Toledo Buddhist

A Pug Encounter the Five Remembrances for the First Time! In all Buddhist traditions, we honor a teaching called the five remembrances in which we recall that we are all of the nature to grow old, to have ill health and to die.  The realization that all which is dear to us is of the nature of change and therefore that there is no way to escape being separated from them is the beginning of wisdom as we see it.  It is actually because of the impermanence of things like our beloved pets that they are precious, and calling this fact to mind daily helps us to not take them or ourselves for granted. And. The true nature of our pets is the same as the true nature of ourselves, and the true nature of the cosmos itself.  All forms are forms of this same true nature, and from the realization of that nature we can say that we are nether born nor do we ever die.   And so our beloved pets, and family, and loved ones who have passed away are at once gone and we grieve their loss, an

My kidney stone seeking surgen went in through my out door yesterday, but was unable to get the scope all the way into the target zone, and so I am left with a stent in place for a week that will open things up and give him a clean shot at these mini asteroids. In the meantime it seems that I'm fine, but I'm not going to be good for much more than lying around stinging and aching. At least for awhile... And for the record the outpatient folks at St. Lukes Hospital were just great, and I loved having family all around before and after. Rev. Do-on is doing an amazing job taking care of me AND Isabella today as they both make their way to Cleveland for what I think is the final infusion for the next 6 months. And Do-on has a strained ankle in the mix!  No fair...  Each sunday we recite the 5 remembrances, one of which is:  "I am of the nature to have ill health, there is no way to avoid having ill health." This can seem abit pessimistic, or obvious, or many

This has been published by BuddhaDharma magazine, have a look here: http://shambhalasun.com/news/?p=47787

Featuring original music from www.ZenArtsEnsemble.org