Buddhist Workshop

It is Saturday and I was going to sightsee on my day off, but decided to take a workshop on Death and Rebirth at the Himalayan Buddhist Foundation. I was anxious to go to this foundation because they also have meditation classes, Tai Chi, and Yoga.

I had to walk to the foundation, which was next to the Tibetan Camp a few miles away. On the way to the workshop I took a major fall with the uneven pavement. I have been so careful to always watch my feet, not sure what happened. I landed on my one leg and the muscles in the leg were bruised. Now I would have to sit crossed legged for 4 hours on the floor with a very hurt leg… I was taking Aleve, but it was very difficult.

The workshop was given by a Buddhist monk. Although he was very good, he rambled and sometimes was very confusing. Here is what I learned: Die at the best mental point in your mind during your life… when you are happy and compassionate about the world.. Don’t die when you are angry at something or depressed. The state at of your mind at death has a major impact on the level of your rebirth – Heaven or Hell – This gives new meaning to a “good death” of peacefully dying in your sleep.

The summary of the workshop was to lead a “compassionate” and peaceful life ALL the time through meditation so that can reach Self-actualization or reach Nirvana in this or you next life. One good thing is that if you do go to hell, which is the lowest of the RAMs, you do have an opportunity to move up in the next life through good deeds and a good mind at death, for those that are concerned about Hell.

I met with a couple people and tried to go to the movies, but we went to the wrong theater and the movie was playing too late. Remember I have a 9:30pm curfew; I won’t make the mistake of forgetting that again.

Namaste