Book Recommendation

I realize the last few times I have posted, it was almost immediatly after Ricki had posted. Sorry Ric, I'm not trying to trump you. So if you haven't read the next post (regarding casts) please read before continuing on this one, thanks.

I just read this book and it was an excellent read. If you like real stories or are interested in the history of Tibet, Buddhism, or exploring wilderness this would be a good read. The book is called The Heart of the World by Ian Baker. Basically it is about a westerner who takes up living in the east and becomes interested in Buddhism and seeks to discover the secret lands in search of enlightenment. In our current environment it is always good to read about those who can remain positive regardless of the circumstances, here is one of my favorite excerpts from the book:

"Kawa Tulku stopped to bathe. The lama’s body was covered from head to toe in tiny red insect bites, but he smiled radiantly as he basked in the sun while his attendants applied a mysterious salve to his back and arms.
We continued on. Gradually the meadow transformed into an unnavigable swamp, and the trail entered a dense, sunless forest where we saw footprints of bear and takin. At intermittent sedge-filled bogs we often sank up to our knees in mud. Kawa Tulku plugged along in his customarial jovial mood. As conditions worsened, Gil expressed wonder at Kawa Tulku’s unshakable composure. Several days before, Gil had written in his journal:
Today was particularly bad for me as the rain would not let up and the leeches were relentless. At one point I counted twenty-two of then sucking on me at the same time……Sloshing along the muddy trail in the pouring rain I came upon a large, slimy log that had fallen chest high across our brush-choked path. In my agitated state I viewed the log as a menacing obstacle that was clearly separate, in my way and against me. With no way under or around I jumped, stomach first, and slid over the top. Regaining my balance on the other side, I was infuriated at the mud and decaying mush that seemed to have covered the entire front of my body. Rubbing off the crud I cursed the log and the goddamned rain. It was my brother Todd who suggested that we wait and see how the Lama would handle this formidable impediment. Surely this test would break him.
Hiding off the trail we peeked through the underbrush just in time to see him trudge up to the log. Ever smiling he took a couple steps back and tried his jump with a running start. With not enough momentum – coupled with a portly belly – he slid back down on the same side of the log and landed on his back in a large puddle. Shaking his rain-drenched head he burst into spasms of uproarious laughter. Staggering to his feet he repeated the same maneuver – with the same results – no less than three times. With each collapse back into the puddle his laughter grew stronger and louder. On his fourth attempt he made it over the top and slid headlong into the muddle puddle on the other side. Again, the laughter was knee-slapping. Continuing to chuckle, he wiped himself off as best he could – lovingly patted the log as though it were a dear friend – and proceeded up the trail –smiling. Todd and I just stared at each other.

So for all of you waiting for the economic situation to improve, the next job, or the turning of the season before you can relax and enjoy yourself, consider this excerpt from book 10 of Wordsworth poem The Prelude
"Not in Utopia, subterranean fields,
Or some secreted island, Heaven knows where!
But in the very world, which is the world
Of all of us, the place where, in the end,
We find our happiness, or not at all!"

So smile, find joy in day to day life, and enjoy the struggles for what they are.