Too Poor to Pay Attention

"Am I an Awakened One? Not before Noon."
The Chemical Buddha was often asked if he was truly an awakened one. And truth be told he wasn't always awake. He zoned out, spaced off, or just plain fell asleep all of the time. In fact, when TCB passed away we weren't sure if he had died of just suddenly fallen asleep. Even after death made his bowels and bladder let loose, we weren't sure. (He didn't need to be on the toilet or even close to the bathroom to think it was OK to relieve himself.) Even when he turned blue and got really cold. Only after we opened a beer right next to his ear were we sure he was dead. In fact, if you ever wanted to wake The Chemical Buddha, all that was required was for someone to open a candy bar, or the screw cap on a jug, or spark a lighter and you had his undivided attention.
What parts of your life do you sleep through?
What does it take to get your attention?
What does it take to hold your attention?

Best. Drug. Ever.

“O.D. on pure awareness.”
The only time The Chemical Buddha had a drug overdose was the moment right before he died. But because TCB, along with other Buddhists, believed everything happened in our awareness, he likened enlightenment to an overdose of 100% pure awareness. And to partake in pure awareness was the best high imaginable. Although, like any pure drug, the high was hard to maintain so you would eventually come down. Because humans weren’t meant to take in that much juice. If they were, they wouldn’t be human, they’d be gods (or The Chemical Buddha).
How much are you aware of in your life? Are you aware of the impact you have on others (both good and bad)?
How much of your life do you not participate in? Are you aware of the impact it has on others?

Inner Roommate

“Think of the inner witness as your own personal stalker.”
When The Chemical Buddha first had this thought, it sort of freaked him out. Just thinking that there was something inside of him that was aware of everything he did gave him the hee-bee-jee-bees. Buddhists believe everything happens in awareness and so awareness is all that is. After he drank so much he blacked out for three days, TCB came to in a fog and realized that having an inner witness meant he was never alone. This insight provided him with a sense of comfort because it meant at least someone cared about what was going on in his life. And he didn’t have to get a restraining order. Or, more correctly, he wasn’t sure what he’d be trying to restrain. He did put some thought into getting his ‘inner roommate’ to pay rent or at least do dishes.
If the only person you have to live with is you, what does your inner roommate think of you?
What lies do you tell yourself and what is their impact on you?