Saltwater and an 'Aha!' moment.

I'm Buddhist. Most who know me know this, although some are still surprised when the subject comes up. I literally fell into this belief several years ago when I worked at a bookstore and knocked over a table of books called Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. My coworker, while laughing at yet another display of my clumsiness, asked if I had read the book. It was an 'Oprah' book, and I had strict personal rules against reading anything endorsed by Oprah. As an avid book reader and lover of the classics, I've always felt that Oprah's endorsement enhanced the sales and popularity of decently written books while leaving incredible work on the shelves to be remaindered - that, however, is a vent for another day. This coworker somehow talked me into reading the book, even though I promised not to enjoy it.
I lied. Not only did I enjoy it, but I laughed, cried, and cheered. The memoir has very little to do with actual Buddhism but it opened my eyes to a religion and spirituality which, I found, closely resembled my personal beliefs. I thought I was unique in my beliefs, especially considering the reactions I received from others when discussing them. The realization that an entire religion was based around the same beliefs that I held was invigorating - so I read. And, I read. And, I read. What else is there to do when one works at a bookstore? I devoured every book on Buddhism I could get my hands on and moved to the works of the Dalai Lama (who I've always admired, but knew very little about in terms of religion), and then to other memoirs.
I know - you want my point. I can't say that I have one this time. I'm currently reading a book my dad lent me, called Saltwater Buddha by Jaimal Yogis. I no longer work at a bookstore, so it takes awhile for me to get through a book, but this one has been pretty good so far. Jaimal is a surfer...or trying to be a surfer, as well as a Buddhist. My favorite parts of the book are when he pops off with something a Zen master has said and the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I flipped through last night and reread some of the quotes and ran across this one by T.P. Sakulis: Studying about Zen should never be confused with practicing Zen, just as studying aesthetics should not be confused with being an artist. I've had more than one discussion about Buddhists and Buddhism, due to knowing so many 'Buddhists' who actually practice other religions or simply read about Buddhism without practicing anything at all. Reading Buddhist books does not a Buddhist make. Buddhism is a mindset - a reality all in it's own, and very few 'Buddhists' that I know are anything more than trend-jumpers or people who are interested in the theory of Buddhism. That's not what resounded in this quote, although it is what caught my eye originally. Did you catch that last part? - 'Just as studying aesthetics should not be confused with being an artist.'

Wow! 'Aha' moment something fierce, I would say. I'm not an artist, I study art! I study how to be an artist. Like the great de Vinvi said: “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do."