I sent the club a wire stating, PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER - Groucho Marx

For some reason this quote always makes me chuckle. It strikes a chord deep within. Maybe it's because clubs, groups, societies, and organisations always seem to come with their particular dogmas and world views, coupled with a hierarchy, whether stated or implied. Adhering to the beliefs of others' has never sat well with me. I can't help but think there's always some angle, perhaps a bait and switch, and soon enough a new narrative which needs to be adopted and new expectations which must be met. Accepting the approval and validation of others' for being a good team member, whilst gratifying to some degree, feels cheap and phoney once the feelings have washed out.

 It's the same with labels. How often have I caught myself feeling 'better' or 'worse' once an arbitrary label has been attached by someone who doesn't even know me? Returning home to my girlfriend to explain that I have 'generalised anxiety disorder' according to an expensive medical professional doesn't explain jack, despite the 'victim' in me delighting in finally knowing who I think I am. Feeling crappy all day because a random called me an asshole is nonsense too. But hey, I'm no enlightened master. My ego hasn't dissolved into the ocean of being just yet. I’m just a minnow.

“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” Zen proverb

I love this. I don't remember where I first heard or read this proverb, but I do remember its resonance. A simple, powerful yet elegant summation of mind and body in action. A reminder to do what's in front of me, to be the experience of day to day activities without interference from within, and without. A reminder to drop my expectations that this journey called life will ever be said and done.  I guess this sounds like the dime a dozen new age spiritual ramblings doing the rounds these days, but I won't apologise for that. I love reading the old Zen stories, contemplating their meanings. 

I love Zen art too, maybe because there's something badass about its simplicity, like a wicked minimal techno tune. No superfluous adornments, just the essentials kept pure and simple. It's a vibe I like, or would like to be like. That's probably because for much of my existence I've felt about as spiritual as a crack pipe, but that's for another post or two.  

In Japan,  Zen meditation is sometimes called shikantaza, translated as “just sitting.” Nothing to believe, nothing to do - just sitting. Can you feel it?  

 

Me, myself and I 

Thanks if you’ve read this far. I didn’t really know what to write for my introduction, so I just imagined I was chatting with a new friend about a couple of my random musings. I’ve never written a blog post in my life, but something about Steemit perked my curiosity. So let's see. 

The Who, What, Why, When and Hows 

I’m a Brit and live in Hong Kong. I’m 44, but feel like there’s an unlived, untapped life within me that I need to express. Over the last few years I’ve discovered that music, art, and creative beauty are truly where my heart's at, and something I want to share with others in some way or another. My girlfriend and I have started a collaboration involving art and music. Expect to see some of her awesome work when she jumps on the Steem engine. I’m on her case. 

Here we are

A few of my interests are 

• Music - all kinds, especially electronic. 1988 was a seminal year in my life if you catch my drift. Long live the 303 and 808!
• Yoga -  back in 2013 I completed my 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training whilst in India. 
• Art - It's all good, especially my girlfriend’s.
• Crypto - been “in” since 2013. I don't care who Satoshi is.
• Psychology - especially transpersonal. Stan Grof’s the man.
• Travel - don’t do enough. My nomadic spirit aches.
• Science - it consistently blows my mind. Feed me.
• Mavericks, freaks and game changers - inspiration  for my soul.
• Sports - mostly from the armchair. I could've been a contender!
• Reading - periodic binges of all sorts.
• History -  it all started listening to my Grandad’s WW2 stories as a kid, have never lost the bug.

That’s all folks 

If you’ve made it to here, thanks again. I guess I could carry on for a while, but I skipped breakfast writing this post. Cue Looney Tunes music.