“When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.” The Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama
I did an editing job last night that required me to read a whole slew of quotes by the Buddha. I’ve had a thing for that guy since I read Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha when I was in high school. And here’s why. The Buddha said:
“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”
Now, that’s the kind of spiritual leader I can respect. Take social control out of the mix, and there’s just wisdom. As you can imagine, since I can’t tolerate dogma, the message of many a spiritual leader has passed me by. I have a severe distaste for being told what to do. Well, that’s not exactly true. I appreciate advice. But it has to be pure. Well, it’s like this:
“A good friend who points out mistakes and imperfections and rebukes evil is to be respected as if he reveals a secret of hidden treasure.”
I do treat those people like treasure. The people who point out mistakes because they are trying to mold me into some version of themselves for their own gain, I run, run, run…whew, I’m out of shape.
The other thing I like about Buddha is that he’s all about the adventure. He’s not telling people to just grind it out for the sake of others. He’s telling people to live for themselves:
“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.”
And he’s all about action. Sure, he spent a lot of time meditating. But that’s how he got all of this wisdom, by being still. In reality, he was an incredibly bold guy. Siddhartha was a Hindu prince who shunned his title and his family, which was no small deal. He wasn’t heir to the throne of Zamunda with parents he could push around because the Western world was knocking at his door. He was the son of kings and heir to traditions that were never questioned. So really, Buddha was the original rebel. He bucked more expectations than we’ll ever even have put on us in our whole lifetimes. I’m just guessing that these are some of his thoughts that were informed by this decision:
“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.”
“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.”
“An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.”
I like people of action. You can’t get so bunched up with doubt that you never do anything. And once you do decide to do something, keep on keeping on:
“Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence.”
The other thing about Buddha is that his philosophy appeals to our Cartesian-based Western minds. Buddha said it first, Rene.
“What we think, we become.”
And Buddha was the originator of this quantum reality that’s getting thrown around these days. What the bleep does he know? I’ll tell you:
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.”
“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him. “
So, your reality is all you dreamed it would be because your thoughts from yesterday created the experiences you’re having today. Own up to it. And if you don’t like it, just remember this:
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.”
So, get to it.
[The art is from a French tapestry, I think it's at the Met. We had a copy of this hanging in my living room when I was a child. Naturally, I was entranced by it. When I found out the name of it was "Unicorn in Captivity," I thought, that unicorn isn't in captivity. He just went in there to eat a pear. He's getting ready to jump over that fence.]
Christy said,
March 13, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Buddha’s birthday is April 8 (I don’t know how they know that but they do…) We should celebrate.
I believe that tapestry is located at The Cloisters (which is a branch of the Met) – pretty far uptown. I’ve never made it over there – I know Michael wants to go to the city soon – maybe we should pop in there and visit.
julieluongo said,
March 13, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I seem to have a blog clog. I’m fiddling it out.
KC said,
March 13, 2007 at 12:40 pm
HOLY SHIT! Christy has the same bday as BUDDAH?!?!?!?
And I thought I was cool because i have the same bday as justin timberlake. damn.
KC said,
March 13, 2007 at 12:41 pm
did you find my other comment or am I going to have to write it again?
julieluongo said,
March 13, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I didn’t find it, which means you’re bringing the plunger to the next party.
KC said,
March 13, 2007 at 12:52 pm
HAHAHAHA
KC said,
March 13, 2007 at 12:58 pm
REPOST:
I am people of action.
I have been called the “getter of things done-er”. actually, I called myself that but many have agreed.
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe deserve your love and affection.”
This is the one I must work on. (believe it or not)
“I’ve had a thing for that guy…”
ha. Jules has a crush on Buddah. I hope it’s the skinny, enlightened one.
=)
(doesnt have eyebrows but not a fake smile either)
Christy said,
March 13, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Kinda fat is OK – but some depictions really seem to indicate that he let himself go well above and beyond healthy.
julieluongo said,
March 13, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Bah. People always use the health argument when they want to bash body types they don’t like. But I get that you might not want some podunk you’re dating to have the buddha’s belly, but you can’t possibly dis the real Buddha! You love him for his mind and his heart and his smile and his thoughts and his way. Fat, skinny, walking, reclining, gold, bronze, jade…he’s phat!
KC said,
March 13, 2007 at 1:31 pm
you go julie, DEFEND your man!
Heather said,
March 13, 2007 at 1:43 pm
KC, the fact that you have the Timberfinkle’s birthday makes you so much cooler than the Buddha. Did the Buddha make the ladies crazy with his moves? No. No, he didn’t.
michael said,
March 13, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Hell yes I want to go to the city… and the Met sounds great! Not this weekend but next? My Dad has roped me into driving to Cincinatti with him this weekend. Which I can’t tell you how excited I am about that.
There needs to be a sarcastic font.
Matt Lesoine said,
March 13, 2007 at 1:55 pm
And JT was also cool enough to make the “Dick in a Box” skit for SNL…
Heather said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:25 pm
YEAH! Can the Buddha put his thing in a box? More to the point, would anyone open it if he did? NO! I’m following Timberlake’s way. I bet he’s got a great, big Tao.
julieluongo said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:26 pm
The Buddha made lots of women crazy with his moves. He left that castle and sewed wild oats all over the place. He was the grooviest dude in the land, and he was all about experience.
Gary said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:31 pm
“I like people of action. You can’t get so bunched up with doubt that you never do anything. And once you do decide to do something, keep on keeping on:”
This is what I like about our President. He stays the course no matter what.
julieluongo said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:32 pm
I’ve got plans two weekends from now. I highly recommend you wait on NY. No one can show you how to spend your money in NY like I can.
julieluongo said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:33 pm
“I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together.” -George W. Bush
Christy said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:34 pm
I don’t even know what Justin Timberlake looks like.
julieluongo said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Did you see Black Snake Moan?
KC said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:36 pm
christy, youre lying.
julieluongo said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:37 pm
I did a post on him:
http://julieluongo.wordpress.com/2006/12/17/never-say-neverand-because-i-said-i-would/
Heather said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:42 pm
As far as I’m concerned, the more babies one can father, the more spiritual he is. Sign me up! Illegitimate kids = hot. Not supporting them = hotter. Using your enlightenment to get chicks into bed = priceless.
KC said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:44 pm
I want someone to show me how to spend my money in NY. I WANT TO PARTY WITH YOU GUYS, DAMN IT!
julieluongo said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Oh, KC, I’m excellent at that. It’s my calling. Also, if you have cool things, I can help you enjoy them.
Christy said,
March 13, 2007 at 3:12 pm
No I haven’t seen Black Snake Moan yet, I really want to. I saw 300 over the weekend and was disappointed to learn that in the comic book the Spartans were fighting with their dongs flapping about. It was not so in the movie. It could have been called 300 Dongs or 300 Dongs and 600 Balls. I see a shitty porn knock off coming down the pike.
Christy said,
March 13, 2007 at 3:20 pm
I didn’t say I didn’t know who he is. I know he’s Britney Spears ex somethingorother. I know what he looks like now. He looks like a lot of guys. Who cares?
KC said,
March 13, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Best Shitty Porn Knock-Off Name Ever:
Harry Putter and the Sorcerer’s Bone.
michael said,
March 13, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Edward Penishands? The Cockateer? Hello!
kc said,
March 13, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Edward Penishands? come on now, thats laaaaaame.
michael said,
March 13, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Lame but true.
Gary said,
March 13, 2007 at 7:08 pm
My favorite is Shaving Ryan’s Privates.
Sarah said,
March 13, 2007 at 9:00 pm
Loved the blog today, Jewely. From the art to the Buddha, this one was a great message for me today.
julieluongo said,
March 13, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Well, I’m trying to make up for making your kids cry.
Saranne Fosselman Miller said,
March 13, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Romancing the Bone.
Top Buns.
Little Red Riding Whore.
Pornochio: It’s Not His Nose That Grows.
E.T. the Extra Testicle
kc said,
March 13, 2007 at 9:45 pm
HA! THE EXTRA TESTICLE! Is that for real?????
spanky said,
March 14, 2007 at 6:33 am
My favorite is angela’s asshole
also the 300 dong thing made ma laugh out loud
spanky said,
March 14, 2007 at 6:34 am
just incase you didnt get the asshole refrence it is a take off of angela’s ashes hahahahahahah
Matt Lesoine said,
March 14, 2007 at 10:26 am
Throbbin’ Hood
Forest Hump
Forest Pump
Flesh Gordon
The Incredible Bulk
3 Men and a Lady
The Crease Master
Where the Boys Aren’t
Milf Street Blues
That’s all I can think of right now since a friend inherited the “closet full of porn” a year ago.
spanky said,
March 14, 2007 at 10:36 am
a “friend ” huh?? Yeah right Matt…youve been collecting since you were nine. dont lie ahahahahahahahahah
Matt Lesoine said,
March 14, 2007 at 12:29 pm
No really, I had (past tense) a sizable “collection” but due to moving decided to lend it to my one friend for safe keeping. He wasn’t disappointed.
spanky said,
March 14, 2007 at 12:38 pm
“safe Keeping” I like that.
KC said,
March 14, 2007 at 12:57 pm
“Where the Boys Aren’t”
ha.
Saranne Fosselman Miller said,
March 14, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Yes, KC, The Extra Testicle is real. Not that I’ve seen it, or anything. I have a good source on the subject.
KC said,
March 14, 2007 at 2:56 pm
ummhmm, suuuuuure saranne
Saranne Fosselman Miller said,
March 14, 2007 at 3:06 pm
LOL
Jenn said,
March 14, 2007 at 4:32 pm
It’s always the “friends” that take the fall for the porn collection.
Matt Lesoine said,
March 14, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Well the fact that he expected maybe 3-4 DVD’s or so and actually ended up with many, many more led to him being amazed. And safe keeping is the right term, the retail value is very close to $3000.
Watching it drive away, I felt like a parent watching the school bus drive away on the first day of kindergarten…
julieluongo said,
March 14, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Matt’s closet of porn in not a lie. Full, I tell you – box atop of box. $3000 is a gross underestimate of the value. That’s what you get if you sold them each for a dollar.
Jenn said,
March 14, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Speaking of porn, I had friend who more or less figured out her husband’s sexual orientation based on his porn collection. She went into instant denial and it wasn’t until later that she said, “I guess I should have guessed.”
kc said,
March 14, 2007 at 6:49 pm
well that theory makes no sense because lesbian porn is my least favorite… i would much rather watch straight porn or gay guy porn!
Almost NEVER does lesbian porn actually look like lesbians having sex, it looks like two women paid to have sex together and that just isn’t hot.
Jenn said,
March 14, 2007 at 6:57 pm
His was gay man porn, or at least most of it was. Maybe gay men find gay porn hotter than lesbians do?
spanky said,
March 15, 2007 at 8:12 am
as far as porn goes, id have to say the funniest part for me is the extreme close up fuck. all you can see on the screen is a giant shaft entering a cave. with lots of slopping noises. yep that does it for me everytime.
Gary said,
March 15, 2007 at 8:30 am
stop trying to turn me on
spanky said,
March 15, 2007 at 9:11 am
and here I thought i was being covert. Gary, ive been waiting for weeks to describe just the right porn scene to you….to lure you in….muwohahahahah (evil laugh)
Jenn said,
March 15, 2007 at 9:37 am
I like the porn “oh yeah” facial expressions. That’s the funniest part to me,
spanky said,
March 15, 2007 at 10:14 am
Yeah that is pretty high up there for me too…but seriously you could happen upon the extremem close up, ask what it was and have someone tell you it was discovery channel, and someone was having a colonoscopy and youd be like “huh, thats gross” course the sound would give away the truth and you then know it was a very sexy colonoscopy
Jenn said,
March 15, 2007 at 10:20 am
“very sexy colonoscopy”
I think that is the first time ever those words have been together in one phrase.
spanky said,
March 15, 2007 at 10:32 am
lol right
Gary said,
March 16, 2007 at 11:35 pm
I have Katie Couric’s colonoscopy video on DVD – it’s HOT!!
spanky said,
March 19, 2007 at 7:01 am
Oh jesus. that is wrong. wrong worng wornf see i cant even spell wrong anymore i am so upset