Monthly Archives: September 2010

Catholic Monks In Wyoming Face Opposition Over Monastery Plans

“Ranch owner Dave Grabbert, whose family has held the property since 1938, has agreed to sell to the religious order, and he describes the two monks he has met as personable, intelligent and “just decent guys.”

“I don’t care if they’re Hindus, Buddhists or what they are, but being decent people, that’s really a plus in this day and age,” Grabbert said. “Not everyone is.””

“Grabbert said the hermit monks are good neighbors.

“What’s puzzling to me is if people complain about these guys as neighbors, what kind of neighbors would they want,” he said.”

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People sometimes amaze me. There is not a single argument in the entire article that reasonably states why they should not be allowed to build. And really, if this community has issues with hermit monks moving in,,, what the heck kind of neighbors would they prefer.

Just makes no sense; let them buy the land and build.

I just sit

1 Reply

I walk with beads in hand

Dogs stop to say good morning

Listen to the water streaming down the creek

The birds are waking up, doing their morning chants

Arrive at half way point

The bell rings, I am joined by friends and even a cat

I just sit

Ants crawl on the rocks next to me

I just sit

Ants also crawl on me, though they mean no harm

I just sit

The birds begin to quiet, chanting done

I just sit

The bell rings, time to finish

I walk back with beads in hand, ready

…I just sit

Things to consider; sometimes it is hard to be a vegetarian

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I’ve been a strict vegetarian for a bit more than 8 years now. My decision was based on a few things; namely health, and it just made sense to my Buddhist practice. It is in no way a “commandment” but it just seems to fit for me. I wrote a post a while back with my thoughts on being a vegetarian, if you’re interested in reading it.

Over the years being a vegetarian hasn’t been that hard. My wife is not a vegetarian, but her and I made adjustments. I have been so fortunate to be married to an amazing wife who was willing to make those adjustments with me. Even when my son was born it just wasn’t that hard.

I know a few of my #OMCru Twitter sangha is considering the change and am extremely supportive in their decisions. Like I said before it is in no way a commandment in Buddhism; it is a personal choice – like every part of ones practice. I do consider it a very important part of my practice, but lately, it is a hard decision from time to time and I wanted to offer any insight I have to others. I would never tell anyone not to become a vegetarian, but there are many things to consider.

Yesterday was a good example. It was my son’s first day of 2nd grade. When we picked him up we told him he could choose anywhere he liked and we would go for lunch. He wanted Mc Donalds. I explained to him that Daddy cannot eat anything there except ice cream, and I really needed lunch. (no, can’t even eat fries there as I believe they still use beef fat to fry them) Of course he wasn’t happy about this, but reluctantly switched his choice over to In N Out.

Also, it is sometimes a challenge for my wife when grocery shopping. She always manages very well, but I know it is a challenge to work around 1 third of the family having a special diet. I really appreciate all her efforts and am honestly troubled by how I make things difficult.

This is my point; because of my choice of lifestyle, someone else had to not get what they wanted (yes one may be better that the other health-wise, but not the point), or, I make certain aspects of life challenging on loved ones.

Now, I do presently intend to continue on the path as a vegetarian for now. I can’t say what the future holds in that department, but my present intention is to stay. But, causes and conditions are far and wide; and something to really look at deeply.

I wish all my sangha friends the best in their decisions.