Joko was a graceful writer. Looking within myself and out at others it seems to me that being a human being is a difficulty and often absolutely miserable experience, but as a survivor of a parental suicide I’m more inclined to panic attacks than optimism. The great value of the spiritual path for me has been to see that my experience is more common than unique and to have enough space in my mind to refrain from stupid behaviors that make things worse- and that’s good enough for me.
Joan after reading what you said about Trump/Biden, I was lying down resting and listening to you on the Waking Up app. What occurred to me was what if they got together and governed the country....they could play golf etc. I am Canadian so this might sound goofy but....all political parties are so flawed because everyone is "against" something......of course it's the same in this country. Will go ahead and press POST knowing I may be ridiculed ;-)
"I see this demonizing of the other on both sides, and I find it in myself." This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes...
"The line between good and evil runs not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either — but right through every human heart.” ~Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
and also this, from Sylvia Boorstein, “I am paying attention to the presence or absence of the arising of ill will in my mind. That’s what I’m doing.”
and that's what I endeavor to do as well, and I find it (ill will) frequently.
Love Joan❤️ Beautiful and impactful account of something ordinaty and real written in a very humble tone, with simple just right words. I could relate to the dilemma, the urge, the true desire and the pain of daily living on the razors edge with the possibility of achieving nothing, failing again and again, feels closer to heart. When you could have shared only the glorious part of enlightened living like many (my mind falls for it everytime atleast for a while), you are role modelling courage, helplessness and love - with very little to seek in this almost miserable life - though there is so much to be grateful for, when I care to consider. Thank you again 🙏🏻❤️
Your decision to delete the post about Biden raises some intriguing questions about the intersection of spirituality and worldly concerns like politics. It makes me wonder: When does not commenting on subjects become spiritual bypassing? How do you categorize the type of writing you do here, or is it best left unsaid? Is there anything inherently non-dualistic about having a platform dedicated to spiritual topics or non-duality? Does commenting on politics risk diluting your message or alienating your audience? Is it possible to comment on politics from a non-dualistic perspective without seeming to have an agenda or personal opinion?
The tension seems to arise from the apparent reality and importance of worldly concerns, juxtaposed with the understanding that, at another level, these concerns are empty of inherent existence. Perhaps this tension is unresolvable, reflecting the underlying discomfort inherent in life itself.
Great questions, and my answers to them seem subject to change. I certainly don't think it's impossible (or dualistic) to write about both spirituality and politics, and many great people have actively lived, spoken, and worked in both worlds (e.g. Martin Luther King). And I would never say that not wanting to discuss politics is spiritual by-passing. Yes, I think your final paragraph captures the source of the tension and its unresolvability quite beautifully. Even while seeing through and pointing out the illusory nature of everything we think is happening, I can't entirely dismiss this relative (or conventional, or everyday) world. I may weigh in again tomorrow about some political issue, who knows? But it seems I've been slowly moving more and more over many decades away from doing or focusing on that.
Opinions that we interpret (and promote) as "truth", the ability (and propensity) to prolong reactions by thinking, and assuming that we have a handle on what will happen in the future...perhaps the least useful of our cognitive evolutionary developments - responsible for the greater part of our dissatisfaction with life. Love Charlotte's groundedness too.
Joko was a graceful writer. Looking within myself and out at others it seems to me that being a human being is a difficulty and often absolutely miserable experience, but as a survivor of a parental suicide I’m more inclined to panic attacks than optimism. The great value of the spiritual path for me has been to see that my experience is more common than unique and to have enough space in my mind to refrain from stupid behaviors that make things worse- and that’s good enough for me.
Thanks Mack. I am touched by your post here.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this wise beautiful writing.
Joan after reading what you said about Trump/Biden, I was lying down resting and listening to you on the Waking Up app. What occurred to me was what if they got together and governed the country....they could play golf etc. I am Canadian so this might sound goofy but....all political parties are so flawed because everyone is "against" something......of course it's the same in this country. Will go ahead and press POST knowing I may be ridiculed ;-)
Thanks Joan. I feel soothed and at home in myself when I read your posts (and books).
"I see this demonizing of the other on both sides, and I find it in myself." This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes...
"The line between good and evil runs not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either — but right through every human heart.” ~Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
and also this, from Sylvia Boorstein, “I am paying attention to the presence or absence of the arising of ill will in my mind. That’s what I’m doing.”
and that's what I endeavor to do as well, and I find it (ill will) frequently.
thanks, Joan 🙏🏻🪞
Love Joan❤️ Beautiful and impactful account of something ordinaty and real written in a very humble tone, with simple just right words. I could relate to the dilemma, the urge, the true desire and the pain of daily living on the razors edge with the possibility of achieving nothing, failing again and again, feels closer to heart. When you could have shared only the glorious part of enlightened living like many (my mind falls for it everytime atleast for a while), you are role modelling courage, helplessness and love - with very little to seek in this almost miserable life - though there is so much to be grateful for, when I care to consider. Thank you again 🙏🏻❤️
Thank you for your brave wisdom Joan, and love.
Thanks for this. Life is so big sometimes. It is hard to put it all together. But then again, it is simple. Your writing helps.
Beautiful 😍
Your decision to delete the post about Biden raises some intriguing questions about the intersection of spirituality and worldly concerns like politics. It makes me wonder: When does not commenting on subjects become spiritual bypassing? How do you categorize the type of writing you do here, or is it best left unsaid? Is there anything inherently non-dualistic about having a platform dedicated to spiritual topics or non-duality? Does commenting on politics risk diluting your message or alienating your audience? Is it possible to comment on politics from a non-dualistic perspective without seeming to have an agenda or personal opinion?
The tension seems to arise from the apparent reality and importance of worldly concerns, juxtaposed with the understanding that, at another level, these concerns are empty of inherent existence. Perhaps this tension is unresolvable, reflecting the underlying discomfort inherent in life itself.
Great questions, and my answers to them seem subject to change. I certainly don't think it's impossible (or dualistic) to write about both spirituality and politics, and many great people have actively lived, spoken, and worked in both worlds (e.g. Martin Luther King). And I would never say that not wanting to discuss politics is spiritual by-passing. Yes, I think your final paragraph captures the source of the tension and its unresolvability quite beautifully. Even while seeing through and pointing out the illusory nature of everything we think is happening, I can't entirely dismiss this relative (or conventional, or everyday) world. I may weigh in again tomorrow about some political issue, who knows? But it seems I've been slowly moving more and more over many decades away from doing or focusing on that.
Thanks again Joan. I particularly like many of the comments about this post. They are very revealing about the human condition. Much love to all.
dear joan,
thank you for sharing all of this. i love these questions:
"Is spirituality a self-improvement project or is it the end of the whole quest for self-improvement?=
Is the path work or play or both?
Does it involve effort or effortlessness or both?
Is it hard or enjoyable or both?"
much appreciated! much love,
myq
Opinions that we interpret (and promote) as "truth", the ability (and propensity) to prolong reactions by thinking, and assuming that we have a handle on what will happen in the future...perhaps the least useful of our cognitive evolutionary developments - responsible for the greater part of our dissatisfaction with life. Love Charlotte's groundedness too.