The nature of reality often comes into mind. The greatest mystery being why is there anything rather than nothing?
I've come to the conclusion that God dissolved himself aeons ago into the fabric of the cosmos so that He could experience true liberation. After all if you control everything how can you be free?
The universe now progresses along its evolutionary path according to certain basic physical laws. We experience them. We are the echoes or pieces of the original divine conciousness.
Besides having cosmic thought s I am walking the Ulster Way- a 600 mile or so path around the north of Ireland. I will post the odd picture of my travels

Rest & Recreation

Just returned from a trip to the West with The Beloved and her daughter. Called in with the Daughter's father in Barna Co. Galway. He took her for the day so myself and Liz did a little touring around Oughterard and the lovely Lough Corrib. Ended up camping in a remote spot by the lake that night near Glann.  Just the sound of fighting terns from a little islet offshore. In the morning a swim in the soft lake water - alright it took me about ten minutes to immerse myself! My expressions were somewhat gargoyle -like. but once I was in it was bliss.
Next day we set off  for Kerry to try for the second time to get to Skellig Michael. http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=757 Skellig is a rocky island off the coast which was inhabited by monks from around 400 AD. It has no springs and very little greenery. The perfect place for a monk to escape the pressures of 6th Century life. It's bloody hard to get to. the conditions have to be just right before the boatmen will venture out. Last Friday was not the day. We arrived as low fog shrouded the islands and surrounding hills creating bizarre mysterious cloudshapes - the 'teasing mists of Skelligs' - perhaps I'll write a song!
Next day we headed north to visit friends on the island of Inisbofin. Neither myself or Liz had been on the island before. The sun was splitting the trees as we headed off from Cleggan (perfect weather to land on Skellig!). Cars have to be left behind. The islanders have managed to bring a few battered wrecks onto the island where there's no road tax.
On the island we feasted on the most beautiful leg of lamb - bought from a butchers in Clifden - beside the Celtic Shop. A local fisherman left a few mackerel which we fried in butter and smeared with harissa and soy sauce. Delicious!!!!
Next day we lounged on the East Side beach - I roasted my balding pate. It's now a kind of pinky purply colour.
Long drive back to Belfast where we learned that one of Liz's erswhile mates had died of liver failure at the age of 38. North Belfast is a place of tragedy. Liz went to another funeral today of a woman in her early 40s - the mother of 7 kids who committed suicide last week. One of her sons had killed himself last year.

The First Post

2nd July 2004
What does a gambling Buddhist put in a post? Can there be such a thing as a gambling Buddhist. Am I a Buddhist? I attend a sangha here in rainy Belfast on Tuesdays and sometimes Sundays. At the zendo we sit in silence for 30 minutes then walk in silence for ten minutes then meditate again for 45 minutes.
On Fridays usually I gamble and lose quite a lot of money. Today I didn't lose. I actually made £14. Last week I lost £345.
As a Buddhist I see my gambling as 'grasping'. - chasing after an illusion that cannot ever bring real happiness. What it does bring is momentary gratification. Like any addiction it gives the illusion of power for a few moments before inevitably reality sinks in.
Throughout the lifetime of this blog I'll try to give an insight into the mind of a gambler albeit one who wishes he could lead an 'alternative' life.