Thursday, June 02, 2005

Connections

Sometimes riding a bike you reach a crossroad. And you need to decide where to go, if you keep in your road or if you pick another one. Life is sometimes like that.

In my professional life I got a road I am not found of. Well I am now drawing the plans to get my bike to another, pleasant, winding road. This does not go straight to the point, but probably will make me happier.

Lately I've considering seriously if my life is not a big waste of time. If I am not wasting my gifts. I don't want to get a few years and miles ahead, look back and say: "What is the meening of this?". I am so afraid of wasting my talents. That's why I reproduce the short story below told by Jesus Christ. As I went regurlarly to church in my childhood this story stuck in my mind as if it was a prophecy. What a mess! Mixing Christ with Buddha and motorcycles!

Well... why not?
14 “For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18 But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

(Matthew 25.14-30)

Visiting the Buddish temple

One of these weekends we went out for a ride. Until we meet we had no fixed destination. The place should be not so far because it was a Sunday morning and Monday... working day.

So we decided to visit the Buddish temple. I have some affinity with Buddha thoughts so it was a place I was particularly interested in seeing. While riding I could feel how I improved: the turns are soft now, I am breaking in a slow and safe rate. But I still like speed although sometimes I get afraid. My thoughts flew away. As I already mentioned, riding is a meditation exercise. The more you integrate with the bike the more you can meditate. Almost a preparation to visit the sanctuary.

Seeing the temple from the road is an amazing view. The installations are quite big. They have libraries, classrooms and a restaurant with delicious vegetarian food. Those who know me know I love barbecues, but that food was something. Would the love and hubleness of the monks and laymen making the difference?

Anyway it was a pleasant and peaceful ride.