November 20, 2012

November 20, 2012 (Tuesday)
(Post 656, Day 326 of 2012, 690 days since 1st post)

Daily Comment

One of the things about my considering myself a Buddhist is that I have no Buddhist affiliations.

I belong to no center of worship, I am, at least not presently (or in the past) studying to gain more insight, improve myself or my practice, or be a better Buddhist.

I consider myself Buddhist because I believe in the basic tenents of that philosophy, and the value of meditation, which I do practice. Though not religiously (LOL).

I came to Buddhism simply: A friend got involved with a Buddhist temple and its founder, and gave me a very simple primer he had written. The primer contained the basic teachings, the history of Buddhism in the US, and a plan for popularizing it here.

I ignored almost everything except the description of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. That's Buddhism to me. That's the part that resonated. Group worship, organized worship (as in the major organized religions), and ceremonies are of no interest at all, I reject the validity of all of that. For me, of course. I have no problem with anybody who has found value in any of these things.

Please, though, do not proselytize, and especially, do not impose a belief system on me.

I am not qualified to speak about Buddhism historically. I know little more than that it started in India and spread, and whatever I can remember from Herman Hesse's Siddhartha.

I am certainly not someone who can teach another person about it. I will happily tell you that I think it has been a very positive influence on me, and that I think it has opened up some inner resources that enable me to cope better.

As far as I know, that's what it's all about, what it is for.

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Food and Diet Section

Year 2012 daily weight from December 31, 2011

 Today's Weight:        213.4 lbs 

Yesterday's Weight:    214.0 lbs

Day Net Loss/Gain:     - 0.6 lbs

Diet Comment

Although yesterday was not cheat-free (cookies for a snack), it was still closer to the plan than I've been in two weeks.

Food Log

Breakfast
Cocoa-kale protein shake (almond milk, whey protein (36g protein), kale, chia gel, cocoa, cinnamon, stevia-erithrytol blend)..

Lunch

Spring Mix and red cabbage salad with balsamic vinaigrette. Spinach and salsa omelet.

Snack
Pepperoni.

Dinner

Hamburger wkth whole seed Dijon mustard on spaghetti squash with olive oil, salt and pepper.

Snack
Baby carrots with home-made mayonnaise.

Liquid Intake
   Coffee:  20 oz,  Water: 96+ oz.

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