It's been a very long time since I've had the inclination to post anything here. One of the reasons is that I decided to move some of my writing to a old-fashioned paper journal, but the other is that I have just been too lazy to write. Even the paper journal has not received many new entries in the last couple of weeks and I have been generally feeling a little low-spirited.
Since I last posted a lot has happenned - I went to Sri Lanka for 10 days, one of my best friends got married, I was down with the 'flu and a tsunami has devastated large parts of south Asia, including Sri Lanka. The trip to Sri Lanka was a nice break, and very enjoyable. Especially it was good to be able to attend my friend Hiran's wedding. Once I got back I had big plans to really get stuck into writing my thesis but within a couple of days I was knocked out with a really bad bout of the 'flu. I think it was made worse by just being tired after all the travel etc., but this really made me start thinking seriously about the wisdom of this single life that I am leading. When illness strikes, one really misses the companionship of having someone nearby who cares for you and would help you get better. I know this seems rather selfish, as in, it sounds like I just expect my hypothetical wife to be my nurse, but I do feel that this is one aspect of being in a loving relationship - you feel happy to be able to take care of one another. Indeed in Buddhism we learn how the Buddha using the simile of a mother taking care of her sick child as the epitome of compassion. Of course there are many other parts to love and marriage, but the experience of being ill and my so called 'independence' being a hindrance to my well-being have got me to thinking that there are definitely some advantages to being married :-)
After recovering from the 'flu, I had to deal with the shock of the tsunami disaster. Luckily none of my family were affected by it, but I know many people who cannot say the same. The scale of this disaster is unprecedented and it is hard to know where to start in the effort to help people and rebuild the affected areas. I have been trying to do my part by getting involved with the relief efforts organised by the London Buddhist Vihara - check out http://www.lbvrelief.com for information about what we have been doing. Now that the holiday period is over I find I have less time to go and help with this stuff, but I am keen to do as much as I can.
Anyway, that's my first post of 2005.
Wishing everyone a new year full of peace and joy, may all your hopes and dreams be fulfilled!