When the buddha comes

I am looking at my mala. The yellow thread on the guru bead is a wisp. This is my fourth mala. Kirby gave me one of lotus seeds, the rest were sandalwood. They wrap around my wrist four times.

Sometimes I forget I have vowed to be of service.

Sometimes I remember.

In the Kalachakra Initiation, you get a red blindfold. You receive the next Teachings by listening only -- dangerous spirits in the room. When the preparation days had finished and purification began, they gave us two sticks of drygrass and a red string. You put the long grass under your mattress, the short one under the pillow, the string around your wrist. It was to protect you while you did your purification for tomorrow's Initiation.

"Work begins on Monday." I start at Microsoft tomorrow. I want to be purified and protected.

This is Day Four of the year of listening to myself. I'm going home to purify and protect.

when the lama comes
you must see him, see him, laugh in
delight -- get Teachings

altar candles, fruit
seven water bowls, buddha
incense, roses -- bow

wood floor gleams, bare feet
prostrations saying thank you
Padmasambava

when the buddha comes
you must obey him, obey
walk the long straight road