[MycoolFitz]

Thought it might be nice to get this thread retreaded and on the road, or path if you'd ruther. I've been attracted to, and practicing Buddhism for a nimber of years, actually since the 60's when I attempted to call the Buddha long distance while on an especially bizzare acid adventure--you can't imagine the phone bill. Most of my practice was during active drugging and drinking though I went clean 23 years ago. This moment my spirituality and my sobriety are so wonderful its as if I'm living my everyday life, but two inches off the ground. No cravings, no desires, just nowness, its wonderful. I'd love to learn and share with those with a desire. If there are any so desiring, I'll try to keep this thread going, if not I'll let it go. Doesn't matter, its all good. Namaste

One day the Buddha held up a flower in front of an audience of 1,250 monks and nuns. he did not say anything for quite a long time. The audience was perfectly silent. Everyone seemed to be thinking hard, trying to see the meaning behind the Buddha's gesture. Then, suddenly, the Buddha smiled. He smiled because someone in the audience smiled at him and at the flower.... To me the meaning is quite simple. When someone holds up a flower and shows it to you, he wants you to see it. If you keep thinking, you miss the flower. The person who was not thinking, who was just himself, was able to encounter the flower in depth, and he smiled.
That is the problem of life. If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything.-- Thich Nhat Hanh