Kick the Bucket List

The co-author of the best-selling travelogue 100 Things To Do Before You Die, David Freeman, passed away on Aug. 17, after falling and hitting his head at home.  He was 47 years old.

The compiler of perhaps the first commercially successful “bucket list” had visited only about half of his described “must see” places before he died, his relatives said.

For more about Freeman, click this link

Creative Urges

Buddhism and blogging should be dichotomous. Buddhism requires egolessness while blogs proliferate as perhaps the most ego-driven obsession around. To believe that anyone cares about the blogster’s witticisms, banter or jabberings — let alone have a stat counter (which we don’t) serves as the antithesis of Buddha’s teaching of “no self.”

Yet the creative urge strikes and a blog can serve as much as a parchment of mind as bound journal. Many a child’s locked diary contains a memoir just itching to mature someday. Consider this my journal. If any other soul happens upon it, I hope they enjoy it.

With this goal of creative outlet in mind, the Winking Buddha Blog becomes an archive of my writings about my spiritual path, my cyber-spiral journal notebook, if you will. The Creations page of this blog will include selections of poetry, articles, sketches, perhaps even a bit of artwork as the mood renders. Not just for my ego gratification, but in the sense of sharing with you. Your own creations, thoughts, comments and criticisms are welcome and encouraged.

My first entry ties into a Buddhist theme quite well. Say “Amen,” Gracie first appeared in Change Magazine and later in my diary on the Daily KOS blog. The article explains why I became a Buddhist.

So, click on the Creations page now and then to see if the creative urge struck.

© 2008 winkingbuddha.com

Thoughts for the Dalai Lama

We send our thoughts and dedicate our tonglin practice for the Dalai Lama.  We hope you return to your exuberance in health and spirit soon.

Sign of the Times

A Baptist church a few blocks from us posts this sign:

Serving God since 1986

Wonder where He took His business before then

© 2008 winkingbuddha.com

Coming Soon!

Please be patient.  I’m learning!