Half Past Wednesday

25 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Time FliesSo here we are again, it’s Wednesday and the week is already half gone. It seems that I spend half my life wishing the time away and the other half trying to slow it down. That is rather sad and a real waste. So I’m going to put that to rights.

Being mindful and making the most of every second should be the primary objective of us all. It’s all too easy to find yourself wishing for some special event to arrive, but doing so, you are wasting half your life, which is tantamount to criminal.

As with most days, the tasks expand to fill the day. The trick is to cram in more tasks and keep busy. Not a huge problem here, as there is always more that can be done. So if you do find the day is dragging, and that special event seems to be getting further away instead of nearer, take stock of your outstanding chores, dive in and set yourself goals, and you will find that the time flies by.

Buddhist Football

24 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

uefa-champions-leagueThose of you who know me, even a little bit, will know that I am, and have been for longer than I care to remember, a Chelsea fan. Now this evening, I will be glued to the telly, watching a very important event taking place in Barcelona, namely the Champions League semi final, second leg.

Ok, I say important. Not as important as many, if not most other things in life, but an occasion of note let us say. Time was, when my lad and I would be glued to the telly, or at the match if we could get tickets, avid fans you might describe us.

If we won, we were happy, if we draw, less so, but if we lost … well, let’s not even go there. Sad to say, but when we lost, as Chelsea do occasionally, not only were we unhappy, but that made those around us unhappy too, crazy really.

I am pleased to say that I have come to terms with the situation. Winning is nice, losing not so nice, but it doesn’t put me into a bad place anymore. And that’s all down to re-anchoring my life, by making my Gohonzon my Honzon.

Life in general consists of an ever changing canvass of thoughts, words and deeds, a complete palette of emotions from the very happy to the very sad. But if you anchor your life on faith, and in my case that is obviously Buddhism, the changes have far less effect because you have a more stable base to work from..

It was the great Liverpool manager Bill Shankly who once said ‘Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that. Shankly was indeed a great manager, but I’m afraid Bill, you got that wrong.

So if we, by whom I mean Chelsea, make it through to the final, I will be delighted. If we don’t, well it won’t be the end of the world, for me at least. In terms of the path to enlightenment, I guess I can chalk that up as a win either way.

The M Word

23 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Time After TimeUrgh !!! Monday morning, five o’clock, and the alarm on my mobile is insisting that it’s time to get up, pack, and set off back to Ringwood. I’m not going to say it again, but each time is just a little more painful than the last.

The rain only made the drive less pleasant, not that it’s a difficult trip, but it’s nice to see the countryside when it’s bathed in early morning sunshine rather than the drizzle that followed me all the way to Hampshire.

The day went well, eased along by the mirth and banter in the office. Having a couple of hours to chant always helps too, particularly when, I have to admit, I had been rather lax in that department this weekend.

Lots of issues and tasks later, I was feeling like I had put in a good shift. A couple of useful and rather friendly customer phone calls also helped the day fly by. So by the time I got back home, for the first time in nearly four days, there were the usual chores to be done as well as sorting out my evening meal.

So now I’m back in the groove, fed, watered and sorted, well sort of. So I’m going to do Gongyo, raise my life-state and then get a good night’s sleep, ready to start all over again tomorrow. At least the trip to the office will only take thirty minutes in the morning, I hope.

Quiescent Sunday

22 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Second Hand StuffAfter our rather hectic and task filled Saturday, it was wonderful to have a slow and peaceful Sunday morning. We lay in bed all morning talking. There seems so much to talk about, the past, the present and the future and somehow time just flies by.

So by the time we had showered and got ourselves ready to leave it was after noon. First stop was the local recycling centre. It seems so much better, disposing of unwanted items, when you know that over 50% of the raw materials will be reused.

We then took a few other items to Wot Nots in Westerleigh, a second hand shop, who warehouse and sell unwanted items on. They only accept things they think will sell, so we had to keep one of the light fittings we had taken, but some of the items will find a new home and we might get a couple of pounds for them.

A quick whizz round Sainsbury’s and then off to see B’s parents, with a welcome cup of coffee and a nice chat. By now the day was almost over, so we spent an hour or so preparing dinner.

By the time it was cooked, eaten and cleared away it was time for bed again. Sunday evenings are always too short, knowing that in the early hours of Monday I have to set off back for Ringwood. But it had been a restful day and a fitting end to a lovely weekend.

Sash Windows, Stuff And Supper

21 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Indian SupperSaturday morning and the sun was shining. The sash window restoration man arrived rather too promptly, but was good enough to sit in his van until we had finished breakfast. The friend of a friend, he has just started out on his own, so we were keen to give him some business if it all sounded plausible.

To be honest it didn’t start too well. The first thing he showed us was a cream plastic insert, used to allow the windows to be removed for painting. As B is allergic to plastic, ethically speaking, he was on a sticky wicket from the off. But he was a very nice chap and he’s going to quote to renovate the worst of the windows, so we’ll reserve judgement.

When he left, the sun was still shining intermittently, but the rain clouds were building, just as the weather people had predicted. So getting the ‘stuff’ out of the sun lounge and into the garage, and vice versa, took on an added importance. It’s never much fun trying to rearrange things when you and they have taken a good soaking.

Actually things turned out rather well. The rain, what there was if it, wasn’t too heavy and nor was the majority of the ‘stuff’, so good progress was made in both locations. The Yaris was parked in the driveway, ready to receive the charity shop donations. We had already delivered several boxes of books to the Amnesty International bookshop on the Gloucester Road, but there was much more ‘rationalisation’ to be done.

To be honest, it was a lot more fun than I had expected, and B was a bit more willing to part with some of the less important treasure than I had feared. The day flew by, both places gradually took on an air of organised pandemonium, and the Yaris filled with unwanted goodies.

Sadly the process took longer than anticipated, so there was no time to deliver said donations. We were both fairly pooped by the time we decided to call it a day, so when I made a tentative suggestion that we take our evening repast at the local Indian restaurant, it was accepted with much enthusiasm.

We walked round to the Raj Mahal, managing to dodge the early evening showers and had a very tasty selection of their excellent fare. Indian food has, in the past, not agreed with B’s constitution on the whole, but whatever had caused the problem in the past obviously wasn’t present this time, so by 10:30, both full to bursting, we retired for a well earned, and dyspeptic free night.

Silver Linings

20 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , ,

Salisbury CathedralIt’s Friday evening and the weekend is here. The drive up to Bristol started rather slowly. The rain we have been waiting for has arrived at last, and it was really pouring down as I set off from the office. Something told me that the journey was going to be difficult.

Driving up the A36 was going well, the rain stopped and the traffic was light, maybe my fears would be unfounded. Then I came round a bend a couple of miles outside Salisbury and saw a queue to end all queues.

The progress was painfully slow, no sign of the cause, maybe just the Friday rush hour at it’s worst. But then, coming over the crest of a hill, I was treated to an amazing sight. The magnificent Salisbury cathedral, across the fields, so beautiful.

I’ve seen the view many, many times, but tonight I was sitting in stationary traffic, so I had time to take a photograph. And although I don’t agree with all aspects of the Christian religion, they have given us some of the most amazing architecture.

So as with all challenges in life, every cloud has a silver lining. The trick is to keep an eagle eye open for it, and make the most of it when it appears.

All Bugged Up

19 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Chant Yourself BetterThe morning had started so well, that pesky virus that the boss had brought into the office had appeared to have been defeated and I was feeling great. My morning auto chant had been followed by a short phone call to Bumble and all was right with the world.

But as the day wore on I started feeling sniffy and my throat was getting sore again, curse you pesky virus. It was clear that the infection had just taken the morning off but was now back with a vengeance, just in time for my annual appraisal.

So the boss and I coughed and sniffed our way through, what turned out to be a rather positive, dissection of my last twelve month’s of effort. It looks as though my bonus will fall well short of that of the bankers, so short in fact, that it will be non-existent, but times are tight.

By the time it came to wend our way home, I was feeling hot and cold, had a runny nose and just felt like going straight to bed, so I did. But by nine, I was wide awake and needed to take the fight to these invaders. So I put on some warm clothing, had a hot drink, and settled down in front of my Gohonzon.

Who knows what the neighbours thought, because I’m usually quite quiet when I chant, but tonight I let rip and kept it going and going. With my hands pressed together against my chest, I could feel the vibrations coming from my solar plexus and that’s always a good sign.

After forty minutes of chanting, my nose had stopped running, my temperature felt normal and most surprising, my sore throat has gone. Now I’m not claiming any mythical healing powers for chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, but my life-energy was definitely on the up.

All I know is, that chanting works for me. Whether I’m feeling down, or stressed, or in this case, a bit sick, it works. It’s actually a pretty good work out if you do it with some gusto, a bit like a gentle jog or a bike ride, nothing too strenuous. But it allows me to focus on my self-awareness and to let whatever is ailing me drift off into the background.

So next time to get the sniffles, forget the Night Nurse, the Beecham’s or the paracetamol, give yourself a huge dose of extra strength NMRK and feel better instantly.

Anger – Good And Bad

18 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

AngerNichiren wrote that wrath can be both good and bad. Self-centred anger generates evil, but wrath at social injustice becomes the driving force for reform. Strong language that censures and combats a great evil often attracts adverse reactions from society, but this must not intimidate or deter those who believe they are right.

Remember, a lion is a lion because he roars.

Having said all that, anger that is misdirected or caused by illusion or misconception is a wholly bad thing and can be very damaging. So before you vent such anger on an unsuspecting victim, take stock and let that anger fade. Compassion is far more positive and will achieve far more in the long run.

Doing The Right Thing

17 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , ,

Justice For AllFurther developments in the Abu Qatada extradition story must be giving others the same troubled thoughts as I am having. Cleric Qatada is, without doubt, a dangerous man, extolling, as he does, acts of terrorism and killing on behalf of the mujahedeen. His release from Long Lartin jail in mid February caused outcry in the UK.

He has been accused of being one of the UK’s most dangerous extremist preachers as well as the spiritual head of the mujahedeen in Britain. Many, many people in this country would be very happy to see him sent back to Jordan, where he has been charged with terrorist activities in his absence.

But the fact that he is clearly a dangerous influence and potentially a risk to UK security does not give us carte blanche to put him on a plane and send him off to a country who make little effort to hide their use of torture to extract ‘evidence’ for legal cases.

We like to pride ourselves on our British characteristic of fair play, to extol the virtues of our democratic society and our belief that everyone is equal under British law. So it is beholding to us to extend those qualities to everyone, even if that person is undeniably an unsavoury and potentially dangerous character.

We must do, and be seen to do, the right thing by cleric Qatada. We must abide by the decisions made in the European Court of Human Rights regarding the terms and conditions of his extradition to Jordan. We must also make full use this high profile case, to exert pressure on Jordan to stop the use of torture under any circumstances and to press them to respect the United Nations Human Rights Treaty.

The reports today from Westminster, that Qatada can be removed from the UK ‘in full compliance of the law’ is meaningless if he is removed to a country that flouts international treaties and tortures confessions out of people. If we remove him in the wrong circumstances, we will bring more trouble upon ourselves in the future, so let’s get it right.

Relationships And Renovations

16 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

by Anupadin in Buddhism Tags: , , , ,

Relationships And RenovationsThe title sums up my life right now, well not quite, but there’s a lot of both going on at the moment. Strangely, there’s a deal of similarity between the two in some ways.  So you think I’ve been breathing in too many undercoat fumes lately? Ok, let me explain.

A new relationship is brilliant, it’s exciting, challenging and can occupy all your spare time. Renovation is rewarding, it’s exciting, challenging and can also occupy all your spare time. But let’s look at it a different way.

When you decide to renovate a property, you prioritise the projects and work through the rooms, one by one. There’s no point starting with the decor if the roof needs fixing, pretty dumb to install a new bathroom suite if the drains need sorting.

There are important milestones in the project. Roof sorted, electrics and plumbing finished, floors fixed, walls plastered. Then you decide on a certain room you want to concentrate on, and you live with the others until the important one is done, then you move to the next and the next and so on.

Say you sort out the kitchen, get it really nice, smart, efficient and install the appliances. You enjoy the fruits of your labour, but you wouldn’t give up on the renovation just because you got a glimpse of the lounge, or the bathroom. You go onto the next stage, deal with the problems and enjoy the progress as it comes along.

As relationships grow, mature, there are times when you discover aspects, core beliefs or character traits that test the strength of the bond at that point in time. That’s how relationships develop. You learn about each other, you agree about some things, you may have to compromise about others, it’s a learning process.

You learn about new aspects all the time. Together, you agree, you compromise or agree to disagree about them and so the relationship grows. But just like the renovation, you don’t give up on the whole project just because there is a little more work to be done in the next room. And just like renovations, the more effort you put in, the more satisfaction you get out of them.

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