Patterns are the definitive but not absolute truth of life, because patterns can be reprogrammed by abandoning preconceived notions about almost everything. This post is not only poignantly written with clarity, but also reaches deep to catch hold of the layer of conditioning and dissect it. Everyone is a product of their upbringing and culture, but exposure to consciousness altering experiences can drive multitudes of changes. As they say, you can become whoever you want to be, as long as you choose. I personally think about this a lot - how we are predisposed to success or failure based on how we are preconditioned to think, and how to change that with absolute awareness.
Thank you for writing this Josh. This post, like many others of yours, is a work of art.
Thanks for the kind words Swarnali. I've always been enthralled by the embedded patterns within our practice and experience of reality. In part, I feel life appears cyclical because of our predisposition to do things a certain way and as you've eloquently said, breaking that pattern involves a type of renouncement of key assumptions/preconceptions we hold dearly.
And I'm a big fan of your work and the boundaries you explore and contest. It is part of my Sunday morning reading routine!
Your perceptive understanding and comprehensive expressions are on spot Josh. The feelings of awe and admiration are mutual. I'm honoured by your kind considerations of my work. Stay blessed! 🌼💜
Thanks for reading Elizabeth! I too am consistently on a journey to acknowledge my patterns of practice. It often proves to be a revelatory experience!
"Both our perils and possibilities are determined by the patterned way we engage with and understand reality." Here I am bringing up Buddhist philosophy again, but your masterful writing is echoed by the Buddhist idea of habitual patterns of thought and perception.
Thank you for another wonderful publication and for helping me think with more clarity as well as learning about great writing by reading your work.
Thanks heaps for reading. I'm learning something new about the writing craft with every new publication!
I find that a lot of my ideas tend to (somewhat naturally) align with Buddhist teachings and it is an overlap that I'd love to explore in more depth some day.
Any specific books you'd recommend on Buddhist philosophy for someone fairly new to its intricacies?
I considered maybe you studied buddhist philosophy as your pieces seem to reflect them. However, buddhist philosophy is simply observation and deep questionings, so it makes sense why your writings reflect this.
I'll have to consider a book that isn't watered down philosophy and that isn't focused on buddhist religiousity with all the details of a buddhist practitioner. I'll definitely get back to you on that one!
“And so much of our sanity is redeemed when at last we shed our own blinding masks and come to kneel at the fount of clarity” I’m intrigued that Chekhov intuited what I see as a very female behaviour in relationships - the mirroring of the new live - the wanting to please by mimicking. In my experience women who do not love themselves (most women at least in part of their lives) mask this self truth in becoming other. When women do ‘find themselves’ the clarity of revelation can be startling and life changing. Just my opinion...and experience...
That's a fascinating perspective! There seems to be a thin line between wanting to please others and filling a void in one's self through mimicry. When does the former bleed into the latter? Perhaps when one's own happiness and purpose of existence becomes solely premised on external validation. I can imagine just how profoundly empowering and liberating it can feel to embrace a sense of 'pure autonomy' - like being freed from invisible shackles!
So true, Lynn--women wanting to please by mimicking. I've often contemplated this pattern I had and noticed in myself. The revelation is startling, indeed! It is like a blinding bright light that leaves a hush of, "oh my goodness, how little I saw before". I may have to expand upon this in my next post! Thank you for the inspiration.
I love this! So insightful.
Thanks so much. Glad it resonated!
Patterns are the definitive but not absolute truth of life, because patterns can be reprogrammed by abandoning preconceived notions about almost everything. This post is not only poignantly written with clarity, but also reaches deep to catch hold of the layer of conditioning and dissect it. Everyone is a product of their upbringing and culture, but exposure to consciousness altering experiences can drive multitudes of changes. As they say, you can become whoever you want to be, as long as you choose. I personally think about this a lot - how we are predisposed to success or failure based on how we are preconditioned to think, and how to change that with absolute awareness.
Thank you for writing this Josh. This post, like many others of yours, is a work of art.
Thanks for the kind words Swarnali. I've always been enthralled by the embedded patterns within our practice and experience of reality. In part, I feel life appears cyclical because of our predisposition to do things a certain way and as you've eloquently said, breaking that pattern involves a type of renouncement of key assumptions/preconceptions we hold dearly.
And I'm a big fan of your work and the boundaries you explore and contest. It is part of my Sunday morning reading routine!
Your perceptive understanding and comprehensive expressions are on spot Josh. The feelings of awe and admiration are mutual. I'm honoured by your kind considerations of my work. Stay blessed! 🌼💜
This is wonderful. I'm thinking now about the patterns I thought I'd finally broken and wondering now if I have.
Thanks for reading Elizabeth! I too am consistently on a journey to acknowledge my patterns of practice. It often proves to be a revelatory experience!
"Both our perils and possibilities are determined by the patterned way we engage with and understand reality." Here I am bringing up Buddhist philosophy again, but your masterful writing is echoed by the Buddhist idea of habitual patterns of thought and perception.
Thank you for another wonderful publication and for helping me think with more clarity as well as learning about great writing by reading your work.
Thanks heaps for reading. I'm learning something new about the writing craft with every new publication!
I find that a lot of my ideas tend to (somewhat naturally) align with Buddhist teachings and it is an overlap that I'd love to explore in more depth some day.
Any specific books you'd recommend on Buddhist philosophy for someone fairly new to its intricacies?
I considered maybe you studied buddhist philosophy as your pieces seem to reflect them. However, buddhist philosophy is simply observation and deep questionings, so it makes sense why your writings reflect this.
I'll have to consider a book that isn't watered down philosophy and that isn't focused on buddhist religiousity with all the details of a buddhist practitioner. I'll definitely get back to you on that one!
“And so much of our sanity is redeemed when at last we shed our own blinding masks and come to kneel at the fount of clarity” I’m intrigued that Chekhov intuited what I see as a very female behaviour in relationships - the mirroring of the new live - the wanting to please by mimicking. In my experience women who do not love themselves (most women at least in part of their lives) mask this self truth in becoming other. When women do ‘find themselves’ the clarity of revelation can be startling and life changing. Just my opinion...and experience...
That's a fascinating perspective! There seems to be a thin line between wanting to please others and filling a void in one's self through mimicry. When does the former bleed into the latter? Perhaps when one's own happiness and purpose of existence becomes solely premised on external validation. I can imagine just how profoundly empowering and liberating it can feel to embrace a sense of 'pure autonomy' - like being freed from invisible shackles!
So true, Lynn--women wanting to please by mimicking. I've often contemplated this pattern I had and noticed in myself. The revelation is startling, indeed! It is like a blinding bright light that leaves a hush of, "oh my goodness, how little I saw before". I may have to expand upon this in my next post! Thank you for the inspiration.