Upcoming Talk

The word is out: http://bit.ly/UWest (thanks Danny!) – If you’re in the L.A. area Monday, July 13, come to the University of the West for a talk by yours truly.

On a side note, going back to my New Year’s resolutions, I see that this fulfills number 5, being my third talk (one in Cheltenham, UK – many thanks to Dave there – and another here at UM – my thanks to Dane at the Center for Ethics), with a fourth upcoming in Montreal in November.

I suppose early July is a good time to check in on all of my resolutions:

1. Get back into shape: a December filled with travels, bad weather and great food gives me a little work to do. Done, I’m running 20-30 miles a week now and should be ready for a marathon before fall.
2. Get 200 pages of my thesis written. I’m wayyyy behind on this; I’m maybe around 40 or 50, but definitely need to focus. But with the presentations, China trip, and Pali language study, I do feel like I’m back on track to finish in a reasonable time-period.
   
3. Keep working on book side-projects if and when time allows. Yada yada yada.
4. Spend plenty of time in nature – preferably with friends and family (& camera!). I’m doing pretty well thus far; tonight I’m off for a hike and camping with Julie, Blake, and Joe and hopefully still more in the fall.
5. Give 3-4 presentations on Buddhist Ethics (2 already scheduled, this month and April). Done!
6. Get an article published. Ohh, important. Hmm…
7. Meditate a lot, with 14 days (minimum) in retreat. Daily practice is still not in place, but a strong weekly practice is there; 5 down in retreat, nine to go.
8. Continue to build and strengthen the campus and other Buddhist communities in and around Missoula. To be reengaged with in August and September.
9. Find more creative and inspiring ways for us (as Sanghas) all to give back to our community. Hmm… I still need to get on this one too.
10. Rebuild my vision board with these and other visions I plan to bring about in the next 12 months (I already see the perfect spot). I’m in a new place now and need to pursue this again.