(#102/365) Offerings

"See demons as demons; that is the danger.
Know that they are powerless; that is the way.
Understand then for what they are: that is deliverance.
Recognize them as your father and mother: that is their end.
Realize that they are creations of the mind: they become its glory.
When these truths are known, all is liberation"
- Milarepa


Title: Meditation: Seen in sant antimo, tuscany
Flickr User Klaus

PBS' "THE BUDDHA"

PBS posted the full-length video of their program on the life of Buddha by Filmmaker David Grubin.

LINK: http://video.pbs.org/video/1461557530/ (122 minutes)

If you don't have time to watch the entire thing - below this video - it is cut into smaller digestible pieces.

I highly recommend watching it - even if you are not a Buddhist - it is a well-produced documentary about a remarkable story of spiritual enlightenment. As poet Jane Hirschfield says - in the documentary "the story of the Buddha is a means to an end - it is not an end."

THAT HURTS! Then don't DO that!

A sampling of boyfriendly banter over the weekend:

Moi: I hurt my shin really badly at the gym - must have overdone it again - - I had to lay off leg day and most leg exercises this week. But I guess that gave me more time on my back and shoulder muscles huh?

David: and what did we learn from this injury?

Moi: That I occasionally will hurt myself at the gym?

David: (laughs, looks for something to throw at me) You're lucky we're in the kitchen and I'd cause mortal injury throwing something within reach. NO - what did we learn from this injury?

Moi: that I need to be more patient at the gym with my workouts and not hurt myself by lifting more than I should? or pushing too hard?

David: DING! You know when you hurt yourself you stop working hard for a week - and limp and whine. and besides the fact that you are a whimp when you are hurt - I hate seeing you push yourself into injury. So we have a deal?

Moi: Yes Mom - I promise (hand up) (looks around quickly, grabs a cooking magazine) with Cooks Illustrated as my witness - to be gentler on myself at the gym.

We talked more - and both agreed that the changes I'm trying to accomplish take MONTHS or YEARS versus weeks - and I am pushing too hard. He's happy I've recommitted to the gym - and he thinks the goal of competing in the 2012 Bare Chest Calendar Contest is great. (meaning - entering in February or so of 2011 - to be in the 2012 Calendar) (details on the contest here: www.barechest.org)

But I did - yank the living shit out of my right shin - to the point where walking was painful - and that truly isn't good. I got back to the gym today - and it felt real good - i went gently - and got in some pretty intense cardio and a great shoulder/arms workout.

but I promise - to be gentler on myself.