This Side of the Mountain
Unless I quack early and run away to Denver, I will be living in a 12ft x 9ft cabin in Grand Lake, CO (year-round population: 469; elevation: 8369ft;) from now until early-October.
Of note:
For six months, I saw almost no one I wanted to interact with in Burbank. I went back to Ohio for twenty days and soaked that up. I had an active and socially rewarding week-long stay in Denver. Then I moved away again.
"Thus, while on the one hand the bodhisattva should be one who is possessed of understanding or wisdom and therefore not be led by belief in the real existence of souls or persons, on the other hand he should not have any kind of interest or motivation, whether good or bad, when practicing virtues such as generosity. In other words, he should be one who has completely destroyed ignorance (avidya) and grasping (upadana). Then only could he lead a life of true selfless service. Then only could he do his duty for duty's sake. ... But it should be not forgotten that a person who has eliminated ignorance and craving has also put an end to rebirth. After his death he is not able to continue in this samsara or recurring cycle of existences in order to help others. He attains nirvana. Hence, the purpose of following the bodhisattva-ideal, that is, to help others during a number of lives, seems to be completely defeated." -- David Kalupahana, from Buddhist Philosophy: A Historical Analysis (1976)
I really want to smoke up this afternoon, yet unsure of footing in new environment, thus chickening out. Bodhisattva, indeed.
Of note:
- I can hear the wind coming miles before it gets here.
- The only scent is pine.
- I had never experienced a thunder and lightning snowstorm until yesterday, 7 June 2009.
- My mobile phone is useless on this side of the mountain.
- I will hike to 14000ft at least once this summer.
For six months, I saw almost no one I wanted to interact with in Burbank. I went back to Ohio for twenty days and soaked that up. I had an active and socially rewarding week-long stay in Denver. Then I moved away again.
"Thus, while on the one hand the bodhisattva should be one who is possessed of understanding or wisdom and therefore not be led by belief in the real existence of souls or persons, on the other hand he should not have any kind of interest or motivation, whether good or bad, when practicing virtues such as generosity. In other words, he should be one who has completely destroyed ignorance (avidya) and grasping (upadana). Then only could he lead a life of true selfless service. Then only could he do his duty for duty's sake. ... But it should be not forgotten that a person who has eliminated ignorance and craving has also put an end to rebirth. After his death he is not able to continue in this samsara or recurring cycle of existences in order to help others. He attains nirvana. Hence, the purpose of following the bodhisattva-ideal, that is, to help others during a number of lives, seems to be completely defeated." -- David Kalupahana, from Buddhist Philosophy: A Historical Analysis (1976)
I really want to smoke up this afternoon, yet unsure of footing in new environment, thus chickening out. Bodhisattva, indeed.