37 Comments
User's avatar
Lloyd Ellis's avatar

Good article and helpful. One cannot emphasize enough that taking care of yourself is not self-indulgent and it may be the most selfless way to help others as we are of not useful when our mental or physical health declines.

I take exception to the idea of meditation as a time to focus on yourself. I think we do that too much already. In most Buddhist traditions meditation is a time to simply be without thinking or acting, simple breathing, letting go of ideas in order to see the illusion of that dream we call “reality.”

Expand full comment
Karlyn Borysenko's avatar

You and I disagree that what you described as meditation is not focusing on the self. Why would you do it if you didn't receive any benefit from it?

Expand full comment
Lloyd Ellis's avatar

Being less materialistic in the form of doing and being can bring about a balance but nothing is promised. It is not like doing something pleasurable in order to feel good. It is doing nothing in order to feel the nature and form of the human condition. There are insights to be had but to the western mind it is often resolved in the notion "where's the beef?" In a manner of speaking. :)

Expand full comment
Karlyn Borysenko's avatar

You didn't answer my question: If you experience no personal benefit from meditation, then why do you do it?

Expand full comment
Lloyd Ellis's avatar

I tried to answer it. I understand that you want substantive results from meditation. It is not weight lifting. We are nothingness that take formless electric impulses and turn it into ideas. We believe our ideas are real and so we build a world around them. If it is not valuable to take a moment of the day and perceive the world as it is and not as we would dream it to be?

It is good to be the garden and not always the gardener.

Expand full comment
Karlyn Borysenko's avatar

This doesn't require a long drawn-out explanation - if you did not receive person benefit from meditation you wouldn't do it. It doesn't that simple. Meditation is not a purely selfless alturistic act - you are receiving direct benefit and I'm not sure why you can't just admit that.

Expand full comment
Lloyd Ellis's avatar

I understand. I do. You are thinking with a western frame of mind. I would do to escape the very idea that you posit.

What do I get? And when do I get it?

I can't appeal to the notion that you must get something in return or it is worthless or a form of meaningless altruism because I don't believe that.

You seem confused that one might undertake something which doesn't promise anything and may deliver nothing. Such is the nature of spirituality at its most base. In the west everything is transaction and exchange. That is unfortunate, now more than ever..

Expand full comment
Dwana Reese's avatar

Great article! Especially love the advice to be a creator, something Peepoo definitely doesn't understand.

Expand full comment
Karlyn Borysenko's avatar

Thanks!

Expand full comment
Dwana Reese's avatar

You're welcome!

Expand full comment
Petunia Galore's avatar

It's unfortunate that Borysenko appears to incapable of comprehending what Johnathan Solov in trying to explain to her. If you check out her Twitter account, you'll see that she's quite into herself so it's not surprising that 's she incapable of going beyond her own self-absorption and condescending attitude.

Expand full comment
Karlyn Borysenko's avatar

Fun fact: only leftist trolls call me by my last name.

Expand full comment
Petunia Galore's avatar

Okay, whatever you say Karlyn. You're always right about everything!

Expand full comment
DestroBaronness's avatar

I think its Karyn

Expand full comment
Friend of the family's avatar

So what are you doing with your life? Are you a creator or a destroyer? On balance, I mean. Looking at your net activity over the past four months. Physician - er - org psych - heal thyself. Don’t burnout again.

Expand full comment
Alexandra Martin's avatar

I love this article so much, it’s filled with really solid advice. I especially appreciate the Mind Your Mindset part. Thank you, Dr. K!

Expand full comment
Peepoo's avatar

Maybe you would find Zen by being an ally rather than a hate filled loser...just saying.

Expand full comment
Peepoo's avatar

Girlfriend, I read your #FedexSucks rant on twitter....maybe you need to practice what you preach in this silly article 🤔

Expand full comment
DestroBaronness's avatar

or Dunkin Donuts, or Ingleside Hotel, or Keri Smith, or Mikey Harlow, or Vaush, Tim Pool, various Airlines, Fedex, pretty much lives her life complaining and thriving off of online drama while trying to get her 15 minutes of fame

I dont quite get it, its the most boring "I left the left" story of them all, Knitter goes to Trump Rally and all of a sudden goes from Mayo Pete to Trump supporter in the blink of an eye.

Expand full comment
DestroBaronness's avatar

And this is just some general vague self help advice, it has nothing to do with "wokeness" but hey "the first amendment is my jam" so I will let you run with "your jam" hahah

Expand full comment
DestroBaronness's avatar

I have no idea what this 1990s parody of what "spirituality" is, but hey, I guess 7 years at Capella U doesn't get you the best education!

Expand full comment
Peepoo's avatar

You're truly an idiot. I feel sorry for you.

Expand full comment
Karlyn Borysenko's avatar

I'm heartbroken. Really.

Expand full comment
Peepoo's avatar

You should be. You're a loser in a fake marriage. Sad!

Expand full comment
Petunia Galore's avatar

You tell 'em Boringstinko! After all you have the J. R. Ewing stamp of approval at that D- list speaker event in Texas.

Expand full comment
Peepoo's avatar

Ha!

Expand full comment
DestroBaronness's avatar

YAS! HAHAHAHHAH

Expand full comment
DestroBaronness's avatar

I could not agree anymore, haha!

Expand full comment
OneDoneMom's avatar

Your screen name translates to “Piss-shit”. Makes it a little difficult to take you seriously.

Expand full comment
Peepoo's avatar

What is yours trying to say?

Expand full comment
John Redman's avatar

Your name is very appropriate

Expand full comment