It always seemed to me that you´ve read a lot of Books on
Pali... I keep with me the Duroseille´s and Narada Thera´s pali
couse. But how to find time to keep my reading schedule on ?
Sometimes I think that If I had a deep interest on the subject I
could find a way to get more time for reading... but keeping my
efforts on the present track suits me well too.
I think you're right. It's easier to make more time for a subject
you're already deeply interested in. If one doesn't have the level of
interest needed, then that is something that one can work on and
nurture over the years.
Are you formally initiated on Buddhism - taking the five precepts
and so on ? You seems to be a kind of Lone Ranger of Dhamma, the
solitaire Dhamma Reader of Northern Canada, where the marigolds
blossom up!
I don't know if I'm formally initiated but on several occasions I have
undertaken the triple refuge and the five precepts in the presence of
an ordained one. Never thought of this as being an initiation though.
In the early years, I was initiated into a couple of the Tibetan
practices which I only did for a short period of time before reverting
back to the Theravada. I sometimes think of myself as a Buddhist
hermit (or lone wolf) on the edge of the Canadian wilderness. I used
to go and stay at a Buddhist retreat centre on 400 acres of wilderness
up until 1992 but I've been a loner for the greater part of my life
and I'm not in regular contact with any other Canadian Buddhist.
I recently read that you'll be visiting Canada soon which I hope will
be a pleasant experience for you.