How are we to fully accept and surrender to reality as it is without being cold, callous, or indifferent to the vastness of the suffering around us and within us?
This resonates deeply with me because I’ve try to lived my life with the same motto. I don’t mind what happens.’ Not in a detached or indifferent way, but in the sense of surrendering to reality instead of constantly fighting it. I’ve learned that resisting what is only leads to suffering, while acceptance brings clarity and peace. It doesn’t mean I don’t care or take action, but that I approach life from a place of stillness rather than chaos.
One of the reasons I left Instagram was because I saw so much of that craving and aversion you described, people consumed by outrage, demanding others choose a side or be cast out. It felt like an endless war of opinions, where peace and nuance had no place. I wanted to step away from that noise and live more in alignment with what truly matters.
Thank you, dear ol Kenyon classmate, for one of the best museletters I've read (or perhaps it just arrived in my inbox exactly when I needed to hear ALL of this today). AND THAT ELLEN BASS POEM. Congratulations on everything, Josh. May we all give ourselves permission to celebrate, love, and connect with collective joy even while hanging on a vine between two tigers that is being gnawed on by mice.
your insights are like a glass of cold water. I REALLY needed to hear this.
practicing the “middle-way” and sitting with my uncomfortability, while still holding space for heart-breaking compassion has been incredibly challenging in light of recent political events. if we want to see the change, we need to be the change.
Dude. This is great. Thank you for your writing, your service, your unexpectedly disarming vulnerability.
“The clouds of history tend to darken with great regularity yet history keeps chugging along.” 😮💨 whew. Powerful truth
“How then does a quiet mind benefit us in a world this hurting and in need of repair? Maybe it’s in the deepest spaces of contemplation that we receive the best direction, the clearest, most efficient cosmic marching orders. Perhaps wisdom is bequeathed only to those who are still enough to receive it. A person with a quiet mind is not passive, but rather active in the kindest, highest, most effective ways.” AmenRa
Constellations on the vipassana completion. I just finished three days of silent retreat at Gaia House in the UK and I look forward (?) to a ten day experience but yeah…unexpectedly challenging yet beautiful experience.
It’s uncomfortable right now to stand in the middle, to admit uncertainty, to pause. What I see here from my perch near Washington D.C. is damage that transcends ideology and the choosing of sides.
Wow, Brought me back 10 years to my only 10 day silent meditation. It was the most difficult internal experience for me - about day 4 I thought I would run away - It felt like knives slicing my heart. PHEW! On the Not minding what happens - this aligns with the philosophy of Wu Wei (无为) in Daoism—effortless action in harmony with the natural flow of life. In Chinese medicine It also resonates with Liver Qi flow, as emotional flexibility and non-resistance prevent Qi stagnation, which is often a root cause of stress, frustration, and physical tension. In practice, cultivating this mindset can support emotional well-being, reducing the internal conflicts that contribute to imbalance. It encourages Shen (Spirit) clarity, ensuring the Heart and Liver remain in harmony.
Radical acceptance is the hardest and most important tool that i practice and teach. You did such a beautiful job exploring it here, thank you! I hope you inspire many to start their own exploration!
This resonates deeply with me because I’ve try to lived my life with the same motto. I don’t mind what happens.’ Not in a detached or indifferent way, but in the sense of surrendering to reality instead of constantly fighting it. I’ve learned that resisting what is only leads to suffering, while acceptance brings clarity and peace. It doesn’t mean I don’t care or take action, but that I approach life from a place of stillness rather than chaos.
One of the reasons I left Instagram was because I saw so much of that craving and aversion you described, people consumed by outrage, demanding others choose a side or be cast out. It felt like an endless war of opinions, where peace and nuance had no place. I wanted to step away from that noise and live more in alignment with what truly matters.
Thank you, dear ol Kenyon classmate, for one of the best museletters I've read (or perhaps it just arrived in my inbox exactly when I needed to hear ALL of this today). AND THAT ELLEN BASS POEM. Congratulations on everything, Josh. May we all give ourselves permission to celebrate, love, and connect with collective joy even while hanging on a vine between two tigers that is being gnawed on by mice.
Really loved, loved today’s missive. Thank you, Josh.
your insights are like a glass of cold water. I REALLY needed to hear this.
practicing the “middle-way” and sitting with my uncomfortability, while still holding space for heart-breaking compassion has been incredibly challenging in light of recent political events. if we want to see the change, we need to be the change.
Awesome stuff Josh <3
Dude. This is great. Thank you for your writing, your service, your unexpectedly disarming vulnerability.
“The clouds of history tend to darken with great regularity yet history keeps chugging along.” 😮💨 whew. Powerful truth
“How then does a quiet mind benefit us in a world this hurting and in need of repair? Maybe it’s in the deepest spaces of contemplation that we receive the best direction, the clearest, most efficient cosmic marching orders. Perhaps wisdom is bequeathed only to those who are still enough to receive it. A person with a quiet mind is not passive, but rather active in the kindest, highest, most effective ways.” AmenRa
Constellations on the vipassana completion. I just finished three days of silent retreat at Gaia House in the UK and I look forward (?) to a ten day experience but yeah…unexpectedly challenging yet beautiful experience.
Lastly, I think you might like this!: https://genekeys.com/pulse/55-freedom-2025/
Peace & Blessings,
M
It’s uncomfortable right now to stand in the middle, to admit uncertainty, to pause. What I see here from my perch near Washington D.C. is damage that transcends ideology and the choosing of sides.
Wow, Brought me back 10 years to my only 10 day silent meditation. It was the most difficult internal experience for me - about day 4 I thought I would run away - It felt like knives slicing my heart. PHEW! On the Not minding what happens - this aligns with the philosophy of Wu Wei (无为) in Daoism—effortless action in harmony with the natural flow of life. In Chinese medicine It also resonates with Liver Qi flow, as emotional flexibility and non-resistance prevent Qi stagnation, which is often a root cause of stress, frustration, and physical tension. In practice, cultivating this mindset can support emotional well-being, reducing the internal conflicts that contribute to imbalance. It encourages Shen (Spirit) clarity, ensuring the Heart and Liver remain in harmony.
This was a salve for my soul. Thank you ❤️
Radical acceptance is the hardest and most important tool that i practice and teach. You did such a beautiful job exploring it here, thank you! I hope you inspire many to start their own exploration!
Absolutely needed this. Thank you.
Great read. Thank you.
I’m guessing you were at Kripalu in the Berkshires. If so, I’ve been and it’s a magical place
No it was the Dhamma Dhara Vipassana Center in Shelburne Falls, MA.
didn’t know there was a retreat there. I’ll check it out.