That's right... And among so many theories, here I am, breathing, alive. That alone is pretty cool. Those who spent a lifetime searching for a solution, a theory that could explain the mystery, are long gone, and we are still here, in the middle of the game. Being alive seems enough to me.
Thank you. My perspective had much in common with Peter before I knew him, but as you know, I was deeply touched by him in the last years of his life, reading his books, watching many videos, sometimes attending his Zooms, and a few times talking directly. He was a great light, and I continue to explore his work. 🙏
Stunning. Everything you already said in all those years put together in one single text. I am thankful for that, now, you can take a vacation Joan, go on holliday. You've said it all in a nutshell.
I hear you Alejandro. It is a lot like aspects of me I don't like; things I've done that can't be undone. Sadly, despite my advanced age, I may do more things that cannot be undone.
The Holocaust, child pornography, me, the things I have done, what I might do - can I deal with this more "beautifully" - accept what is; do what I can. Accept what is; do what I can.
Your question was very helpful to me. Love, Tom ❤️
I recommend the movie American Beauty, which has long been one of my favorite movies, and which I recently watched anew for the first time in many years. Perhaps it might speak to your question in the way that only a work of art can speak.
Of course the things you mention are full of pain and human cruelty and delusion, and as I said in the article, "Yes, the pain really does hurt, and at the human level, the horrors and atrocities in this world really are horrible. This isn’t about turning away." But it is also possible to find immense beauty and light in the most unexpected places.
So very much appreciated Joan, thank you for continuing to provide this insightful encouragement. It is of great benefit to me.
I recently read Yuval Noah Harari's comment on what we as "persons" are driven by. He believes it can be reduced to wanting to change or maintain sensations in the body, full stop. At first I thought this was a ridiculous oversimplification but I am increasingly persuaded by his observation as I watch myself repeatedly trying to do just what he describes. And it seems to me to fit with what you are saying. Would you agree?
Thank you, John. I love Yuval Noah Harari, and I know he's a serious meditator whose path, as far as I know, has been Vipassana, which has not been my path, although I have some familiarity with it. That school of Buddhism does seem to emphasize very basic sensations of liking and disliking, fear and desire. What you report him saying certainly has some real validity from my perspective, and can certainly be an interesting area of exploration, but I have to say that, to me, it seems a bit reductionist. Very valid, but incomplete. It seems to leave out the huge impact of thought, conceptualization and mistaking the map for the territory. But I can appreciate it, and it's certainly not unrelated to what I'm expressing. And I do also talk a lot about giving open attention to the sensory-energetic-somatic dimension of being. 🙏❤️
If THIS was the curriculum in every school for every age. The cool part is, children are born beholding… as beholders… being held. So we all have access to being and holding, even if it’s buried under years of concepts, whether taught in formal school, by parents, or through experiences (even the traumatic ones). And as you say, the pile-on of encapsulation is all part of the whole happening too, the layering is part of what is. Thank you, Joan, for another beautiful reminder that spirituality/living can be fun and playful not in spite of hardship, but because when everyTHING drops away it’s all very simple.
Thank you Joan. Beautiful. So packed full of understanding. I could just about take one sentence at a time, sit with it and chew on it and see the truth of it. One article, a year's worth of contemplation!!! So rich. Thank you.🙏
That's right... And among so many theories, here I am, breathing, alive. That alone is pretty cool. Those who spent a lifetime searching for a solution, a theory that could explain the mystery, are long gone, and we are still here, in the middle of the game. Being alive seems enough to me.
"Truth waits for eyes unclouded by longing."
Thank you, Joan 🫂
Well said. It reminds me of Peter Brown.
Thank you. My perspective had much in common with Peter before I knew him, but as you know, I was deeply touched by him in the last years of his life, reading his books, watching many videos, sometimes attending his Zooms, and a few times talking directly. He was a great light, and I continue to explore his work. 🙏
Stunning. Everything you already said in all those years put together in one single text. I am thankful for that, now, you can take a vacation Joan, go on holliday. You've said it all in a nutshell.
🙏❤️
«When we really see it, there’s beauty in everything».
Also in the Holocaust and child pornography?
Not a troll. Asking genuinelly.
Beautiful piece.
I hear you Alejandro. It is a lot like aspects of me I don't like; things I've done that can't be undone. Sadly, despite my advanced age, I may do more things that cannot be undone.
The Holocaust, child pornography, me, the things I have done, what I might do - can I deal with this more "beautifully" - accept what is; do what I can. Accept what is; do what I can.
Your question was very helpful to me. Love, Tom ❤️
I recommend the movie American Beauty, which has long been one of my favorite movies, and which I recently watched anew for the first time in many years. Perhaps it might speak to your question in the way that only a work of art can speak.
Of course the things you mention are full of pain and human cruelty and delusion, and as I said in the article, "Yes, the pain really does hurt, and at the human level, the horrors and atrocities in this world really are horrible. This isn’t about turning away." But it is also possible to find immense beauty and light in the most unexpected places.
So very much appreciated Joan, thank you for continuing to provide this insightful encouragement. It is of great benefit to me.
I recently read Yuval Noah Harari's comment on what we as "persons" are driven by. He believes it can be reduced to wanting to change or maintain sensations in the body, full stop. At first I thought this was a ridiculous oversimplification but I am increasingly persuaded by his observation as I watch myself repeatedly trying to do just what he describes. And it seems to me to fit with what you are saying. Would you agree?
Thank you, John. I love Yuval Noah Harari, and I know he's a serious meditator whose path, as far as I know, has been Vipassana, which has not been my path, although I have some familiarity with it. That school of Buddhism does seem to emphasize very basic sensations of liking and disliking, fear and desire. What you report him saying certainly has some real validity from my perspective, and can certainly be an interesting area of exploration, but I have to say that, to me, it seems a bit reductionist. Very valid, but incomplete. It seems to leave out the huge impact of thought, conceptualization and mistaking the map for the territory. But I can appreciate it, and it's certainly not unrelated to what I'm expressing. And I do also talk a lot about giving open attention to the sensory-energetic-somatic dimension of being. 🙏❤️
Nailed it - again. I find myself nodding like a Churchill dog to every sentence. And the sense of relief brings a smile to my face. Bless
❤️
If THIS was the curriculum in every school for every age. The cool part is, children are born beholding… as beholders… being held. So we all have access to being and holding, even if it’s buried under years of concepts, whether taught in formal school, by parents, or through experiences (even the traumatic ones). And as you say, the pile-on of encapsulation is all part of the whole happening too, the layering is part of what is. Thank you, Joan, for another beautiful reminder that spirituality/living can be fun and playful not in spite of hardship, but because when everyTHING drops away it’s all very simple.
Simply Being..relaxed at ease with All that Is..As It Is💝🙏
Thank you for this wonderful post, Joan. You have summarized so much in these words. I need to read this again and again. Thank you.
I will read this again and again as I continue to accept what is. Thank you Dearest Joan, your perspective, your heart is so comforting. 💚
Thank you Joan. Beautiful. So packed full of understanding. I could just about take one sentence at a time, sit with it and chew on it and see the truth of it. One article, a year's worth of contemplation!!! So rich. Thank you.🙏
Relieving, taking the pressure off! Reminding me not to “should” myself.
Really loving reading and rereading this, Joan. Especially enjoying your calling it "bamboozlement!" Thank you!