I feel as if my present humanity, body and whatever constitutes spirit, has been massaged from head to toe, inside and out as I read your post. I have a Substack titled The Destination is Now, so my 80 years of life has brought me to the shore. Now is the only reality that exists, it is the shore on both sides of reality. Number I of your five is my present reality. I have made the leap, number II. I have sold everything I own, and live out of a backpack traveling outside the US full time, staying in Airbnb’s or hostels or friends I have made in former years when I traveled this way a couple of months a year (started that after my wife died almost 14 years ago). As to Number III, I almost daily have deep conversations with fellow travelers, young and old, no small talk. The first question is “Where are you from” and the next is “What brings you to this place (Airbnb, hostel)?” Answers provide a zip line ride to life stories, purpose, and often, understanding of the universe. Number IV is a perfect description of the what happened almost immediately after my wife died. A crazy idea popped into my mind, travel to New Zealand and climb mountains, someone I knew had done a couple of the Great Walks there. That idea spawned another. While I am in that part of the planet, go to Australia and ride a horse in the Snowy Mountains, as in my favorite movie, The Man From Snowy River. Logic added, snorkel the Great Barrier. I had never done a long hike, didn’t know how to ride a horse, and I am terrified of water never having learned to swim. At 67 I got a Physical Trainer, signed up for horseback riding lessons and swimming lessons. I left for two months in New Zealand and Australia 8 months later. And number V: I spent twenty years in a Spiritual Formation Group, probing the mystery imbedded in the Universe, and I have nurtured a fascination with Quantum theory and the search for a Unified Theory, whether the Quanta are made of strings or clumps. What you wrote resonated with me more and more as I read. Thank you!!!
Firstly, Peter, this is one of the kindest compliments I’ve ever received. I appreciate you taking the time to share how my 5 big ideas impacted you through your own BIG experiences.
Secondly, it sounds like you’re one of the coolest people I’ve ever come across, but also one of the most intuitive and inspiring.
Thank you for blessing me (and others) with your kindhearted message ♥️🙏
Your words are a symphony of music to my ears! As old as I am the narrative that streams still contends I am not worthy. Reading your words suggests that narrative may be a false one. Keep writing and I will keep reading. This Substack business is new to me, and I am thrilled to have discovered you and others willing to ask big questions without demanding definitive answers. Spare me such answers and give me more questions!
I find being in a shallow conversation has become very short, even boring. Very Well done, I enjoy your craft and look forward to the topics you choose with care, sensibilities and knowledge of how to craft your points very clearly. Love Chop Wood, Carry Water.
1. The Distant Shore reminds me of Zeno's paradox of the walk to Athens. As a child, I thought it was merely a math problem. As I got older, I learned it was a metaphor for life: always be moving forward and step by step you will get one step closer to the final destination. The finish line represents perfection and nothing is 100% perfect but those steps get you closer so keep plugging away.
2. Meaningful conversation is a great way to find out who you really connect with but that small talk also serves a purpose and it is not entirely wasteful. It helps us disconnect from stress or helps us break the ice.
Use the first date analogy. You don't just dive into the deep end right off the bat. You take your time testing the unknown waters before you dive in.
You can also find a lot about someone in small talk. For example, as there are always pattern in person's behavior. Favorite color, favorite movies, or even social activities, can give us a clear outline of a person's motives, desires, and personality.
I agree, trying to convert shallow connections to deeper ones rarely seems to work. I am blessed to have been friends with a group of women for decades and almost all of us are slowly growing together. Of course, we are not all at the same rate but we are going in the same direction.
I too have met new people and immediately had a profound connection with them. This continues to surprise me because I think I have an inherent bias that I need to 'get to know them' which isn't true. We will be provided with the right people at the right time if we are open to meeting them.
I have found Substack wonderful for meeting like-minded folks and fostering connections.
Wow! I definitely resonated with this! I especially liked the concept of the other shore is under your feet presently. For me, the power of your writing stems from the fact that you resolve two paradoxical truths into a practical action. Embracing paradox in my life has been a key to my spiritual and emotional growth. Thank you for using your gift to bless the world.
Sometimes the idea that's percolating is relatively small, like attending a gathering for the first time. Today I saved the details for an online event, feeling a mixture of uncertainty and hope. I'd really like this to be the start of something, a way of connecting with people who have similar concerns. I've been nurturing the idea of doing something like this for a while but the opportunity only came up now, so I'm trusting that this is the right time for abstraction to turn into reality.
Love this! This is wonderful and feels like Arthur Brooks meeting Rick Rubin in a dance of presence. You’re wonderful at connecting the dots and helping to create meaning. Thank you. 🙏❤️
"In Zen Buddhism, there’s a teaching: the other shore is right here, under your feet. This insight reminds us that what we seek is already present within us, accessible in the here and now."
It is crazy how much we must remind ourselves. Or how much we THINK we must remind ourselves.
I feel as if my present humanity, body and whatever constitutes spirit, has been massaged from head to toe, inside and out as I read your post. I have a Substack titled The Destination is Now, so my 80 years of life has brought me to the shore. Now is the only reality that exists, it is the shore on both sides of reality. Number I of your five is my present reality. I have made the leap, number II. I have sold everything I own, and live out of a backpack traveling outside the US full time, staying in Airbnb’s or hostels or friends I have made in former years when I traveled this way a couple of months a year (started that after my wife died almost 14 years ago). As to Number III, I almost daily have deep conversations with fellow travelers, young and old, no small talk. The first question is “Where are you from” and the next is “What brings you to this place (Airbnb, hostel)?” Answers provide a zip line ride to life stories, purpose, and often, understanding of the universe. Number IV is a perfect description of the what happened almost immediately after my wife died. A crazy idea popped into my mind, travel to New Zealand and climb mountains, someone I knew had done a couple of the Great Walks there. That idea spawned another. While I am in that part of the planet, go to Australia and ride a horse in the Snowy Mountains, as in my favorite movie, The Man From Snowy River. Logic added, snorkel the Great Barrier. I had never done a long hike, didn’t know how to ride a horse, and I am terrified of water never having learned to swim. At 67 I got a Physical Trainer, signed up for horseback riding lessons and swimming lessons. I left for two months in New Zealand and Australia 8 months later. And number V: I spent twenty years in a Spiritual Formation Group, probing the mystery imbedded in the Universe, and I have nurtured a fascination with Quantum theory and the search for a Unified Theory, whether the Quanta are made of strings or clumps. What you wrote resonated with me more and more as I read. Thank you!!!
Firstly, Peter, this is one of the kindest compliments I’ve ever received. I appreciate you taking the time to share how my 5 big ideas impacted you through your own BIG experiences.
Secondly, it sounds like you’re one of the coolest people I’ve ever come across, but also one of the most intuitive and inspiring.
Thank you for blessing me (and others) with your kindhearted message ♥️🙏
Your words are a symphony of music to my ears! As old as I am the narrative that streams still contends I am not worthy. Reading your words suggests that narrative may be a false one. Keep writing and I will keep reading. This Substack business is new to me, and I am thrilled to have discovered you and others willing to ask big questions without demanding definitive answers. Spare me such answers and give me more questions!
You got it, Peter! Grateful to be here with wonderful people like yourself
I second that response Jen!
I find being in a shallow conversation has become very short, even boring. Very Well done, I enjoy your craft and look forward to the topics you choose with care, sensibilities and knowledge of how to craft your points very clearly. Love Chop Wood, Carry Water.
Thumbs up Jen. Carry on.:-)
Thank you so much, Carol! I appreciate you! ♥️
You're using your time wisely by the sound of it, so many of us remain firmly on the ground, glued to one spot.
My apologies if I have already told you my story. If so, please just hear that I loved what you wrote, and ignore the above.
1. The Distant Shore reminds me of Zeno's paradox of the walk to Athens. As a child, I thought it was merely a math problem. As I got older, I learned it was a metaphor for life: always be moving forward and step by step you will get one step closer to the final destination. The finish line represents perfection and nothing is 100% perfect but those steps get you closer so keep plugging away.
2. Meaningful conversation is a great way to find out who you really connect with but that small talk also serves a purpose and it is not entirely wasteful. It helps us disconnect from stress or helps us break the ice.
Use the first date analogy. You don't just dive into the deep end right off the bat. You take your time testing the unknown waters before you dive in.
You can also find a lot about someone in small talk. For example, as there are always pattern in person's behavior. Favorite color, favorite movies, or even social activities, can give us a clear outline of a person's motives, desires, and personality.
This is brilliant, Joe. Thank you.
I appreciate you for clarifying the many purposes of small talk, and I completely agree with you.
Also, I’ll have to revisit Zeno’s paradoxes. I’m grateful you brought this up 🙏
I agree, trying to convert shallow connections to deeper ones rarely seems to work. I am blessed to have been friends with a group of women for decades and almost all of us are slowly growing together. Of course, we are not all at the same rate but we are going in the same direction.
I too have met new people and immediately had a profound connection with them. This continues to surprise me because I think I have an inherent bias that I need to 'get to know them' which isn't true. We will be provided with the right people at the right time if we are open to meeting them.
I have found Substack wonderful for meeting like-minded folks and fostering connections.
Great post as usual Jen!
Thank you so much, Donna!
Wow! I definitely resonated with this! I especially liked the concept of the other shore is under your feet presently. For me, the power of your writing stems from the fact that you resolve two paradoxical truths into a practical action. Embracing paradox in my life has been a key to my spiritual and emotional growth. Thank you for using your gift to bless the world.
Thank you so much, Wayne! I appreciate you immensely
Your graphics are also great!
🙏
Thank you, Lynda! I make them on canva
Beautifully written and so much to digest.
🙏
Another insightful newsletter. I'm really loving the graphics- another great idea brought into fruition!
I loved the graphics too! On a closer look, I was surprised that it was done by Jen herself!
Thank you, Rob! I create them on Canva 🤗
Thank you so much, Louise!
Love the way you thread these big concepts with a consistent through line, and with the usual depth and clarity of thought. 💪
Thank you so much, Jeremy! I try! ♥️🙏
Sometimes the idea that's percolating is relatively small, like attending a gathering for the first time. Today I saved the details for an online event, feeling a mixture of uncertainty and hope. I'd really like this to be the start of something, a way of connecting with people who have similar concerns. I've been nurturing the idea of doing something like this for a while but the opportunity only came up now, so I'm trusting that this is the right time for abstraction to turn into reality.
What a beautiful idea! I hope you can nurture it into existence; the world could use more great ideas 🤗
Love this! This is wonderful and feels like Arthur Brooks meeting Rick Rubin in a dance of presence. You’re wonderful at connecting the dots and helping to create meaning. Thank you. 🙏❤️
Wowza, what a compliment! Thank you, Jamie!
I watch my HALT score
Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired
About mental diagnosis
Would Rather have bottle in front of me than frontal labotamy
Definitly a target on powerful groups scope
Mobility a wrong move now. Gemini says stay close to home Eiffel tower
Watching 504 Height closely
Fearless I have bread for today and money for to till nrxy psyfsy ad long as price does not bidemglae out of range
Owned a home until.employed forclosed for good job
Good acronym to keep score!
"In Zen Buddhism, there’s a teaching: the other shore is right here, under your feet. This insight reminds us that what we seek is already present within us, accessible in the here and now."
It is crazy how much we must remind ourselves. Or how much we THINK we must remind ourselves.
That's just the game that the finite mind plays.
Stop looking for it. Look from it. You are it.
Love, love, love this. Thank you, Roc 🤗
❤️🙏
Well stated. Gotta love Zening out ;-) Agreed
❤️❤️
Wonderfully clear & thoughtful. Thank you for this.
Thank you, Martha!
Love is all yoiu need
Lennon
🙌🏽
I love this..
🥰
Great reading, as always 🙏🌹🙏
Thank you, Ibrahim!