CxD #140: 3 Fierce Recommendations
1 Podcast, 1 Documentary, 1 TV show
1. Sometimes––and currently–– Life to me feels intense and on Fire, but not solely in a destructive way; but, rather, also in a way that is part of a more comprehensive cycle of destruction and regeneration.
I began to study and train in four “methods” over ten years ago: Zen, Hakomi Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Non-Violent Communication. Why? Because I had legitimate real-world evidence that when these “modes” are combined, incredible healing and liberation can occur. More than that: Presence with Life as it is becomes possible.
So when Tim Ferris released a podcast this past week––which he called the most important thing he’s ever done––I intuited that it was going to be about how he met severe trauma and began healing from it. What I didn’t intuit was how moving and powerful it is listening to someone speak in full transparency about something that nearly killed them; and how now they are full of more hope than ever.
Not surprising, but utterly confirming, was that Tim Ferris talks about all four of my aforementioned training modalities in his podcast as the ways in which this kind of healing can happen––if you substitute Zen specifically for Buddhist practice more generally.
If you do nothing else, and know anyone who is suffering from the wounds of life, especially traumatic wounds of whatever kind, please consider sharing this episode with them. It may save their life.
2. Flint Sparks, one of my Zen teachers, shared this documentary with me and my small discussion group. I watched and was profoundly moved and even more profoundly humbled by the vast beauty and intelligence that we call Life.
In the Spring, I’ll be teaching a class at The University of Texas called the Rhetoric of Animals––pretty much about how humans represent animal consciousness to themselves––and this film will have a new and prominent slot on the course syllabus. It is absolutely beautiful and tender and fierce, a work of art, both as a documentary, and as a mirror to the work of art that is Life.
3. The two offerings above are exquisite and heart-rending and heart-opening and intense. After you finish engaging with them, please do yourselves the generous favor and watch Ted Lasso. My beloved friend Xavi told me about how unabashedly sweet and joyful and just outright fucking good this show is, and based on the goofy premise of an American going to England to coach football/soccer, it’s something of a magic trick that all the writers and actors and producers turned it into something so full of immense Wisdom and Heart. How, exactly, is this show so good? Can humans really have such boundless optimism? Please, please don’t dismiss this show, and thank me later.
4. This week, I discovered Scotch. My friend Nathan knew about Scotch a long time ago, but somehow withheld his wisdom from me. Earlier this week I asked him for his favorite bottles, and this was his reply:
Q: What are your favorite bottles of Whiskey/Scotch?
5. If you’re female, and looking to deliberately explore your Character via a semi-regular poker game, please get in touch. See CxD #129 for context.