- Food and Philosophy Newsletter
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- All We Really Have | #004
Ever since I remember I was focused on getting things I didn’t have.
The next McDonald’s burger.
The next day.
The next drink.
The next Youtube video or Instagram clip to capture my attention.
My whole existence was based on what I did not have - and needed to attain.
That went from basic needs such as better mental health - to loftier goals.
College, making money, and beyond.
Many goals are still unfulfilled.
But, one cannot accomplish everything - or satisfy everyone.
So, there is no reason to suffer all we currently have.
The here and now - the present moment.
Several years of meditation and self-reflection allowed me to see a different point of view on life and attaining external things.
My meditation process was often doubted, but I stuck to my practice.
I started meditating around 3 years ago.
I thought it was a “woo-woo” but was open-minded enough to give it a try.
I have always sought out something more to this - a spiritual meaning (of life).
For 2.75 years of 10 min morning sessions - nothing to show.
At least I thought nothing.
I suffered:
Binge eating
Drinking & smoking too much
Anxious & depressive states
But it was those constant reps that allowed me to become the person I am now.
During some meditation sessions, I was upbeat - but no breakthroughs.
Then, I stumbled upon Sam Harris on the Joe Rogan Experience.
He made me question:
Why we were here?
Why do we do what we do?
What is the meaning of this?
I immediately gravitated to every word he said.
I got his app Waking Up, a free trial, and a subscription.
Over the 30-day trial, I experimented with techniques outside the normal sitting practice.
He said at times - he does not meditate daily but practices his life as a meditation.
This intrigued me. (to feel great feeling all the time, not just while sitting)
Other lectures on the app from Alan Watts also got my interest.
Quick 8:54 video:
“Just Flow - Alan Watts”
Harris’s point: many can go through with meditating - even doing so for a long time consistently with no progress.
That is when one sits to meditate but just thinks the whole time.
The point of meditation is to reduce that: to go through life without always thinking.
That practice is realizing the obvious.
We can only experience the present.
And we need not experience the present at all.
The great stoic Marcus Aurelius says, “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”
So why suffer in the past or future?
Meditation is the practice of this.
To appreciate what should not need appreciation.
The fact that you need not exist.
You need not be here.
Simply breathing then - you can find pleasure.
Breath more today.
Be happier today.
Tell someone you love them today.
Before there is no today.
And Have a Great Day!
Expedite Process of Meaningful Meditation:
Read: On Having No Head by Douglas Harding
Download: Waking Up (I can gift someone a trial run for free - hit me up)
Ponder: What is here now when there is no problem to solve?