I like this quote by Sam Harris on the illusion of free will:
“You are not controlling the storm and you are not lost in it. You are the storm.”
Sam Harris
I used to get angry and frustrated when I could not control how my life unfolded. It was only when I realized that I had no control over it, that things got better.
I wish I had understood this much earlier in my life. Perhaps things will be different for you.
For about the last fifteen years, when I sleep I don’t dream, or if I do, I don’t remember it. My sleep has been poor, too.
Lately, I’ve been sleeping better and having wonderful, happy dreams; the kind one doesn’t want to wake up from.
I don’t know what has caused this. I do hope it continues.
I enjoyed this meditation on my morning walk today.
I am grateful for Samaneri Jaysāra’s YouTube channel. It is filled with so many beautiful recordings.
I like what Naval Ravikant has to say in this video. Especially when he starts to talk about the utter insignificance of the personal self. I believe that starts about 4m30s into the video.
I found this page this morning. It outlines a way of looking at the world – more like receiving it – that has been healing for me. Ancient Indian philosophy has helped me to see things differently.
The video by the late Alan Watts is especially nice. I made a little index of the points that resonate with me:
“Ten thousand things … one suchness.” starting at 1m 46s.
The world as Māyā starting at 2m 35s.
“You are, really, a playing of this one energy.” at 4m 27s.
“And you suddenly see through the whole sham of things” at 5m 19s.
“You are relieved of fundamental terror.” at 5m 40s.
“Buddhas are human. They are enlightened men and women.” at 6m 40s.
“Seeing that all life is a magnificent illusion, a playing of energy, and there is absolutely nothing, fundamentally, to be afraid of.” at 8m 40s.
It’s only in the last four or five years that my life has settled down. Looking into some of the ancient Indian spiritual traditions was immensely helpful to me.
Advaita is a Sanskrit word that literally means “not two”. Synonyms of Advaita are non-duality (nonduality, non duality). Advaita is not a philosophy or a religion. Non-duality is an experience in which there is no separation between subject and object; a “me” and the rest of the universe; a “me” and God. It is the experience of consciousness, our true nature, which reveals itself as absolute happiness, love and beauty. Consciousness is defined as that, whatever that is, which is aware of these very words right here, right now.
Article on nonduality.
Hello Friends –
It is New Year’s Day, 2022. I am writing this from my home in Kirkland. It has been a good day.
Marjaneh and I have been dating for three years now. We have a wonderful, kind and loving relationship. Following is our holiday picture for this year.
We both recognize our good fortune in terms of having each other and having children and grandchildren all of whom are happy and healthy.
Heather, Kelly and Andrew are all doing well and continue to live in the Seattle area. I am fortunate to have three grandchildren from Heather (2) and Kelly (1).
Marjaneh’s children, Azi and Shiva, live in Lake Stevens, Washington (30 minutes from our home) and San Diego, CA respectively. Both Azi and Shiva have beautiful families with children of their own.
I still have my small business, Common Sense Systems, Inc. I have been in business since 1996. My small venture has supported my family over that time and has helped about 20 young software engineers to get started in the industry.
I will be leaving my current client at the end of March after eight years. They asked me to renew for the coming year. I politely declined to continue past March. I have another venture I am looking forward to pursuing.
I think I have written enough code in my life. Yet I found myself doing some coding just today for my new venture. Le Sigh….
I am at peace with my life. I have found ease in the world through Zen Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, Non-Dualism, Alan Watts and, most importantly, the love of family and friends.
I am closing the book on 2021 with gratitude and equanimity.
With Love,
John
The following is a short video of some noise I am receiving on my amateur radio this morning. I am hoping that my fellow amateurs on QRZ.COM can tell me a bit about the signal.
In contrast to my last post, I thought I’d add a new favorite. I listened to this for the first time only last night. I think it’s quite beautiful, but I notice a feeling of hesitation in sharing it. Most people will perhaps find it hard to follow or hard to understand.
Rumi is just beautiful. So many of his quotes resonate deeply with me.
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
Rumi
John Sambrook 