Ha, right! Every American coin should be corrected to say "In mind we trust" if we wanted to be honest about our starting point, the way you've beautifully illustrated here. Yes, shout it from the rooftops my friend. The mind is the toddler screaming, "WE'RE NOT IN A UNIVERSAL MIRACLE, WE'RE IN A SEPARATE HUMAN BODY," not knowing that both are possible at the same time.
"The mind is the toddler screaming, "WE'RE NOT IN A UNIVERSAL MIRACLE, WE'RE IN A SEPARATE HUMAN BODY," not knowing that both are possible at the same time."
Alex, your essay is a mirror, reflecting the shared absurdities and revelations of human existence. The toddler's protest is both hilarious and profound—don’t we all have those moments when our minds scream WE'RE NOT IN NEW YORK stubbornly clinging to a single narrative? It’s a sharp and playful way to show how the mind traps us in its constructs.
Your meditation insight struck a deep chord. That shift from observing thoughts with the mind to realizing the mind itself is just another object in awareness? That’s the kind of paradigm shift that sneaks up on you and changes everything. It reminds me of peeling off a sticker you didn’t know was there and suddenly seeing the glass clearly...
When you describe the physical relief of separation, I felt it viscerally. Isn’t it strange how the simplest truths—that we’re not our thoughts—can feel so liberating, yet so elusive? Do you think this shift becomes easier with practice, or is it one of those endlessly humbling pursuits?
Also, George Saunders as your opening guide is perfect *chef'skiss* a master of finding humor and grace in the human mess. Thanks for shouting this from the rooftops; the world needs more reminders like this one.
I appreciate the thoughtful comment KZ. The sticker analogy is excellent. And liberating yet elusive captures it very well. I would imagine the answer to your question about easier with practice vs. endlessly humbling is...both :) But that remains to be seen. I'll let you know in ~50 years!
This takes me back to my first boyfriend in ninth grade. I decided I wanted to break up with him for a similar reason and of course told all of my friends about it at lunchtime. By the end of the school day, the news had made its way to him. He said, "I want to break up. Beat you to it!"
A few weeks later I was absolutely heartbroken and wanted to get back together (of course). We never did. But because our lockers were next to each other (this is how we first met, how cute), I was very familiar with all of his other girlfriends for the remainder of high school
Love this, man. Back in the days before texting, as a teen, I wrote a break-up note like that and put it through the mail slot of her family's house. As soon as it sailed through, I knew I'd overreacted. 😂
This whole piece is amazing. It's funny, isn't it, how we all need so many books, and teachers, and retreats, and all of it to recognize what's already here? It's often so hard to see, though, and you've explained it beautifully here. Amazing writing, as always. I'll be thinking about this one for a long while.
I love the plane/NY analogy so, so much. It's just perfect. And the weaving of that story into this bigger, mind-breaking picture... I'm thrilled to read this, man. Truly wonderful.
…nice read man…i am my mind v. i am more than my mind v. i don’t mind…the self is hidden in the seeing of the self (when mindful) or else is hidden in the minds of others…mine as well use the one we got then…
I know this intuitively, yet have to remind myself of it every day, multiple times a day. The only thing that can make me happy, or present, is my mindset. Whether something is beautiful or not depends not on the thing, but on how I perceive it. Yes, there is inherent beauty, but that is necessary and not sufficient for me to recognize its beauty.
Thanks for painting the picture in just another way that helps me realize the truth.
Also, I imagine there were some other details about the breakup that made that text the last straw, rather than the only flaw in the relationship, whether you realized them in your awareness or not. And that's ok too. It doesn't have to be logical, especially when it comes to romance. Or maybe I am just imposing my own thoughts, and I apologize if I am in the wrong here.
Thank you, actually, for writing it. I could contribute because I resonated with you. This made me realise that writing about your curiosities and experiences is so important. Even if we feel it's 'too' personal or 'will anyone find merit in this'.
Ha, right! Every American coin should be corrected to say "In mind we trust" if we wanted to be honest about our starting point, the way you've beautifully illustrated here. Yes, shout it from the rooftops my friend. The mind is the toddler screaming, "WE'RE NOT IN A UNIVERSAL MIRACLE, WE'RE IN A SEPARATE HUMAN BODY," not knowing that both are possible at the same time.
"The mind is the toddler screaming, "WE'RE NOT IN A UNIVERSAL MIRACLE, WE'RE IN A SEPARATE HUMAN BODY," not knowing that both are possible at the same time."
Another Rick Lewis banger in the comment section
This rooftop declaration of yours is the banger!
Alex, your essay is a mirror, reflecting the shared absurdities and revelations of human existence. The toddler's protest is both hilarious and profound—don’t we all have those moments when our minds scream WE'RE NOT IN NEW YORK stubbornly clinging to a single narrative? It’s a sharp and playful way to show how the mind traps us in its constructs.
Your meditation insight struck a deep chord. That shift from observing thoughts with the mind to realizing the mind itself is just another object in awareness? That’s the kind of paradigm shift that sneaks up on you and changes everything. It reminds me of peeling off a sticker you didn’t know was there and suddenly seeing the glass clearly...
When you describe the physical relief of separation, I felt it viscerally. Isn’t it strange how the simplest truths—that we’re not our thoughts—can feel so liberating, yet so elusive? Do you think this shift becomes easier with practice, or is it one of those endlessly humbling pursuits?
Also, George Saunders as your opening guide is perfect *chef'skiss* a master of finding humor and grace in the human mess. Thanks for shouting this from the rooftops; the world needs more reminders like this one.
I appreciate the thoughtful comment KZ. The sticker analogy is excellent. And liberating yet elusive captures it very well. I would imagine the answer to your question about easier with practice vs. endlessly humbling is...both :) But that remains to be seen. I'll let you know in ~50 years!
i felt separation as i was reading your words and it reminds me again why art is so important. thanks for sharing alex
Awesome :) Thanks Trina.
This takes me back to my first boyfriend in ninth grade. I decided I wanted to break up with him for a similar reason and of course told all of my friends about it at lunchtime. By the end of the school day, the news had made its way to him. He said, "I want to break up. Beat you to it!"
A few weeks later I was absolutely heartbroken and wanted to get back together (of course). We never did. But because our lockers were next to each other (this is how we first met, how cute), I was very familiar with all of his other girlfriends for the remainder of high school
Isn't it wild how intense all of that stuff felt at the time?
Love this, man. Back in the days before texting, as a teen, I wrote a break-up note like that and put it through the mail slot of her family's house. As soon as it sailed through, I knew I'd overreacted. 😂
This whole piece is amazing. It's funny, isn't it, how we all need so many books, and teachers, and retreats, and all of it to recognize what's already here? It's often so hard to see, though, and you've explained it beautifully here. Amazing writing, as always. I'll be thinking about this one for a long while.
Hah, the folly of man transcends space and time!
I appreciate the kind words brother.
I love the plane/NY analogy so, so much. It's just perfect. And the weaving of that story into this bigger, mind-breaking picture... I'm thrilled to read this, man. Truly wonderful.
…nice read man…i am my mind v. i am more than my mind v. i don’t mind…the self is hidden in the seeing of the self (when mindful) or else is hidden in the minds of others…mine as well use the one we got then…
Thank ya sir. That's the truth!
I know this intuitively, yet have to remind myself of it every day, multiple times a day. The only thing that can make me happy, or present, is my mindset. Whether something is beautiful or not depends not on the thing, but on how I perceive it. Yes, there is inherent beauty, but that is necessary and not sufficient for me to recognize its beauty.
Thanks for painting the picture in just another way that helps me realize the truth.
Also, I imagine there were some other details about the breakup that made that text the last straw, rather than the only flaw in the relationship, whether you realized them in your awareness or not. And that's ok too. It doesn't have to be logical, especially when it comes to romance. Or maybe I am just imposing my own thoughts, and I apologize if I am in the wrong here.
Thanks for the thoughtful note Grant. Well said.
Beautifully written. Serious bummer on the breakup text. Did you get back together knowing it was an honest misunderstanding?
There’s so much more going on here than our eyes can see.
Thanks Kathy. Yes, we did get back together - she was much more mature than I was!
This has come out so well, Alex! Great writing 🙌
Thanks Ishita! Your comment about relating my experience to the body was a huge unlock.
Thank you, actually, for writing it. I could contribute because I resonated with you. This made me realise that writing about your curiosities and experiences is so important. Even if we feel it's 'too' personal or 'will anyone find merit in this'.
Love that. Very well said.