...which is founded on the law of cause and effect, stresses the concept of karma. This principle explains that life at each moment is subject to the cumulative effects of causes made in the past. What we do, what we say and what we think are all causes. And according to Buddhism, the moment we do something, say something, or think something, an effect is registered in the depths of our being. Then, as out lives meet the right circumstances, the effect becomes apparent. Personality traits are strongly connected to our karma. The good news is that, unlike fate, our karma can be changed by causes we make from this moment forward. In fact, the practice of Buddhism is essentially the practice of continually changing our karma.
- Daisaku Ikeda
Sense? I think so. I have a book called, 'Buddhism Day by Day - Wisdom for Modern Life' by Daisaku Ikeda. Each day of the year offers a small piece of Buddhist wisdom to which I can completely relate. Today's small excerpt of the principles of Buddhism is written above.
The weekend did not go exactly as planned. When the only place you want to be is the beach, it's easy to walk away from a fete or community event. That's not to say that I did not show my face and meet up with a few people in my community. It was a very good vibe, everyone was enjoying themselves and the weather was on our side.
The beach. My favourite secluded part is quite unknown...and known only by dog owners, dog swimmers and people of a gentle nature. It has been just over a year since I first was introduced to this beach, by a friend. It was the beach I visited throughout mother's illness and where I went, after days of nursing, to recharge my energy. Without this beach, I doubt that I would have managed to be able to nurse her.
It is this beach, that I can go to and it will be desolate, peaceful and meditative. This beach, last year, I found a fledgling seagull badly injured and very distressed. The RSPCA were contacted and came to rescue it.
Yesterday a pair of Common Turns came to look for bits of scattered picnic. Samosa. Turns like Samosa. Actually, I imagine that they are not too fussy, as they have to eat at least their body weight each day to survive. That's a lot of food...although I don't expect that they weigh too much under all of the down and feathers. They are really pretty. They have a long red beak and long skinny red legs. They look, in shape and colour like a tiny seagull. On their head they have a brown 'beret', which is sweet to watch, when they bob their heads. They are quite nervous bird (not as brash as seagulls - who will happily rob a sandwich out of your hand).
Spending the afternoon on the beach was just the tonic. We had a relaxing time and then a hot cuppa on the esplanade - from the little seaside cafe - which has not been turned into some kind of spruced up pretentious gaff, as many of the old school cafes have done.
Mainly the tables are full of tourists cycling through, or day trippers who appreciate the tranquility of the spot. And me, my friends etc.
I started a conversation with a couple next to me who were, like me, attempting to locate the accent of a group of young girls. We decided that it was an Eastern European accent. The man's partner was Russian and she was not familiar to the tongue. We decided on Polish. Then, for some or other reason, we started to discuss Dementia and euthanasia. The man described himself as a 'Spiritualist' and said that he had a bit of an 'fine line' attitude toward euthanasia. I agreed. I also have the same attitude toward abortion. Playing God, making decisions over life and death. Do we really have the right? God's plan, is God's plan. I, personally do not believe in abortion because it is a form of murder, and unless the case is really a desperate one, I do not think that abortion is a good plan. Not God's plan. Children are blessings to the earth.
And the Barn Dance, well? We had all the best intention of attending - mainly for the BBQ aspect of it. You will not see me 'Barn Dancing', I can guarantee it. My worst nightmare. Coordinated moves, that you learn as you go and then make a complete tit of yourself because you know that you will never get it, and the only way you could possibly be cohersed would be if you were plied with serious amount of alcohol...and then make a bigger tit of yourself. Nah. Not for me. Besides, plaid shirts do not look cool on me and they make me feel like a lumber jack or that I am trying to pul off the Brighton lesbian look. Neither look is one that I think is authentic to me. I am a girl. I wear girly florals and floaty things, hippie flairs, flowing hair and a general Summer-Festie style. You can keep your plaid shirts.
I had my reservations when we pulled up at the gates. I turned to my friend in the back and she had a certain look on her face. I joked that she looked like Princess Anne on a bad appointment day.
The twenty-something female attendees that stood in a group of three, in front of us, were a shock to the eyes. They were all on the 'large' side of healthy and had on short jumpsuits which showed far too much white and flaccid leg. The shoes...well...were not exactly the kind of footwear that you would want your worst enemy to wear.
It was a judgement call. Based on this. It would have been a lot of very pissed-up mum's who were out to get plastered and make tits of themselves only to nurse a ridiculous hangover the next day. Been there, done that, worn the T-Shirt.
I glanced at my friend again, and I could not observe her in another way apart from Princess Anne...she has a kind of haughty look, at times, when you feel as if she is suffering an event in silence. Glamourous, with lush hair and a proud look, I could see a sudden remarkable resemblance between PA and my friend.
Just observing this managed to set me off into a spate of giggles and then raucous laughter. I looked at the face of my beau (or Boo), and it was not dissimilar...I believe that he really wanted to get near to the sea, again - as he lives inland.
Rottingdean? Shall we go down to 'The Black'?
Plan. So we went and enjoyed a while down there until we were flaked enough to get home to bed.
Sleep. Did I? I was exhausted this morning and slept until midday. I was as knackered as that!! But nicely knackered. Relaxed and tired...not tired and fraught.
Today was super slow. The best Sundays are super slow, when your body and mind and spirit are just very relaxed.
I made the most delicious ratatouille-style dish with vegetables, cumin, paprika and chilli and had a quiet shop, for some essentials. It is a good time of the week to shop. Sunday evenings, the shop is virtually empty of customers.
New week tomorrow. Back to the grind.
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