January First 2009

I must be the most ignorant ordained Buddhist on the face of the earth.

I don't feel unworthy. The Rochis who invited me to be ordained had their reasons. I hope to be able to keep this diary on a daily basis, but since internet access is not often available to me, I will post it in chunks.

Today I broke the law. A friend and I went to White Sands and let the dogs run loose in a remote area. The weather was perfect. A little snow still overlay the sand in dune shadows. The dogs were filled with joy. We ate Long John Silver's fish and corn on the cob. My friend meditated and allowed the sun to warm her. I walked and photographed.

As Buddhists, we attempt to always be in the moment which of course is impossible because there is no moment, just the ephemerality of passing time. To live in the 'moment' or slide down time is easy enough when sliding down a dune, but it isn't so easy when sliding through the mundanities of every-day life.

Is it possible to keep constantly in mind that our sentient existence is an infinitely rare and precious speck in what we perceive as time? Seize the moment? Sure. Grab a handful of air and make a sculpture.