The quest for the seeker is not for the answer alone. It is to learn thru the journey how to be more compassionate and wiser in one’s actions. So, if I already had the answer then I would be happier and kinder for that is the nature of the answer. If there was no heaven or hell, no rebirth, no karma then my life would still continue as it does. Looking for the answers. Growth is in the seeking. The fun and happiness is in the journey. Buddha said there are like 84,000 ways.

Poetry is wonderful when it inspires and brings one emotional release. Much like “I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Not that I ever knew what is meant by soul. But, that was easy to understand and easy to feel the emotion the writer was trying to pass on to the reader. Otherwise, poetry just confuses me.

Oh, I got a question. In a room, where people sit to meditate, what is the etiquette when one needs to fart. Does the offender just fart or do they try to make a quick dash to the other room? In a Zendo, they have a person with a stick to whack people over the shoulder to bring their attention back. Can one use that on the person who farted if the fart is really smelly? Sorry, that went south really fast. I just wanted to know what is expected if one needs to fart.

Buddhism says there is no I. But, the meaning is that there is no permanent I. No solid I that goes on from one incarnation to another incarnation. There is birth and rebirth. What you are in this life does not get reincarnated in the next life. But what you are, essence, is reborn.

If there is no one in this body then who is it that answers your post?
Thru logic your statement fails.
An empty body is only a shell with no intent, no desires or wishes
I live and love. I think therefore I am.

Sounds more like loss than Love??

@Anita,

My advice for Bogart is to remain in a happy mood. Bogart will take his cue from you. If you are full of tension then Bogart will have tension. Sadness and there will be sadness in Bogarts eyes. So, please remain in good spirits to show Bogart what he should be doing.

@Alessa,

Savings? What is that? I barely get enough to cover month to month. Now, they are going to take out medicare part B. Property tax is one big bill at the beginning of the year and then another big bill for school tax in September. I have applied for Senior discount on the property taxes. Still there is no savings. I am now regretting buying those tools. The tools just sit in the garage. Could have use that money for food. Well hopefully they will come in handy in the near future.

Everyone,

It seems Japan and China are selling off their notes and bonds. It might mean higher interest rates. Inflation. Maybe? Don’t know yet. Every other country seems to want to get off the US reserve dollar. Brics wants to take over as the world’s reserve currency. Looks like 2026 is going to be an interesting year. Don’t the Chinese have a curse about having an interesting life??

Winter is usually the hardest time for us. My wife likes to have her vegetable garden. We save a little money eating from her garden. Thinking it is about time, we figure out how to make a little green house to keep growing in the winter. Though, the snow and cold has been horrific this winter. Got about 14 to 18 inches of snow on Sunday night. Monday worked at shovelling snow. Luck we had bought a snow thrower. But, I haven’t been taking good care of it. I need to take that carburetor apart and clean it. The previous snow storm, I could not get the thing started. Turned out the spark plug was fouled. Wouldn’t create a spark. Took a torch and burnt away the crud and brushed off the rest. Then it finally started. Not something I wanted to do when it was so cold outside. Garage still smells of petrol from working on the carburetor. But wasn’t the carburetor this time.

Oh, got something stuck in the air vent pipe. Flush the loo and the bathtub makes a noise. It is pulling air from the bathtub drain. They are connected. To cold and too much snow on the roof to clear it out. The utilities cost has gone thru the roof. OMG, they put in new “SMART METERs” and my bill went up. On a small fixed income, drives me crazy. I am lucky to have such a good wife. My daughter is also helping to pay bills. So we manage. But, it is getting tougher and tougher.

Anita says there are stabilizing forces. I wish they get to work soon.

I think after 3 or 4 months with living this that he has found a way to either cope or move forward. I hope he is feeling better.