New Moon

Today is New Moon Uposatha, I will attempt to observe the 8 precepts.  Today I woke up at 4:30 am.  An extremely unusual thing for me, I might add.  Considering that I usually wake up around noon.  But this is the day I give myself the gift of renunciation, or I try to anyway.

First I washed up and drank some lemonade.  After clearing away the only non folding furniture I have, my bed.  I began to stretch, ending later with another swig of lemonade.  Then my morning chant of the 5 precepts, followed by a 30 minute meditation session.  Wait, why am I chanting the 5 precepts when I’m supposed to be following the 8 precepts?  (Can’t get anything past you huh?)  I chant the 5 because they’re the only ones I know how to chant.  Not to mention I feel better later on if I fall short of the 8.  And I can still stick to the 5.  Well, it makes sense in my head anyway.
 
After meditation I read some Dhamma.  Then, I have a small breakfast consisting of oatmeal, fruit and milk.  I wait about 15 minutes for food to settle down.  Then I head straight to the gym.

I started training my back and biceps at 7am, without my iPod.  The 7th precept requires me to leave it behind.  However, the gym did have its own music.  But they play it at such a low volume that I had more difficulty ignoring the various conversations that filled the space next to me.

I was home, showered and eating my post workout meal by 9:15am.  It is so unusual to get this much done this early; I wasn’t even sure what to do with myself after.  I decided to take a quick-nap.  That turned out to be more like sleeping, since 30mins turned into an hour.  I elected not to beat myself up about it and keep it moving.  Waking up at 4:30am is going to take some getting used to.

I was not feeling hungry so I decided to skip lunch in favor of meditating again for 30mins, then lounging with my cat.  Later I checked in with my mom and caught up on news.  My brother’s dog was more than happy to join me.  I decided to walk my brother’s dog to brighten my mind.  I could use all the help I can get, considering the difficulty in securing the mind from the pull of sensual experience.  But I’m surely not the only one.  Yet today I hold the Uposatha banner!  Making it easier for me to stay focused.  Well, sometimes.

The world does not pause to make it easier to train the mind.  Marvelously short skirts do a serenading waltz.  The scent of pastelitos of assorted Caribbean flavors calling out to me by name!  (Pastelitos are fried pastries filled with sweet or savory fillings)  I have my work cut out for me finding pleasure within, amongst all these temptations without.

I bought Aloe juice and a Citroma laxative to accompany me on my fast today.  I am not supposed to eat after noon today, until tomorrow morning.  Not to mention today will be a long day at work and I will be going back to the gym after, to do night time cardio.  I hope to end the day with a vegetable shake, an evening meditation and a Dhamma reading.  Wish me luck!