#339: We’re Afraid to Die, Because We’re Afraid to Live with Koshin Paley Ellison

Moment Awareness

Mark Groves and Koshin Paley Ellison discuss the profound impact of being fully present in each moment. Koshin emphasizes that embracing life's delights, from the bitter to the savory, allows us to experience the richness of life. He shares a Buddhist perspective on the swastika symbol, originally representing being at the center of everything, highlighting the importance of presence 1. Mark and Koshin also explore the concept of everyday wonder, encouraging listeners to appreciate even mundane tasks like washing dishes as opportunities for mindfulness 2.

If you can be here, you can taste the bitter and the salty and the savory and the umami, like all of it.

--- Koshin Paley Ellison

   

Mindfulness

Koshin shares practical tips on cultivating mindfulness, emphasizing the importance of steady practice to face oneself honestly. He recounts a story of a man constantly seeking enlightenment elsewhere, only to realize he was carrying his own baggage 3. Mark highlights the common issue of dysregulated nervous systems and the benefits of breath work for achieving presence and focus 4.

We walk around unconsciously, never realizing that our state of being is what is causing us to feel anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed.

--- Mark Groves

   

Transformative

The transformative effects of mindfulness and presence are explored, particularly in accessing joy amidst pain. Mark appreciates how Koshin brings levity to serious topics, allowing for a balance of joy and suffering 5. They also discuss the challenge of loving difficult people and seeing it as an opportunity for growth 6.

Some people are just really hard to love. Each of us usually have some edge with someone that we don't want to love them.

--- Koshin Paley Ellison