something i've learned quite forcibly as of late.

in reading an experience of being tattooed, i came upon this paragraph, and figured it too cool to let it become a fleeting realization. so until the zombies come and the world falls apart and our internet servers crash, this is my attempt at immortalization of an ideal.

To that date, it was my [tattoo], and to be honest, I wasn't as ready as I thought I was for it. But that's ok. I had ways of taking my mind off of it all. About a year earlier, I was on a city bus reading Hardcore Zen by ex-punk rocker, turned Buddhist teacher, Brad Warner. The bus pulled up to one of the stops and this little old Asian man got on and sat down next to me. I didn't pay much attention at first, but I could feel him looking at me. When I looked over, I was taken aback. Next to me was this little old Buddhist monk of about 70 dressed in the beautiful crimson and orange robes. We got to talking about what I was reading and my tattoos and general, Buddhist/life/love stuff. Really, when do you get to talk to a Buddhist monk on a city bus about tattoos and books? I can't remember now what he said his name was, but he gave me one of the most incredible lessons about endurance and transcendence. 

He told me that at times of pain and heartache, that we must accept the pain for what it is. 

Focus on it and know that it is just a bodily sensation and that it'll pass if we know it will. 

That was one of the most incredible and profound bus rides I've ever had.

http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/A91229/tatconfe.html