An Insight Into A Bodhisattva's Life

Kindred Spirits

22nd October 2006 8pm

 Not an hour after joining an interesting transhumanist forum, I recieved an MSN request for friendship. I assumed he was from the forum, his name was Adam. His avatar was that picture of mixed fruit and his address suggested he was a big fan of music technology.

(myself) Adam, says: Good Evening .

Adam says: Hi! I guess you must be Adam :) ...

A vivacious one...

Adam, says: I assume you're from the forums?

Adam says: Oh, yeah. I hope you don't mind...

Adam, says: No of course not!

 It began, after that we spoke mostly about basic things but did learn about the depth of each other's interest in transhumanism, sparking a long and prosperous friendship. Learning that we live in neighbouring counties, we soon arranged to meet in person (at first at Chatsworth, but that had its problems) at my house, which was in mid-november. 

 On the day we met, we talked about many things relevant to philosophy, transhumanism and future plans. I recall pacing about my room as we spoke, the sun was oddly strong for a november day, casting dusty rays through my very thin window, that appears as though it belongs on a castle.

One thing we did not agree on however was religion. He mentioned that unity was the only way forward with regard to social progression in religion and that religious diversity was essential for a functioning global society.

 I on the other hand zealously maintained that the world would be better off without religion and that the sooner it was disposed of the better.

Adam, being the trusting and wholesome young gentleman he is did not give up and with his persistence he eventually converted me to Buddhism.

  The night was purple and clear and we had just come back from the cinema and sat down on a bench below a tree in the Chesterfield town square. After finishing our health snacks from H&B, we talked.

One particularly sincere moment unfolded there, the moon was whole and shone directly above the town hall clock tower, we spoke some heartfelt words about our hopes for the future and wished another special someone from the forums was there to share it with us.

On our next meeting I handed him his birthday present, a book on nanotechnology, which I believe he enjoyed. In return he gave me an Oxford's Chemistry Dictionary on our third meeting. Since then we have seen each other monthly or twice a month, always engaging in the most meaningful of conversation.

 In May 2007, we attended our first ExtroBritannia meeting (UKTA), which has become an event we both look forward to now that the meetings have become monthly and bi-monthly, greatly strengthening the transhumanist community here in England.