Too Far Too Fast

So typical of me -- to want to run before I can walk.

One of the requirements for the Discovering Buddhism course I am taking from FPMT is attendance at three Nyung Na retreats, three-day partial fasts that celebrate Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion.  Chenrezig comes in two manifestations, one with 1000 arms and one with four.

In order to participate fully in a Nyung Na, one has to have a Tantric empowerment in the name of Chenrezig, and one is usually given before the retreat begins.  These retreats are held on a yearly basis at Deer Park, shortly before the celebration of Buddha's birth and enlightenment. 

But do I want to wait?   NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!  So I found out that the Karma Kagyu folks in Chicago were having a 1000-Arm Chenrezig empowerment this weekend and immediately signed up.

But why in the world do I want to undertake the six-times-daily practice commitment involved in that empowerment now???  I'm having enough trouble doing the once daily practices I committed to with my refuge and bodhisattva vows ..

I'm not going to the empowerment (nor am I banging my head against a wall nor shooting myself in the foot, which would be the equivalent in terms of generating trouble for myself).  Someday I'm gonna learn.