About
I’m a 35 year old man, dude, bloke, misfit or whatever else you choose. I am married to my great and wonderful wife Leah. We just hit our sixth year anniversary, although we’ve been together for ten years total. We have a great relationship. Although we are very different we are very much the same person at heart and constantly support each other in our endeavors. I have three great kids, Xena (13 years old) and Alex (6 years old) and Colin (1 year old). I never thought I would have kids, but having them now I could never imagine not having them. They bring a happiness to my life that I have never experienced before. They also bring out the kid in me which is kinda fun sometimes….
For years I worked in the graphic design field, but things slowed down quite a bit and I had to look for something a little more stable. I was lucky to have some friends that worked for a national cable company, that has local offices, and they put in a good word or two for me. I’ve been working in this industry for almost a year now, and feel more secure about my future and career than I ever did before. The company is amazing to work for and the things I am able to do to help people out via the company makes it that much more rewarding.
I started studying Buddhism about 4 years ago. It felt like something was missing from my life and for whatever reason, the middle path opened for me. I am still a novice when it comes to the technical aspects of the Buddha’s teachings. But, the core of the teachings– generosity and compassion are very simple to understand. The key is putting them into play and sticking to them, that’s where the practice comes into play, and I could use plenty of practice. I have no specific lineage or tradition that I follow, maybe one day that will come into play. I feel though that Buddhism as a way of life is meant for us to engage the world with the things we learn. Whether that’s something as simple as smiling at someone, a hello or any other act of kindness to other sentient beings I may encounter.
This blog came to be via an article I wrote for The Worst Horse. The original article, appropriately titled Precious Metal, can be viewed here. The Worst Horse editor and brainchild Rod, wanted me to draw parallels between the two thing, besides my family, that meant the most to me– Buddhism and Death Metal. I was involved with a Death Metal band, Leukorrhea, for 8 years before life took it’s course and my career and “spiritual path” came to fruition.
I am just a guy trying to have some fun, help a few people and raise some awareness on issues I think ought to be raised. Have fun while you’re here and feel free to leave comments and interact!
hi Robin,
just found those photos online … can’t remember where now, sorry
probably no hi-res images available anyway, the files tend to be smaller for posting online
have a search around yourself, maybe you’ll find the originals
best wishes,
bruno
Bruno,
Thank you for the work you are doing. We are interested in promoting world peace in our community. I am looking for a high res image of the one that you have posted of President Obama and the Dalai Lama together.
Can you help?
Thank you so much,
Robin Zickel
Bruno, great blog you’ve got going. I added you to the blogroll!
Greetings from Ireland!
Thank you so much for publishing this wonderfully inspiring and provocative Dharma resource.
If you get time, please check out my own blog http://www.brunonua.blogspot.com and maybe consider listing it on yours.
best wishes,
bruno
Very wonderful blog! Thank you for making it. I happened upon it when searching the Dalai Lama. I even looked up the Prison Dharma Network due to your mention of it [they want corresponders with 7+ years experience...I don't think I have that]! Thank you again for the great blog!
I’m happy to see that there are other buddhists who love metal! I was typing in “buddhist metal band” on google and your blog came up. I’m looking forward to reading your posts!
By the way, listened to some Leukorrhea on youtube, and it was AWESOME!
Nice page, dude! I’ve been off and on with Buddhism (actually, religion as a whole!) for a couple of years now. I’m starting to get back into it after being off the path for so long. You’re blog helped me out, because I didn’t really know there were other buddhists who liked metal and were punk/grunge like me. I think I’ll find it a lot easier to stay on the path, now.
By the way, I love the videos! espescially the one about free hugs! I’m going to put that and the “flightless wings” video on my myspace.
Thanks for doing the blog! I know I’ll be back!
Great blog! I came accross you when googling something on 5th precept. I have been meditating for a couple of years now which has involved me in some buddhist circles. Your description of the 5th precept and the ‘letting go’ stage is very helpful, thank you. I am based in Singapore and fairly active in the community here, organsing fund raisers and for burma. Let me know if your band ever tours….have a great weekend! Cheers
Thank you Barry! I did all your blogs to my blogroll!
Thank you for publishing Precious Metal. I recently started writing three blogs on various Zen-related topics and have included your site in my list of interesting blogs.
Would you consider doing the same for my blogs?
Thanks for your consideration!
Best wishes in the Dharma,
Barry Briggs
http://www.oxherding.com
This is the main blog on which posting occurs 5 days each week.
http://www.godrinktea.com
This blog collects interesting and obscure Zen koans that bear on daily life.
http://www.zenwomen.com
This blog collects stories of female Zen practitioners in Tang Dynasty China.
What stood out to me most was that you enjoy your kids and were surprised you adore them so much. Isn’t that amazing?
The second thing that stood out to me most was that you are in a death metal band.
The third thing that stood out was that you are into Buddhism and want a spiritual guide. Be careful, there. Meditation will likely bring you a demon guide masquerading as an angel of light {2 Corinthians 11:14}.
if you really want to fully enjoy your wife and kids, and your life in general, and find meaning and purpose, would you mind checking out my blog at www,phenomenaltruths.wordpress.com? i won’t lead you astray as so many will, because I have the indwelling Holy Spirit and teach biblical truths. Seek God sincerely and he will be found by you. He gives abundant life! =)
Another site you might like is http://www.harvest.org. Click on Know God.
Love Ya,
Andrea
nice blog ..and nice to meet you.. stumbled on your site when i was googling the Spiked article..
Shaza
I like your blog. It is an inspiration for my own recent attempts.
Mike
wow! wonderful! I like your blog so much… It is well organize. Welcome to the world of Dhamma. Let us go to the path together.
With metta,
Chew
G’day from Australia :)
Just signed up today and come by your blog. I am also in the early stages of studying Buddhism although I would say I have lived by many of the teachings for a long time before that. I was raised strict catholic (note lack of capitalization!) and couldn’t wait to distant myself from such a dictatorial faith. Buddhism simply sat well for me and wasn’t something that scared me into believing. All of that said, I too am keen to meet and learn from a mentor. Studying by oneself is difficult given how each person may interpret readings incorrectly and subsequently, miss the point. Finding someone who is truly willing to teach from the heart and not the ego has so far been unsuccessful. Until then, I will pop in and say hello here to see if you have any more “enlightened” information for me to take away :)
Hi! I was searching for people who blog about Buddhism and was rather pleased to find your blog. I am a perpetual neophyte in the ways of Buddhism—I still know so little and feel disconnected, even after five years of off-and-on seeking. I’m going to add you to my blogroll so I can keep coming back.
Very Best Wishes,
Jenn
evenscry.wordpress.com
hey…
just wanted to stop by and tell you that I greatly enjoyed your blog. i will be back by time-and-time again.
if you get a free moment, i have a blog posting that you might enjoy reading.
peace and many blessings
Michael Joyce
http://chencenter.wordpress.com/2008/02/28/just-a-thought-2-respect-for-religion/
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum
Very interesting blog – I just finished reading about the monk who packs a punch and following all the links in it and watching the videos etc. Thanks for posting so many Asia centered stories. And about the fellow above – I think he’s just a kid who doesn’t get out much. :)
Peace.
Wow…this post didn’t show up in the My Comments section for a while…and come to find out you have your very own troll. You should be proud!
jk
:-)
You got it buddy!
stop botherin’ me and ill stop talking about you, deal? i am getting tired of you… oh, and mk12 is actually scimitars. i am not comin to your site any more, and keep away from mine
The world IS “littered” with corpses in a way, but they’re underground. We bury our dead in cemeteries. Throughout history lots of people have been cremated as well, turning their corpse to ash. Before we cremated people in a crematorium, there were things called funeral pyres which virtually did the same thing as a crematorium, turn a body into ash.
According to Wikipedia though there isn’t actually that much land mass for humans to inhabit anyway…
“It is estimated that only one eighth of the surface of the Earth is suitable for humans to live on—three-quarters is covered by oceans, and half of the land area is either desert (14%),[103] high mountains (27%),[104] or other less suitable terrain. ”
Based on that I’m not sure how littered the world would actually be though.
yeah!!(about the comment on my site) but Jesus rose frm the dead. his body has never been found. how about buddha?? if everone reincarnates, why isin’t the world littered with corpses
Keep posting child-like comments neogotchi. I don’t censor readers, unlike your site where you can tell your readers what I supposedly said, but you delete the comments because you hope to keep people away from this blog, because you think they might enjoy it. All the attention you’re giving it has back fired a bit though, ever since this silliness has begun I’ve received extra visitors, all coming from your site.
Rather than censor me on your blog, allow my comments so people can see how ridiculous this all really is…
ps. is that your face or is a possum stuck to your collar???
buddhism is still dumb. check out http://scripture4u.wordress.com/just-a-thought. nice try in hurting me…
I’m just starting to learn about Buddhism, and your blog came up when I searched. Hope you don’t mind if I add you to my blogroll…?
-JB
bhuddism is sooooooooooo fake. Check out http://scripture4u.wordpress.com
Ed. Note – I decided to approve this comment only to show how others try to agitate people, with ridiculous and ignorant commentary.
thanx man, i added u in blogroll too. cheer
that’s amazin dude..Death Metal n Buddhism. I too am a Heavy/Black metal fan but I was born a Buddhist. You studying it afterwards makes the whole process jus unblvbl..you being white I mean..lol
Cheerz mate
I would like to add your blog to my link at my Wretch site, and I hope it’s ok with you. I like your posts. Keep up the good work.
I linked to preciousmetal too. Buddhism is something I know very little about and am very interested in learning more. Your blog looks like a great place to start. Hope you and yours have a lovely, lovely weekend. Oh….and rock on!
Thanks Linda, I reciprocated and added you to my blogroll!
nice blog. will link it to mine.
Great Blog…Thanks Nate!
have fun with music and family!
Hannah
Greetings! It is nice to find someone that is on the same path, is it not?
You should check out Lama Marut and see if he comes your way…he is way cool and when you talk to him you get a distinct “surfer” feeling. LOL http://www.lamamarut.org I have taken some Yoga Sutra classes taught by him…he is great.
Another link to follow with FREE online classes is Aisan Classics Institute: http://www.acidharma.org/aci/index.html as well as Diamond Mountain University http://diamondmtn.org/. One day I want to be able to go to Diamond Mountain and take classes there. I have a friend that just moved out there just to go to the University!