James Vaughan

“You supply the context AND content.” - St. Francis of Youngstown

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

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What’s outside your model is where things get interesting.

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[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

As with any, these are trick questions. Eminently helpful as they might be.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

It’s an interesting question:

Can you, as you’ve currently configured yourself, expect to be happy? When?

That it’s possible for you is a belief worth having at the beginning of any agreeable endeavor.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

Using “therapy talk” or “coaching speak” non-ironically can trojan- horse unhelpful constraints into your experience…and probably lead to some “Warrior Discipline!” cult when you can’t escape the shit presuppositions you innocently swallowed…and the gurus watch in anticipation.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

@cognazor Sad to hear this. Had a few nice, brief online conversations a while back with him. Grateful for that. Very friendly with an inspiring mind. A generous man and a voracious learner. And that great voice! RIP.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

Good intentions matter.

Make no mistake about that.

Valuable, beneficial results turn out to matter more.

And once you realize you can’t not contribute, you’re decisions about intention demand honest attention.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

I’ve seen this idea frequently:

“Jailbreaking out of the matrix.”

Well, like what my grand dad used to say:

“Wide awake, relaxed focus, non-verbal silence…many mistake it for situational Alzheimer’s. If I like them or they’re doing something interesting, I’ll speak up.”

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

The internal and external environments shape our lives. Is it better to say “rule” our lives? And both are conceptual, if we’re honest. Outside of non-verbal, raw sensory data, and possibly presence itself…what can we surmise most assuredly about all of this?

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

That “something’s wrong” or “something’s missing”…those comprise the magician-trick goldmine.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

The internal and external environments shape our lives. Is it better to say “rule” our lives? And both are conceptual, if we’re honest. Outside of non-verbal, raw sensory data, and possibly presence itself…what can we surmise most assuredly about all of this?

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

Morning meditation: Watching a baby groundhog happily devouring clover in the backyard. Om.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

“Rotten apple spoils the bunch”, “Stinky feet can clear a room”, etc. Lesson: Address the culprit, not the innocent bystanders.

So to, “the one who has problems” is THE “sub-personality” to exorcise. Reassign its drones to the kind creators and their cheerful, effective doers.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

Once, while deep-dive reading & contemplating “impermanence”, I lifted the lid of the delivery pizza box and immediately(!) saw that “pie” as mirage…simply a fleeting appearance. A fucking delicious, fleeting appearance. Wisdom holds that even hunger cannot escape impermanence.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

In case you haven’t noticed, it seems the universe really isn’t grinding to a halt.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

At a certain point, it’s ok to say:

“I’m simply not interested in the stupid things of the world.”

You don’t even have to clarify or qualify for those thinking you’ve somehow impugned their subjective interpretations.

And you sure as hell don’t need my permission.

G’day!

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

Your skills range from abysmal to world class. Hone those nearest world class, then get your output in front of those who’ll benefit most.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

Be aware that you’re “leaning in” to things. And not other things.
Sometimes leaning out. Sometimes - simply aware.

“Leaning in” is similar to pressing play on a hyper-realistic 3D VR experience.

Alexander and Feldenkrais were interested in balanced body orientation. Curious.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

When a battle becomes a dance.

Your assumption that “something is wrong” is the final boss’s penultimate weapon.

You’ve been carrying his ultimate weapon with you as long as there has been a “you” to be carrying something.

Drop your swords and shields and get your groove on!

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

WOW!

I prompted Claude: Design a customized weight loss/fitness program for me

Here it is: 150 calories less intake per day & light aerobic activity 10 mins per day to start, add time as I feel ready.

I’m now crafting a prompt to get Claude to do the exercise.

Revolutionary!

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

The true smart ones aren’t calling others out for taking short cuts.

A “Top 10” shortcut: Assume you’re going to succeed and be willing to experiment until you do.

[James Vaughan @JamesVghn]

“This is what we do now.”

Most people know better. They know how to arrive on time. They know how to smile and say “thank you”. They can take the few extra moments to “do it well”.

So, go ahead…start making more of the good stuff. Simple. Just say:

“This is what we do now.”