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Apr 13, 2024
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Matt Cardin's avatar

Love your keen reflections, Igga. Thanks for sharing them.

Regarding your question, I might recommend looking up Art Ticknor's books. He's a spiritual writer whose own guidance in nondual recognition or awakening came primarily from being a student of Richard Rose and, to a lesser extent, but still with a defining impact, Douglas Harding. In his books SOLID GROUND OF BEING and SENSE OF SELF, there are some passages where he focuses on the nature of perception itself and how careful attentiveness to first-personhood illuminates what's going on with the arising of the experience of self and world from the Absolute or the Ground of Being. This may not be exactly what you're looking for, but it came to mind, and it's also rather riveting reading in any case.

Speaking of Douglas Harding -- and again, I don't know if this caters exactly to what you're seeking -- his classic little book ON HAVING NO HEAD is simply a must-read, if you haven't read it already. And despite my proviso, it may well address the very thing you're seeking.

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Georgia B.'s avatar

This gave me a little chuckle…

“Now, having brought you to this most unsatisfactory and depressing conclusion, I shall leave you to your painful ruminations and wish you good luck.”

Ha! Will definitely need it after that.

And I liked the bit in Note 6 about Bradbury. Just last night I encouraged my son to read some Bradbury stories after he told me how much he enjoys writing. I could have suggested any author, but I chose Bradbury (I suppose) because of my discovery about a year ago that Bradbury grew up in a town I used to work in and am currently living/working somewhat close to.

Also, I couldn’t help but think of the Netflix series I recently watched (3 Body Problem) after traveling down a rabbit hole your notes on PKD led me to… when I googled Valis to find out more about it. I’m not a big science fiction reader, but after reading your notes and given how much I enjoyed that Netflix series, I’m thinking I should give Sci-fi books a chance!

I enjoyed all your notes/quotes… even the ones I struggled following (not because your writing isn’t clear, but because the subjects were on a more complex level of which I am not lately practiced at following… perhaps the reason I have been enjoying your account… it’s exercising my brain and thinking skills. 🙂).

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Matt Cardin's avatar

I hope your son acts on your encouragement to read some Bradbury! First contact with dear departed Ray's work can signal a transformative moment in a young person's life.

I've heard about 3 Body Problem but not really taken the time to look into it. Your good words about it are encouraging me to remedy that.

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Georgia B.'s avatar

Is there a particular novel of Bradbury’s you would recommend he start with? (He’s about to turn 13 years old, but he has a reading level much higher than that of what is typical at his age… if that helps narrow down any answer you might have.)

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Matt Cardin's avatar

From my own 13-year-old experience, I unhesitatingly recommend SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. It may not be an exaggeration to say that for a receptive young person who finds this novel resonant at that age, the experience of reading it may well prove life-changing.

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Georgia B.'s avatar

Thank you.🙏🏻

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Not My Real Name Either's avatar

Thank you

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Matt Cardin's avatar

Thank *you*, Rena.

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Ollie Redfern's avatar

Hi Matt, I really enjoyed your notes - look forward to reading more of them, and even hope for some where you share your thoughts on any fiction you are reading. That anecdote about Bradbury reminded me of some stats I've read recently, of how people waking up and immediately turning to their phones affects their brain activity. I wonder what Bradbury would have made of that, in terms of smart phones impact on people's creativity, but it was also a nice reminder to myself to be more self-aware in the morning and enjoy the waking silences that can then lead to good writing sessions.

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Matt Cardin's avatar

Thanks for the astute reflections, Ollie! My own morning time are sacred, and I'm glad my notes and reflections on the matter, along with the quotations from other people, have resonated with you. Also glad you enjoyed the "reading notes" format. The next edition is teed up and pretty much ready to go, though it may be a couple of weeks before I post it.

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