When one goes to Obaku temple in Kyoto he sees carved over the gate the words “The First Principle”. The letters are unusually large, and those who appreciate calligraphy always admire them as being a mastepiece.  They were drawn by Kosen two hundred years ago.

When the master drew them he did so on paper, from which the workmen made the large carving in wood. As Kosen sketched the letters a bold pupil was with him who had made several gallons of ink for the calligraphy and who never failed to criticise his master’s work.

“That is not good,” he told Kosen after his first effort.

“How is this one?”

“Poor. Worse than before,” pronounced the pupil.

Kosen patiently wrote one sheet after another until eighty-four First Principles had accumulated, still without the approval of the pupil.

Then when the young man stepped outside for a few moments, Kosen thought: “Now this is my chance to escape his keen eye,” and he wrote hurriedly, with a mind free from distraction: “The First Principle.”

“A masterpiece,” pronounced the pupil.

Provided he makes and wins an argument about Buddhism with those who live there, any wondering monk can remain in a Zen temple. If he is defeated, he has to move on.

In a temple in the northern part of Japan two brother monks were dwelling together. The elder one was learned, but the younger one was stupid and had but one eye.

A wandering monk came and asked for lodging, properly challenging them to a debate about the sublime teachings. The elder brother, tired that day from much studying, told the younger one to take his place. “Go and request the dialogue in silence,” he cautioned.

So the young monk and the stranger went to the shrine and sat down.

Shortly afterwards the traveler rose and went in to the elder brother and said:  "Your young brother is a wonderful fellow. He defeated me.“

"Relate the dialogue to me,” said the elder one.

“Well,” explained the traveler, “first I held up one finger, representing Buddha, the enlightened one. So he held up two fingers, signifying Buddha and his teaching. I held up three fingers, representing Buddha, his teaching, and his followers, living the harmonious life. Then he shook his clenched fist in my face, indicating that all three come from one realization. Thus he won and so I have no right to remain here.” With this, the traveler left.

“Where is that fellow?” asked the younger one, running in to his elder brother.

“I understand you won the debate.”

“Won nothing. I’m going to beat him up.”

“Tell me the subject of the debate,” asked the elder one.

“Why, the minute he saw me he held up one finger, insulting me by insinuating that I have only one eye. Since he was a stranger I thought I would be polite to him, so I held up two fingers, congratulating him that he has two eyes. Then the impolite wretch held up three fingers, suggesting that between us we only have three eyes. So I got mad and started to punch him, but he ran out and that ended it!”

PSA about honeybees

If you have a honeybee buzzing around you, obviously never swat at them. But there are 3 other things that no one mentions:

• Pitch of buzzing: if it’s a low, calming buzz, the bee is either curious or tired. The colour of your clothes or your scent has gotten her curious. Allow the bee to buzz around you, so she can understand you are not a flower! Also, she may be tired from a long, honey and pollen- laden flight, and just needs to rest. Let her! She’s tired and just needs a minute to recoup. Honeybees are drawn to top-facing surfaces, so shoulders and heads are common places for them to land. You can also carefully, calmly redirect their path from hair and loose clothing, as they will get tangled up in them. If, however, the buzzing is higher pitched (sounds like an RC car), she is irritated. Calmlymove away.
• Speed and pattern of flight: If the honeybee’s flight pattern around you is swift, with plenty of sudden direction changes, she is quitevexed with you. Do not swat, keep your hands by your sides, and move away from the bee. Honeybees that are agitated will follow for about 6 meters (about 20ft) before considering leaving. If the bee gets tangled in loose clothing or long hair, calmly part it, and let the bee free, without touching her. If her flight pattern is long, lazy circles, she is, again, merely curious about your presence. Ignore the bee, as best as you can.
• Vibrations:Honeybees are sensitive to vibrations in the air, which includes your heartbeat and voice. The faster your heart rate or the more you scream/yell, the more agitated the bee will get. The faster the vibrations, the more the bee will attack. They become agitated because, for lack of a better phrase, it throws off their groove. Yes, sometimes it can be scary having a bee buzzing near you, but keeping your heart rate as normal as possible and being as quiet as you can, will have the bee on her way in no time.

TL;DR:Low and slow, the honeybee is curious. High and fast, the honeybee is furious.

Economics must not be relegated to classrooms and statistical offices and must not be left to esoteric circles. It is the philosophy of human life and action and concerns everybody and everything. It is the pith of civilization and of man’s human existence… In such vital matters blind reliance upon “experts” and uncritical acceptance of popular catchwords and prejudices is tantamount to the abandonment of self-determination and to yielding to other people’s domination. 

As conditions are today, nothing can be more important to every intelligent man than economics… Whether we like it or not, it is a fact that economics cannot remain an esoteric branch of knowledge accessible only to small groups of scholars and specialists. Economics deals with society’s fundamental problems; it concerns everyone and belongs to all. It is the main and proper study of every citizen.

         — Ludwig von Mises, Human Action, pp. 874-875

dailynietzsche:

“It is hard to be understood, especially when one thinks and lives as the current of the Ganges moves.”

—F. Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, §27 (excerpt).

What Do I Want To Learn Over The Next 6 Months?

How do I want to improve?

1. Understanding of who I am and how I work
2. Accept and understand others for how they are
3. Accept reality, circumstances, and other people
4. Increase in my self-love and worth
5. Better communication
6. Have better relationships with the people in my life
7. Manage self control: behavior, emotions, thoughts, perceptions
8. Adopt a growth in mindset
9. Improve my self-esteem
10. Increase in my courage and confidence 
11. Learn how to set boundaries for myself 
12. Respect the boundaries of others

Hard Limit Pusher

Should there really be any hard limits in a relationship? If you TRULY TRUST. Then wouldn’t you trust that he/she will know what you need? What you want? And isn’t it the role of your partner, male and female to push your hard limits, not aggressively or with intent but with purpose? Is it not the dynamic to get out of your comfort zone and see how uncomfortable you can get?

To live life on edge?

Speaking of edging…. Mmmmm

Master has tasked me with edging for five minutes every hour today, I know there is a lesson to be had, there always is. Over the past few days since I returned to him, needy and wanting, understanding the last lesson that I did not need answers to return, I needed to get out of my own way and trust he knows what is best for me. I have been learning so much. He truly is a Master. He fascinates me. How one human can be so in control of what his purpose is but missing the mark on other things. But I know he is the Master of his own self and it is not my role to push him, he does not permit me to do that. I know and accept what my role is with him. I know my purpose is to serve his needs. He is free to use my body whenever he wants. I no longer need him to receive and feel love because I love myself. What I need is to be taught a lesson. To continue to learn about my submission and my purpose to serve. And holy crap does this man teach me: not in the school girl being punished way you kinky fucks are thinking. (Although I am sure I would look cute in that getup) however I am all woman, goddess, alpha to my core, sadly dominant in my past relationships, it’s why men have been who they have been with me in the past. I learned and accepted that about who I used to be on day two of returning to London. But he has always known I am submissive, as are all women if they get out of their own way, they push past the uncomfortable zone of lacking trust, feeling unworthy, …

Hold please time to edge… and the alarm says “LUNCH”… so that is my fantasy…

Laying on the couch, legs hanging over the side, your mouth on my Crown Jewels, feeding on your pussy. Lapping up your juices, like it’s a ripe peach, messy and sticky, dripping down between my ass crack, covering your face, suckling on your clit, teasing and torturing me with that magnificent mouth of yours. Your strong arms wrapped around my thighs pinning me in place as I squirm and try to grind on your face. Purely teasing me as I know you’ll stop in 5…4…3… 2…1….

Fuck I love edging….