CULTURE IS YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM

By
Terence McKenna

If you would like to learn more about Terence Mckenna and his work, visit the website Terence McKenna Land.

NOW Is All that Exists

This whole idea of living in the moment seems to be much more complex then advertised by your usual free spirited hippy or drunkard.  The vague concept is usually a staple expressed by the likes of an individual who follows the “Dead” while out on tour.  It’s also used as a hefty defense for those promiscuous characters when speaking on their exploits.  Either I’m an idiot, or most of the individuals mentioned above are full of shit.  I’ll walk the middle ground and just say it is probably a bit of both.  Truly living in the moment is one of the most grueling and disciplined meditations I have ever experimented with.

This idea is constantly advocated when talking about moments of what could only be the sheer preciousness of jubilation.   Well who the hell wouldn’t want to get lost in a moment of exuberance?!  It’s the mundane and/or out right disappointing moments you don’t want to hold onto.  Pure rubbish.  As Hunter would say, “Anything worth doing…is worth doing right.”  In my mind, this loosely translates into…why do something if you’re gonna half-ass the damn thing.  Any softheaded simpleton can and is willing to submit to a blissful moment.  That doesn’t take much effort.  What else do you expect from a nation that prides itself on an over abundance of instant gratification.

I have found the meditation of experiencing the NOW to be just as difficult and time consuming as good posture & correct breathing (For those of you that laughed out loud at that statement, I challenge you to do either one for 15 min).   It doesn’t seem hard, but it isn’t a skill or trade that is forced upon us to learn.  Besides, it is seemingly to under-stimulating and mundane for a lazy population to give much credence.   I have found this certain point of view to be folly, and one that has put a self imposed limitation on an individual’s potential.

I’ve never read Eckhart Tolle, and I do understand the fundamental properties of the philosophy that is “The Law of Attraction”.  So what I am talking about isn’t anything new.  How true the words ring, “There is a difference in knowing the path and walking the path.”  It’s funny what makes an impression on you in this world isn’t it?  I’ve known of this meditation for sometime, but I have been distracted by worldly and living static to focus.  That and being conditioned for spiritual laziness, is it any wonder that most of us live in the fog?  I am no expert or guru, but I am learning, and at my own pace.

Recently I work at being more mindful of the moment.  I attempt to pay attention to my thoughts and where they are taking me.  Thoughts are like a fire, and the time given to each thought is like adding more fuel to be burned, which only perpetuates the fires life span.  I try to focus my attention to the simple truth that there is only this moment and it should be honored.  Yesterday has already been passed by and tomorrow hasn’t occurred.  All you ever have is right now.  No matter what you are doing:  Reading this blog, sweeping the floor, crying from heartache, or laughing with friends.  There is only this moment, and to allow your mind to wonder to other realms, long since passed or a future trajectory, is to miss what is happening in the NOW.

This is a practice that I fail, succeed, and ultimately learn from every day since I have started; which hasn’t been that long ago.  My goal is obviously to keep this concept in mind.  That’s the practice.  PAY ATTENTION!  The trick is not to make it a hassle or get down on yourself when you lose focus.  Have as much patience & compassion for yourself as you should have for others.  There is plenty of static in the world.  We are constantly assaulted by what seems to be a strategized campaign of forceful noise.  Why add to it by allowing that inner critic to editorialize it’s cynicism.

Pulling Away is Walking Forward

Recently, I’ve been spending a tremendous amount of time by myself.  You could say that I have always been like this.  Even when I do go out, I usually keep to myself.  I am big into observation and not very good at casual chit-chat.  My brain doesn’t function properly in monotonous chatter.  My God that sound pretentious!  So be it.  Still, I find this period in my life much different compared to my personal historic patterns or habits..

For starters, this is the first time in my life that I don’t have a romantic partner or a hetero-lifemate that I spend my personal time with.  I guess you can call this being “codependent”.  Okay, that is exactly what you can call it.  For the past month I have all but isolated myself from most individuals in my world.  When I do have the opportunity to spend time with friends, I try to make the most of it, honoring the time I am sharing with them.   For the most part I have decided to stay away, learning the art of detachment.

To some, this may be a sign of depression.  Maybe it is, but learning how to fill your time with you (this doesn’t include TV time) is a discipline in its own right.  It has taken me a month just to recognize this simple truth.  I have found bliss in the simplicity of life’s ignored treasure.  Reading a book, doing my laundry, cleaning my living space, or writing this blog.  Some people are better than others with this…I am not one of those people.  After a month of pseudo-seclusion, I have found a breath of fresh air.  Keep in mind, you will never be left wanting any corn or cheese when reading my sporadic lingo.

I have to admit, this isolation is premeditated and is rife with the idea that I want it to be well thought out.  One of the culprits for this detachment is the cross-country bicycle ride waiting just a few months down the road.   Stepping outside of one's comfort zone is, without a doubt, jarring.  Stepping out is a bit of an understatement.  One could say I am being shot from a canon, landing just beyond the horizon line view of what used to be a comfort zone.  I’m not just making assumptions.  I’ve been in a similar situation walking cross-country.  I was so far away from my norm, the first two weeks were miserable.  I cried like a child with ADHD that had his PSP confiscated. It wasn’t a pretty sight.  The journey confronting me dwarfs my previous exploit without question.

I'm quitting my job in a horrible economic climate without a coveted degree to prove to an employer that I have value; all so that I can participate in a personal pilgrimage with a trusted friend, for god knows how long.  The idea is to begin an open dialog about suicide and the societal pressures that contribute to the suicidal ideology for so many people. This new yearning for romanticized adventure does have a tendency to raise questions.  Sweet Jesus...I have a thousand questions!  Most people don’t get it, and have many concerns for my safety.  I’m sure many of those are secretly concerned with my mental safety as well.

I recognize the fact that this isn’t normal behavior, but respect the truth that this isn’t an isolated incident.  People do this all the time, case in point, as I stated earlier this is my second crack at it.  Sorta.  Depending on your circle, you may or may not hear about those who for what ever reason follow the magnet the pulls them to a life on the road.  As much as I will miss loved ones, I can’t allow that child like notion of homesickness, if that’s what I am talking about, influence my reactions and interactions while doing my Frodo thing.

As usual, I am probably over thinking the situation, but this happens to be one of the ways my brain functions.  Besides, introspective thought process has been a great mediation for the practice of letting go and falling into the moment of the always evolving NOW.

The Dichotomy of Mental Diarrhea

You know, it's entirely too cliché to use such life slogans as “I am entering a new phase in my life” or “I am beginning a new chapter”.   Truth be told, I am nowhere near as creative or clever as I pretend.  If you don’t find it in my incoherent writing, I’m sure I’ll talk more about fallacy further down the road.   What I am attempting to say is that I have no other way to describe my new phase or chapter without being so cliché.  Whatever!

In 90 days, I will be embarking on an adventure of epic life-altering proportions (one would hope)!  Along with a buddy of mine, I am going to ride my bicycle over 7,000+ miles through 21 states and 110 cities.  This ride is inspired by the suicides of our brothers and thus is dedicated to suicide awareness and the healing power of art.  If you’re interested, go to www.risephoenix.org, because that is not what this blog is about.  This is about the ramifications, if you want to call them that, about said bike ride.

I’d be lying to you if I told you I wasn’t on the verge of freaking the fuck out.   The curiosity of the situation is that I am not entirely sure why.  People ride or walk across the country all the time.  In fact, I have already walked across the country.  Kinda.  It was from Phoenix to DC and I was the cameraman for a documentary about the walk.  I did have a vehicle from time to time, but in 5 months I did a tremendous amount of walking.  Seriously, there were days I thought we were actually going into Mordor to throw the ring into the fires of Mt. Doom.  The point is…sorry, I’m struggling to find my point.  If I have one…the point is: I have just recently awoken to the enormity of the task I am about to set out to do.

                 These emotions are a hodge-podge of emotional content.  Nothing organized, more like a dysfunctional salad bar.  You could say I could probably go for some serious repetition of meditation sessions.  Is it the physicality of riding 7,000+ miles?  Is it living on the road without knowing where food or shelter will be acquired?  Is it living on the road for 7 months?  Is it being away from my comfort zone?  Circle of friends?  Airing my dirty laundry to complete strangers?  Is it expressing my opinions on my views of reality?  YES!!! And…no.

                  Having had the experience of a slow-paced cross-country challenge, I have an idea of what to expect.  It’s the detachment or separation anxiety I felt in the first 2 weeks of my cross-country walking expedition.  I know what is out there waiting for me…ok, what could be waiting for me.  I feel that I have been in a purgatory of some kind for the past month.  Living between two worlds: the one I have known for 34 years and the world waiting for me on March 1^st, 2012.  Waiting for me?!  I’m knee deep in prologue...

A Thousand words!

Original Photo by Zak Chipps / Photo Manipulation  by Thomas Brown 

Since I was a young child I have always wanted to be a storyteller.  I have always been fascinated with the lessons that each story presents.  For many years I believed the only way to do this was through motion photography.  As the idea has evolved, I have drifted more and more toward still photography.  I have struggled with which medium I should chose to master.  That sentiment seems irrelevant now.  Why not do both?  For the past year I have felt that I lost my Artistic Mojo, but it seems that I am finding my groove again.  Like every other aspect of life, self expression has its ebb and flow.

Original Photo & Manipulation by Thomas Brown

With the R.I.S.E. bike tour on the horizon, I am beginning to come back out of the darkness of artistic block.  I am rediscovering the beauty of the captured moment in still photography.  The transition back into the light of infinite possibility has been made easier with the Iphone as my paintbrush.  The potential for healing through out is a profound endeavor, and I encourage all to take the voyage of self discovery on winds of the artist that resides in each and everyone of us.  Dare to be fearless and create your world.

PEACE

Original Photo & Manipulation by Thomas Brown

Long Overdue

What ever your opinion is of the underground group anonymous is irrelevant. Whether you agree or disagree, I would hope that you can see past the constructs of your own systems and hear the words that were written long ago.  For me it is not about the messenger, but the message itself.

Creativity, Compassion, Community, & Collaboration

will always RISE above competition.

R.I.S.E.

The Simplicity of Cosmic Giggles

I promise I will get to the concept of "Cosmic Giggle" in a future post.  The term is not my own, but one that I borrow from a man named terence McKenna.

There are probably only 2 people on this planet that will get the reference to the term "Cosmic Giggle" and the video below.  I shot this last saturday night at the Old Town Tavern in Scottsdale.  3/4 of the band Dirty Ling are the performers.  They lived two houses down from me at the same time this song was introduced to me.  Again, only two people on the planet will understand the significance.

IPhone 4 OWLE Encinema 35mm Test

As of three weeks ago, I am one of 4 individuals who have been planning a cross country bicycle tour spanning 6,000+ miles talking about suicide and the transformative healing powers of ART.  As a video artist, I want to capture the journey on digital video and produce a documentary about the group's adventure.

Below is my first test with the OWLE & Encinema 35mm conversion gear.  This equipment helps me transform my Iphone 4 into a HD camera with interchangeable lenses.  There are many more experiments to come.  As you can see, I had a hair in the lens and the Encinema adapter was out of frame, which is why you can see black on the edges.  Enjoy the experiment.


                         Before

                                  After

THE EXPERIMENT 

MORE TO COME...

A Thomas Brown Rant

Please visit my Youtube and check out my films.

Thomas Brown Rant

My latest film "REDEMPTION"  was shot last September with a skeleton crew.

REDEMPTION

The Power of ART

“The art’s task is to save the soul of mankind; and anything less is a dithering while Rome burns.  Because of the artists, who are self-selected, for being able to journey into the Other, if the artists cannot find the way, then the way cannot be found.”

—Terrence McKenna,
message to Artists