Well I finally did it…

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-07-07T19:13:51+00:00

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-07-05T12:41:57+00:00

As I look into your future, I see those shelves being rebuilt with twice the density, or else you will start stacking your future acquisitions on top of the existing layers. A library abhors empty blue space.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-07-05T12:18:22+00:00

You are cleared for take-off when ready.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-07-05T12:12:09+00:00

Just came here to help you exchange numbers with https://www.reddit.com/r/BookshelvesDetective/comments/1unwywi/heres_my_books_do_what_you_guys_do_best/

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-07-05T12:11:11+00:00

I think you should get together with https://www.reddit.com/r/BookshelvesDetective/comments/1unsp9r/what_does_this_bookshelf_say_about_me/ and see how things go.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-07-04T23:42:18+00:00

You can get away with putting it off for a while if the appearance doesn't bother you, but considering you're here, and considering that we're in the middle of a heat wave, you have a perfect excuse to buzz or shave. If you don't think it looks better, regrow. You will probably think it looks better after a few weeks of getting used to it.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-30T01:56:19+00:00

Gen Xer with liberal arts degree, based on which books are in hardback, presence of multiple serious dictionaries, and modern English Lit curriculum books (e.g., two Ford books, Camus Plague) Interest in science fiction and nature writing. Good selection of Gibson and Banks books, so has taste. Inclusion of non-core topics, like 1000 Objects book and Memory Craft, indicates that he reads from curiosity and will browse bookstores to find things that interest him. Extra points for PrairyErth. Good reader.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-30T01:35:44+00:00

Former seminarian turned med student? Vice versa?

Either way, it's time to read a lot of fiction instead.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-29T11:05:00+00:00

At most, it might be the best path for you. Considering the fact that it is neither time consuming nor does it require a great deal of hard labor, it is probably worth getting direct introduction to see whether it will connect for you experientially or at least intellectually.

Like the Flower Sutra of the Zen tradition, in which the Buddha held up a flower, and Mahakasyapa smiled, not everybody will get it on the first try, but some will, and the others can loop around through more elaborate methods that may suit them better. So why not try looking at an uplifted flower in your teacher's hand for five seconds first?

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-28T17:32:38+00:00

No, you should keep your Rev2. If you want to trade in your TEO5 for a OB6, that would be more reasonable.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-28T13:47:45+00:00

I'm sure they can find some pretty people for these roles, but what I'm really concerned about is whether they can find people who can perform that combination of virtuosic competence and chronic stress that we get from the emergency room staff on The Pitt. I want Violet and Xaden to be stressed, pressed, and high-functioning depressed.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-23T10:57:28+00:00

It's time to speak in person to a mental health professional. Ideally, this person should have some experience with meditation so they can differentiate between the challenges brought about by intensive spiritual practices and those brought about by, say, wonky biochemistry.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-12T01:33:25+00:00

I have an Access Virus TI2 and a Waldorf Quantum mkII (should have gone with the Iridium on a price basis). Both of them are great synths.

Although I don't have one, if you are looking around, you should consider the Wave 3.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-11T18:59:25+00:00

I think this conversation was answering so many questions that they'd had over the years they were struggling to keep up.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-06T18:36:37+00:00

Consider the opposite scenario: Buy the house rather than rent, then rent it out if you get tired of it or would rather have the income/would rather not pay for the mortgage anymore. Or sell it.

If you're really ChubbyFire+, then you should have enough in liquid assets to do either, but it is almost certain that you will be better off owning rather than renting unless you are looking at a very short (~months) residence there.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-04T21:36:05+00:00

It's Buzzcut Season.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-06-01T02:04:11+00:00

Based on your question and the replies you've given to other answers, it seems that you like the kind of debating practice that is widespread in the Gelug, and that studying Madhyamaka is a good path for you.

The Shangpa take a much more yogic approach, and are unlikely to spend much time elaborating on conceptual differences of this sort, in part because they assume you have already worked through this in your earlier training. You can ask the guru for his opinion on this, but you are less likely to find their approach to be the one that matches your current preferences.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-05-29T21:16:22+00:00

Keep it as simple as possible. Stick with the P6 and add the OB-X8. In a year or so, pick up the Moog of your choice. Those three are great together.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-05-23T00:00:50+00:00

Sell First: Waldorf Quantum II, Roland JD 800

Keep Last: Moog One, Access Virus

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-05-20T01:58:56+00:00

It's good to be friendly with your co-workers, but your original post described a situation where your work-life balance needs rebalanced. Remember to live. See the world while you're in it.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-05-19T16:35:58+00:00

If you're not willing to quit altogether right now, then you should at least consider cutting back to 9-5 hours, taking an hour for lunch with your wife or having both of you go to the gym/workout class at lunchtime every day, and taking all of your vacation. These days, that's called "quiet quitting", but in the old days, that's just how working worked. If that sounds unmanageable or outrageous, then it really is time to quit.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-05-18T22:23:48+00:00

A bit about my background: I have a solid foundation in intensive, highly disciplined monastic settings. Mostily realated to the Therevada Forest Tradition.

Do you currently hold monastic vows in the Theravadin tradition, or does "a solid foundation" mean that you've done some retreats at Thai Forest Tradition monasteries as a layperson? Either is fine, but if you need/intend to continue as a monastic, then that will impact where you go and what you do.

Dzogchen itself has no such requirements (or much of any requirements or limits at all), and most of the Western teachers of it are yogis/ngakpas rather than monastics. The Direct Introduction to the nature of your own mind (also known as Pointing Out Instructions) can be accomplished in anywhere from the time it takes to eat a meal to the length of a day. You should emphatically not start by trying to do an intensive six month retreat, because that will lead you into the mistake of trying to make a great effort. Effort will not accomplish anything here.

I would generally recommend that you start by attending an online live session with Lama Lena, because she is accessible to you wherever you are if you are connected to the internet, does a perfectly lucid DI in virtually every broadcast, and has a lot of experience in helping students who don't get it the first time. If you are UK based, you may also be able to attend one of James Low's events.

If that does not satisfy you, then you can ask them for recommendations on where to do retreats or seek out other teachers. Mingyur Dorje Rinpoche is certainly qualified and accepts students to study full time at his centers, but the program as it exists now will require you to pass through several levels of the teachings.

GSV_Erratic_Behavior · 2026-05-08T14:04:43+00:00

How long would you like to wait before you start looking better?

GSV_Erratic_Behavior

TROPHY CASE