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How to Exist

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Re: How to Exist

#191

Post by born1989 »

BohdanPetryshyn wrote: post #77

One of the most concise and to-the-point explanations of meditation I've ever seen. One thought I had while reading it: isn't trying to get more comfortable with doing nothing just another thing to do? isn't it another form of changing what already is? EDIT: I'm advocating and practicing mindfulness but I always have this thought on the background and it's a real dilemma. Any thoughts?

That is called dualistic mindfulness. The feeling of the self (the thought “oh I am trying to meditate”) is just another thought. Pay close enough attention, and that dissipates as well.

Re: How to Exist

#192

Post by hbcdbff »

cyanregiment wrote: post #142

I live in the hood and can’t believe how many people just “chill” all day. Sun up to sun down just sitting or standing doing nothing. Occasionally yell at their dog which has never been to a beach or park, both of which are less than 1 mile away. Blaring loud music, the same rhythmic narcissism over and over, just sitting around without a single creative or productive thought “chillin” Hey what are you doing? “Chilli…

Maybe they’re happier that way

Re: How to Exist

#193

Post by yoyohello13 »

sph wrote: post #66
augment_me wrote: post #29

In "Four thousand weeks" by Oliver Burkeman, he breaks down that this obsession with action stems to the industrial revolution when it was decided that workers should sell their time for a living. Before that we used to have task-oriented jobs, like milking the cows, which you cant do more than once in a while, or harvest the fields, which you can't do until it's ripe. In general humans are more evolved to this kind…

> In "Four thousand weeks" by Oliver Burkeman, he breaks down that this obsession with action Great book, but I have pinned down my obsession with action to my daily single cup of coffee habit. The idea of relaxation doesn't exist. When I sit down, it takes a minute before my brain desperately tries to find something to do. Guilt soon overcomes me. Even in the extreme anhedonia of the first days of caffeine withdrawa…

I’ve quit caffeine (multiple times) and it doesn’t do what you’re talking about.

I still get the restlessness. It’s just easier to sleep at the end of the day.

Re: How to Exist

#194

Post by diydsp »

jerf wrote: post #187
sph wrote: post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, I know it's not that hard, but lately I've been going through a period of low mood, and I really cannot stomach the idea of diving deeper into the Abyss for a couple weeks while my receptors downregulate. It's hard enough already as it is.

I had some success systematically reducing it over time rather than cold turkey. YMMV. It may feel silly measuring out coffee and reducing it by just a small bit every day but it's worth it to avoid the fully withdrawal symptoms.

+1 Titration works. E.g. blending caff and decaf.

The "cup" measure of coffee is a blunt quantization. My ideal amount is approx 3-4 oz.

Re: How to Exist

#195

Post by diydsp »

BohdanPetryshyn wrote: post #77

One of the most concise and to-the-point explanations of meditation I've ever seen. One thought I had while reading it: isn't trying to get more comfortable with doing nothing just another thing to do? isn't it another form of changing what already is? EDIT: I'm advocating and practicing mindfulness but I always have this thought on the background and it's a real dilemma. Any thoughts?

No. You're allowed to direct your attention. The problem would be in how you approach it. If you strive then you're doing it wrong.

Liken it to brushing your teeth: you can't really judge it. You probably did it good enough. It's more important to keep doing it steadily every day than to evaluate progress.

Re: How to Exist

#196

Post by antii »

mathisfun123 wrote: post #53
zkmon wrote: post #42

I used to sit alone for 30-40 minutes, 100's of meters below ground, in absolute darkness, absolute silence, no life around, no movement around, not even a breeze of air. Only mild thoughts to stop myself from falling asleep. Above ground, I slept under the stars and sky, in the wild, with no buildings around. What I learnt is, recent generations have too much of self awareness, causing the communities and groups to…

> I used to sit alone for 30-40 minutes, 100's of meters below ground, in absolute darkness, absolute silence, no life around do you happen to be the narrator of notes from the underground ?

[dead]

Re: How to Exist

#197

Post by [deleted] »

Avicebron wrote: post #177
2b3a51 wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting comment, but I'm thinking of the time scales involved. Farming 6 to 8 thousand years ago, simultaneous development in several areas. Before that millennia of hunter-gatherers (with technologies thrown in like stone shaping and metals?). Before that it is millions of years after chimps/bonobos/us diverged. Something accelerated the restlessness, perhaps language?

>Something accelerated the restlessness, perhaps language? Look up David Harvey's work, I think it was less language and more certain economic patterns demanding acceleration.

[deleted]

Re: How to Exist

#198

Post by roncesvalles »

Avicebron wrote: post #177
2b3a51 wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting comment, but I'm thinking of the time scales involved. Farming 6 to 8 thousand years ago, simultaneous development in several areas. Before that millennia of hunter-gatherers (with technologies thrown in like stone shaping and metals?). Before that it is millions of years after chimps/bonobos/us diverged. Something accelerated the restlessness, perhaps language?

>Something accelerated the restlessness, perhaps language? Look up David Harvey's work, I think it was less language and more certain economic patterns demanding acceleration.

The time scales are long enough for evolution itself to play out. It's very plausible that the percent of the human gene pool that has the "restless builder" genes simply increased over time. Just consider how much of an advantage being technologically superior gives one party in a war.

Re: How to Exist

#199

Post by Archer6621 »

gregfjohnson wrote: post #15

Been doing this for 20 minutes in the morning for a few decades now. It has had an impact. I am a rather “high gain” person emotionally. I now tend to notice emotions and observe them, which helps when they threaten to suck me into a self-perpetuating ruminative vortex. Also, it has made me gentler, and an easier person to be around. I’m now well aware that whatever disturbances occur, there will be echoes and resona…

How do you know whether that's not just you growing as a person? A few decades is quite a long time, a lot of personal growth could happen in that time with or without this practice.

Re: How to Exist

#200

Post by excentricus »

skrebbel wrote: post #102
sph wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> In "Four thousand weeks" by Oliver Burkeman, he breaks down that this obsession with action Great book, but I have pinned down my obsession with action to my daily single cup of coffee habit. The idea of relaxation doesn't exist. When I sit down, it takes a minute before my brain desperately tries to find something to do. Guilt soon overcomes me. Even in the extreme anhedonia of the first days of caffeine withdrawa…

The trick is to wait until you get a terrible flu. You won’t feel like coffee, because you feel terrible. You won’t notice the withdrawal symptoms, because the flu symptoms are the same but much worse. Caffeine withdrawal takes only a week or so, so by the time the flu is gone, the addiction is as well. Just (“just”) remember to not get that habitual cup of morning coffee on the first day you feel kinda OK again, tha…

Yes! I had exactly the same experience. Quitting habits like smoking, drinking coffee, or playing video games has always been much easier during those periods, and it felt like it happened on its own. It was mind-blowing to notice that after it happened a couple of times.
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