I saw a note the other day lamenting the uselessness of sleep. Sir, have you never had a deep insight following work your brain did in your sleep? What about naps? Naps are the best.
Indeed. I quite agree, modern life is based on pace. It's focused on the *next* thing. The only way out is to embrace FOMO entirely. (And ask, what are you really missing out on that won't always be there?)
I hope you continue to pursue this. I have long valued quiet still time at a campfire watching the fire or on some shore watching the water. Or just sitting listening to music and thinking. Good luck!
The first time I ever tried meditating, I realized that I had a lot of trouble just focusing on one thing, like my breath.
Soo... I tried focusing on five things--my breathing, my heart rate, the sound of the grandfather clock, the wind outside, and the feeling of the air on my arms.
Worked like a charm. Everyone's got their own sweet spot for the amount of details they can take in.
There are a lot of fun variations on meditation that I've found helpful. The least helpful of all, though, for someone with ADHD (like me), is the standard practice of sitting down and trying to empty your mind, or to force yourself to focus on one thing to the exclusion of everything else.
My newsletter’s spirit animal! I had no idea they had all of those ecosystems on them. Or that the Greenland shark can live so long. Fascinating!
And re: slowness…my guitar teacher has taught me a great lesson in going slow, because he’s tyrannical with it. He will make me slow down to an excruciating pace when I’m learning something. But, he tells me time and again, “this is how you release into beauty.” Because, on the guitar, you can focus on the kind of precision that gives you the best tone. You can focus on the feeling of it. You can savor it.
As a perpetually wiggly person myself, it’s been a great lesson. Nice to see that lesson echoed here, too.
My takeaway from this article: sloth is a virtue (in the right context).
I'd be really curious to read your take on unihemispheric sleep.
Laziness is the mother of invention, right?
I don't have any hot takes on unihemispheric sleep. Yet. But I will think about it. Maybe even while sleeping.
No REM in unihemispheric sleep, so maybe not.
I’ll have to go the seal route and mix uni- and bihemispheric sleep. Best of both worlds.
I saw a note the other day lamenting the uselessness of sleep. Sir, have you never had a deep insight following work your brain did in your sleep? What about naps? Naps are the best.
Indeed. I quite agree, modern life is based on pace. It's focused on the *next* thing. The only way out is to embrace FOMO entirely. (And ask, what are you really missing out on that won't always be there?)
I hope you continue to pursue this. I have long valued quiet still time at a campfire watching the fire or on some shore watching the water. Or just sitting listening to music and thinking. Good luck!
Thanks, Wyrd. Maybe I should indeed embrace a little more JOMO.
The first time I ever tried meditating, I realized that I had a lot of trouble just focusing on one thing, like my breath.
Soo... I tried focusing on five things--my breathing, my heart rate, the sound of the grandfather clock, the wind outside, and the feeling of the air on my arms.
Worked like a charm. Everyone's got their own sweet spot for the amount of details they can take in.
Ooh, that’s an interesting tip, James. Thanks!
Gunnar,
There are a lot of fun variations on meditation that I've found helpful. The least helpful of all, though, for someone with ADHD (like me), is the standard practice of sitting down and trying to empty your mind, or to force yourself to focus on one thing to the exclusion of everything else.
Best,
James
My newsletter’s spirit animal! I had no idea they had all of those ecosystems on them. Or that the Greenland shark can live so long. Fascinating!
And re: slowness…my guitar teacher has taught me a great lesson in going slow, because he’s tyrannical with it. He will make me slow down to an excruciating pace when I’m learning something. But, he tells me time and again, “this is how you release into beauty.” Because, on the guitar, you can focus on the kind of precision that gives you the best tone. You can focus on the feeling of it. You can savor it.
As a perpetually wiggly person myself, it’s been a great lesson. Nice to see that lesson echoed here, too.
Consider it a tribute.
The lesson echoed, but grabbing hold of those echoes still needs some work. Slippery bastards.