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Donald	Duncan writes the Foreward in this book about Buddhism. Check it out.
tdoglovin	I have "Way of the Youth" and I am scanning in his text for duncansheik.org. Its really a book directed at teenagers. The book is several questions answerd by Mr. Ikeda that were sent to him by youth concerned with issues across the board. Duncan's text was very good
BryterLayter77	Of course, Duncan's text was very good. What did you expect Tim?!?! The man graduated from Brown University, after all. Richard
tdoglovin	Brown has prestige---but I cant really say credit his fine foreword to that. I got the book when it first came out and was impressed.....but even then I knew that Ivy League means you have $$$ not a high GPA or a bright mind. Heck, the standards to get into Harvard are far lower than those of the Wisconsin State University I attend. Duncan is damn good with words. I would never doubt that. *Semiotics isn't exactly English...but it is enrichment none-the-less* Also--DS is the man. Nuff said. [This message has been edited by tdoglovin (edited August 07, 2002).]
BryterLayter77	Tim: I was joking with you, hence the wink at the end of the post. I know that, when you're dealing with your upper eschalon schools, you're going to find a group of idiots who have no business being there. Of course, you're going to find that at any school, but its different for Ivy League schools because they rely so much on their mystique and prestige. I work at Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C., which prides itself as being one of the best law schools in the United States. Yet, there are students who I look at and wonder, "How will they ever make it outside of academia? They lack the intelligence and common sense to survive." So, I'm not going to debate you on the whole "if you go to a prestigious school, you must be smart" issue. I've seen it for myself first hand. Richard [This message has been edited by BryterLayter77 (edited August 09, 2002).]
Storybug18	I personally love Duncan's forward to that book. It was very clear, very concise, and captured all of the qualities of Nichiren Buddhism in a way that is understandable for both Buddhists and Non-Buddhists alike. I had Duncan sign my copy of the book. I think it's my favorite signed item from him Peace, Sam
JustJenn	Just had to add, in my experience most people that follow the game plan and do the whole education thing are taught how to think and lack the ability to think for themselves...The biggest anti-social idiots I have ever met have a Ph.d behind their name, I mean it is great they know a bunch of facts and figures and can repeat them verbatim, but realy who wants to listen? My therory is get your degree then hopefully one day when you grow up you will figure out what you actually want to be. Just think anyone can repeat the same crap they are told over and over, it actually takes a brain to realize that is what you are doing... I especially have to laugh when people claim it is better in the job market, hate to tell you I read more jobs wanting a masters or Ph.d paying less than I have ever made since dropping out of high school. Not to mention when I actually went to college and graduated all I have ever found is jobs paying $5-7 less than what I made as a high school drop out.
tdoglovin	I agree 100%
Wishful Thinker	jenn, you bring up an interesting point though. Right now i'm out on my own and 21 right now. Let's just say I had a really bad falling out with my family. Stupid stuff really, but i'll let them act stupid. But right now i'm living with my girlfriend and working full time (have to in order to get by), so it's tough to consider an education when I have all these responsibilities without anyone helping out. Believe me, I got used to getting things on my own way before I got kicked out by my dad and practically disowned by my mom because of her religious convictions over her son (me). However, I do want to go back to school, but finding a job that is flexible for me to go to school during the day full time, and then work full time from noon to evenings, is quite a dilema within itself. The process of trying to obtain financial aid at this JC i plan to go to is frustrating enough as it is because of the retards that work there. But if there's any advice you can give to me about deciding on what is the better career route and direction to take in college, please let me know. It sucks being in the dark about what life going to throw at me next. peace- WT
Blackwuzzy	WT, Believe in yourself. Use your own tuition about things. Usually in life that's all we really have "Ourselves." We really can't count on others. That puts us in a weak position. It's nice if you can find a close friend or two, but even one is hard to find, so the best thing is to be very strong in yourself, your beliefs and convictions. My parents separated when I was like 10. My Father took on the role of Mom and Dad, but he was very over protective, yet very loving. I thank him for that and I understand all that he was doing for me then. He is no longer with me today, but gave boundless, endless love, would have given me anything he had, had he only been able. In my experiences, nothing is easy, nothing. Everything usually takes hard work, but even more so than that... it takes a true heart. If your in a good place, mentally-strong, positive and are happy with yourself, then everything will come naturally, it becomes almost secondary. Like today for instance, I was thinking about this health facility not calling me back for a full-time job with pretty good benefits. I consider myself an excellent candidate. I was standing near my bedroom window thinking - maybe I should call them and tell them I can work nights, weekends whatever to try and at least get something..... and during that thinking my phone rang. It was the Docter in charge there of this school, telling me he's sending all my paperwork over for processing and that I should hear from them next week by weeks end to start training. (Weird huh??) No, I don't think so. We pave our paths. The important thing is to have deep conviction and to be a good person, not hurt others, etc. Oh yeah, don't expect things to happen fast. They can take much, much time depending. There is "Karma" which we create and it follows us. If we create negative (bad) karma,by being angry, greedy, those sort of ways, that is what we get back. If in our daily doings we are gentle, good, help people or even just have the intentions to be a good person and do positive things in our lives and for others, it does come back to us. We get positive things back. We create our Karma. I moved out of my home when I was 21, could not take any more questioning, etc. on my Father's part. Parents of course mean well, but cannot see through our eyes, and feel our needs. As we get older our needs change. Hey, there are many holes in my heart. This world is not perfect, but I work on my own spiritual peace each day, all through the day constantly; I am aware first before anything else. I'm constantly reading, studying, practicing. No one really knows, but me. I'm not being selfish, but wise. I could be gone tomorrow. If we take care of our mental capacities first today, then we will be more healthy all around. We can be more creative, more productive at work, more loving and giving to our loved ones (hopefully if their receptive, but don't count on it) more loving with our friends. What happens here is we don't make ourselves sick with diseases, Depression, so many illnesses. Our state of Mind is everything. We enable ourselves to see more clearly, the littlest things in life. Ultimately it is the very smallest, simplest things that can make us the most happy and content. Oh and by the way, they don't cost any money. It all starts with ourselves. We don't have to look any further. Don't stress yourself out putting all the pressure on yourself. It's just silly. It serves no purpose. Take it easy. Breathe the fresh air, enjoy the birds, the sounds outside...nature. Do some reading and studying then....... check out your local library and bookstore. Broaden your mind, don't stifle yourself. Have trust in yourself. You will know what paths to follow and will find your ways, because there are many paths to inner peace. There is no one best route, but believe in yourself, think positively...read some "Buddhism" books to make you more aware. It has nothing to do with religion. It starts with yourself and being positive. It will all come back to you WT. At night when you go to sleep you will be at peace. When you wake up...you will be at peace. You will see differently through your eyes at the world. Everything will be much clearer. As Duncan says, "If your fine, then your fine. It's all how you see it. Nothing much more to it. It's just a matter of how we see it." It's the truth. Trust in yourself, don't compare yourself to others. Be all that you can be today. Doing your very best today, and just knowing "YOU" have done your very best....is all any of us can do. Don't listen to other's you don't agree with you. They are noy you. It's nice if you can find someone you thinks like you too. And that's enough for anyone. Have faith in yourself WT. Be ceative. Much peace, BW ... trust in yourself, much love then!!!!!!! Michele [This message has been edited by Blackwuzzy (edited August 09, 2002).]
JustJenn	W-T, that really sucks about your parents. I am not sure what advice I could give W-T, I mean I know I have done my fair share of fucking up. I am a professional job hopper. I was not saying people should not go to school, I just find that a lot of people waste $40,000 (or more) getting degrees they never use, simply for the prestige of saying “I gots me a degree”. For some occupations that are skilled, or a profession, like lawyer or doctor, it makes sense, of course. W-T, why do you have to go back to school? Seriously, what do you want to do? Think about this desire to go back to school, and focus on the why? Is it because you just feel the pressure from society? Or do you really see having a degree as the only way to get what you want by way of a career? Or is a degree what you are really even after, you might just be looking for actual training to better your skills. I seriously have friends right now with degrees, that have been unable to find work for over a year, because their degrees have prepared them for nothing other than more degrees, they have not gained any marketable skills, whereas I went to college (I will explain again here in Canada University = Degree, College is more of a skill based facility with certificates or diplomas) and have skills which have actually prepared me to work in my chosen field (okay so I hate the field, but I have kick ass skills in it). I think you really need to focus on what you want, and research what sort of facility would best prepare you for what you want. As for the financial side, I can not be much help because in Canada it is very different, and just based on your background you have given, in Ontario you would most likely qualify for OSAP. As for time, do you need to go back to school full-time? Here is one suggestion, and I personally am planning on doing this in September, what about just taking specific classes towards what you want? Again in Canada it might be different, but to take one class is around $200 and you can work your way towards a diploma or certificate taking one or two classes at a time. Or if you do not think you have time in your schedule for that, check out on-line courses or distance ed programs from reputable schools in your area. Dr. Jenn has left the building…
Blackwuzzy	WT, Work during the day and go to school at night. Develop yourself intellectually. Read, Read, Read. You will find your way. Study your interests first. See what you really like, then choose a program of study!!! peace. BW *** BUT DO NOT FORGET THE SPIRITUAL PART ALONG THE WAY. [This message has been edited by Blackwuzzy (edited August 09, 2002).]