Sage Dog Clad in White

Ok I know that it is long overdue for a blog update, but I have been real busy.

I left the 4th of June on to what is soon to be a month long, 31 day, stay in Pacific Grove, California.  Before I left, my Tibetan Buddhist dog named MacDougal (apt name because he is from Scotland like 1/4 of my genes) told me a few things.  First off, he is the cutest white dog you ever did see, that I can assure you.  He is a good boy, he gives love, he doesn't voice loud mouth, angry opinions, he does only what is appropriate for the situation at hand, and like a traditional buddhist monk, he begs for his food.  He is a true love giver, he is never in a bad mood.

I have learned tons from this selfless creature.  But, be cruel to one innocent sentient being, then you do a crime to your spirit.  Once upon a time when worldly passions reigned free through my soul, like a poison that never left me, and thoughts consumed me (you know that devil, fear begotten greed and passion).  Whenever I cried my dog cried with me, whenever I got angry and stormed madly, he got afraid and hid.  I am extremely glad that I have gotten rid of my moods at the most profound level.  I have removed their very root.  I've always loved my dog more than anything in this world, what was unspeakably painful to me was seeing him suffer for my unconsciousness, something I felt I could not control.

Before I left, one day, he propped his head up sagely with his white fur hanging like the beard of a wise man, he told me:

"There is a sickness in your soul fed by a mad world.  Its only cure is an answer, to that one question.  This answer you must find for yourself, by yourself.  This is why you must Sojourn."

The question he meant of course is that question that cannot be put into words, but Neo from The Matrix stated perhaps its best interpretation, "What is the Matrix?"

He continued, "Stag, my son, understand that there are all sorts of people out there, many are perfectly friendly and pose no issues (this fact I have understood only recently).  But there is much pain and suffering out there as people spin gold out of hate, goods out of sweat and tears, oil out of American lives, and, most painful of all, evil from our souls.  This pain causes people to be greedy, snide, and ignorant.  Always remember that you are loved here at home.  Now, venture forth."  He left me with a message that he had dug up from the yard, it was a message from the Earth.

Only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we cannot eat money. - Cree Indian Saying

This is my dog presenting me with an honorary gift of Manhood:

On the rubber ball was written my mission: "To see clearly with eyes unclouded by fear." (Roughly analogous to Ashitaka's mission in one of my favorite movies of all time, Princess Mononoke, which was "to see with eyes unclouded by hate."

Going on this mission, I have delayed my Cross-Country training substantially, however it is nothing that cannot be made up, especially while I am down there.  I also said no to some quite promising jobs, but I don't give an Orc's love interest, about any boring job.  Plus I mean I have enough money, and jobs come and go anyway, and now is a time for my soul to gravitate towards love.

So I set out in my car, named Yakul after Ashitaka's loyal elk.

Taken from The Portable LIFE 101 by John-Roger and Peter McWilliams:

"Who are you?"

"Nobody can be exactly like me.  Sometimes even I have trouble doing it." - Tallulah Bankhead