Once again:
- Read the Wikipedia articles: “Mara Tempts the Buddha,” “Mara (Buddhism),” “Maya (Philosophy),” “Samsara,” “Yama (Buddhism),” “Pluto (Mythology),” “Surya,” “Indra.”
Read the articles: “Yama Raja – as a Character in Buddhist Mystery and God of Death,” “Symbolism: Chariot.”
You know, I have no idea what the Mystic-Old-Man and Big Alexander are predicting about 2025 being a unique, super happy, and incredibly special year. I don’t know what they’re basing it on or what they’re expecting. But I’ll share my story. So... on December 30, there was a minor incident – just a text message that made me instantly “wake up,” “sober up,” as I described. I even asked the Mystic-Old-Man, “Is this real, or was it intentional?” But here’s what’s interesting. After I described everything on December 31 – where I was, how I was studying Nepal, Buddhism, Hinduism – right after that, the adventures started again. First, there was friction with the men from whom I had bought expensive carpets and other costly items. In these countries, they love bargaining, grabbing your hands, tugging at your pockets. I’m generally fine with it. I’ve always written that people who behave like that are operating on a low level, but they’re still people. So, I had already given a lot of money to these guys, and they were supposed to ship everything to Russia. But then they started trying to squeeze more money out of me – for this, for that – messaging me on the eve of New Year’s, on December 31. Things like, “Mister, can you give us more money?” I started giving them a life lesson – though explaining things in English is hard, writing is even harder. So, I began recording audio messages for one guy, then another. I told them, “Have some conscience. I understand you like playing these games, bargaining, all that. But let’s put a stop to it now. It’s better if you don’t mess with me.” And they replied with “blah-blah-blah,” calling me “brother” and continuing in that style. So I responded, “Alright, let’s close the deal. Return my money if it’s not enough for you, if you’re that greedy.” Then they were like, “Oh, come on, no need for that, no problem, blah-blah- blah.” I said, “Okay, let’s do it differently. I won’t reply to you anymore because it’s New Year’s for me right now. People from Russia will be coming to see you.
