The topic of Buddhist class tonight: Suffering.

According to the Tibetan Buddhist teaching, there are 3 main categories of suffering. Beneath each of these there are various subcategories.

1. Basic Suffering

   1. Being born
   2. Sickness
   3. Old Age
   4. Death

2. Psychological Suffering

   1. Not having what you want.
   2. Having what you do not want.
   3. Not knowing what you want.

3. i-can't-remember-the-exact-word Suffering. The suffering which occurs even in moments of happiness, when there is a corner of the mind that is still fundamentally unsatisfied with things.

Much of the suffering that occurs as a result of life (which could be considered an unavoidable price for sentience) is unavoidable. But there is an even greater amount of suffering that comes about as a result of people's attempts to avoid pain and suffering. Existing suffering is multiplied stop or control it. It is this kind of suffering that Buddhist practices seek to address.

The path to cessation is, in essence, meditation. By slowing down the process and examining what is happening in our thoughts as we sit ("taming the mind"), we gain a greater innate understanding of the workings of our own consciousness. By allowing whatever is to be, we can glimpse a reality where we are not always running away from now; be with our pain, and paradoxically, the suffering will disappear.

[These random tidbits in Buddhist ideas (which seem to be popping up in more than one area of the websphere these days) have been inspired by tonight's Shambhala class, as well my re-reading of Alan Watts books lately.]

Tomorrow morning, I intend to wake up bright and early for once, in anticipation of the Howard Dean rally in Boulder. Yes, in case some hadn't heard, the Doctor is coming to Colorado!

On my way to class, I stopped at the evil Walmart and bought a bit of poster board and markers so I can make a sign to take to the event. I'm still contemplating what it should say. I'm sure I'll think of something soon.

After my class, I stopped by the infamous house of Peter to meet with scottgalvin.com and Jaeger, where scottgalvin.com briefed us on some of his recent dealings. We discussed upcoming possibilities for business opportunities. I suppose I'll leave that at that, for now.

Honestly, at this point, I'm not at all sure what to make of things. I guess the best philosophy is to live day by day, and whatever happens will happen.

scottgalvin.com's advise to me (which is not entirely unbiased, of course) is to not leave the state of Colorado just yet. Unless I suddenly start hearing back from the companies I sent my resume to last week (in various regions of the U.S.), I don't expect to be going anywhere. Even if I do... well... I guess I just need to take everything as it comes (or doesn't come, as the situation may be).

On other news, after last week's indecision regarding whether to enter myself as guest pseudo-DJ at Onyx, I decided that before making a decision, I would come out of my lurking closet, and seek the wisdom of someone who knows a bit more about this whole DJ business than I.

Well, tonight I got a reply. (Given that I am a complete stranger contacting somebody who is not only juggling 2 jobs, but also lost a cat last week, I consider myself lucky that she got around to reading my rambling message at all.)

Elusis suggests that I might try asking one of the regular DJs to show me around during the day at some point, or on an off-night, so I can sort of get a feel for the club's equipment. Also, it might be good to get a few tips from the pros who taught her. (Assuming, of course, that they're willing to share a few secrets with not-so-cute old me.) But, really, according to Elusis, it ain't that hard, and doesn't take long to pick up once you get into it. Encouraging, though not surprising.

Of course, if I take this path, it will require me to take another step (or perhaps two, maybe three) out of my shy, lurky, cocoon of self-doubt and Angel-esque brooding. But what the hell. Unlike a vampire, I don't have all eternity to fret and moan.

I think I'll go for it. So... another email to another destination... another question or two, perhaps. And maybe with a little luck, I'll find myself in the Onyx DJ booth in a few weeks.

Now tomorrow, I get to go listen to the future President of the U.S.A. (We can all hope, right?) What could be better?

So here goes....