social media etiquette

Musings: The World Is Overstilumated. I'm reflecting on my experience this summer spending 3 days in the dark. I was in Tangier, Morocco, in an apartment, and I had those garage door window shutters that would keep the entire apartment completely pitch black even in the middle of the day. I chose to spend 3 days in the darkness. Mostly sitting on the couch staring into darkness.

I wasn't aware of this experience having much impact until I started having phone calls with people from the darkness. I could hear everything in the silence. Beyond someone's voice, I could hear the Soul speaking. I'm pretty convinced we can communicate in Silence, and I love words.

I've been wondering about how overstimulated the world is. In this moment I'm watching the woman across the table from me scroll through her phone, going from Instagram to Spotify to texting to checking out concert tickets this weekend. Starting sentences and starting new ones mid sentence. I'm in love with how incongruent and disoriented we can appear as humans.

I wonder what it would be like for the world to take a day off from stimulus: food, cell phone, entertainment devices, etc. What if we had a collective pause? Sunlight, water, fresh air. Our collective nervous system could use a Parasympathetic Pause. I like this as an Emerging Probability and Planetary Potential. Feels like part of the emerging meta-model and protocol for The Wellbeing of Humanity.

Terrence Howard maybe a crackpot, but he isn't all wrong. Terrence Howard is mostly known as an actor, but he’s recently been interviewed by Joe Rogan for his book 1 x 1 = 2. The book is intentionally provocative and intended to critique how trusted math and science are in a civilizational context.

I haven’t read the book, and I think Terrence introduces much more confusion than clarity, I think there is something of value in what he is attempting to do (even though the attempt has little if any merit given the conclusions and claims that Terrence makes).

I think he is attempting to bring a qualitative sense of humanity back into relevance (with a sense that numeracy has overly quantified and objectified our experience).

While Joe Rogan expressed that he didn’t fully understand the point that Terrence was trying to make, he did stay open to the possibility that he was missing something that would help get Terrence’s point.

Most critics have been hard on Terrence (claiming pseudo-science, fraud, sensationalism, or insanity), and have been critical of Joe Rogan because he didn’t push back harder on obviously non-sensical ideas. My friend Erik has posted a video criticizing one of the debunkers for seeming to intentionally miss Terrences intended insight. It can also give you a bit of a brief intro into the topic if you are interested.

But I think there is a deeper motive and validity to be discerned.

One claim by Terrence is that 0 x 1 apple being equal to zero apples is nonsensical because you’ve destroyed something that used to exist (the apple), whereas what is intended by the equation is there are zero occurrences of the abstract category apple which results in zero actual apples.

Another claim is that $1 x $1 = $1 is nonsense if you also say that 100 cents * 100 cents = 10,000 cents.

It is clear in this example that there is a confusion about units (we don’t recognize units of a square dollar or a square cent).

I think Terrence is trying to point out something similar to what Bucky Fuller says when Bucky claims that the continued use of the word sunrise is harmful, even if we know what is meant is a portion of the earth turning into alignment with the sun’s rays.

The very subtle point that I’d make is that saying 1 x category of apple = 1 actual apple seems to be valid to us, but misses that there is still a whole lot of context that is missing from that actual apple, and much abstraction that pollutes our understanding of what is actually happening in the world.

Thoughts?

Anyone drinking molecular hydrogen rich water? A friend of mine bought a water bottle that turns regular water into hydrogen rich water. She’s been drinking this water for several months and swears by it. She says she has more energy, recovers easily from physical exercise, and her senses are heightened.

The water bottle is distributed by a MLM. I thought it was a new thing. But I researched and was surprised to see how popular molecular hydrogen rich water is.

I’ll usually an early adopter of stuff like this but I’m hesitant because the long-term effects are not known.

Is there anyone drinking this stuff? What has your experience been?

Anyone drinking molecular hydrogen rich water? A friend of mine bought a water bottle that turns regular water into hydrogen rich water. She’s been drinking this water for several months and swears by it. She says she has more energy, recovers easily from physical exercise, and her senses are heightened.

The water bottle is distributed by a MLM. I thought it was a new thing. But I researched and was surprised to see how popular molecular hydrogen rich water is.

I’ll usually an early adopter of stuff like this but I’m hesitant because the long-term effects are not known.

Is there anyone drinking this stuff? What has your experience been?

How can meta-awareness be trained? Any ideas? So I’m trying to purposefully train my meta-awareness. One thing that’s hard about it is I want to be seen as super meta-aware and so I hide how I’m not.

My current training method: Catching flies with fly paper.

I eat breakfast outside and the flies always come for the bowl and so I hung up four fly papers in a square and then put the bowl under it when I’m done. It’s really weird to watch them get caught and die. Some get away. One got away today and immediately landed on another strip.

I’m using this like a metaphor right now.

The flies are thoughts.

The paper is attachment.

To train meta-awareness I need to be aware (not pro or con) of the attachment-ability of my mind and its thoughts as well as the space in between where the bowl of food is placed.

I sit in an interaction and wait until I think four thoughts and then I hold them meaning I don’t think about them but I don’t push them away.

I imagine that once I’m holding the four thoughts I have entered a nascent state, like I’m a baby consciousness and I tell myself there is a new action possible but that I maybe haven’t seen it so I both have to do something hard (baby grabbing cup) + something novel (Blas not acting out, Blas not just reporting feelings).

It’s really fucking hard. I kinda fall back on what I know if the stuckness lasts too long.

Anybody have tips about mistakes I could be making with this? Anybody else have ideas? Bonus points and trustability if it doesn’t sound like regurgitated Bhagavad Gita.

I’m really sure I’m meta-aware in some ways and really disidentified with how I got here, how to turn it up, etc.

How can meta-awareness be trained? Any ideas? So I’m trying to purposefully train my meta-awareness. One thing that’s hard about it is I want to be seen as super meta-aware and so I hide how I’m not.

My current training method: Catching flies with fly paper.

I eat breakfast outside and the flies always come for the bowl and so I hung up four fly papers in a square and then put the bowl under it when I’m done. It’s really weird to watch them get caught and die. Some get away. One got away today and immediately landed on another strip.

I’m using this like a metaphor right now.

The flies are thoughts.

The paper is attachment.

To train meta-awareness I need to be aware (not pro or con) of the attachment-ability of my mind and its thoughts as well as the space in between where the bowl of food is placed.

I sit in an interaction and wait until I think four thoughts and then I hold them meaning I don’t think about them but I don’t push them away.

I imagine that once I’m holding the four thoughts I have entered a nascent state, like I’m a baby consciousness and I tell myself there is a new action possible but that I maybe haven’t seen it so I both have to do something hard (baby grabbing cup) + something novel (Blas not acting out, Blas not just reporting feelings).

It’s really fucking hard. I kinda fall back on what I know if the stuckness lasts too long.

Anybody have tips about mistakes I could be making with this? Anybody else have ideas? Bonus points and trustability if it doesn’t sound like regurgitated Bhagavad Gita.

I’m really sure I’m meta-aware in some ways and really disidentified with how I got here, how to turn it up, etc.

Telling people that I upvoted/downvoted their comment when I do and telling them why. (Triggered)(Feel super activated about the hiddenness and anonymity of the downvoting)

I want to see what happens when it’s ok to be explicit about affecting someone’s status.

(Fear that I’ll be avoided and ultimately alone. Anger at everything.)

(Longing to be the next me that’s social-cue numb to my own abrasiveness).

Not sure if this is triggered or not but I want the consequences of being known.

Telling people that I upvoted/downvoted their comment when I do and telling them why. (Triggered)(Feel super activated about the hiddenness and anonymity of the downvoting)

I want to see what happens when it’s ok to be explicit about affecting someone’s status.

(Fear that I’ll be avoided and ultimately alone. Anger at everything.)

(Longing to be the next me that’s social-cue numb to my own abrasiveness).

Not sure if this is triggered or not but I want the consequences of being known.

(chatgpt) the Intersection of Spiritual Practice and Ken Wilber's Integral Theory. In our journey through life, many of us seek deeper meaning and a more comprehensive understanding of the world around us. For those engaged in spiritual practice, the quest often involves not only personal growth but also a desire to comprehend the broader tapestry of existence. This is where Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory provides a transformative framework, uniting spirituality with a holistic vision of human development.

Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory: An Overview

Ken Wilber, a pioneering philosopher and thinker, developed Integral Theory as a comprehensive approach to understanding reality. This theory integrates insights from a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, philosophy, science, and spirituality. At its core, Integral Theory is built on the AQAL (All Quadrants, All Levels) model, which examines reality through four quadrants:

Interior-Individual (Intentional): Our inner experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
Exterior-Individual (Behavioral): Our physical actions and behaviors.
Interior-Collective (Cultural): Shared values, beliefs, and worldviews.
Exterior-Collective (Social): Systems, institutions, and social structures.
By considering these dimensions, Integral Theory offers a balanced and inclusive perspective, acknowledging that every aspect of reality holds significance.

The Intersection with Spiritual Practice

Spiritual practice often focuses on personal transformation and connecting with a higher state of consciousness. Integral Theory enriches this journey by providing a structured map to navigate the complexities of spiritual growth. Here’s how the intersection unfolds:

Holistic Development: Integral Theory encourages the development of multiple aspects of the self. Spiritual practitioners often emphasize inner growth (Interior-Individual), but Integral Theory reminds us to also pay attention to our behaviors (Exterior-Individual), cultural context (Interior-Collective), and societal systems (Exterior-Collective). This holistic approach ensures that spiritual growth is not isolated but integrated into all aspects of life.

Stages of Consciousness: Wilber’s theory outlines various stages of consciousness development, from egocentric and ethnocentric to worldcentric and beyond. Spiritual practices can help individuals progress through these stages, fostering a deeper and more expansive awareness. Understanding these stages provides a roadmap for practitioners, highlighting the potential for continuous growth and evolution.

Inclusivity and Diversity: Integral Theory advocates for the inclusion of diverse perspectives and practices. In the spiritual realm, this means recognizing the value of different traditions and methods, from meditation and prayer to service and mindfulness. By embracing a pluralistic approach, practitioners can enrich their spiritual journeys with a variety of tools and insights.

Balancing States and Stages: Spiritual experiences often involve profound states of consciousness, such as those achieved through meditation, prayer, or mystical experiences. Integral Theory distinguishes between these temporary states and the more permanent stages of development. This distinction helps practitioners integrate peak experiences into their everyday lives, promoting sustained growth rather than fleeting moments of enlightenment.

Community and Transformation: Spiritual growth is often seen as an individual journey, but Integral Theory emphasizes the importance of collective evolution. By engaging with communities that share similar values and goals, practitioners can create supportive environments that foster both personal and communal transformation.

In Conclusion

The intersection of spiritual practice and Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory offers a rich, multifaceted path for those seeking deeper meaning and holistic development. By embracing this integrative approach, we can cultivate a balanced, inclusive, and transformative spiritual journey that touches all dimensions of our existence. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your spiritual quest, Integral Theory provides valuable insights and guidance to illuminate the way. Let’s explore, grow, and evolve together, integrating the wisdom of the ages with the holistic vision of the integral framework.

More People Should Die. Elderly people should be able to legally choose to end their life when they’re ready. In fact, any adult should be legally allowed to choose to die. They should be able to invite people, be present for their memorial service, and have a medical professional end their life.

And we should be more present with death in society. People should be able to attend their loved ones’ cremations. Embalming should be illegal.

The pressure to be thoughtful. It’s an interesting thing - this feeling that I need to post something thoughtful here. I’m feeling tension emerge in my abdomen. There’s a belief that there’s a right and a wrong way to engage in this community with no clarity on what is right or wrong. Noticing that and letting that be.