Tag: buddhism

For a long while, I experienced a series of unfortunate surprises, and for a long while, I thought that was just life. But as I opened myself to the possibility of beneficial chance, I began to experience the opposite–existence gave me unexpected gifts. Maybe there’s no correlation, maybe fortune and perspective are unrelated. But at…

After brute-forcing my way through much of my life, after encountering numerous rough spots, I have come to believe the easiest way forward is not endless chains of mental gymnastics, but allowing myself enough space and uncertainty to intuit the answer, live it, and be it. It may not make sense, it may evoke contrary…

Despite all our advances, we have a poor understanding of our metaphysical reality (is consciousness a result of matter coming together, or did it precede the physical? Are we in a simulation? Do we have free will? And if we do, how much, and under what circumstances?) So in the freedom of that uncertainty, I…

Once I began to perceive and accept the inherent absurdity and slipperiness of reality, I found it much easier to establish a solid foothold.

There’s reams of data out there, that–when juxtaposed against our limited and transient lives–underlines my insignificance, transience, and ignorance. The only practical conclusion I can take away from that is to focus on enjoying the moment, and appreciating the Mystery as much as possible.

Distraction from pain. Giving into a craving. Doing what nets me the most happiness and fulfillment. I find it useful to perceive where they appear to be the same, even when they are completely at odds.

When I try to let things go, I usually get hung up on two aspects–the effort or “trying” and my focus on whatever I’m trying to let go of. When I let things be (like the Beatles sang about), it works out better for me. I’m allowing everything–not just the object of my negative focus–to…

I have no proof, but I believe the ability to be unconditionally happy–to funnel my attention onto an omnipresent feeling of existential well-being–is more than just a trick of the mind. I believe it is our inherent right. I believe it springs from an all-inclusive, generative source. I believe we came from it, and even…

I view emotional management as an existential game, in which continual acceptance–which often means including/acknowledging my internal negativity–is my present moment aim. For me, that’s the surest way back to positivity: by allowing whatever arises its own existence, without necessarily agreeing with it and/or grudgingly tolerating it. (Another way to phrase is it would be…

I’ve come to realize when I feel negative about something, it’s because I desperately want to feel the opposite emotion, not because I truly hate someone, believe I’m not worthy, etc. etc. So after I accept/acknowledge/include that dug-in negativity (to loosen it and part ways with it instead of exhausting myself trying to reject it)…