realexplodingcat | (no subject)

Seems like forever since I last posted here. This class I'm taking is keeping me busy. Not so busy that I don't have time to do anything, but busy enough that when I have down time I don't really want to do activities that yield some kind of output, like writing or composing music. I've been doing more restorative activities like reading, taking walks, meditation, and exercise.

I am going less crazy over the class, but that experience is pushing me to find an inner peace to hold on to when all else is going nuts. I have always been intrigued by Buddhism and I'm considering seeking some formal experience with it. I think part of me misses a little bit of the ritual of being Catholic (which is the way I was raised) and the spiritual glue that binds one's disparate activities together. But the Catholic establishment no longer appeals to me. So, I'll check out the Buddha. Maybe I can find out why this guy who eschews materialism and lives without earthly desires is always portrayed as being fat.

Sort of related to the inner-peace thing: the other day I went to bed early, and woke up an hour earlier than usual. I usually just roll out of bed at 9am and right into the office. But I decided to try getting up early, to start the day with some personal time. It was a very nice way to set the tone for the day. I'd love to continue doing that, if I can manage to get to bed consistently earlier.

Yesterday, I thought it might be a good idea to take back the power in my relationship with my boss. I fixed a bug in our software in a way that only I could do. That's power! I control the bug fixing! So, I thought, next time my boss prompts me for a fix, I'll say, "I don't think you want it bad enough! I'm not going to check-in this bug fix unless you beg for it!"

And I blasted a squirrel off our bird feeder with the hose. Yes, indeed. I still can't bring myself to shoot them out of the trees, but I think I'm within my rights to defend my bird feeder.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I just remembered, rereading what Maya said:

Siddhartha (sp) preached the "middle way" in that you seek a balance in all areas of your life. He originally starved himself for some time, but then realized that that wasn't leading to any higher truths. Then he came upon the "middle way" and was set because he got to eat and be religious. By having balance, he was able to ignore his body and move beyond to greater truths. That's why you should always remember that you can't think when you're hungry!

There's more about it here.

I'm familiar with the concept of the middle way. Taoism, which I know a bit more about, is very concerned with finding balance...the middle. Although I'm not certain, I think Taoist thought grew out of Buddhism. I know there are Taoist sects of Buddhists. And I think I saw part of a movie once that depicted that very same moment in Siddhartha's life, not that you mention it. "Little Buddha." I think Keanu Reeves, of all people, portrays Siddhartha.

But that doesn't explain why he's fat. Middle way implies a state in between emaciated and fat. Of course, I am looking at these works of art through the eyes of a 21st century American. Standards of beauty and balance are quite different now, I'm sure.

Did you find out if anyone else wanted dumplings on Monday?

(no subject)

Heh, sorry to keep commenting...

Re: Heh, sorry to keep commenting...