http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html

I think i'm in love with music all over again. And I think I need to be reminded frequently about what I love and what I want to do. This is what I needed, a reminder that everything is connected. Classical music is connected to our emotions, to our experiences. People just need to learn to connect to it. And I need to teach people to connect to it. Buddhism is connected with our healthy emotions, with our dreams, with our ideals. ...... well i just got distracted by a whole bunch of other TED talk videos....

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/johnny_lee_demos_wii_remote_hacks.html

Through the power of YouTube and personal experimentation, drastic change is possible. He is now changing the business, school, and gaming worlds. GayGod is touching the teenage world. What can I do? With MJH's unique speaking style, Chinese/American culture understanding, and teaching style, I can benefit somehow and then pass it on. Since I don't really talk well in person, maybe I can do internet? idk it's all learning new stuff for me

I'll let my mind blank a bit before I try to continue thinking anymore. Andee's coming soon and I've missed him so.

Tags: buddhism, inspiration, internet, reminders
Current Mood: chipper

Doing more and thinking/contemplating less is part of the way. Actions speak louder than words.
The masters have all mentioned that time will not wait for me and I need to plan my future, make a goal/vow of what to make of myself, what my reason for living is. The human body has a limit, and I'm nearing the peak before my capabilities begin to slow down, at least with average people. I need to find a specialty, something to really focus and accel in, something that will bring great agility to Buddhism and myself. I can take some time to write out a plan, a goal, so that I can read it and remind myself everyday. It can be very simple at first, like the Medicine Buddha Sutra's vows, then later expound and expand on it.
Buddhism is also about making the right connections between signs and events. Chanting mantras as practice is very beneficial, especially with the right mantra. ChunTi mantra is supposedly for success, and the Grand Master apparently chanted it for years before starting any monastery. That's part of the reason for his current success. The merits from chanting can also be applied to other uses too, like the Medicine Buddha Bhaisajya Guru mantra is mainly for health and secure living. We should do so and dedicate the merits to family and friends that are not so lucky to know the Buddha Dharma, such as popo, dad, APA, and coworkers. Chanting and plain reading aloud sutras is also a very good practice. It gets you familiar with Buddhist words and phrases, and brings great merit, because you're practicing saying very compassionate and wise words and phrases. This will, in a way, leak into your regular speech patterns, and with enough awareness, will move you along the Way quickly.
Supporting mantras can also be forwarded through items, like beads and 5-color bracelets. In Taiwan, a group of very dedicated disciples chanted the Bhaisajya Guru Mantra while making very intricate bracelets for MJL to bring to American disciples. The way MJL explained, I was moved to the verge of tears. They have such faith in the power of mantras, why can't we all? After all, it is all in the mind, the power of things and people. If you believe it is powerful enough, and you are single minded enough, anything in the sutras is possible.
I need to really surround myself with fellow Buddhists and spiritualists to keep my mind on track and to really find my true self. I can find local, older Buddhists, who have followed the Dharma for many a year, or I can spend more time at ZCS and hang around the younger monks. Though everyone has been through their teenage years, searching years, they have a better recollection. And I can't really take much more time of MJH, as he is apparently the abbot of 2 centers now, with other translation projects and classes to take deal with on the side. My time and beliefs also need some changing to accord myself with the Great Bodhisattva Way. Find ways to remind myself of the 3 Refuges, returning to and relying on the Tripitaka.

Tags: buddhism, change, mantra, superstition
Current Mood: anxious

I must take this time to thank the wonderful disciples of Kadampa Buddhist teacher Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Kevin and Steve, for being so friendly and talking to me. You two are wonderful people. Tonight's class was really enlightening, actually, as little as I can recall about it. The Illusion of Loneliness... we are all connected to someone in this world, through something or another. Someone has to get us food, has to supply us with something, bring us something. Food, water, clothing, electricity, bus-driving, street paving, almost everything still requires another person to start it and for us to receive. I'm entering this out of order, so I can't exactly recall how it goes. I have the class recorded, but over-recorded as well, because after class I chatted with the teachers, who are just so sweet and so dedicated, which I wished I could mimic i someway or another, or at least continue mimicking. Fabulous gay spirituals they are. Then Steve drove me home. Nice gentleman he is, also a jazz piano music teacher. Time for lessons :)

Tags: buddhism, loneliness