Category: Email Archives

I'm trying to write an email to you all right now, because I want to send you something helpful.

But, I'm not sure how to help you. Hmmm…..that's a little bit of a problem for me.

I could explain my thought processes here, but then I run the risk of attracting messages of sympathy and reassurance. That, of course, is not the point.

I, the cult leader, am supposed to be reassuring you, not the other way around.

I could give you some helpful tips, but about what? I don't even know what you signed up for. So, if I give you a piano tip, those of you who didn't sign up for piano will rage-quit. If I give you a meditation tip, those of you who didn't sign up for meditation will also rage-quit. And so on.

Quite a hole I've dug for myself here.

And still, I'm writing the email.

Will anyone benefit from it? I suspect a couple of you might, but I haven't quite articulated why. Oh well. Here we go again.

(If you're interested in piano, you might find this useful.)

If it's easier, it's right.

The easy way is always the right way.

Seek instant gratification.

The hard way is always the wrong way.

Set a timer and practice. Follow those rules. See what happens.

You won't know unless you try.

It's your best shot at a consistent daily practice. I don't know of another way.

(If mistakes while playing music are WAY TOO PAINFUL and make you want to curl up in the corner, or even just hesitation for a quarter of a second, I made How to Make Mistakes for you.)

Humans are complex.

(We don't exist.)

The stuff we create exists, but we don't.

Yeah, I know it's confusing when I talk about so many different topics. Don't know what to tell you there. I guess you have my condolences.

Just talk about whatever. It doesn't have to make sense to other people. It probably won't.

When you were a kid, don't you remember reading books that didn't fully make sense? I know I did a lot of skimming. Ignoring complicated, boring paragraphs.

Who cares?

(The teacher cares, that's who.)

Oooh, I'm so scared.

P.S. If you like drawing but you hate drawing and you won't let yourself do it or share it with anyone, I have a $5 drawing lesson for you.

I hate the internet. The Internet.

Do you capitalize that word? How about “webpage”, “web page”, “Web page”, “Web Page”? I have my preferences.

What I hate today is how my Internet connection isn't working right. It's a big hassle to fix this, and that's a long story.

Do we know who won the election yet?

I did a poll on Instagram and learned that Trump would beat Biden in a wrestling match. Not sure what that implies about the Presidential election, though. But at least I know who I'd want on my side in an actual fight.

I'm too upset to write a helpful email right now. So, this will have to do.

I hope you find it useful.

Pay attention.

I hope you find it useful.

See how easy it is to write emails?

(No, you don't see. You'd rather just get annoyed at me for spamming you with random thoughts. Good luck, loser.)

Meditation is about equanimity. Noticing things without reacting to them.

Does that mean it's morally wrong to be reactive? Should you try hard not to get angry with people? Is it a sign of progress in meditation when you are less angry?

No, no, no.

Some people will tell you those are true. If you're looking to get rid of your anger and become totally imperturbable, you should go listen to what they have to say. (I guess you should, anyway. Personally, I doubt it will work. But, please try it and let me know what you discover.)

The type of equanimity I'm interested in is the one where you're OK with whatever happens. That means being OK with being reactive. Being OK with being angry. Being OK with making little progress in meditation.

That's how I practice: whatever comes up, I notice it and let it come and go on its own.

Often, that's confusing, especially when I'm REALLY HAPPY to see something bad go away.

Unfortunately, the things that disappear always come back.

If you're not meditating, you should start doing it. (You might find No Problem useful)