You’re articulating so much of what I’m feeling. And I love this concept of non-conceptual awareness- it sort of legitimizes that meme phrase “no thoughts, just vibes,” something that *no one* who spends the majority of their time online can actually cultivate. I’ve been considering leaving Substack to work exclusively on a book just knowing my brain is getting so fried from the noise. But FWIW, yours is a newsletter i jump to read. 🫶🏼
Like Dia said below, you’re articulating what I’ve been feeling for a while as well. And have, also like Dia, recently decided to start working on my book as the majority of my writing. (This means I’ll be publishing on a rare/random cadence on my substack for at least the rest of the year, which feels kinda liberating actually.) I also haven’t been active on Twitter for a month or so (which feels even better)!
Anyway, always love reading your stuff, especially this “naming-of-vibes.” (Makes me realize I’m not going insane sensing all these vibe changes. ;) )
I've also been off Twitter for the past 2 months or so. Feeling like I might want to poke my head in again soon and re-assess the vibes there. Epic that you are writing a book! And yes, the random cadence is so incredibly liberating. I did weekly without missing one for like 1.5 years, then shifted to still Fridays, just whenever spirit moves me. Feels way better, like a good balance. And thank you, Jibran. Good to be on this path w you
Been reading you here and there over the last year or so, love your voice and the space you work in. Non conceptual awareness makes words feel heavy and slow and insufficiently nuanced to be of any use. I have not read anyone talking about that recently, but I instantly resonated.
Ken Wilbur’s book ‘Up From Eden’ grabbed me a number of years back, and every 2 or 3 years I feel the need to read it again, to refresh what I learned, (kind of like psychedelic experiences where you see how it all fits together, but cannot articulate it when you come down, but you KNOW you saw it).
I think it is natural to withdraw as you proceed. Sure you help people along the way, but as you home in ( like a pigeon, I like that better than sharpening a blade), on the essentials and highest use of your time you may have less time ( or taste) for conversations you once relished. Melancholy like leaving old friends, but we’re all headed to the same place.
Rick, I know exactly what you mean about revisiting Wilber multiple times. He's an all-time teacher for me. I haven't read Up From Eden but will add to my list, slowly making my way through his oeuvre.
I also appreciate the acknowledgment that it's natural to withdraw because you are right - I have been getting clearer about where to best spend my time. Thanks so much for this note, it was enormously encouraging to receive.
Wow, I’ve been feeling the same way. ‘Dejected’ is the correct word -- most emails I get now, which I previously voraciously consumed, I delete or archive. This is one of the first I’ve read in weeks. It’s a particularly...empty feeling to watch people feud over or debate topics that I used to be engaged by (even if just to read about) and now feel detached from. I’ve been sitting in silence more. Listening to more music. Letting go of the need to take it all in, and just, take whatever is here now, in. Thank you for beginning to put words to this experience.
Feel a deep resonance with this, Maggie, especially on watching others debate topics a younger self previously cared about. I'm really glad you didn't delete this one tho and dropped this note :)
I relate to your feeling of discomfort: "It’s still unclear how this new way of being, along with my commitment to combatting addiction on a collective scale, fits into an addictive attention economy."
One of the most peaceful times of my life was 30-day inpatient rehab. I *hated* the idea of surrender in my mind, but my body embraced it immediately. No phone, no social media, no time in front of a screen at all. The first night I was there I slept like a baby, which I hadn't been able to do for years previously out in the world.
I hope this is just a season of your life, an inevitable churn of moods that passes. I'm sad to hear that you feel dejected, but I hope it passes.
You and your writing have been very helpful to me in recovery. I've only participated in a few of your recovery dialogues, but I truly get a lot out of them, and I think others in the group do too.
To borrow your metaphor, you are a space that feels warm and nourishing. Part of the reason I discovered that space is through your writing. I hope you find a balance.
Such a hard tension to hold - being deeply committed to combatting addiction, yet knowing that our digitally addicted tools are needed to reach the masses. Thank you so much for this note, it truly means a lot for me to receive it right now. And you were in a recovery dialogue(s)!! Now I am wondering who this is!
Hi Alex, You continue to show up in such an inspiring way. As a recovering thinking addict non- conceptual awareness has offloaded and evenly distributed the functioning of my human experience into my heart space, my guttural instincts, heightened my auditory, olfactory and deepened my experience with taste. The realization that I am far more ‘intellectual’ and peaceful when I am accessing all of my brains.
Amen, brother, Thanks for articulating this truth, Alex, and I am another who will say, "Yes, it is most definitely not just you." ...although, the idea of Buddha taking selfies, posting memes & TikTok reels is hysterically-awesome....
I know, right? It's truly an interesting thought-experiment to imagine how he would behave today, given our tools and climate. And thank you so much, Randal, it's a relief to hear of our shared resonance
You’re articulating so much of what I’m feeling. And I love this concept of non-conceptual awareness- it sort of legitimizes that meme phrase “no thoughts, just vibes,” something that *no one* who spends the majority of their time online can actually cultivate. I’ve been considering leaving Substack to work exclusively on a book just knowing my brain is getting so fried from the noise. But FWIW, yours is a newsletter i jump to read. 🫶🏼
Like Dia said below, you’re articulating what I’ve been feeling for a while as well. And have, also like Dia, recently decided to start working on my book as the majority of my writing. (This means I’ll be publishing on a rare/random cadence on my substack for at least the rest of the year, which feels kinda liberating actually.) I also haven’t been active on Twitter for a month or so (which feels even better)!
Anyway, always love reading your stuff, especially this “naming-of-vibes.” (Makes me realize I’m not going insane sensing all these vibe changes. ;) )
I've also been off Twitter for the past 2 months or so. Feeling like I might want to poke my head in again soon and re-assess the vibes there. Epic that you are writing a book! And yes, the random cadence is so incredibly liberating. I did weekly without missing one for like 1.5 years, then shifted to still Fridays, just whenever spirit moves me. Feels way better, like a good balance. And thank you, Jibran. Good to be on this path w you
Thanks Alex 🙏🏼💜
And lmk how the vibe is on Twitter, I'm not feeling the pull there just yet, but maybe I'm missing something ;)
The feeling on jumping to read is mutual, Dia, I'm listening to deadmeow circa 2006 thanks to your daily drip, absolute fuego 😼
also, very excited to hear about your book
Hi Alex,
Been reading you here and there over the last year or so, love your voice and the space you work in. Non conceptual awareness makes words feel heavy and slow and insufficiently nuanced to be of any use. I have not read anyone talking about that recently, but I instantly resonated.
Ken Wilbur’s book ‘Up From Eden’ grabbed me a number of years back, and every 2 or 3 years I feel the need to read it again, to refresh what I learned, (kind of like psychedelic experiences where you see how it all fits together, but cannot articulate it when you come down, but you KNOW you saw it).
I think it is natural to withdraw as you proceed. Sure you help people along the way, but as you home in ( like a pigeon, I like that better than sharpening a blade), on the essentials and highest use of your time you may have less time ( or taste) for conversations you once relished. Melancholy like leaving old friends, but we’re all headed to the same place.
While we’re both here, I enjoy your words.
Rick, I know exactly what you mean about revisiting Wilber multiple times. He's an all-time teacher for me. I haven't read Up From Eden but will add to my list, slowly making my way through his oeuvre.
I also appreciate the acknowledgment that it's natural to withdraw because you are right - I have been getting clearer about where to best spend my time. Thanks so much for this note, it was enormously encouraging to receive.
Wow, I’ve been feeling the same way. ‘Dejected’ is the correct word -- most emails I get now, which I previously voraciously consumed, I delete or archive. This is one of the first I’ve read in weeks. It’s a particularly...empty feeling to watch people feud over or debate topics that I used to be engaged by (even if just to read about) and now feel detached from. I’ve been sitting in silence more. Listening to more music. Letting go of the need to take it all in, and just, take whatever is here now, in. Thank you for beginning to put words to this experience.
Feel a deep resonance with this, Maggie, especially on watching others debate topics a younger self previously cared about. I'm really glad you didn't delete this one tho and dropped this note :)
I relate to your feeling of discomfort: "It’s still unclear how this new way of being, along with my commitment to combatting addiction on a collective scale, fits into an addictive attention economy."
One of the most peaceful times of my life was 30-day inpatient rehab. I *hated* the idea of surrender in my mind, but my body embraced it immediately. No phone, no social media, no time in front of a screen at all. The first night I was there I slept like a baby, which I hadn't been able to do for years previously out in the world.
I hope this is just a season of your life, an inevitable churn of moods that passes. I'm sad to hear that you feel dejected, but I hope it passes.
You and your writing have been very helpful to me in recovery. I've only participated in a few of your recovery dialogues, but I truly get a lot out of them, and I think others in the group do too.
To borrow your metaphor, you are a space that feels warm and nourishing. Part of the reason I discovered that space is through your writing. I hope you find a balance.
Such a hard tension to hold - being deeply committed to combatting addiction, yet knowing that our digitally addicted tools are needed to reach the masses. Thank you so much for this note, it truly means a lot for me to receive it right now. And you were in a recovery dialogue(s)!! Now I am wondering who this is!
Love your musings, we all are part of the cosmic story, some more aware then others. Keep writing ✍️ . ❤️🙏❤️
Thank you so much Barbara for being on this cosmic with me, with all of us, Big love
Hi Alex, You continue to show up in such an inspiring way. As a recovering thinking addict non- conceptual awareness has offloaded and evenly distributed the functioning of my human experience into my heart space, my guttural instincts, heightened my auditory, olfactory and deepened my experience with taste. The realization that I am far more ‘intellectual’ and peaceful when I am accessing all of my brains.
🙏
Jodi, yes! Guttural instincts. Need that. And had a good chuckle on the "recovering thinking addict." Sending enormous love
Such a HOT realization 🔥 proud of everything you're doing, gifted by being able to witness it
Thank YOU, Melissa, your note just fired me up
Amen, brother, Thanks for articulating this truth, Alex, and I am another who will say, "Yes, it is most definitely not just you." ...although, the idea of Buddha taking selfies, posting memes & TikTok reels is hysterically-awesome....
I know, right? It's truly an interesting thought-experiment to imagine how he would behave today, given our tools and climate. And thank you so much, Randal, it's a relief to hear of our shared resonance
My pleasure Alex, it's great to find & connect with the like-minded & other open-hearted!
https://youtu.be/YYOKMUTTDdA
haha yes, had been too long since I heard this, and have never seen the video!