Not much news to report other than that everything is perfect. I wonder what this election year holds, and I hope Bush gets out of office. Peace out, and remember that trying to control your life is more destructive than the natural process of things going wrong. Everyone has 100 problems, and the 100th problem is wishing that they had no problems. There I go with the Buddhism again. Heeeheee. Peace.

Hey guys, I got lots of complaints that I don't update anymore, and I apologize. Generally speaking, my topics are bland and pointless, but if you feel like reading, than more power to ya. Things have been great for me. Let's see here.. work is going well. I am getting transfered to the Tobacco Center soon enough. Every time I'm about to get transfered, a couple of cashiers will quit and then we'll have to hire new ones before I can go. This has happened about three times now, and I'm starting to think that some conspiracy is in the air. All of these people just up and quit all the time now, and before we had a consistent workforce. Oh well, it looks like I will have to deal with this situation one day at a time.
Hmm, lets see here... good news... hmmm.... Well, I started meditating half an hour a day, without fail. I think I will flog myself if I ever stop for even one day. Also, I'm currently taking a summer course with Debbie, and since I didn't buy a book, she does all the take home tests and gives me the answers. I feel bad and I will have to repay her somehow. I recently bought some new clothing and wallscrolls for my room. I think that all in all, things are going very well for me, and I appreciate that someone gives a shit about my rantings. Thanks guys. Peace out.