This week, a palate-cleanser for the mind.
Here’s a framework I play with a lot. It’s related to Tibetan views of the mind, and Zen views, and Advaita (“nondual”) Vedanta views. I feel especially connected to it today ‘cause I just read a fine little book by Darryl Bailey called, ambitiously, A Summary of Existence, which the author has generously made available free on his website. So props to Darryl for the most recent inspiration.
I’ll try to present the framing in simple language. Then I recommend you do the guided meditation – which plays with this same theme – and see what happens. If it feels like a relief, if it feels like it’s directing you to something important, then it could be meditation to repeat, and a view to explore more intentionally, in your own way.
So here’s the view: Existence in the moment is simply and always a single, indivisible movement, happening effortlessly all on its own.
Leaves turn perfectly in the wind, sounds slide past, light changes on the ground. There’s no stickiness. All of it is immediate and clear and it all happens without you needing to control or manage any of it. And there’s no need to call it anything or define it, because no words can capture the totality of everything that’s changing. In this sense it’s always unformed, with no distinct boundaries, and no objects that lock in separate from you and your participation in the moment.
The view asks: what if this is all that is ever really happening, for everyone? What if there were no deeper “awakening” to get to other than this direct and completely obvious experience?
Sitting, moving, breathing as part of it. Thinking and feeling as part of it. Noticing when you get hooked into a belief that things should be different. Recognizing that, too, as part of the same movement, and not a problem. Not trying to stay anywhere comfortable, or get away when things are uncomfortable. Feeling connected, feeling isolated. Acting on some impulses, not acting on others. Even remembering and forgetting.
Coming back as often as you can to this framing, letting the generosity of it move out and more and more of your experience. Darryl: “There is never anything other than this unformed undefined event just doing what it does.”
That’s the view, itself a kind of non-meditation meditation instruction. I find peace in it, and a more immediate connection to my life. I can’t really say why. Let’s meditate and see how it is for you.
Love,
Jeff
A few quick notes—
The next Do Nothing Project (DNP) live meditation is Sunday, October 18 at 8pm EDT. Link here. Replays are archived Monday mornings on Home Base and YouTube.
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Many thanks!
THIS WEEK ON THE MIND BOD ADVENTURE POD
This week we’re hanging with the legendary Sam Bercholz: refugee kid turned founder of Shambhala Publications, the prolific dharma press behind many of the books on your shelf. Sam calls himself irreverent but totally orthodox, and you can see where he got both. His new book Rude Awakenings: An Unconventional Guide to the Buddhist Path is great fun, and so is this conversation. We start with his hilarious bio, and soon go into a jaunty exploration of mind and reality.
Being Human Takes Practice - North Carolina
October 23-25, 2026
Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone, NC
I’m on the road this week, hosting a “Meditation Party” this weekend with Sebene and Dan at Omega in upstate New York (also available online), then down to Art of Living next weekend to teach my annual “Being Human Takes Practice” weekend in North Carolina. Come find me if you’re close by!
