Ferris Bueller and Quantum Expressions of the Universe

Welcome to your weekly, barely-coherent potpourri of recommendations, behind-the-scenes stuff, and general updates.

FIXATIONS

I’m constantly falling in love with shit (meditation/dharma/happiness-related and otherwise). This is where I’ll endeavor to convert you to whatever benevolent cult I’ve recently joined.

As a motif, my colleague Marissa Schneiderman suggested we use the Buddhist notion of the “sense doors.” In the West, we have the five senses: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touch. In Buddhism, they include a sixth sense: the mind. As my meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein likes to point out, at any given moment, whatever’s happening in your head, no matter how complex or operatic it may seem, is just some medley of these six senses.

SEE

My son Alexander and recently I watched the iconic John Hughes film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I loved it as a kid and, to my surprise, it really holds up. Alexander enjoyed it so much he watched it four times in a row.

This seems like a statement of the Dharma:

MIND

Jessica Bennett’s NYT op-ed, I Refuse the Graceful Slide Into Cultural Irrelevance. I relate to this. Personally, I toggle between resignation, and frantic/pathetic attempts to stay valid.

HEAR

If you listen to my podcast, you may know that our theme music was made by Nick Thorburn, lead singer of the band Islands. Nick and crew have a new record out, and it’s great. Check out the latest single, Superstitious.

POD BTS

We just posted some great episodes. Duncan Trussell is a standup, actor, writer, and spiritual omnivore. We had a fantastically weird conversation. EG: quantum expressions of the universe, Duncan’s interest in God, and how all of this relates to the creative process.

I also spoke to Carrie Wilkens, PhD, about the stigma around substance abuse, potential alternatives to abstinence, and the role of meditation in recovery. Listen here. (I am a little worried this one will be controversial. Let me know if you think I blew it. Or not!)

UPCOMING EVENTS

It’s not too late to join our Meditation Party retreat next month, Oct 13–15. Actually, it is too late to join in person, but you can sign up virtually for the Omega Institute livestream. Three days of mindfulness, conversation, and reckless conviviality with my meditation superfriends Sebene Selassie and Jeff Warren. In person tickets sold out pretty fast, but unless we absolutely fuck it up, we’re planning on doing lots more in person events in the future. Register for livestream here.

And on Friday, November 3rd, I’ll be at Mile Hi Church in Denver. You can get tickets—for in-person or online—here.

APP

Want some guided meditations, teachings, daily features and community features to support your mindfulness journey? Check out the Ten Percent Happier app.