Sit With It: A New Paradigm for Living

by Xavier Alexander Vazquez

Life on the right side of the diagram involves constant and persistent evaluation. We look for pleasure in every single aspect of our lives. The closer we move towards The Thought-Storm, the more we criticize and judge all aspects of our life. If we determine that something, someone, or some situation has negative value, we avoid or denounce it. If we judge someone or something to be a potential pleasure source, we cling to it. We see life as a problem to solve. The more solutions we attempt the better - quantity is what matters. Some traditions call the right side of the diagram Maya. You can also equate it to what some call the Ego. On the left, we live a more qualitative experience. Some call this soul, heart, the Tao, or the poetic life. This is the experience of life as a work of art which includes both pleasure and discomfort in an unfolding rich tapestry of events. The Sunshine represents an alternative to constant evaluation. It is highly subjective and does not rely solely on inherited concepts.