Journal - Bike Ride

Disclaimer: Okay, so anything with a Title of ‘Journal’ is a journal entry. If you don’t want to be bored by diatribes, then don’t read these entries marked “Journal”. But I am posting them in a public place so it is not quite a personal thing. Maybe it will be more intimate, but it won’t be purely personal.

I rode 8 miles this morning with two friends from Emaho. We rode along the canals in Scottsdale which I have never done before. Its nice because the trails are close by and free from traffic, except to cross streets now and again. Daniel had gone to Tucson to see the Dalai Lama and was in very good spirits and looking forward very much to continuing on the Path. He expressed great optimism that was rather infectious. The Buddhist practices are not just some philosophical structure to memorize and preach, they have deep practical value. I would add that they are truely non-dogmatic, although those of us who are critical of the western approach to spirituality might dismiss the practices outright because of the similar language. But words take on the meanings of one’s own understanding and as I delve deeper into the practice I see that these teachings are for everyone. It is not important that anyone become a Buddhist, only that they direct their lives towards happiness for themselves and others. The only way to truely know this direction in life (called ’safe direction’ in Buddhism) is through authentic and sincere introspection. So it follows that the practices of Buddhism enhance one’s ability to look deeply at his or her situation. The practices are of faith in one’s own basic goodness combined with deep concentration of the mind.

But this probably sounds dogmatic already. I am making a statement that an unexamined life is wasted - so there is that. Of course to argue with this assertion one would have to say that the unexamined life is not wasted - but it would seem that the only way to make a statement like that would be through examination!!!

Anyhow, we rode and rode and rode and I got a headache. We stopped and got some coffee and I ate a bran muffin. We talked about the impending collapse of the oil based economy and good diet along with many other things. My bran muffin tasted like cereal - bran cereal. Oh, we rode up the hill to the Rigley Mansion too! Mansions are big. I wish they would all be converted into retreat centers. RETREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tashidelek (means, ‘may you be perfect, auspicious, and happy in every moment’ in Tibetan) everyone!