My favourite line is "The nervous system learns there is no catastrophic threat without identity coherence". I have been watching patterns arise for years and seen how instantly they are claimed, but now sometimes there is a strange experience where the patterns have no where to land....they are not believed, seen through.
Yes. That “nowhere to land” experience is important. It’s what happens when the usual identity coherence isn’t available to organize the pattern. In those moments, the nervous system doesn’t register catastrophe.
But it’s not a final seeing. It’s a local collapse. Tapas is what allows that learning to deepen and spread, rather than turning it into a conclusion about being “past” something.
Marius, do believe that the magnitude of the suffering we encounter during this process is directly proportional to the magnitude of our resistance to it?
I wouldn’t frame it as proportional. Resistance adds friction, yes. But a lot of what shows up in this process isn’t created by present-moment resistance at all. It’s latent pressure being exposed once avoidance stops working.
Tapas isn’t about reducing suffering by letting go harder. It’s about staying in contact without bargaining, even when the intensity increases rather than decreases. Fire doesn’t scale itself to your willingness. It burns what’s there.
I’m not pointing to a state you adopt or a stance you hold. “Be still and let it burn” already turns this into something you do. Tapas is simpler and harsher than that. It’s about not leaving when pressure increases. No technique. No end point to orient towards. Just staying in contact when the system wants out.
I get your point Marius, but not leaving or staying in contact is also a state”I” adopt or stance “I” hold. Seems the sticky “self”adheres to whatever language we choose. “The sticky self that clings adhesions on the wings to love and adventure. To go on the grand tour a man [or woman] must be free from self necessity.” Patrick Kavanagh.
My favourite line is "The nervous system learns there is no catastrophic threat without identity coherence". I have been watching patterns arise for years and seen how instantly they are claimed, but now sometimes there is a strange experience where the patterns have no where to land....they are not believed, seen through.
Yes. That “nowhere to land” experience is important. It’s what happens when the usual identity coherence isn’t available to organize the pattern. In those moments, the nervous system doesn’t register catastrophe.
But it’s not a final seeing. It’s a local collapse. Tapas is what allows that learning to deepen and spread, rather than turning it into a conclusion about being “past” something.
Marius, do believe that the magnitude of the suffering we encounter during this process is directly proportional to the magnitude of our resistance to it?
I wouldn’t frame it as proportional. Resistance adds friction, yes. But a lot of what shows up in this process isn’t created by present-moment resistance at all. It’s latent pressure being exposed once avoidance stops working.
Tapas isn’t about reducing suffering by letting go harder. It’s about staying in contact without bargaining, even when the intensity increases rather than decreases. Fire doesn’t scale itself to your willingness. It burns what’s there.
Everything is burning…be as still as possible and let it burn until nothing is left, not even ashes?
I’m not pointing to a state you adopt or a stance you hold. “Be still and let it burn” already turns this into something you do. Tapas is simpler and harsher than that. It’s about not leaving when pressure increases. No technique. No end point to orient towards. Just staying in contact when the system wants out.
I get your point Marius, but not leaving or staying in contact is also a state”I” adopt or stance “I” hold. Seems the sticky “self”adheres to whatever language we choose. “The sticky self that clings adhesions on the wings to love and adventure. To go on the grand tour a man [or woman] must be free from self necessity.” Patrick Kavanagh.