Depression? "Lost Connections" (Johann Hari)

Bloomsbury.com, author Johann Hari; Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

I was molested when I was a child. That's why I'm depressed and doctors can't cure me.

 

Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression -- and the Unexpected Solutions 

OMG, they've been lying to us to sell us pills

From the science journalist and New York Times bestselling author of Chasing the Scream comes a radically new way of thinking about depression and anxiety.

What really causes depression and anxiety -- and how can we really solve them? Award-winning journalist Johann Hari suffered from depression since he was a child and started taking anti-depressants when he was a teenager.

He was told that his problems were caused by "a chemical imbalance" in his brain.

As an adult trained in the social sciences, he began to investigate whether this was true -- and he learned that almost everything we have been told about depression and anxiety is wrong.

Across the world Hari found social scientists who were uncovering evidence that depression and anxiety are not caused by a chemical imbalance in our brains.

In fact, they are largely caused by key problems with the way we live today.

Hari´s journey took him from a mind-blowing series of experiments in Baltimore, to an Amish community in Indiana, to an uprising in Berlin.

Once he had uncovered nine real causes of depression and anxiety, they led him to scientists who are discovering seven very different solutions -- ones that work.

It is an epic journey that will change how we think about one of the biggest crises in our culture today.

His TED talk -- "Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong" -- has been viewed more than 21 million times and revolutionized the global debate. This book will do the same for our view of depression.

 

RAVE REVIEWS!

“If you have ever been down, or felt lost, this amazing book will change your life. Do yourself a favor -- read it now.”

–  Elton John

“Lost Connections offers a wonderful and incisive analysis of the depression and alienation that are haunting American society.”

–  Hillary Rodham Clinton

“Wise, probing and deeply generous Hari has produced a book packed with explosive revelations about our epidemic of despair... I am utterly convinced that the more people read this book, the better off the world will be.”

–  Naomi Klein

“A brilliant, stimulating, radical take on mental health.”

–  Matt Haig

“This book is a game changer.”

–  Davina McCall

“A prescient and compassionate Rosetta Stone for those trying to understand mental illness. Beautiful.”

–  Russell Brand

“Extraordinary...A highly personal book, written with humility, humor and candor, it nonetheless heralds a crucial new discussion about our mental health -- and health of the world we've created for ourselves… I honestly couldn't put it down. What a stunning piece of work.”

–  Brian Eno

“As with his book on drugs, Johann Hari has delivered a remarkable tour de force on a difficult, complex and controversial subject and made the reader think anew.”

–  Alastair Campbell

“This is a bold and inspiring book that will help far more than just those who suffer from depression. As Hari shows, we all have within us the potential to live in ways that are healthier and wiser.”

–  Arianna Huffington

“An exquisitely lucid treatise on why no person is, has been or ever should be an island. This book is the most exciting thing I've read this year. From slightly seedy to suicidal -- however you are feeling -- read this book and it will honestly help you to understand which roads we must walk if we want to see true, lasting change.”

–  Emma Thompson

“A vital, compelling and eye-opening examination of the myths we have been taught to believe about depression and anxiety... Hari again proves that he is one of the world's most important and most enlightening thinkers and social critics.”

–  Glenn Greenwald

“This is an astonishing book, that transforms our understanding of one of the crucial issues of our times. Johann Hari asks the big questions and provides the big answers -- answers that have been neglected for far too long. You cannot fully understand this great curse of our age until you have read it.”

–  George Monbiot

“Johann Hari has written a book that could actually make us happy. It is very important everyone read this book and do what he says as quickly as possible.”

–  Simon Amstell

“A beautiful book from the person that brilliantly once said “the opposite of addiction is connection” and who now explores and offers some solutions to our disconnection.”

–  Jemima Khan

“This is an extraordinary, elegant exploration of a timely problem. It is written with wit and elan and provides a devastating analysis of our society that is both shocking and profound.”

–  Dr. Max Pemberton of The Daily Mail

“A bold call for a complete re-evaluation of what is causing the western epidemic of mental illness.”

–  Isabel Hardman, Sunday Times

“You might think Lost Connections is a self-help title but in reality it's a book that aims to change society, not individuals… Lost Connections is an important and controversial book because it asks questions about the biggest problems we have in the world.”

–  Attitude Magazine

“Brilliant.”

–  Liz Jones, Mail on Sunday

Scientists admit to chemtrail project (audio)

Emily Guerin (KPCC FM, SCPR.org, Jan. 24, 2018); Editors, Wisdom Quarterly

View from the cockpit of the University of Wyoming research aircraft over the Payette River Basin during the cloud seeding experiment (Courtesy of Jeffrey French via scpr.org).

.

[Call them chemtrails, aerosol dispersants for geoengineering, or a haze of toxic heavy metal nanoparticles and red blood cells raining down on a benighted public. Call the practice whatever, but "scientists" are finally ready to admit something far beyond "contrails" are going on. And as a complicit mainstream media rolls out the story, it chooses the lamest title ever.]

"Scientists observe cloud seeding for the first time ever"

For the first time ever, scientists in Wyoming have observed the magical-sounding practice of cloud seeding.
 

Water agencies across the West, including in Southern California [and polluted China in the East], have for decades shot silver iodide into clouds from cannons and airplanes. The theory is that the [nano-sized] particles make the clouds drop even more snow than would fall otherwise. But there is very little scientific evidence that it works.

• VIDEO: What in the World are they Spraying?

“You do get the question, How much snow did we make? I can’t really tell you. I don’t really know.” said Chris Harris, executive director of the Colorado River Board, a California state agency that represents Southern California water agencies on Colorado River issues and spends up to $250,000 annually on cloud seeding in the Rocky Mountains. “Over time it’s something we’ve learned that we believe.”

 

But for Jeffrey French, an atmospheric scientist University of Wyoming, belief is not good enough.

 

“I think as we look towards the future, and as we know water is only going to get more expensive and harder to come by in the West, I think it’s incumbent upon us to answer the question of whether it does work, how well it works, and under what conditions it works.” More + AUDIO

UPDATE: Mike Catherwood fired from Dr. Drew

Seth Auberon, Pat Macpherson, CC Liu, Pfc. Sandoval, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly UPDATE

The master of many voices with a Latin twist

UPDATE: Catherwood's not a quitter. A loser maybe, but not a quitter. After getting unceremoniously canned from Dr. Drew's Midday Live Show on KABC.com -- mostly because they picked up an affiliate that didn't want a connection to vulgar Catherwood or perhaps just better ratings with *yawn* veteran Jewish co-host Lauren Sivan -- we can hear him back at his old station, KROQ.com (106.7 FM, Los Angeles) taking the place of canned loser Ralph Garman cracking wise and quite risque for Kevin, Allie, and Bean (The KAB Morning Program, aka K&B). He's not alone. He brings along LA's beloved Rudy Cisneros, Han Cholo, Yasiel Puig, and a catalogue of other voices like KISS frontman Gene Simmons and you-name-it-Mike-can-probably-do-it.

Show us the funny, Mike, cuz ain't no money.

The funny thing, and the justification for the "loser" name calling we lead with, is that Catherwood is almost certainly NOT getting paid by cheap Kevin, Bean, KROQ (old or new owners), just as he was not paid for his work on the uber-successful moneymaker Loveline, the station's long-running, safe harbor, sex talk show, which got picked up by MTV for a time). It makes us wonder if Catherwood -- a blended Irish-Mexican from neighboring Glendale -- was ever being paid for showing up at KABC (790 AM, L.A.) to support moneyman/workaholic Drew Pinsky M.D., a Pasadena resident and graduate of the prestigious Little Lord Fauntleroy's School for Albino Hemophiliacs. (We miss racist-sexist-rightwing sidekick Adam Corolla, extreme Jewish conservative Dennis Prager's partner, who originated this funny line).

Catch up with Master Catherwood of Swole Patrol, a luminary on Twitter (Feb. 12, 2018)

• VIDEO: Working for KROQ, February 2018

Any comment or clarification for the media, Mike? No, we didn't think so. Follow him on twitter. He's a father of one, daughter Magnolia. His wife Bianca is successful and beautiful, and he sings and is trying to do standup, so all of this voluntary labor is being parlayed into some Law of Attraction enterprise of the future, we're sure. Good luck, Mike, and keep up the good funny work. You're a better man than we, who would just curl up on the couch and mope.

ORIGINAL REPORT

Radio's a tough business even with mental illness in hyper-competitive Los Angeles.

 

It seemed odd when the nice woman spoke where normally Psycho Mike Dwight Catherwood is shooting off his rightwing, sexist, racist, I'm-trying-to-be-uber-PC-because-I'm-so-woke mouth.

It was a breath of fresh air. But after a few days -- and hearing Catherwood appearing in place of fired Ralph Garman on KROQ's morning zoo, "The Kevin & Bean Show featuring Allie," we got the picture: He's finally been canned from Dr. Drew's intelligent talk show on moderate-to-right radio station KABC 790 AM (no affiliation with ABC TV).

What has this dummkopf done now? What sexual harassment, phone stalking (sending filthy images to anyone with a number and no stomach for it), or sex crimes (like exposing himself) has he engaged in? The Garman Camp has kept the secret, leading us all to believe it was just a financial move.

But Catherwood is much less seasoned and much more suited to late night, "safe harbor," broadcasts than Garman or Drew. Something is afoot.

Drew surely needed a better host, and a female voice is always in order to balance out the excess testosterone roar and biased one-sidedness. We're not sure that we would have chosen Lauren Sivan (yawn), but it's a start. Now if Kev Dog and the Bean Man can hold on to Catherwood, he can bring back the abuse and risque elements missing ever since Garman got canned. Carry on, Mike. Why not bring "Loveline" back? It's got to be tough competing with 98.7 FM and the mighty Frosty Heidi & Frank on 95.5 FM.

• Lauren Sivan in, Mike Catherwood out as Dr. Drew's co-host at KABC (allaccess.com) Dr. Drew Midday Live got a new co-host to accompany the show's addition by KGO, as former FOX O&O KTTV... 
• About Mike Catherwood [canned by] KABC
• Dr. Drew Midday Live with Lauren Sivan (KABC) 
• Dr. Drew Midday Live without Mike Catherwood 790 KABC

COMMENTS 

• Fabio • Radio is a cruel place where many hosts complain about low pay, most except Mike Catherwood. He was sort of dingy but he was entertaining and it's sad to see someone you've become accustomed to get replaced without any explanation or fanfare. 
• Eric Rosenberg • I don't care for the way radio talent is replaced without any fanfare or explanation... it's like the person never existed. It's cruel to the personality as well as their fans. Nice job there KABC.
• Phillugo • The person they should have gotten rid of is the stupid Jillian Bareberi. What a total idiot! She has zero knowledge regarding current events. She only knows what her Twitter feed tells her. Get her off the air.
• Joe • So Sivan parlayed all of her "me-too" nonsense into a job.
• Mike Arebalo • I'm deeply shocked that Mike is no longer on KABC. He always brings greatly needed humor to over-serious political radio. While I always like Lauren Sivan guest spotting, she doesn't bring an exciting dynamic to KABC like Mike did with Drew. 
• Ronnie Loaiza • I agree. She sounds mostly bland and uninformed. At least Jillian B is fun and funny when she's wrong or not as informed about something, and Mike Catherwood did a great job being relate-able and boosting Dr Drew's low key demeanor. ...

David Letterman on Johnny Carson (video)

Johnny Carson, Tonight Show, David Letterman, Late Show; Wisdom Quarterly

Late Show with David Letterman on Johnny Carson for anniversary of his passing, tribute episode, January 31, 2005 recorded from KELO TV in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Whoever was running master control that night kept missing his breaks and cutting into the show. Good job. Some backstory. I was contacted by my friend who lived in New York at the time telling me to tape the program that night. He said NYC was having a big snow storm. He was walking by the theater and there was a sign in the window indicating they needed audience members that night. That's how he got in to see the show.

Sex, celibacy, and "purity"?

Ven. Nyanatiloka, Buddhist Manual; Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Just give me one chance to prove that marrying that ginger will be a big mistake!*

I've got a burning desire.

What's "love" got to do with it? With what? With "purification and purity" (visuddhi).

For a monk or nun who has undertaken additional training rules to gain enlightenment and liberation from all suffering most expediently, celibacy (brahmacariya) is incumbent on such a practitioner, meaning a "supreme" (chaste) or "pure" life.

A lay-practitioner who observes the Eight Precepts also takes a temporary vow of chastity (full abstention from sex). The highest aim and purpose of this is, according to MN 29, "unshakable deliverance of mind" (akuppā ceto-vimutti). But purity is not celibacy.

Celibacy is a means to actual purity, to purification of the mind/heart of all craving.

• [WQ: Rather than abstaining from sex, a lay practitioners always abstains from sexual misconduct (kamesu micchacara), that is, harming anyone (even oneself) for the sake of one's own sensual pursuits. But this term "sexual misconduct" is much misunderstood and mistranslated according to our Western (Judeo-Christian) biases. Fortunately, the Buddha defined it exactly as avoiding having sex with the ten forbidden types of people (other's spouses, people under the protection of others, those unable to consent, and so on). Let us strive, then, to at least live by a simplified rule of avoiding doing harm as we pursue having sex.]

Those who become enlightened to the first three stages can still have sex. Not only that, according to the Ratana Sutra, there are only five things they cannot do, as doing so would entail a painful result that is no longer possible for them.

 

But I'm in the mood! - Tell it to the sign.

It may even be possible after the fourth and final stage, but it is traditionally explained that at that point one has gone beyond.

One has gone altogether beyond the necessary and sufficient sensual desire and lust that acts as motivation. One has escaped the former traps of craving and clinging to the unsatisfactory, which applies to all things.

• Self-proclaimed fully enlightened Buddhist meditation master Daniel M. Ingram says sex is possible even after full enlightenment (arhatship): Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha: An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book

Woodland-devas love to play.

The Seven Stages of Purification (satta-visuddhi) form the outline of The Path to Freedom (Vimuttimagga) as well as Buddhaghosa's monumental work, The Path of Purification (Visuddhimagga), which is based on the former work and likely the product of the same author under the name Araha Upatissa.

The only place in the Pali canon where these seven kinds of purification are mentioned is in "The Simile of the Stagecoach" (MN 24, see The Path to Deliverance, by Ven. Nyanatiloka, §64), where their purpose and goal are illustrated.

 

Ah, to have a spouse like mine! (Wm. Etty)

There it is said that the real and ultimate goal does not consist of purification of virtue, or of mind, or of view, and so on, but in enlightenment and full release. Now just as one mounts the first coach and travels to the second coach, then mounts the second coach and travels with it to the third coach, and so on, in exactly the same way the goal of:
 

How will I cross over to "the further shore," freedom from all suffering, nirvana?

1. (I) the purification of virtue (sila-visuddhi) is
2. (II) the purification of mind (citta-visuddhi); its goal:
3. (III) the purification of view (ditthi-visuddhi); its goal:
4. (IV) the purification by overcoming doubt (kankhāvitarana-visuddhi); its goal:
5. (V) the purification by directly knowing-and-seeing of what is path and what is not-path (maggāmagga-ñānadassana-visuddhi); its goal:
6. (VI) the purification by knowing-and-seeing of path-progress (patipadā-ñānadassana-visuddhi); its goal:
7. (VII) the purification of knowing-and-seeing (ñānadassana-visuddhi), but the goal of this purification is deliverance freed from all clinging.

There are supersensual pleasures.

(I) "Purification of virtue consists of the fourfold purity of virtue (catu-pārisuddhi-sīla), namely, restraint with regard to the Disciplinary Code (pātimokkhasamvara-sīla), sense-restraint (indriysamvara-sīla), purity of livelihood (ājīvapārisuddhi-sīla), virtue with regard to the Four Requisites (paccaya-sannissita-sīla)" (The Path of Purification, Vis.M. XVIII).
 

On these four terms, see sīla. In the case of a layperson, it entails the observance of whatever rules (five or more precepts) one has taken upon oneself.

 

(II) "Purification of mind is a name for the eight attainments (i.e., eight meditative absorptions), as well as for neighborhood-concentration (upacāra-samādhi; see samādhi)" (ibid.)

 

*The happiest people? They should be but no.

(III) "By purification of view is meant the understanding, in accordance with reality, of mind and body (nāma-rūpa)... which is founded on nondelusion (wisdom) as base and which in manifold ways determines mind and body after overcoming all belief in a personality (attā, self, ego)" (ibid.) [To understand how and why there is no personality, self, ego, see anatta.] More

Foraging edible wild plants, L.A. (Jan. 27)

Xochitl, Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly; Christopher Nyerges (FB), School of Self-Reliance

Foraging Wild Edible Plants of North America

Join an afternoon walk to explore some of the many edible and medicinal plants commonly found in Southern California.

The School of Self-Reliance's Christopher Nyerges, author and expert, will lead a casual walk in mixed chaparral and riparian areas to collect a samples to make a tasty salad.

Bring along whatever is normally taken on a day hike: water bottle, sunscreen, and the like.

• Saturday, 3:00-5:30 PM, Jan. 27, 2018. Class fee: $20.
• LOCATION: Hahamongna Watershed Park (Pasadena). Drive into the park at the entrance at Oak Grove and Foothill. Drive south on the road until you see the outdoor bathrooms and then park. (Do not go down the hill). More + RSVP

School of Self-Reliance

Learn survival skills (ChristopherNyerges.com)

The school offers regular field trips and workshops to learn about urban and wilderness self-reliance and survival. [See schedule]. Learn about WILD FOODS, WILDERNESS SKILLS (such as fire-making, shelter-building, etc.), URBAN SKILLS (such as food and water storage, emergency preparedness, alternates to electricity, etc.), and general NATURE AWARENESS and ECOLOGY awareness. Also available: private and group consultations, lectures to Scouts, churches, schools, libraries...publications and DVDs that further survival education. More

"Slayer," "Deicide: Behind the Scars" (doc)

Seth Auberon, Pfc. Sandoval, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly; Slayer; Earache Records

The Early Days of Slayer (mini-documentary) is a collection of interviews with each member about band's early days. The band is Tom Araya on vocals and bass, Kerry King on guitars, Jeff Hanneman on guitars, and Dave Lombardo on drums. From a 2004 official DVD with Japanese subtitles.

What's "Slayer"? (Kendall J. Kardashian)

SLAYER is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by rhythm guitarist Kerry King and lead guitarist Jeff Hanneman.

Slayer rose to fame (or infamy) with its 1986 release Reign in Blood and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal bands, along with Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. But unlike the others, Slayer is an unabashedly Satanic band.

Since its debut album in 1983, the band has released 12 studio albums, two live albums, a box set, six music videos, two extended plays, and a cover album.

Four of the band's studio albums have received gold certification in the United States. The band has received five Grammy Award nominations, winning one in 2007 for the song "Eyes of the Insane" and one in 2008 for the song "Final Six" (both from 2006's Christ Illusion). After 37 years of recording and performing, Slayer will embark on their final tour in 2018.

You call this "music"? Not in my America!

Slayer's musical style involves fast tremolo picking, double bass drumming, riffs in irregular scales, and shouted vocals. In the original line-up, King, Hanneman, and vocalist/bassist Tom Araya contributed to the band's lyrics, and all of the band's music was written by King, Hanneman, and Lombardo.

The band's lyrics and album art -- which cover topics such as murder, serial killers, necrophilia, torture, genocide, human experimentation, Satanism, hate crimes, terrorism, religion, anti-religion, Nazism, and warfare -- have generated album bans, delays, lawsuits, and criticism from religious groups and the general public.

However, its music has been highly influential, often being cited by many bands as an influence musically, visually, and lyrically. Between 1991 and 2013, the band sold 5,000,000 albums in the United States. More

Can girls sing metal?


It's not just boys who are filled with rage after a largely Catholic/Protestant upbringing that teaches them to fear God and turn to Satan in rebellion. Females can belt it out, or channel it as the case may be. Just look at Canadians Alissa White-Gluz and Company as The Agonist, "Their Eulogies Sang Me to Sleep" from the album Lullabies for the Dormant Mind (Century Media Records, 2009, cmdistro.com).
 
Deicide: Behind the Scars

 

What if there were an American band from America's p*n*s, Florida, that was openly "Satanic" or influenced by demons? Why would Americans buy their CDs and downloads? Why would anyone choose to attend their concerts, buy their merch, or raise their status on death metal, black metal, and grindcore charts?

Not Halloween themes! They're too scary!!

There's Slayer, there's Cannibal Corpse, there's Carcass, there's authentic rap, all of which are considered dangers to the youth of our nation.

Maybe what people want at their core is authenticity, even if it's offensive to others, horrifying to parents, troublesome to the church and police? Maybe we need contrast and shadow to distinguish the light and give life deeper meaning.

You want them to sign this deal with you? - Sign off on it!

What does "deicide" even mean? Dei is the God, gods, deities, divinities, angels, devas and what not, and -cide means "the killing of."

Maybe they're just joking? But then again singer/frontman Glen Benton burned an upside down cross on his forehead to say he was sincere.

Then Cannibal Corpse guitarist, Jack Owen (2004-2016), joined the band to replace the original Hoffman brothers on guitar, thereby combining the two best-selling death metal bands of their day.

The banned band in black

Cannibal Corpse's Jack Owen switches over

DEICIDE is an American death metal band formed in 1987 by brothers and guitarists Brian and Eric Hoffman and drummer Steve Asheim as "Carnage," then hiring bassist/vocalist Glen Benton and becoming "Amon."
 
They would later change the band name to Deicide in 1989.

The war in heaven rages on between the asuras and devas.

The band rose to mainstream success in 1992 with their second album Legion and is credited as the second best-selling death metal band of the Soundscan Era, after Cannibal Corpse.

Since their debut album in 1990, Deicide has released 11 studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums, and two live DVDs. In November 2003, their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, were ranked second and third place respectively in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era.

I have a signed deal with them.

Deicide is known for their shocking lyrics, which cover topics such as Satanism, anti-Christianity, and blasphemy. Their lyrics have resulted in bans, lawsuits, and criticism from religious groups and the public. More

Authentic enough for ya'? There is only so much bubblegum, pop, and candy the ears of music consumers can tolerate before desiring something real, which they will get one way or another.

"Dear White People" (film)

Dear White People (YouTube Movies); Crystal Quintero, CC Liu, Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly

Dear White People follows the stories of four black students at Winchester University, where a riot breaks out over a popular "African American" themed party thrown by a white fraternity. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film explores racial identity in "post-racial" America while weaving a universal story of forging one's unique path in the world. Lionsgate, Rated R, released 2014, runs 1:48:29.

You can lead a monkey to the mat...but you can't make it meditate

Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly, Ananda M., DMI; Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (Huff Po Rise)

(JuBu Jewish-Buddhist Beastie Boys doing their smash hit "Brass Monkey" as a video)

Think you're tricky? But I'm trickier!

Monkeys are funny things. In the jungle gym between my ears, there is a fierce and tricky battle raging. It is full of cunning and such slyness that it is difficult to comprehend its parameters.

I tell my monkey, "Cool it! Settle down." It smiles with its big banana teeth then reaches behind for I don't want to know what to toss at me. Then it laughs and laughs and laughs as I threaten, "Why you...!" And it runs away to the jungle cave of consciousness.

(Huff Po Rise) Buddhist monk Yongey Mingyr Rinpoche explains How to Train our Monkey Mind

I have to stand at the edge of the jungle try to reason it to come out. "I'm not mad, Mr. Monkey. Come out. C'mon. Here monkey-monkey!"

After a long time, long after I've asked, it might emerge to do its mischief or rest contented in the canopy.

"Wait till I get my hands on you, you simian..." I think quietly to myself. But it can hear me. It has very good hearing. Whatever I say above a whisper it hears clearly. It may even hear sub-whispers. Oh, monkey, will you ever learn?!  CONTINUED

And if I can't make the monkey meditate?

Dhr. Seven, Ananda M. (Dharma Meditation Initiative), Ashley Wells, Wisdom Quarterly

Cleanse and purify the mind.

So if I can't MAKE it (my Monkey Mind) meditate, then what?

Then don't. Just sit. Just watch it. "Don't just do something," as the saying goes, "sit there." Be mindful. But what does it mean to be "mindful"?

Mindfulness does not mean awareness. Consciousness is awareness. That is not to say that mindfulness is unaware.

Mindfulness is fully aware. It is mono-tasking. It is bare-awareness stripped of hindrances.
 

Moreover -- and this is the key that so often gets left out of the explanation -- it is awareness without embellishments. It is "pure" or "purified" (of kleshas) awareness because it is awareness that:

1. does not grasp or cling,
2. does not reject or push away,
3. does not get confused or bored.

Ah, finally, the brilliant, luminous mind!

These three bad habits are manifestations of the Three Poisons of the mind/heart, generally called greed, hatred, and delusion. A mind free of those three actions and fully aware is a mindful mind.

That is the choice, Monkey Mind versus Mindful Mind. The Mindful Mind will always win so long as it does not get sucked into the game, so long as it does not get tricked into playing a fool's game that by its nature always favors the house (as in Las Vegas or "Lost Wages" as the Vegans call it).

The Monkey Mind will win whenever it tricks us into playing. Just watch. You can lead a monkey to the mat, but you can't make it meditate.

How? Where?

PasaDharma - MARC (UCLA) - Disclosure Project - Dharma Punx

• Where can I learn to practice this in Los Angeles? Free