Let go of Sadness

Someone asked me today what it was that I did that helped me to overcome my depression. I feel they were looking for a quick answer that was gonna just click right away but it wasn't that easy. Or could it have been. The answer I did give them though was that I replaced my depression with Right Mindfulness. I'm not sure if that helped to clarify anything for them or just make them have more questions. For those who aren't familiar with Right Mindfulness or the Noble Eightfold Path I would like to take this time to share with you the wonderful way Buddha taught it for the very first time to his very first disciples. It's a great teaching from one of my favorite books. "Old Path White clouds" by Thich Nhat Hanh and here it is:

"my brothers, there are two extremes that a person on the path should avoid. One is to plunge oneself into sensual pleasures, and the other is to practice austerities which deprive the body of its needs. Both of these extremes lead to failure. The path I have discovered is the Middle Way, which avoids both extremes and has the capacity to lead one to understanding, liberation, and peace.

"Brothers, why do I call this path the Right Path? I call it the Right Path because it does not avoid or deny suffering, but allows for a direct confrontation with suffering as the means to overcome it. The Noble Eightfold Path is the path of living in awareness. Mindfulness is the foundation. By practicing mindfulness, you can develop concentration which enables you to attain Understanding. Thanks to right concentration, you realize right awareness, thoughts, speech, action, livelihood, and effort. The Understanding which develops can liberate you from every shackle of suffering and give birth to true peace and joy.

"Brothers, there are four truths: the existence of suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path which leads to the cessation of suffering. I call these the Four Noble Truths. The first is the existence of suffering. Birth, old age, sickness, and death are suffering. Sadness, anger, jealousy, worry, anxiety, fear, and despair are suffering. Separation from loved ones is suffering. Association with those you hate is suffering. Desire, attachment, and clinging to the five aggregates are suffering.

"Brothers, the second truth is the cause of suffering. Because of ignorance, people cannot see the truth about life, and they become caught in the flames of desire, anger, grief, worry, fear and despair.

"Brothers, the third truth is the cessation of suffering. Understanding the truth of life brings about the cessation of every grief and sorrow and gives rise to peace and joy.

"Brothers, the fourth truth is the path which leads to the cessation of suffering. It is the Noble Eightfold Path, which I have just explained. The Noble Eightfold Path is nourished by living mindfully. Mindfulness leads to concentration and understanding which liberates you from every pain and sorrow and leads to peace and joy. I will guide you along this path of realization."

It's truly amazing how simple it actually is but yet we make it so hard. It took me a long time practice this even though I convinced myself I knew and understood it. The bottom line I guess is this, we can all say we want to be happy and read books and positive stories but until we actually put what we learn to practice, everyday, and focus our minds on understanding and being mindful, the peace and joy we are always looking for will just remain dangling in front of us waiting for the day we embrace it.

Little Squares

I absolutely love these tiles. On second day of tiling now. Today I worked on master bath floor. Put down about 10,000 of these little 1/2" by 1/2" mosaics. Granted they're mostly on 1' square sheets but still very time consuming but very rewarding and enjoyable. Yesterday I got the seahorse up on the hall bath shower wall. Don't want to reveal that though until I finish shower completely. Gonna leave you in suspense. lol

I was thinking today while tiling that it is a lot like practicing dharma. When I first started tiling many years ago, it was hard, stressing, and took every bit of my focus. Now as the years have passed it still has it's moments but for the most part is much less stressful and I'm much more relaxed and comfortable with the work. But as with Dharma, don't get to full of yourself and think you don't need to keep practicing. Lose focus with either and the cause and effects will ripple like a wave in an ocean.

Dont Judge

I've always been a strong believer of not judging a book by it's cover and I try very hard not to put labels on people. But every once in a while I still have the tendency to do just that. I bring this up because for the past three years I have labeled and misjudged someone who lives close to me. We've had a few displeasurable moments over the years and it put a bad taste in my mouth. I never shut him off and never treated him unkindly but still never let myself be open to an unbias decision of who I thought he was and was about. But life as you might know it has a funny way of slapping you in the face every so often. Okay, maybe more often than we want to admit.

As I was returning home from walking my dog (Chloe) tonight we happened to bump into my neighbor. We started up a bit of idle chatter that I'm not a real fan of but I'm glad I did. What started as just a few words turned into a very deep conversation on physics and Buddhism. We were both dumb founded since, as I just learned, he pretty much misjudged me as I did him. It's quite strange how two people with such same beliefs and views and whom both enjoy deep debates and conversations live so close but yet are so separated by our ego's delusions of whom we think the other is.

I guess the point of my rambling is this and it's quite simple, keep your mind open and don't label. We are all one. Love each as if they were your mother, father or child, becuase one day they or you may be just that. Hope everyone has a very wonderful evening. Love you all. And to my neighbor Willie, my aplogies and a deep bow _/\_

Sky's on fire!

So, if you're driving home or to work or just out and about and look up and see a beautiful sky, take the time to enjoy it. And if you are like me and carry a camera every where you go, take a picture and share it with someone. Don't take life for granted. There are magnificent wonders in this world. Appreciate them. Stop. Smell the roses. Look at the sunrises, the sunsets, the birds, the clouds. Watch the rain, enjoy the snow. Stop complaining. Have some patience and enjoy life.

On my way home from work after stopping at Target to get my son some medicine I was walking to my car and noticed that the house across from me way up on the hill had its windows lit up so beautifully orange. I knew that what those windows were enjoying was something I too wanted to enjoy. I drove around, up the hill and found what they were glaring at. Pulled over, rolled down my window and snapped a pick to share with you. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. I know a picture is not as real as the experience, but it's nice just the same. Hope you have a wonderful night and enjoy life's little treasures.

Bits and Pieces

So this week I started a new bathroom remodel. Pretty excited. Doing all mosaics. Shower walls will be 1/2" x 1/2" mosaics incorporating a 3' x 4' seahorse and will add representations of coral and bubbles as well. I'll post before and afters once finished. Thursday when I was smashing up the 1970's tiles off the floor I snapped a shot then tricked it a bit in photoshop. Just kinda liked it.

This weekend was nice. Our son stayed with his friends and did the Halloween thing with them. My wife and I took our daughter to my brother's house and did the trick or treating with my nieces. Good times. Don't have any pics to share yet since I only brought my crappy point and click. Not a fan of always luggin my SLR around, although I should get back into the habit. Today was nice. Hung out with my girl all day. Did some breakfast and out and aboutin'.

Now we're trying to all agree on what to have for dinner. Never an easy decision in our house. lol Did buy a new book today. Picked up "The Shack" by Paul Young. So far so good, I'll keep you posted. Hope everyone has a wonderful night and may we all approach our obstacles with an open and compassionate mind. Peace to all.