"journey deep into emptiness and Buddhist practice… followed by a turn towards soul-making, eros, and Jungian archetypal currents"
Yep. Closely mirrors my recent process -- both the initial break thru as well as the ongoing spiraling up, or down, depending on one's perspective. i.e. the emptiness (practice) makes ever-increasing room for more and different of those currents to move.
Thank you for this and all your writing, River. Your courage and insight and generosity are collectively a true gift.
Thank you, River. I’ve been reading your writing for some time and am always deeply moved by it. This one hits hard. As an aspiring therapist who hopes to help people find and know their own aliveness (vs. fix anything or find new mundane routines under the guise of healing) I appreciate this take on attachment styles and reflexivity. I like considering coming into trusting relationship with intuitive instincts, and remaining open to the magic of what might flow through us despite of—or in concert with—the unique ways we have been conditioned. Looking at conditioning as a potential access point to Eros vs a barrier is…exciting. Everything is a door; everything is a portal…or so I’d like to believe. <3
I think people do tend to build up the usefulness of conscious intent (since it seems to be the most effective way of reaching a specific goal), but then cling to it due to its apparent unequivocal utility.
But then it’s like… how unequivocally useful is utility itself, when it means you’re always at a slight distance from the raw experience you supposedly value so heavily?
Appreciating the connection you're making here, River. I'm tracking that developmental deepening, moving beyond being driven by parts, learning to stabilize presence, and then beginning to identify more with awareness than with the ego self. Or being able to hold the paradox of self/not self. That once there is a sense of being consciousness, there is less of that active "I am the controller of my life." More trust.
"journey deep into emptiness and Buddhist practice… followed by a turn towards soul-making, eros, and Jungian archetypal currents"
Yep. Closely mirrors my recent process -- both the initial break thru as well as the ongoing spiraling up, or down, depending on one's perspective. i.e. the emptiness (practice) makes ever-increasing room for more and different of those currents to move.
Thank you for this and all your writing, River. Your courage and insight and generosity are collectively a true gift.
Thank you, River. I’ve been reading your writing for some time and am always deeply moved by it. This one hits hard. As an aspiring therapist who hopes to help people find and know their own aliveness (vs. fix anything or find new mundane routines under the guise of healing) I appreciate this take on attachment styles and reflexivity. I like considering coming into trusting relationship with intuitive instincts, and remaining open to the magic of what might flow through us despite of—or in concert with—the unique ways we have been conditioned. Looking at conditioning as a potential access point to Eros vs a barrier is…exciting. Everything is a door; everything is a portal…or so I’d like to believe. <3
100000%.
Not just on the Rob Burbea piece, but I like the idea of
Unconscious confusion -> Conscious intent -> Unconscious intent.
I think people do tend to build up the usefulness of conscious intent (since it seems to be the most effective way of reaching a specific goal), but then cling to it due to its apparent unequivocal utility.
But then it’s like… how unequivocally useful is utility itself, when it means you’re always at a slight distance from the raw experience you supposedly value so heavily?
Ok diatribe over.
Appreciating the connection you're making here, River. I'm tracking that developmental deepening, moving beyond being driven by parts, learning to stabilize presence, and then beginning to identify more with awareness than with the ego self. Or being able to hold the paradox of self/not self. That once there is a sense of being consciousness, there is less of that active "I am the controller of my life." More trust.