Jonathan Carson

Today, I'm releasing a free, curated course called Nervous System Fundamentals 💊 It's designed to teach you the basics of nervous system regulation, Polyvagal Theory, interoception, breathwork + a whole lot more. Link in thread 👇

haha i had a similar experience. my realisation was that there is infinite beauty in the tiniest fragment of a moment—far too much for the human mind to behold. like if all the beauty in a single moment was all the sand on a beach, maybe we can experience one grain of sand at a time and that's enough to fill us to overflowing with joy/gratitude/awe etc.

@the_wilderless yes! i had an ayahuasca ceremony that was just me trying to hide from too muchness and realizing i cannot and surrendering

So much human experience is just hiding from experiences that are Too Much — whether positive or negative ones Some part of us would rather be in control in a tiny space, rather than Alive in an unpredictable one

@wholebodyprayer How is instruction/guidance different in this context than other contexts?

I beg of everybody, please never give anybody any kind of breath, energy or any other kind of instruction during sex. Alarming reports of people confused between being a lover and a strangely naked breathwork instructor

After taking Jonny's course in 2021, I said it felt like I'd "unlocked cheat codes for the game of life." This video captures that idea perfectly. Such a great intro to the world of nervous system regulation.

@the_wilderless I’m keen. Started listening to it a couple months back but fell off the wagon.

I’m seeing a lot of “there are no adults in the room” discourse around, And that feels like a good time to start a Bill Plotkin reading group,,

@khemaridh products/ecomm? - eco surf wax - nootropic chewing gum - the 10k/hr journal etc

I just turned 45 and one thing I'm sitting with: How do I create an off-ramp from a personality-based business (by 50)?

@franziskagonder I was aware retreats can be a shock to the nervous system, but some of the stories in the podcast really surprised me — full-on psychosis, hallucinations, and suicide. Intensive meditation shouldn't be taken lightly.

If you understand the nervous system, the role of adrenal glands for mental wellbeing, and the absurdly high cortisol levels of the modern man and woman, it is no surprise to me that the rate of severe side effects of retreats is underreported. Vey few practitioners understand that 10 days of silence can activate the fight or flight response (for example) in someone's nervous system, because of how sudden the drop in outside stimulation, and system-level cortisol is. The body perceives this as a threat. Everything has always two sides. For instance: Don't go on a 10-day vipassana right after a hellish week of work, to just go back to it right after you return. You're literally exhausting your adrenal glands through the silence. Take 2 days to slow down, set intentions, speak to someone who supports those journeys from an integration standpoint etc. Intention before attention, people. 💛

@jonnym1ller Yeah, the (surprisingly often) part is new to me.

@jonathancarson_ Yup, those are all very much things that happen (surprisingly often)

@chrisfitchchris Yeah, totally agree. Having just finished the series, I’m disappointed by the lack of depth and exploration of the why/how.

@jonathancarson_ I found it really quite poor. Almost no distinction between normal daily meditation and these really hardcore retreats. And apparently no interest in trying to understand what actually happened to these people on the days in question

@jonnym1ller I simply wasn't aware of the serious psychological risks of meditation, particularly intensive retreats. Some people on the pod share stories of full-on psychosis, hallucinations, mental breakdown. I feel like this isn't widely known or talked about.

@jonathancarson_ Anything in particular that feels new/interesting to you?

@KyKow Congrats, Kyle! 🤝

@calnthoughts For sure, I approach the "MSM" with a healthy dose of scepticism, too. I think journos will go after anything that involves "gurus" and seems "cultish". I'll probably share more thoughts once I've finished the pod.

@jonathancarson_ I’m scrolling thru and the stories are very different— interesting!! Defo curious, but also wondering why an outlet like them would want to cover this (and trying not to be conspiratorial abt it).

@calnthoughts Yeah, I thought so too. They recently created a "special investigations team" that covers non-finance stuff.

@jonathancarson_ from the financial times? interesting that theyre distributing this.

@khemaridh This is my attempt at explaining it. thenow.co/what-is-emotio…

What's the best explanation of using meditation for spiritual bypass? And how can you notice that you're doing so?

if you're havin' problems I feel bad for you son, i've got 99 problems and i'm complicit in literally all of them

@KyKow Shining Girls and Undone.

@octagonobsessed A mixture of Dustin v Khabib and Dustin v Oliveira. I think Dustin will have some moments on the feet, but will end up getting submitted. However, also hoping DP can get it done. What a way to cement his legacy.

How do you see this fight going? As much as I like Islam, best case scenario for me is Dustin becoming undisputed champion Hurts me to even choose sides. Y’all know I stay mostly objective but Dustin is that dude and Islam will just eventually win it again

@TheREITherapist I like it. Something I've been thinking about a lot is how to balance 'contentment' (the present moment is perfect) and 'ambition' (and yet, I still want more). Any thoughts?

@jonathancarson_ No matter my circumstances I will pursue contentment

I'm so bored of all the "spiritual", self-helpy stuff.

@TheREITherapist Awesome. Tell me more about 'contentment through failure'.

@jonathancarson_ Bro these are awesome!! I am on very similar wavelength right now. I am on the clean water train Rites of passage Contentment through failure

Rob doing what Rob does. Just casually inventing a new genre of writing and proceeding to absolutely nail it.

@ungatedlife 'coffin' is fantastic, man. Keep the business poetry coming!

spicy new piece of writing just dropped 👀