Today I wish to bring in Gaston, whom I remember from many years of stuff.
R: Hello, are you there?
G: No, I’m not here. What do you want?
R: Just wondering if you might have any wisdom to share, preferably the kind that spans ages and epochs, and addresses core concerns of human nature.
G: Why don’t you ask yourself then.
R: Well, the Buddhist have studied this for ages. And they found out a lot.
G: So you expect me to know about this?
R: No, not expecting.
G: Look, I’m a serious practical guy, and I make money and build my security.
R: I know.
G: So why ask me these things then?
R: I guess I have a mind for big questions, and not the more average stuff that everyone else does out of habit.
G: So, all right, my philosophy is, get a job, and get yourself some security. Why not get a wife too. I see you don’t seem to care much about that.
R: Oh, I care.
G: So why don’t you do something about it?
R: Yes, there’s time to fix that stuff. This is like a chess match. I wonder if this is how progress happens. By the way, the vaccinations and mercury in dental really screwed me over, and I need some reparations for what it cost me.
G: So sue them then.
R: OK. I’m going to take a break and come back later.
G: Do so. This is interesting all right.
R: All right, I came back. I don’t want to be intimidating but you are pure spirit now, I guess. So I get to ask you stuff about my growing up, and find out how it could have been better.
G: But if it was easier, it might not have given you lessons.
R: True, but we also want excellence in what we do. In our choices. For example, school. I recall that you sent your kids to a religious school and you must have paid for that out of pocket. Until grade 7, then it was a large public institution, a school factory. Sorry for stirring up the past but why couldn’t we have been home-schooled, or at least gone to a smart school where you can get the equivalent of grade 12 in 2 or three years.
G: There are such schools?
R: Yes. And why didn’t you enroll me in a martial arts class when I was young, so that I could have had much better self-confidence.
G: Yes, I could have been better with that.
R: Why didn’t we learn how to meditate?
G: Because I didn’t know about it much.
R: Why weren’t we calmer and more relaxed and composed? Why didn’t we value good character?
G: We did value character. That’s why I sent you to the corporate religion school. With nuns.
R: Thank you for everything you did, to raise me well, with character. I have to contemplate the eternal verities in my own way, in my own time. We only have the present moment to fix things and to be wiser.To meditate well.
G: Buddhism?
R: Yes, definitely. Let’s break and come back later. Thanks for taking part.