Daily writing prompt
What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you?
Change your relationship to sensation.
Feel it all but stop assigning it meaning and value judgements.
PROMPT: Best Advice
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Category Archives: body
BOOK REVIEW: “Siva Samhita” Trans. by Srisa Chandra Vasu
Siva Samhita by Rai Bahadur Srisa Chandra VasuMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Available online
This book is considered to be one of three surviving classic texts of Hatha Yoga. (The other two being Hatha Yoga Pradipika [probably the most famous of the three because of a popular translation and commentary put out by the Bihar School] and The Gheranda Samhita.) Siva Samhita distinguishes itself among the three. It puts less emphasis on discussing technique (with the possible exception of Mudra, which — like the other two — it explores in depth, covering nine mudra with specificity) and puts greater emphasis on philosophical topics as well as yogic physiology (e.g. chakra and mapping physiology to the macro-scale natural world.) Siva Samhita only discusses four seated postures with specificity (three of which are cross-legged meditation postures,) and discusses pranayama (breathwork) mostly in generic terms. I wouldn’t say that this reflects a lack of interest in technical topics because one other topic that this book puts great emphasis on is the importance of the teacher (meaning there might not be much discussion of technique because of an assumption by the (unknown) author(s) that techniques should be entirely passed down verbally — teacher to student.
Even having read the other two texts, I found the Siva Samhita well worth exploring. The text takes its own distinct approach. I should point out that this version doesn’t include commentary or elaboration (beyond the occasional footnote.) The text is presented bilingually with Sanskrit and an English translation. I enjoyed reading the text and the translation felt skillful, but I think I would benefit from reading an edition with commentary, (provided the translator / commentator knew of what they spoke both in terms of Sanskrit language and Yogic practice.)
If you are a serious student and / or teacher of yoga, I’d highly recommend this text.
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PROMPT: Chaos
A little of every kind of stressor is good for us. A human is a system of antifragile systems. Our bones get denser if we load them. Our muscles get stronger when we cause microtears in them. And our minds can cope with a wider variety of experiences when exposed to a wider variety of experiences.
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BOOKS: “The Bodyweight Blueprint” by Brad Kolowich Jr.
The Bodyweight Blueprint: Over 70 Workouts to Achieve Your Training Goals by Brad Kolowich Jr.My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Publisher Site – Human Kinetics
This book offers a collection of exercises (and workouts built on said exercises) that require no equipment (excepting the inescapable calisthenic necessity of a bar, bars, or a safe facsimile thereof upon which one can lift one’s bodyweight.) The book does a fine job, though in a saturated market of similar books.
I’ll, therefore, talk about just a couple of ideas in this book that stood out to me as unique among the calisthenics books I’ve read. First, in the first section of the book, which lays a conceptual background for the exercises and workouts presented in subsequent sections, Kolowich explores the importance of Time Under Tension (TUT) and how it is achieved. I found this explanation valuable. Second, this book presents a much greater number of “self-resisted” exercises than I’ve seen in other books. I will need to give them a try before I comment on whether I think that is a good thing, but it was novel.
If this is your first book on calisthenics or bodyweight workouts, it’s as good as any. If you’ve read others, I can’t claim that you’re likely to find any profound revelations.
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PROMPT: Won’t Live to Witness
Daily writing prompt
What’s something you’d love to see in the future, but know you probably won’t live to witness?
I would love to see an era in which AI and robotics frees up humans to work on the project of being better humans physically, mentally, creatively, emotionally, artistically, etc.
However, I suspect that on the way to that point there will be periods of dystopia, chaos, and quasi-Armageddon. As near as I can tell, it will involve the invention of a new form of economy (and possibly governance,) which I haven’t seen anyone discussing in the merited depths.
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PROMPT: Physical Exercise
What is your favorite form of physical exercise?
I’m a big fan of them all. I like to move it, move it.
Each in its time.
Though the less special equipment I need access to, the better. I’m a firm believer that one needs only the body and mind to keep a fit body. It’s all a matter of how, how often, how intensely, and how safely one moves one’s body. Gadgety fitness can become too fetishist, and not build integration of the body as much as is ideal.
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PROMPT: Hobby or pastime
What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
Swimming, at the moment.
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PROMPT: Pay More Attention
What details of your life could you pay more attention to?
Mental states and somatic & emotional sensations. Sakshi Bhava is good stuff.
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BOOK: “The Mind Electric” by Pria Anand
The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains by Pria AnandMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Publisher Site — Simon & Schuster
There are A LOT of pop neuroscience books out there that reflect upon what we know about the brain from what goes wrong with it. I thought I was done reading such books because, while the first few are fascinating, they tend to retell the same stories.
That said, I’m glad I read this one, and what made it worth reading was that the science was explored in a very personal way, and I don’t just mean that the author recited her own personal experiences or those of her patients (though she does both,) but rather that the whole book is imbued with her worldview. She relates maladies of the mind to works of literature, of Greek and Hindu mythology, and to other aspects of culture in a relatable manner.
Another factor that sets this book apart is that its author shows a passion for language. In that sense, it reminded me of the works of Oliver Sacks (who she references a number of times,) rather than your average — articulate but linguistically conservative — neuroscientist.
I’d recommend this book for any readers interested in neuroscience, particularly anyone looking for a book that sets itself apart from the crowd. (I don’t recall it even mentioning Phineas Gage, which I thought was a requirement of all such books.)
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PROMPT: Most Important
Daily writing prompt
What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?
Heart and brain tie. Without the former I’m not alive; without the later I am not.
