Buddhism vs. Karma

A member confides in me about an acquaintance talking negatively about him, and asked for my opinion on what to do, since another brought that to light for him. I gave him two resolutions: one is from the Buddhist perspective, and that was to simply forgive the negativity, seek the higher path, and pray for the maturity of the judger. As he was coming to struggle over this, the higher path, he sought a balancer, some other perspective with which to consider.

The second choice brought up another side, something from the street, from years ago. And it was this: "Their Karma"!

What was that, he asked. My response was this: While I prefer the Buddhist approach, being a good person of character and integrity, forgiveness should always be first considered. But if you discover that difficult, especially in light of continuance of your character's assassination, without the judger's 360 fact-check interest, then simply, TCB it!

What does that mean, he asked?

TCB is Take Care of Business. It's called "Their Karma"! And Karma, is what you earn, through your deeds and your words. For if an acquaintance does not want to be your friend, that's fine. But if they speak against you, malign your character, they have become an enemy.

While I strongly advocated Buddhist forgiveness and understanding of minds who talk negatively of others in the belief it makes them superior, "Their Karma", is also, their choice, for so as they sew, so shall they reap.

He's currently pondering his two options, awaiting further word. That, I assured him, will most assuredly come as the worlds they exist in, are indeed quite small.

In the mean time, I referred him to http://dharma.ncf.ca/introduction/truths/karma2.html which may give him some solice in knowing Karma will be applied either directly or indirectly, as a result.

Chopper Day

Today, I rode to Santa Clarita to view a 1970 Honda Old School 750 Chopper. Unbelievable sculpture of art, it was! I was floored with how awesome it was built, the banana seat, the extended fork, and it's lantern tail lights. A living room work of art, but I'd have to take it apart just to rebuild it, actually, in my living room!

So, as I'm contemplating buying this next acquisition, I recalled Santa Clarita Choppers that I discovered at the last David Mann Chopper Fest Show in Ventura last year, and "the one that got away"! An unbelievable custom built chopper that sold for $15,000, yet cost them $30,000+ to build. It truly was the Holy Grail of choppers, and I had it right under me, right there, ready for my discovery yet I did not have the funds to declare this lottery win. To me, it was a dollar ticket, that won millions! That's how much I fell in love with this bike.

So much so, that I made it last year's Christmas card to my circle, who must have thought, I truly lost it. But, so what!

I visited Santa Clarita Choppers, talked to the bike's builder who remembered the bike (long sold), and he showed me some of his pictures of it. I told him of the dozens of events I've been to, NO other bike captured me. "It was love at first sight", I said, which to me is like a once in a lifetime comet. I told him one day, I'd come back and pay him enough money to tell me who has the bike, then pay them enough to sell it to me. I'll never forget her!

Oh! What about the Easy Rider Chopper I just bragged about acquiring below, you ask? Sadly, we came to an end in our brief relationship. We were just too hot together to last any longer, and I had to let her go. I'll truly miss her!

This Too, Is A Motorcycle Adventure

I was so looking forward to today's Ride for Downed Officers which appears on West Coast Biker's Board from the police station in Reseda, escorted by officers for some 60 miles, then to Paramount Studios on this, a perfect day. It is one of the few Rides I'd do no matter what.

But, I also know, two worlds tug at me at the same time now. The world of motorcycle riding to one of these treasured events, and the world of spending time with my son.

When I first bought the Cruiser I ride, it was to replace the pain I felt when I didn't have him, not to replace him. So when certain events or shows or rides come up on days that I have him, I have to put aside my passion of the Ride and the event, and replace it with something much more valueable and important on this planet and that is time with him.

While I watched the clock throughout the day, plotting the route and destination of the ride as each hour ticked by, I knew I felt a greater sense of accomplishment this day, by the mere breakfast and lunch I made for him, the questions I answered of his, and the lessons I imparted. They are immeasureably more treasured, than a passion.

So in this sense, this too, is a motorcycle adventure for me. Of two worlds colliding, and one always more important than the other.

While I greatly missed this event, I felt comforted by my posting it on West Coast Biker's Board for others to consider, while I happily spent a perfect riding day, with my son. It is far more a greater day, than I know I would have regretted, had I taken this ride instead.

West Coast Biker's Board Getting Popular

Very excited to say, the West Coast Biker's Board is picking up a lot of steam lately. Now with over a dozen Sponsors recently added, the site - BikersBoard.Net - is quite impressive with it's services, ride announcements, membership networking, and motorcycle riding community links.

Of course, this all does take some solid work getting it there, and hard work does pay doesn't it!?!

A Motorcycle Dating site is the latest Sponsor contacting the Board so depending on available space, it may be added soon.

Haven't been Riding out there too much lately, but am ramping that up soon. Excited to find two brand new baffle-packed Harley mufflers in a yard sale which I changed on my previously too loud Vulcan. Now, the bike's Start Button is louder than the pipes. Imagine that!