UnbornTao

Rather than resisting difficult situations or seeing them as obstacles to avoid, view them as challenges--struggles that can open the door to opportunities and lessons, if you pay attention to what you're doing and making corrections.

What does a powerful presence entail and what does it take to develop it? Create a contrast between people with vitality and "zombies." Why do we fear vitality in the first place?

When you hold life as merely a pragmatic matter, it can diminish - and even undermine - your experience of vitality, intimacy, creativity, and all the other things that make life worth living.

Be increasingly honest and uncover your motives, assumptions, reactions, etc: What is my experience of X really about? Why do I behave the way I do? What is this (emotion, thought, feeling)? Is it true?

You're welcome.

"Life is a bitch and then you die."

Should have titled them "The Buddhist Myth" and "Meditation For Rats".

@Yimpa Has it already rolled out?

My first cup after having quitted for a couple weeks was one of the best ones I've ever have. Pollan drinks once a week, if I recall correctly. That might be a good option for you.

Moved to Pop-culture and Entertainment section.

Worth taking a look: List of epistemologists List of philosophers

I've been noticing for some time now the crucial role metaphors play in shaping our thinking and language. It's surprisingly revealing - and far more pervasive than we tend to realize. I've used AI to compile a list of metaphors that invent, define, and shape the ways we experience, conceptualize, and communicate reality. Here's the list: Might read Metaphors We Live By by George Lakoff at some point - seems highly relevant.

The difference that turns life from a mediocre attempt at mere subsistence into an adventure of growth and learning is your ability and willingness to fully open yourself to your present experience and to contemplate it.

Haven't read it yet but How To Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci might help.

@Leo Gura According to Claude, you're an author: He has written books like The Job Myth and Meditation Theory exploring concepts around work, purpose, spirituality and meditation. So that's that.

Claude finally available in Europe.

VPN doesn't work for me.

Have you ever drunk alcohol? If you do now or have recently, obviously I'd quit that immediately, to start with.

Caffeine by Michael Pollan, recommended audiobook.

Yes.

Thank you!

Waiting for that sweet audio file upload.

This is a great option. Personally, though, Kindle never captured me in the same way as physical books. The latter somehow makes the experience more palpable and real.

I hold it as becoming directly conscious of the true nature of you, other, existence, etc.