Take Tomorrow off
November 19, 2008 by nopstar
One of the Buddha’s central themes was Annica, or impermanence. He taught that all things change, nothing remains.
When I have conversations about this, people often comment on how depressing it all sounds. I don’t tend to look at it that way. I like to think that we should really seize our opportunities. We should say the things we’ve always meant to say, to do that one thing you’ve been meaning to do. We take so many things for granted, financial security, relationships, ones health etc. I could go on and on, but the truth of the matter is nothing is certain.
A famous monk Ajarn Chah would always use the Thai phrase Mai Nae (not certain, not sure) to demonstrate his point. You think you’re going to go to work tomorrow morning… mai nae, maybe you are maybe you’re not. Nothing is certain.
So tomorrow… don’t train. Take the day off… instead of being lazy use your time wisely. We get so caught up in our routines and the minutiae of the day to day. We’re so busy just existing we tend to forget all the things that matter to us.
Take your girl out to dinner… pick up some flowers for your wife, call your mother. Say you’re sorry… do whatever it was that you’ve been meaning to do or say. Seriously nothing bad can come from this. You have nothing to lose.
I hope whatever it is you do, you do it to the fullest.
I’m taking my lady out salsa dancing. Cha cha cha! Ha!
I went to dinner with my lady friend instead of going to the gym. Probably should have hit pads lol:p
Nop, I always enjoy your posts about Buddhist concepts. It’s always good to hear Buddhism as practiced by others, especially in the context of Muay Thai. Thanks again for sharing.
I think I’d rather hit pads…
Nop the philosopher! Hope things are going well with you. Seems that you hit a rough patch, but things will turn around eventually, like you say, nothing stays the same…
Inspiring thoughts. Can you recommend a good introductory book on Buddhism. So many things you have mentioned just feel and sound right. Best of luck with everything across the pond man.
Agree.
Set your goals and take full responsibility for them.
If something happens someday, I’ll know that I tried hard, I’ll have no regrets.
ahhh, what a refreshing post.
thanks nop. I would love to have taken the day off but alas – it is fight training time. a day taken off could mean and belt not hung on my wall someday.
I am however going to use my extra time wisely caring for some loved ones which unfortunately due to the extreme amount of hectic-ness this week has brought would have been towards the bottom of my priorities but can now be found at the top.
thanks for inspiration.
buddha is meant to be smoked. not worshiped.
ponder that for a while
MuayThaiMex: A few months ago I was asking Nop the same question after his post “Clinging”. I’ve found that a good place to start is… Wikipedia =) Just search for Buddhism and later on go through the entries for the Four Noble Truths, Middle Way, etc.
If you’re familiar with torrents, you can also download a couple of relatively easy to read books like Buddhism in a Nutshell, and Buddhism Plain and Simple.
Muay Thai Mex and GregHow-
I’m sorry for not responding. As for literature I’m not personally aware of any books that are a good introduction. I will look and provide you with a better answer.
If you are interested, I do recommend you check out these series of Dhamma talks. (teachings of the buddha) by the monks of Abhayagiri monastery.
They’re based in Redwood California, and I’m quite close with the monks here.
A good intro talk is with Bhante Rahula
http://www.abhayagiri.org/index.php/main/medium/835/
You can right click and download them and listen to them on your commute.
The rest of the dhamma talks can be found here:
http://www.abhayagiri.org/index.php/main/media_download/C22
If you have an questions with terminolgy or concepts, I would be happy to try to explain (if I can)
Thanks gent’s..
Hi Nop, no need to say sorry at all! You actually gave me some links back then, and that’s what got me started going through websites and all. It would be pretty damn gay to say you changed my life, but I’d definitely say you did give me a nudge in the right direction. Funny how a muay thai blog can do that!