Thanks for sharing this Paul. I turned 70 and can relate to this. My students are turning 20, 30, and 40 and many are on this path. I call it Heartfulness, which I think is a more Asian-centered way of practicing what has become an Americanized form of Mindfulness. You mentioned your child and I'd like to suggest a book I wrote When Half is Whole. I think you would find it interesting. Best wishes, Stephen
I thought so. I used to think that I wanted to become a wise elder, but I realized I'm just an old fool. In Japanese there's an expression, Obakasan--baka is a fool but with the O at the beginning and san at the end it becomes a wonderful fool. Which to me is not so bad.
Paul - been following you for a while and enjoy living vicariously through your living experiment (double meaning intended).
I'm sure you are familiar with this, and wanted to mention Boyd Varty and The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life. It's quite simple in concept - do more of what feels good and do less of what does not. The beauty of this and your path is that there is an important component of any path, called 'not here.' It's a signal to change course, yet too many hear but don't listen to it. Also, one of his master trackers has a saying that knocked the wind out of me. He says, "I don't know where I'm going, but I know how to get there."
If you are not familiar, I highly suggest listening to/watching Tim Ferriss' conversation with Boyd.
What a fantastic piece, thanks Paul. I can relate to a lot of what you share, and it makes me feel less "lost." I've known I'm not really, but I also can't see exactly where it's all heading other than in a direction I'm excited about. Wild how both can be true. This phrase especially landed: "The hardest thing about this is that you often feel like a failure, and are constantly reminded of such from others."
I'm curious about your facilitating workshops for companies...I've considered doing similar and am curious what sorts of workshops you've facilitated, and what types of companies are open to "pathless" types of workshops?
It's funny that I'm reading this the day after I quit my job—leaving the default path to start something like 'doing random absurd things'—which would basically be a mix of travel and work exchanges in remote places. The way of unfoldment perfectly explains the path I'm taking and I can confirm that there's something deeper that is pushing me in this direction.
Thank you Paul for managing to put words to things I feel, as you already did in The Pathless Path
"Sad and deeply confident" - that's a beautiful juxtaposition of emotions that I resonates a lot. I appreciate you naming the nuances of what goes on beneath the surface of navigating the pathless path.
Also, when you wrote that it took almost 21 months from the time you left the default path to get up the momentum to do things that were enlivening, I felt a sense of relief. I've been grappling with time scarcity, feeling like I need to get going faster to "figure out my life" even though I'm not even 100% into the sabbatical yet. I only started cutting back my hours in April and I'll be fully done w my practice at the end of August. I need the reminders that it'll take time to de-condition myself from all the hustle/productivity stuff and then more time to reconnect with what enlivens me. Other people keep asking me "what are you going to do next?" and that makes me feel more like I need to figure out an answer sooner. I'd love to hear how you actually responded to some of these FAQs from others as you embarked on your pathless path?
Amazing piece! I really resonated with your explanation of 'the way of unfoldement'. I left my job two months ago to go traveling and I am still unsure about the way forward, but I knew I had to let go the comfort of my job/house/town in order to find what I really wanted.
On another note, could you please share with me some of the 10 historical fiction books from Asia that you've read? I have been traveling around SE Asia for the last month and a half and will now move to Tokyo, so I would love to read some of this literature!
Thanks for sharing. I've been thinking a lot about identity. Our being in contrast to our doing. Not a new concept, but a profound one. The being (who we are) remains, but the doing (what we do) shifts throughout life. Walking in my identity helps me relax when I find myself in a place of stuckness (which is often!)
You’re an inspiration, Paul. Thanks for sharing and writing about your journey. I look forward to reading the next lot of book projects as and when they see the light of day.
Thanks for sharing this Paul. I turned 70 and can relate to this. My students are turning 20, 30, and 40 and many are on this path. I call it Heartfulness, which I think is a more Asian-centered way of practicing what has become an Americanized form of Mindfulness. You mentioned your child and I'd like to suggest a book I wrote When Half is Whole. I think you would find it interesting. Best wishes, Stephen
Thank you for sharing your perspective sir. We need to hear more from our wise elders
you calling me old? lol
Ah talking to Stephen
I thought so. I used to think that I wanted to become a wise elder, but I realized I'm just an old fool. In Japanese there's an expression, Obakasan--baka is a fool but with the O at the beginning and san at the end it becomes a wonderful fool. Which to me is not so bad.
hahaha i love this whole thread
wise fool is goals too
thank you for the recommendation - this looks amazing!
Paul - been following you for a while and enjoy living vicariously through your living experiment (double meaning intended).
I'm sure you are familiar with this, and wanted to mention Boyd Varty and The Lion Tracker's Guide to Life. It's quite simple in concept - do more of what feels good and do less of what does not. The beauty of this and your path is that there is an important component of any path, called 'not here.' It's a signal to change course, yet too many hear but don't listen to it. Also, one of his master trackers has a saying that knocked the wind out of me. He says, "I don't know where I'm going, but I know how to get there."
If you are not familiar, I highly suggest listening to/watching Tim Ferriss' conversation with Boyd.
Keep on keeping on.
Lindsey
I started his book but didnt finish! I loved this quote, I think i included it in good work
What a fantastic piece, thanks Paul. I can relate to a lot of what you share, and it makes me feel less "lost." I've known I'm not really, but I also can't see exactly where it's all heading other than in a direction I'm excited about. Wild how both can be true. This phrase especially landed: "The hardest thing about this is that you often feel like a failure, and are constantly reminded of such from others."
I'm curious about your facilitating workshops for companies...I've considered doing similar and am curious what sorts of workshops you've facilitated, and what types of companies are open to "pathless" types of workshops?
Very insightful Paul, looking forward to reading about your living experiments.
It's funny that I'm reading this the day after I quit my job—leaving the default path to start something like 'doing random absurd things'—which would basically be a mix of travel and work exchanges in remote places. The way of unfoldment perfectly explains the path I'm taking and I can confirm that there's something deeper that is pushing me in this direction.
Thank you Paul for managing to put words to things I feel, as you already did in The Pathless Path
Beautiful. Enjoy your unfolding
"Sad and deeply confident" - that's a beautiful juxtaposition of emotions that I resonates a lot. I appreciate you naming the nuances of what goes on beneath the surface of navigating the pathless path.
Also, when you wrote that it took almost 21 months from the time you left the default path to get up the momentum to do things that were enlivening, I felt a sense of relief. I've been grappling with time scarcity, feeling like I need to get going faster to "figure out my life" even though I'm not even 100% into the sabbatical yet. I only started cutting back my hours in April and I'll be fully done w my practice at the end of August. I need the reminders that it'll take time to de-condition myself from all the hustle/productivity stuff and then more time to reconnect with what enlivens me. Other people keep asking me "what are you going to do next?" and that makes me feel more like I need to figure out an answer sooner. I'd love to hear how you actually responded to some of these FAQs from others as you embarked on your pathless path?
generally I made up answers, sometimes that i believed or not, dismissed the questions or just told the truth: “i dont know”
https://newsletter.pathlesspath.com/p/boomer-compatible-stories-ai-writer
Amazing piece! I really resonated with your explanation of 'the way of unfoldement'. I left my job two months ago to go traveling and I am still unsure about the way forward, but I knew I had to let go the comfort of my job/house/town in order to find what I really wanted.
On another note, could you please share with me some of the 10 historical fiction books from Asia that you've read? I have been traveling around SE Asia for the last month and a half and will now move to Tokyo, so I would love to read some of this literature!
Yes. I will do a note and link it. Definitely read pachinko for Japan
Congrats.
You're evolving well, man.
Glad to see it.
How does one go about connecting with you on a curiosity conversation sir?
its part of my community group for now, have a backlog - DM though and happy to set something up
So so so good! Thank you for writing this!
Thanks for sharing. I've been thinking a lot about identity. Our being in contrast to our doing. Not a new concept, but a profound one. The being (who we are) remains, but the doing (what we do) shifts throughout life. Walking in my identity helps me relax when I find myself in a place of stuckness (which is often!)
You’re an inspiration, Paul. Thanks for sharing and writing about your journey. I look forward to reading the next lot of book projects as and when they see the light of day.