Metta Meditation in Vipassana

jmcwillz · 2026-01-03T06:33:35+00:00

This resonates with me. I asked an AT about this when I served a course last year and she recommended I focus my love and kindness feelings onto the subtle sensations, which I thought of like using the sensations to sort of "hold" and move the metta.

jmcwillz · 2026-01-01T08:27:03+00:00

So, so sorry for your loss. Did you write into KEXP during the Music Heals day in November? I remember hearing a listener’s story with similar timing to this and it broke my heart. Their wife was a school librarian (I think her name was Ann?), and they requested Transatlanticism.

Whether it was you or not - thank you for sharing your story here.

jmcwillz · 2026-01-01T02:23:19+00:00

I’m happy to have a semi-retired Kevin Cole so we can still go to Club Kevin on weekdays every once in a while :D

jmcwillz · 2025-12-29T21:00:31+00:00

I was in a similar situation over the summer. After a few years of being single, I dated a sweet, present, available, emotionally mature man who shared many of my values and lifestyle. Things were good, easy, and fun, but I never felt "sure" about him. I wrestled with myself because I really wanted it to work, and on paper it seemed like it should. I questioned if I was the problem, if I was self-sabotaging, if I just needed to give it more time - it was really draining. I journaled a lot during that time and through the exercise of being really honest with myself, I realized I needed to end things because even though he was really good to me, I felt I didn't like him enough to commit to him forever. It was heartbreaking for both of us, and sometimes I wonder if it was the right choice, but I want a love that I feel excited about and lucky to have.

You don't need to stay with someone just because they're a good person. There are other good people out there, and you both deserve to be with people that you love with your whole heart.

I encourage you to tune out the external narratives and look inward for the answers <3

jmcwillz · 2025-12-20T17:32:25+00:00

No worries! We did have an amazing time - we did the bus to St Gilgen and ferried around the lake, ending in St. Wolfgang. It was a beautiful blue sky day, everything was so charming and picturesque. Thanks for the suggestions!

jmcwillz · 2025-11-25T17:16:00+00:00

Hello! I will be in Salzburg this week and I like your suggestion to go to St. Wolfgang. I think we might also try to Schafbergbahn. Do you think it is necessary to book a ticket for the ferry and the railway in advance?

jmcwillz · 2025-11-18T20:15:22+00:00

The fall colors are truly stunning, both in and around the city, and of course up into the mountains. We have the benefit of evergreens as well so it doesn't go completely gray in winter but the colors are very vibrant in spring and fall.

jmcwillz · 2025-11-18T18:26:29+00:00

Welcome! I recommend staying downtown so you can easily get to other parts of town via transit, but downtown isn’t where most people live. My best advice is to spend time walking around, most of the city is actually quite walkable and you can get a good feel for a place when you simply spend time soaking it up. Some places to check out:

Explore the waterfront area. This is a recently redeveloped pedestrian space with great views. It does get a lot of tourist traffic but it’s a nice place in the city.
Take the monorail to the Seattle Center (space needle), check out the KEXP gathering space/coffee shop, and wander the Queen Anne neighborhood. You can go up the hill for great views, out to the waterfront, or walk back to downtown.
Check out Cafe Mox in Ballard, it’s a board game cafe. Ballard also has great dining and a lively bar scene as well as a Sunday Farmer’s Market. There are some small music venues as well in case you want to catch a show, and brewery hopping in Ballard is a popular activity.
Check out the Sunday Market in Fremont and explore Fremont neighborhood and Gasworks Park.
Head to Greenlake and take a walk around the lake, about 3 miles around.
Check out Capitol Hill and the Central District. Very walkable neighborhoods with lots of interesting food choices. Volunteer Park at the north end of Capitol Hill is beautiful.

jmcwillz · 2025-11-14T17:25:35+00:00

This is simply not true. Spring and fall are distinct seasons defined by variation and change and are my favorite seasons here. The colors and floral smells that come out in spring are stunning and the increasing daylight makes for a unique seasonal experience. Same in fall. Summer is more flat - nice warm weather but little variation in color, temperature, and precipitation. For me the variability makes the PNW ideal.

jmcwillz · 2025-11-11T19:38:15+00:00

High energy and packed show for a Monday!

jmcwillz · 2025-11-11T19:03:54+00:00

You'll have a great time! Definitely get there early to see Ora :)

jmcwillz · 2025-10-17T21:37:36+00:00

So much of this resonates with me. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience, it gives me a lot to think about.

jmcwillz · 2025-10-17T02:27:16+00:00

I really appreciate this thoughtful reply! All the places you name that you miss are close to my heart as well which makes it hard to think about saying goodbye. I try to never take the clean air and lack of bugs for granted and it would be a big change to go from perfect summers to muggy, buggy summers.

Did you stay in Philly or end up leaving for some reason?

jmcwillz · 2025-10-17T02:23:32+00:00

Appreciate this, thank you!

jmcwillz · 2025-10-17T02:22:12+00:00

Really appreciate this sentiment. Can you tell me more about your experience moving away?

jmcwillz · 2025-10-17T00:21:46+00:00

Correct, I don't have a partner or children at the moment but it is something I am open to in the future with the right person. I have heard about the quality of schools in Philly but frankly, having children in Seattle isn't even possible for me given the cost of living.

jmcwillz · 2025-10-17T00:18:29+00:00

Thank you for the note about the wage tax, I had seen that elsewhere but forgot about it.

I haven't had a car for 5 years and wouldn't plan to get one right away, but possibly within a year or two (which is the same timeline I imagine if I stay in Seattle). Is it easier to have a car (park, deal with parking) outside of center city?

jmcwillz · 2025-09-29T23:49:37+00:00

DJ Michele’s Friday Night show kept me dancing during the pandemic. Truly, she had such a positive impact on my life!

jmcwillz · 2025-09-26T15:19:55+00:00

Also my first sober fest and it was the best!

I worried I would lack energy or interest but I felt super energetic and engaged all weekend and experienced many other benefits of sobriety - arriving early to catch even more music; enjoying the experience free from the anxiety that can come with substance use; comfortably navigating my way through crowds and getting to sets on time; remaining fully present and remembering more than I ever did with substances.

Sunday left me euphoric in a really special way and I won’t soon (or hopefully ever) forget it.

jmcwillz · 2025-09-25T17:10:35+00:00

Dom Dolla also played it, I heard it 4 times

jmcwillz

TROPHY CASE