First things first...

So, for anyone in a similar situation to mine (gearing up for self improvement via the 8 fold path).  Here is my advice.  Begin by setting your stuff in order.  By that, I mean your things...  be it your home, office, vehicle... any place that you spend time regularly, put it in order (a place for everything and everything in it's place).  Doing so will give you one less distraction in the hunt for mindfulness.  This is especially important wherever you meditate...  cluttered, dirty, or otherwise messy environments do have an unsettling effect on the mind... considering there are so many other sources for mental distress... do yourself a favor and head this one off at the pass.  Your meditation practice will thank you for it.  Additionally, if your struggling with intoxicants (as I am), ridding yourself of them is highly advisable.  Store the lighters and glasses away, empty the bottles, put it all out of sight, out of mind.  I've also began a shrine (my girlfriend was an awesome help here, giving me a Buddha statue and incense holder for xmas)... I've got it set up directly in front of where I meditate.  Now, not to derail the Dhamma talk with household stuff... but in addition to focusing on mindfulness, I'm going to be making great strides towards health as well.  A healthy body facilitates a clear mind... and my biggest issue is what I put in my body (far too much fast/unhealthy food)... so I'm cleaning up my diet and beginning an exercise program.  All of this is in an effort to lay the foundation for mindfulness... set myself up for success and whatnot.

Well, that's it for now... 'til next time.

Big Time Metta,

UA

Fairweather friends (and new year's resolutions)

Well... this blog and I.  Or maybe it's "bad weather friends".  Regardless, I haven't approached it with the consistency originally intended...  but thankfully, it's here for me when I need it.  Now is one of those times, with the year wrapping up, and a new one approaching... I find myself reflecting on where I am, and where I want to be.  This year, at least from a "spiritual" perspective, I can't say that I'm all that pleased with the results of that assessment.  The biggest culprit being my use of intoxicants... which could be easily reigned in were I to establish and uphold a regular meditation practice.  Long story short, I'm seeing a great need for that in my life (and the resulting mindfulness).  I know resolutions will be coming out of the woodwork the next few days... so I'm going to jump on that bandwagon and resolve to meditate for at least 15min daily for 2014.  I encourage any and all of my readers to do the same, as it will undoubtedly benefit us all positively.

Well that's it for now.

Maha Metta,

UA