A Good Start to 2013

Buddhist Stuff

Today I took my first big positive step towards my goal of becoming a Buddhist Teacher.

Dan, Haydn and I went to see Pagpa at his centre in Preston as I really wanted Dan to met him, and Dan really did too as he knows how much of a big influence Pagpa was on my life. Haydn absolutely loved the centre and was so much more vocal that usual, and he seemed to really like Pagpa too, and so did Dan which meant alot to me. Anyway, I got talking to Pagpa and asked if I could join the Foundation Programme course at the centre, and he said YES! :D.

Some basic info on the course from the site:

Foundation Programme


The programme comprises the following five subjects based on Buddha's Sutra teachings and the corresponding commentaries by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso:

 - The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, based on the commentary Joyful Path of Good Fortune;

 - Training the Mind, based on the commentaries Universal Compassion and Eight Steps to Happiness;

 - The Heart Sutra, based on the commentary Heart of Wisdom

 - Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, based on the commentary Meaningful to Behold; and

 - Types of Mind, based on the commentary Understanding the Mind


The class takes place on tuesday evenings at 6pm to 9.30pm. There are two sessions, 6pm - 7.30pm and 8pm - 9.30pm with a break in the middle for refreshments and socialising. Each session consists of chanted prayers, meditation, teaching and discussion. 

Taught by Gen Kelsang Pagpa

Please contact the centre for more information if you are interested in joining.

So yeah, I'm really happy about this! It starts on 15th January and I'm studying the Meaningful to Behold book which I bought today - I have lots of homework as the class is up to chapter 5 already, better get swatting up! It works out at about £23 a month which is abit steep for us atm, but I'm going to give it a month and see if we can afford it ok. 

Job Stuff

So, after much deliberation with Dan and my friends, and after much searching on the internet for a job thats 2 days a week, we have decided that I'm going to carry on doing my web-based sales job which is boring but it brings in loads more than any other part time job would, and I'll be self-employed too (which means I'll need to have an accountant! oo errr!). I'm gonna do it for 1 days a week in jan when haydn goes to grandmas, then 2 days a week when he goes to nursery for a day too. I just hope I can make enough for nursery, buddhist classes n all the bills! 

As for my legal stuff with my previous employer, it seems they have gone into liquidation which is not good for me, as i dont see to be getting my maternity pay any more and also it may mean that i get nothing from the court case either ;( O well, i will live in hope that the liquidation company will give me the 1k in maternity money i will be owed by 22nd Jan!