In June, the themes around communication & identity continued. I contemplated what authentic communication looks like & how it rests on all parties having some inner alignment (connecting with the agent-arena contemplations from last month). The exploration of culture also continued, as I saw how introvert tendancies can reinforce the poisons of individualist culture. To counter this, I meditated more on how to maximize “hunter gatherer happiness”, reading “Awakened Ape” by pragmatic dharma participant Jevan Pradas. This linked up with my newfound hiking habit, as I absorbed nature/outdoorsy books & tv shows. I pondered the importance of accepting hardship as a vital facet of life rather than a phenomena to be rejected. I also read “Tribe” by Sebastian Junger & found his valuing of loyalty & group membership to be a nice rebalancing. The importance of social ritual in strengthening community came up, given that I was ra...
At the intersection of deep meditation, growing up, and mood disorder.