Hi Brandon..thought Id make my response on here rather on X where I commented as sallyhp_qigong. The reason I loved this episode so much is because it reminded me very much of concepts in both Taoism and Buddhism. But this is NOT the dog being pulled behind a cart...a metaphor that many will be familiar with. This described so much better how so often WE are the authors of our own problems. As a therapist I know this is a concept that many people find hard to accept. But I had to learn this lesson myself back in 2007....and it was a painful lesson...but one which ultimately led to me giving up my 30+ year career as a pharmacist in a hospital...and set me off on the path of becoming a therapist. (Since my main therapies are mindfulness and tai chi you will understand my knowledge of Buddhism and Taoism.) But the other reason why I loved this episode so much is the way you described the dog just lying down content... not looking for anyone for anyone to blame....maybe having some curiosity about what might happen next. But just enjoying time doing NOTHING...a concept too many people find alien. Again there is a personal reason. I have long covid and fatigue limits how much I can do. Because of that I have learned to enjoy the sheer pleasure of just sitting or lying enjoying a good podcast, book, or TV show, without feeling the need to be doing anything. Even tho I am frustrated (as I am sure the dog can also be when he reaches the end of the leash) at how little I can do compared to before I got ill. Resting is the only way I can control my fatigue...which is most definitely 'less preferred'...but its a fact of my life I have no control over. Thank you for the podcast. I am NOT a stoic...I'm not sure WHAT I am...but your podcast is helping me learn. Namaste
Thanks for the response :) Indeed, doing nothing can be the just as fulfilling as anything else in moderation. Silence can be loud, and inaction can be an action. Cheers!
Hi Brandon..thought Id make my response on here rather on X where I commented as sallyhp_qigong. The reason I loved this episode so much is because it reminded me very much of concepts in both Taoism and Buddhism. But this is NOT the dog being pulled behind a cart...a metaphor that many will be familiar with. This described so much better how so often WE are the authors of our own problems. As a therapist I know this is a concept that many people find hard to accept. But I had to learn this lesson myself back in 2007....and it was a painful lesson...but one which ultimately led to me giving up my 30+ year career as a pharmacist in a hospital...and set me off on the path of becoming a therapist. (Since my main therapies are mindfulness and tai chi you will understand my knowledge of Buddhism and Taoism.) But the other reason why I loved this episode so much is the way you described the dog just lying down content... not looking for anyone for anyone to blame....maybe having some curiosity about what might happen next. But just enjoying time doing NOTHING...a concept too many people find alien. Again there is a personal reason. I have long covid and fatigue limits how much I can do. Because of that I have learned to enjoy the sheer pleasure of just sitting or lying enjoying a good podcast, book, or TV show, without feeling the need to be doing anything. Even tho I am frustrated (as I am sure the dog can also be when he reaches the end of the leash) at how little I can do compared to before I got ill. Resting is the only way I can control my fatigue...which is most definitely 'less preferred'...but its a fact of my life I have no control over. Thank you for the podcast. I am NOT a stoic...I'm not sure WHAT I am...but your podcast is helping me learn. Namaste
Thanks for the response :) Indeed, doing nothing can be the just as fulfilling as anything else in moderation. Silence can be loud, and inaction can be an action. Cheers!