Why do waves go so well with Buddhism? There's something about sex, sand, and suffering -- which one meets with while reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on the beach. But becoming a greater surfer has much more to do with wu wei (the ease of effortless flow), wushu (martial arts), and applying Taoist principles like yin and yang to Zen (jhana) Buddhist practice, which involves mindful in-the-moment awareness and radical acceptance of what is.
Southland facing a triple threat of heat, humidity, and high surf
Temperatures topping 100 inland raise fire risk
Rong-Gong Lin II (July 21, 2026, Los Angeles); Eds., Wisdom Quarterly
Southern California will face a triple threat this week of dangerous heat, muggy weather and, along the coast, hazardous high waves. It may be better for surfing, but it will be risky for all beachgoers who get near the water.
"We're looking at an at least several days -- if not longer -- heat event, which can really be concerning," said meteorologist Robbie Munroe of the National Weather Service's Oxnard office. Hollywood may catch fire on the Sunset Strip from all the tourists dripping sunblock.
Officials warned of elevated fire danger across large swaths of SoCal starting Tuesday, with a high risk of fast-moving and "plume dominated" fires driven by heat and instability. Such blazes have large vertical growth and can spread rapidly even when not driven by the wind. More: latimes.com
Wisdom Quarterly's new book on going with the flow while out to sea among brutal sharks, cancerous sun, chapping wind, and rich territorial surf punks suffering from localism and getting into fights about it.
Why do waves go so well with Buddhist practice? There's something about "sex, sand, and suffering" -- which one meets with while reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy safely on the beach. But it has much more to do with wu wei, wushu, and applying Taoist principles to Zen practice.
For instance, when out on a wave about to ride, instead of "doing," try "allowing." Go with the flow. Rather than interfering or trying to cut against the grain, embody radical acceptance of what is and ride it out. That's what Wisdom Quarterly's resident Meditation Teacher Seven says is a far better approach than struggling to dominate.
Let the waves dominate so that the only thing to do is allow, allow, allow. Then in this allowing, suddenly it becomes effortless and intuitive, perfectly obvious and impossible to explain with words.
People do sometimes try to express it in words, but it all becomes a jumble of oohs and ahhs like surf slang or Himalayan shoestring spiritual seekers on ayahuasca down in the jungles of the Amazon with shamans Michael Harner.
As a graduate student in the 1950s, Michael Harner undertook field research on the culture of the Jívaro (Shuar)Natives of the Amazon in Ecuador [5] as he began to pursue a career as an ethnologist. His UC Berkeley doctoral dissertation (1963) became the basis for his book, The Jívaro: People of the Sacred Waterfalls[6]. In 1960-1961 he reported that he became a participant-observer by experimenting with the powerful plant medicineayahuascawith the Conibo of the Peruvian Amazon [5]. He wrote about in the articles "The Sound of Rushing Water" (1968)[7] and "The Role of Hallucinogenic Plants in European Witchcraft" (1973)[8]. Dr. Harner, Ph.D. returned to the Native Jívaro in 1964, 1969, and 1973, at which time he learned the use of the psychoactiveentheogenmaikua (Daturabrugmansia, jimsonweed) [5]. More
There's a similar feeling to be had by skateboarding or hang gliding, BASE jumping or surviving the pit (slam dancing to a favorite song at a concert). Surfing seems very safe by comparison. It all becomes instinctive and beyond thinking. It's a good place to be just for that moment, rising above the turmoil of the mind or diving into the silence of the heart. Rumi would understand. The historical Buddha pointed out the detailed Path to it.
I'dunno, Bro, looks pretty gnarly. Let's just tan.
Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual surfer (or two) uses a carefully modified wood, fiberglass, or polyurethane board to "ride" on the face, the forward section, of a swelling wave of water. This swell usually carries said surfer toward shore or to a watery death by drowning for not respecting Mother Nature enough. Waves suitable for surfing are primarily found on ocean shores. But they can also be found as standing waves in the open ocean, artificial simulators, lakes, rivers in the form of a tidal bore, or wave pools (and also in a physics experiment when a tide pool is sent back to sea). More
Surf Spots - California Beaches: The Wedge? That's Newport Beach. LA's Palos Verdes Peninsula isn’t known for its surfing outside of local circles, and there is a sad reason for that. It’s called “localism.” The area has a severe case of the disease. Located between Los Angeles and Long Beach, and possessing some excellent breaks, one would think this place would be much better known. Locals know all about surf spots like Palos Verdes Cove (near the crumbling peninsula called Palos Verdes Estates), Lunada Bay, Haggertys at Malaga Cove, among others.
A few weeks ago, LA and OC beaches were being subjected to king tides, riptides, with dangerous surfing conditions for experts only. The cause this time seems to be a tropical storm elsewhere disrupting the height and frequency of waves. Surfers may love it as they avoid great white sharks, but others will find it hard to take a dip or swim. Localism is, of course, a greater danger as human sharks with a sense of entitlement circle strangers and drive them out. Expect swells, tubular conditions at The Wedge and elsewhere. Warning: Water may be a little contaminated due to crumbling infrastructure. Sharks are a tiny worry compared to the microscopic contaminants and plastic particle debris. Enjoy.
Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Jennifer B., Seth Auberon, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Though, just like with other famous and eccentric personalities, there are real facts mixed with myths that survive to this day. Is he another Ashkenazi Jew guilty of incest? Or was he a crossdresser who married himself?
Having married his manly looking cousin, who grew to look more and more exactly like him, does not bolster his case for good judgment. But she may have been instrumental in his fame and his math.
In this gallery let's debunk some of the myths and bring a number of surprising facts about Al that most have probably never heard. Browse through and learn more about the supposed genius that was Dr. Einstein (who had no doctoral degree of any kind). More: msn.com
There are two Einsteins, aren't there? Not Mr. and Mrs., but rather like Jesus (Yeshua) the real person and the pop icon (Christ). Reza Aslan was emphatic about this distinction. Everyone knows about the popular fantasy, and very few bother to learn about a possible historical figure in the context of his cultural milieu.
During the historic dialogue between rabbis and the Dalai Lama, as told in his international bestseller The Jew in the Lotus, Rodger Kamenetz heard a penetrating question to the rabbis: "How does your spiritual practice purify afflictive emotions?"
To Kamenetz, this seemed the most fundamental question to ask of any religion or philosophy of life. How do your practices help you with negative emotions like anxiety, envy, resentment, and shame?
You support our cause, right Mr. Lama?
Taking the listener with him on an exhilarating intellectual and emotional journey, he finds a natural spiritual path in the imagination. Kamenetz connects daily life to spiritual longing, from the musical rhythms of his beloved New Orleans to his tender bond with Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, visionary founder of Jewish Renewal and a central figure in the Dharamsala, India (where the Dalai Lama lives in exile), dialogue.
Why light speed is the LIMIT? What Feynman uncovered will COLLAPSE your mind
(Imagine the Physics) Jan. 8, 2026: Ever wonder why nothing can break what Eistein called the "cosmic speed limit"? 🚀
Most people think it's just "Einstein's rule" — but the real answer is WAY weirder.
The speed of light isn't some arbitrary speed limit slapped onto the universe. It's literally built into the structure of space and time itself.
⚠️WARNING:
This channel is not officially connected to Richard Feynman or his estate. It's here to share his incredible way of explaining physics with a new generation who never got to learn from him directly. This is not his voice — it's a tribute to his teaching style, created purely for education and inspiration. No impersonation intended, just deep respect for one of history's greatest teachers.
🙏
All content created to inspire, educate, and encourage reflection. This channel follows YouTube’s monetization policies, including clear labeling of synthetic media.
This channel has no official connection to Richard Feynman, his estate, or Caltech. It is composed of independent educators using AI technology to make Feynman's teachings more accessible.
What the channel does: Transform Feynman's lectures and writings into engaging video format using AI voice synthesis, staying faithful to his original words and style.
What it does not do: Claim this is actually Feynman speaking, add our own theories, or misrepresent his ideas.
This journey starts with Newton staring at our Moon and realizing something wild: It's FALLING (sideways making an ellipsis) right now. It is constantly falling toward Earth (but missing because it's moving sideways). That single insight kicked off a 400-year avalanche of discoveries about how the universe really works.
⚡ Then came a total accident: Astronomers noticed Jupiter's moons were running 8 minutes late sometimes. Instead of blaming their math, one guy (Rømer) had a crazy idea: What if light takes TIME to travel? Boom! "Speed of light" discovered by accident, while studying gravity.
🧠 Fast forward to Einstein, who breaks everyone's brain by proving that the faster we move, the slower TIME flows for us. Not as a feeling — it does so literally. Our clock ticks more slowly. Distances shrink. The universe reshapes itself around us to keep light moving at exactly the same speed no matter what.
This has been TESTED.
✅ Particle accelerators prove it. GPS satellites depend on it. (They'd fail without Einstein's corrections). Cosmic rays streaming through our atmosphere show it. The universe doesn't care about our common sense; it plays by different rules.
💡 Feynman's genius was showing how these discoveries connect, how confidence in one law helps us discover the next. How asking the question, "Why are Jupiter's moons wrong?" led to finding light speed, how each breakthrough creates an avalanche of new ones.
Ready for a brain rewiring? Let's go. ⚡
💬 QUESTION:
What breaks the brain more, that Jupiter's moons revealed light speed or that time literally slows down when we move? Ever thought about why GPS actually works? Let us know what hit differently!
👇
📚 GO DEEPER:
Want to explore this?
📖 "Six Not-So-Easy Pieces" by Feynman — the relativity chapters are 🔥
📖 "The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol. 1" — Chapters 7-9 (gravity), 15-17 (relativity)
📖 "The Character of Physical Law" — Chapter 4 is a masterpiece
📖 Free access to all lectures: feynmanlectures.caltech.edu.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER:
This channel is not officially connected to Richard Feynman or his estate. It is here to share his incredible way of explaining physics with a new generation who never got to learn from him directly. This is not his voice; it's a tribute to his teaching style, created purely for education and inspiration. No impersonation is intended, just deep respect for one of history's greatest teachers.
🙏
Every video is carefully researched from his published works and lectures. This channel is independent, unofficial, and driven by one mission: keeping Feynman's legacy alive for curious minds everywhere.
How consciousness shapes the afterlife in Tibetan Buddhism
(Big Brain Wisdom) Dec. 4, 2025: Dive deeply into the profound teachings of the Bardo, the intermediate state, in this enlightening exploration of how thoughts shape reality after death.
How do thought become real after death? Let's uncover the intricate mechanisms that govern consciousness as it transitions from this life to the afterlife (the very next moment after death, the intermediary period before the next rebirth).
Discover how fear, desire, karma, and memory sculpt the post-death landscape, revealing the true power of awareness. Learn why mastery of the mind is essential for liberation and how the awakened navigate this ethereal realm.
Join this transformative journey that connects life and the mysteries of existence, and remember to like and share video.
OUTLINE
00:00:00 The threshold where thought becomes world
00:02:01 How the mind becomes the architect of entire realms
00:04:43 How thought solidifies into reality
00:07:38 The four forces shaping Bardo's reality
00:10:30 Why "souls" become trapped inside their own creations
00:13:13 The [dispassionate, unbiased] awareness that watches the dream
00:15:38 How the awakened move freely through the Bardo
Roshi Philip Kapleau | Zen Bow | Winter 2018, Vol. XL, No. 4, rzc.org
Shōkei (Andreas Praefcke/Wiki)
Here is a vintage koan ("public case") commentary by the Rochester Zen Center’s founder, the late American Roshi Philip Kapleau.
Mumonkan, Number 14. [Itpresages countless college discussions about Schrodinger's cat below.]
The Case
Once the monks of the Western and Eastern Halls were arguing about a cat. Nansen, holding up the cat, said: “You monks! If you can say a word of Zen, I will spare the cat. Otherwise, I will kill it!”
No one could answer, so Nansen cut the cat in two. That evening, when Joshu returned, Nansen told him of the incident. Joshu thereupon took off his sandal, put it on his head, and walked off.
Nansen said, “If you had been there, the cat would have been saved!”
The Commentary
Just say, what is the real meaning of Joshu’s putting his sandal on his head? If you can give a turning word on this point, you will see that Nansen’s action was not in vain. But if not, beware!
The Verse
Had Joshu only been there,
he would have taken charge.
He would have snatched away the sword,
and Nansen would have begged for his life.
Roshi Kapleau: The two protagonists of this koan, Nansen (748-835) and Joshu, are two of the great masters in Zen. Nansen (Chinese Nanchuan) was the teacher of Joshu (Chinese Zhaozhou). Nansen in turn was a disciple of the great Baso (Chinese Mazu). More: rzc.org
In this thought experiment, a hypothetical cat (and not the precious companion of Wisdom Quarterly's companion fish, Captain Shiny Sides, no relation to Hecklefish Moriarty of The Why Files) in a closed box may be considered to be simultaneously both alive and dead until it is observed, as a result of its fate being linked to a random subatomic event that may or may not occur. The thought experiment, viewed this way, is described as a paradox.
It is not alive but not quite dead?
It was devised by physicist Dr. Erwin Schrödinger in 1935 [1] in a discussion with Albert Einstein [2] to illustrate what Schrödinger saw as the problems (inconsistencies and contradictions) of the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics.
In Schrödinger's original formulation, a cat, a flask of poison, and a radioactive source are placed in a sealed box.
If an internal radiation monitor, such as a Geiger counter, detects radioactivity (a single atom decaying), the flask is shattered, releasing the poison, which kills the cat.
But if no decaying atom triggers the monitor, the cat remains alive.
The Copenhagen interpretation implies that the cat is therefore simultaneously both alive and dead.
Yet, when one finally looks in the box, one sees that the cat is either alive or dead, not both alive and dead.
This poses the question of when exactly quantum superposition ends and reality resolves into one possibility or the other. More
Most people don't get Schrodinger's Cat (including you?)
Looking Glass Universe, Nov. 7, 2024; Roshi Kapleau, Rochester Zen Center (rzc.org); Brian Cox via Explainify; Amber Larson, Dhr. Seven, CC Liu, Sheldon S. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
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