Jesus, Socrates, and Buddha did not write anything. They were not theoreticians, yet they influenced how the world lives. Where did “their ideas” come from? Was it akin to our modern method: the pretense of rigorous logical analysis birthed from a neurotic mind? Or were they inspired in a different way?
Inspired (adj.) c. 1400, "communicated by divine or supernatural powers," past-participle adjective from inspire (v.). From 1660s as "infused with seemingly supernatural influence." - Online Etymology Dictionary
Parmenides, known as the father of metaphysics, wrote only one poem about our unchanging reality and the many illusions that unfold from it. According to Peter Kingsley, Parmenides did not come up with this poem through logic alone, but by lying down in a dark temple and entering a deep, meditative state—a practice Kingsley calls “incubation.”
This practice seems akin to what some channeled writers do; writers who claim their words come from a higher consciousness. Interestingly, it seems like TikTokers are rediscovering the ancient mystical practice of incubation through the trend of “bed-rotting,” which involves lying in bed all day doing nothing.
People will criticize this practice. We have things to do, after all—important things, like supporting the economy to avoid collapse. We cannot lie around all day waiting for divine contact from spiritual guides to move us in mystical ways. Moreover, one can be inspired in a detrimental way, slavishly supporting the anticulture of the creator economy1 or getting an egoic high on the spirit of creation itself, becoming manically unrelatable and alienating others.
However, this practice works. It’s how The Stoa was created. I was just lying on the sofa in a completely useless state when, boom, I suddenly knew exactly what to do. I have an opportunity to do nothing this coming summer. I will probably end up doing something, but first, I will melt away all impure desires pressuring me to do something.
Truly doing nothing inspires something new.
If you have any questions, insights, feedback, or criticism on this entry or more generally, message me below (I read and respond on Saturdays) …
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