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I like the article and where it is going, though I think the specific recommendations they make only scratches the surface. There are much better techniques tha

by hosh 11y ago

I like the article and where it is going, though I think the specific recommendations they make only scratches the surface. There are much better techniques that can be learned from some traditional wisdom lineages, shamanic initiations, and esoteric martial art lineages. From my own experiences with Vipassana and other practices, it isn't enough to turn something negative into a positive. If you are not careful, that turns into clinging (wishful thinking). Rather, we're talking about being able to look at everything with clarity, with neither aversion or clinging. To be in equanimity with existential anguish. This is something I am deeply interested in. Resiliency, drawing from all the different traditions and disciplines I had picked up, is something I want to instill in my step-daughter, and any other children I might raise. None of the things we know as "formulas of success" will apply by the time my kid(s) or your's reach adulthood. Our tech is moving too fast for that. I want my step-daughter to learn how to Choose in face of uncertainty; to act with impeccable intent; to see the world with clarity. To be equally at home lost in the woods as in the middle of the urban jungle; to speak and communicate well with people of high status and the humblest of the homeless, both intimate friends and strangers from exotic culture. Resiliency is the basis to thrive.

saeranv 11y ago
That is a damn good point. How did you pursue equanimity? Are referring to the Vipassana meditation 10-day course, and if so, how much did it contribute to your overall equanimity?
- hosh 11y ago
  Hmmm. The word "equanimity" is a noun, so it makes it sound like it's some treasure you can possess and somehow, everything will be magically in equanimity. It's not like that because you enter a state of present moment awareness, which can start surfacing up a lot of crap. It's being OK with the crap -- being OK with being disturbed and uncertain and in anguish and in bliss and a lot of things. For me, it's more that ... things arise and passes, and whatever they are, I see them for what it is. And don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of crap I am working through. Sometimes, I feel like a sewage worker mucking out the endless sewage. Vipassana is one path to work with this. If you are familiar with it, and you have some combination of curiosity and doubt about it, I highly suggest going with it. For others, their path to this will be different. From a Taoist alchemy point of view, there is an excessive, energetic toxin directed related to existential misery. It results from our tech. I say this as a person who makes a living writing software tech. So on the side, I've been exploring that to figure out how to reduce the the anguish specifically related to excessive, toxic tech. From a Vipassana perspective, it doesn't matter if it is out of balance. It's seeing that dukkha (existential anguish) Just Is.

by hosh 11y ago

saeranv 11y ago

That is a damn good point. How did you pursue equanimity? Are referring to the Vipassana meditation 10-day course, and if so, how much did it contribute to your overall equanimity?

hosh 11y ago
Hmmm. The word "equanimity" is a noun, so it makes it sound like it's some treasure you can possess and somehow, everything will be magically in equanimity. It's not like that because you enter a state of present moment awareness, which can start surfacing up a lot of crap. It's being OK with the crap -- being OK with being disturbed and uncertain and in anguish and in bliss and a lot of things. For me, it's more that ... things arise and passes, and whatever they are, I see them for what it is. And don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of crap I am working through. Sometimes, I feel like a sewage worker mucking out the endless sewage. Vipassana is one path to work with this. If you are familiar with it, and you have some combination of curiosity and doubt about it, I highly suggest going with it. For others, their path to this will be different. From a Taoist alchemy point of view, there is an excessive, energetic toxin directed related to existential misery. It results from our tech. I say this as a person who makes a living writing software tech. So on the side, I've been exploring that to figure out how to reduce the the anguish specifically related to excessive, toxic tech. From a Vipassana perspective, it doesn't matter if it is out of balance. It's seeing that dukkha (existential anguish) Just Is.