I’m taking a course in Buddhist Homiletics (how to prepare a Dharma talk) and we were asked to introduce ourselves.  My first post was a rather generic, “Hi, I’m Scott.”  But then I posted the following:

I’d like to put this out there just in case anyone has any thoughts on this throughout this course. I suffer from a most delightful problem of attachment. I had limited exposure to Buddhism when bringing up my now 24 year old daughter. I’ve only recently found a formal teacher a few years ago, and I regret not having learned what I have decades ago so I could incorporate it into Dominique’s upbringing. I brought her up under three guiding principles. First, to live her life for herself, not for anyone else. This, in the spirit of Ayn Rand’s “The Fountainhead.” She grew up knowing the one and only thing that would ever piss me off would be succumbing to peer pressure. I’m grateful that she is indeed very much her own person. Second, to live life to the fullest, in the spirit of the movie, “Harold and Maude.” And that, she does. And third, compassion. Especially compassion to those who harm you. That which can be handled with anger can better be handled with compassion. And I think compassion is her strong point. But there’s so much I wish I had imparted–mindfulness, for one. Not dwelling on the past; not worrying about the future. The dynamics have changed and my opportunity to teach this is now more challenging now that she lives in Seattle and is out on her own. I’ve been very careful not to push, and in fact, have rarely tried to impart any of whatever meager wisdom I’ve gained recently. I think creating Dharma talks will be a piece of cake compared to the father-daughter dynamic. Haha… I have all the happiness I need. I want to learn how to give it away. It’s not easy. And that’s why I’m here. And yes, I’m mindfully aware that in my quest, especially in regards to Dominique, I suffer from all manner of attachment, pride, judgement, and delusion. Ah, but what a nice problem to have. I see it for what it is, so I don’t worry about it. : )

Mara, I see you for whom you are. Go scurry away.

Thank you,

Scott