I enjoy reading, music, traveling, foreign language and culture, spending time with my family and friends, and volunteering with various organizations involving human and worldly issues... As for dislikes- shopping, spiders, uncertainty and doubt.
All your lovely faces!
THE BUDDHIST PRECEPTS
The First Precept: Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth.
The Second Precept: Do not think the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and abound to present views. Learn and practice non-attachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout your entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times.
The Third Precept: Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness.
The Fourth Precept: Do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering by all means, including personal contact and visits, images, sound. By such means, awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering in the world.
The Fifth Precept: Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life, fame, profit, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy and material resources with those who are in need.
The Sixth Precept: Do not maintain anger or hatred. As soon as anger or hatred arise, practice the meditation on compassion in order to deeply understand the persons who have caused anger and hatred. Learn to look at other beings with the eyes of compassion.
The Seventh Precept: Do not lose yourself in dispersion and in your surroundings. Learn to practice breathing in order to regain composure of body and mind, to practice mindfulness and to develop concentration and understanding.
The Eighth Precept: Do not utter words that can create discord and cause the community to break. Make every effort to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however, small.
The Ninth Precept: Do not say untruthful things for the sake of personal interest or to impress people. Do not utter words that cause division and hatred. Do not spread news that you do not know to be certain. Do not criticize or condemn things that you are not sure of. Always speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to speak out about situations of injustice, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.
The Tenth Precept: Do not use the Buddhist community for personal gain or profit, or transform your community into a political party. A religious community, however, should take a clear stand against oppression and injustice and should strive to change the situation without engaging in partisan conflicts.
The Eleventh Precept: Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans and nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive others of their chance to live. Select a vocation which helps realize your ideal of compassion.
The Twelfth Precept: Do not kill. Do not let others kill. Find whatever means possible to protect life and prevent war.
The Thirteenth Precept: Possess nothing that should belong to others. Respect the property of others, but prevent others from enriching themselves from human suffering or the suffering of other beings.
The Fourteenth Precept: Do not mistreat your body. Learn to handle it with respect. Do not look on your body as only an instrument. Preserve vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realization of the Way. Sexual relationships should not happen without love and commitment. In sexual relationships, be aware of future suffering that may be caused. To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others. Be fully aware of the responsibilities of bringing new lives into the world. Meditate on the world into which you are bringing new beings.
**I do not claim to strictly practice all the above precepts, nor do I claim perfection. However, I do try to live my life as close to these guidlines as I am able.**
I love music in general... all genres. A few of my top favorites are The Beatles, Maroon 5, Elliot Smith, Flogging Molly, Ben Folds, Death Cab for Cutie, Coldplay,Damien Rice, Linkin Park, oldschool U2 and anything jazz or standards. But most importantly... The Beatles!
From epic films to indie films, or comedies to horror... Love them all. I especially like 300, I Am Legend, Sleepless In Seattle, P.S. I Love You, all the Back To The Future films, and all the films from the Lord of the Rings trilogies.
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Lost, House, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, anything on the History Channel and the Discovery Channel.
American Psycho, A Gradual Awakening, The Power of One, The Importance of Being Earnest, and anything Poe.
My heroes are my grandmother (she is my inspiration and everything and more I hope to be), my mother (for her strength and courage), and, of course, my father (God rest his soul... I'll be with you again someday. Until then, I love you.
If you're interested in trying to make a difference, please click any of the following links below. Thank you!