Rav, I love the sentiment of section II, Every now and then, the creative mind generates new ideas.
It made me think of an article I read recently,
In the spirit of upsetting settled minds, you don’t believe in having an unsettled mind, you think that having an unsettled mind is more productive, more progressive, and more open-minded than having a settled mind (an unquestioning belief). You realize that belief in general is counterproductive, because you understand that the human mind is a delusion-generator rather than a truth-generator. It pumps out delusions like a spider pumps out webs. But, unlike the spider, it tends to get caught in them. Thereby, you understand that the only window to truth is through a questioning, circumspect, and a sceptical mindset, rather than through an unquestioning, dogmatic, and certain mindset.
The only solution to a delusion-generator is a question-generator. Luckily, the human brain is both.
This is really beautifully said. "[T]he human mind is a delusion-generator rather than a truth-generator. It pumps out delusions like a spider pumps out webs. But, unlike the spider, it tends to get caught in them. Thereby, you understand that the only window to truth is through a questioning, circumspect, and a sceptical mindset, rather than through an unquestioning, dogmatic, and certain mindset."
Totally agree. I notice this with in people quite frequently. We're all playing narratives in our head - some bad, good, beautiful, or misanthropic - that are the product of our experiences. There's no absolute truth in them. Talking to people with serious depression makes this quite evident. The hopelessness, cynicism, narrow-mindedness - all a spectacular delusion that is self-created.
Why the great Buddhist and yogic masters are right to point people to their nonjudgmental foundation of consciousness -- rather than the egocentric self -- to take a step back and recognize the remarkable delusions of their own making.
I just wrote a lengthy reply to Andrew N and yourself regarding our delusional minds. Then I wanted to add a link, left the comment section and lost it all. This is not the first time that happened. It is painful. My ego is offended, and I beat myself for being stupid and wasting my time. After the first wave of frustration, I usually get amused by it, and I ask myself: What is life teaching me here? It then reminds me of a story I once read. I never wrote it down, though. My memory of it goes like that:
A disciple asked the master for permission to write a book about enlightenment. The master agreed. Two years later, the disciple presented his book to the master. 3000 pages long. The master said: "Well done. Can you condense it a bit?"
A year later, the disciple came back. He condensed it to 300 words. The master said: "Well done. Can you condense it more?" Another year passed, and the disciple came back with 30 pages. He said: "I condensed 3000 to 30. I can't describe the enlightenment journey any more succinctly."
"Well done", said the master once more. "But I think you can. Try harder. "
Five years passed. Then the disciple came back with three pages. But the master still wasn't happy. So he sent him away once again.
Ten years later, the disciple returned. He was old now. The master was ancient. The disciple came empty-handed. He bowed deeply in front of the master without saying a word. The master pointed to a seat next to him. And there they sat, next to each other, in deep harmony, wordless.
I recently realised that knowledge is like food. I spent thirty years reading so many books, learning so many things. The last seven years, I only read one book - seven times. This book was like a digestive. It helped me to break down all the accumulated knowledge.
Then, recently, I started to write. More precisely, writing happened. Whenever "I" try to write, it's crap. But when writing happens, it feels like I become a medium, even a machine, tasked to manifest something from the collective unconscious. I rarely fully understand the scope of what I am writing about. And I trust that. My understanding is not needed. I am simply shedding my life's ingested and digested knowledge mingled with something more significant.
I can't wait to sit beside my teacher (life itself), wordless. But, until then, I am compelled to shed.
Lovely story 😌 It’s in our nature to try putting into words our understanding of what is, so as perhaps to pass on wisdom. It is, however, such a beautiful sentiment, to just sit beside someone and FEEL the wisdom transcend words.
Love what you are doing with Dr Jay. You should connect with Kim Witczak-she’s been in this fight for 20 years after her husband died of an undisclosed side effect of SSRI’s. She sued Pfizer, got black box warnings on antidepressants and continues to advocate for informed consent. She has spoken globally on the concept of “selling sickness”. Kim also has helped with vaccine issues. She was part of the citizen petition sent to the FDA regarding inaccurate Covid vaccine labels. She has partnered with Dr Doshi Dr Healy Maryanne Demesi. She was recently the moderator at the Dartmouth college mandate round table. you should interview her. www.kimwitczak.com @woodymatters
Looking forward to reading and listening to your output on scientific consensus. I have written a little about this in a modest way. Consensus has destroyed good science and is leading humanity into a blind alley. To have two brilliant, science based minds expose the scientific edifice that has corrupted public health, climate, and politics will be a great service to mankind.
Thanks for the description of your medicinal workout. I found the exhale part for the sympathetic nervous system very interesting and useful to fight my covid longhaul too.
I found Huberman before the pandemic and listened to his first video on YT....he is amazing....welcome to the club! Also, glad you are back....better than ever.....
"A big thank you to Dr. Huberman on behalf of every steadfast man and woman taking increasing ownership of their mind-body health." Word!
Right there with you. Dr. Huberman is but one of the folks who are helping us all revitalize and re-envision our quest for not just lifespan but health span. (Nods toward Dr. Attia.)
Rav, I just recently came across your work when I was writing about Maajid for my Substack piece on non-lame BAME and then most definitely had to add you to the mix. One’s health is everything -- “Health is wealth” as my Dad used to say -- and early sleep times are key. Thanks for your excellent work and I’m excited for your new project with Jay Bhattacharya, who of course, also features in the same BAME article. 🙏🏽
Rav, I love the sentiment of section II, Every now and then, the creative mind generates new ideas.
It made me think of an article I read recently,
In the spirit of upsetting settled minds, you don’t believe in having an unsettled mind, you think that having an unsettled mind is more productive, more progressive, and more open-minded than having a settled mind (an unquestioning belief). You realize that belief in general is counterproductive, because you understand that the human mind is a delusion-generator rather than a truth-generator. It pumps out delusions like a spider pumps out webs. But, unlike the spider, it tends to get caught in them. Thereby, you understand that the only window to truth is through a questioning, circumspect, and a sceptical mindset, rather than through an unquestioning, dogmatic, and certain mindset.
The only solution to a delusion-generator is a question-generator. Luckily, the human brain is both.
This is really beautifully said. "[T]he human mind is a delusion-generator rather than a truth-generator. It pumps out delusions like a spider pumps out webs. But, unlike the spider, it tends to get caught in them. Thereby, you understand that the only window to truth is through a questioning, circumspect, and a sceptical mindset, rather than through an unquestioning, dogmatic, and certain mindset."
Totally agree. I notice this with in people quite frequently. We're all playing narratives in our head - some bad, good, beautiful, or misanthropic - that are the product of our experiences. There's no absolute truth in them. Talking to people with serious depression makes this quite evident. The hopelessness, cynicism, narrow-mindedness - all a spectacular delusion that is self-created.
Why the great Buddhist and yogic masters are right to point people to their nonjudgmental foundation of consciousness -- rather than the egocentric self -- to take a step back and recognize the remarkable delusions of their own making.
I just wrote a lengthy reply to Andrew N and yourself regarding our delusional minds. Then I wanted to add a link, left the comment section and lost it all. This is not the first time that happened. It is painful. My ego is offended, and I beat myself for being stupid and wasting my time. After the first wave of frustration, I usually get amused by it, and I ask myself: What is life teaching me here? It then reminds me of a story I once read. I never wrote it down, though. My memory of it goes like that:
A disciple asked the master for permission to write a book about enlightenment. The master agreed. Two years later, the disciple presented his book to the master. 3000 pages long. The master said: "Well done. Can you condense it a bit?"
A year later, the disciple came back. He condensed it to 300 words. The master said: "Well done. Can you condense it more?" Another year passed, and the disciple came back with 30 pages. He said: "I condensed 3000 to 30. I can't describe the enlightenment journey any more succinctly."
"Well done", said the master once more. "But I think you can. Try harder. "
Five years passed. Then the disciple came back with three pages. But the master still wasn't happy. So he sent him away once again.
Ten years later, the disciple returned. He was old now. The master was ancient. The disciple came empty-handed. He bowed deeply in front of the master without saying a word. The master pointed to a seat next to him. And there they sat, next to each other, in deep harmony, wordless.
I recently realised that knowledge is like food. I spent thirty years reading so many books, learning so many things. The last seven years, I only read one book - seven times. This book was like a digestive. It helped me to break down all the accumulated knowledge.
Then, recently, I started to write. More precisely, writing happened. Whenever "I" try to write, it's crap. But when writing happens, it feels like I become a medium, even a machine, tasked to manifest something from the collective unconscious. I rarely fully understand the scope of what I am writing about. And I trust that. My understanding is not needed. I am simply shedding my life's ingested and digested knowledge mingled with something more significant.
I can't wait to sit beside my teacher (life itself), wordless. But, until then, I am compelled to shed.
Lovely story 😌 It’s in our nature to try putting into words our understanding of what is, so as perhaps to pass on wisdom. It is, however, such a beautiful sentiment, to just sit beside someone and FEEL the wisdom transcend words.
Love what you are doing with Dr Jay. You should connect with Kim Witczak-she’s been in this fight for 20 years after her husband died of an undisclosed side effect of SSRI’s. She sued Pfizer, got black box warnings on antidepressants and continues to advocate for informed consent. She has spoken globally on the concept of “selling sickness”. Kim also has helped with vaccine issues. She was part of the citizen petition sent to the FDA regarding inaccurate Covid vaccine labels. She has partnered with Dr Doshi Dr Healy Maryanne Demesi. She was recently the moderator at the Dartmouth college mandate round table. you should interview her. www.kimwitczak.com @woodymatters
We all need to take account for our health and life habits, good or bad. I’m happy to hear you’ve taken some time for yourself. Onward!
Such worthy endeavors, all!
Looking forward to reading and listening to your output on scientific consensus. I have written a little about this in a modest way. Consensus has destroyed good science and is leading humanity into a blind alley. To have two brilliant, science based minds expose the scientific edifice that has corrupted public health, climate, and politics will be a great service to mankind.
Thanks for the description of your medicinal workout. I found the exhale part for the sympathetic nervous system very interesting and useful to fight my covid longhaul too.
I found Huberman before the pandemic and listened to his first video on YT....he is amazing....welcome to the club! Also, glad you are back....better than ever.....
"A big thank you to Dr. Huberman on behalf of every steadfast man and woman taking increasing ownership of their mind-body health." Word!
Right there with you. Dr. Huberman is but one of the folks who are helping us all revitalize and re-envision our quest for not just lifespan but health span. (Nods toward Dr. Attia.)
Infrared sauna? Home unit or going to a health club?
Rav, I just recently came across your work when I was writing about Maajid for my Substack piece on non-lame BAME and then most definitely had to add you to the mix. One’s health is everything -- “Health is wealth” as my Dad used to say -- and early sleep times are key. Thanks for your excellent work and I’m excited for your new project with Jay Bhattacharya, who of course, also features in the same BAME article. 🙏🏽