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Disclaimer: These are my thoughts and interpretations of what was taught during a 10-day Vipassana introductory course. I'll try to be accurate, but I'm doing this from memory so I apologize for any mistakes. I suggest the Vipassana Wikipedia entry as a starting point if you want a more neutral, matter of fact synopsis. Summary: Vipassana is a nonsectarian meditation technique, focusing on results and practicality. One should be able to immediately see improvements in one's ability to deal with situations, with an aim towards liberty and eventually enlightenment (in the Buddhist sense). I personally found the living conditions a daily strain on my nerves, which greatly hindered my enjoyment of the 10-day course. I am currently skeptical of the results and am withholding judgment on its efficacy. A) The Vipassana Course Day 1 -- Observing respiration: Instructions on sitting are not given, with only the suggestion that one keeps one's back straight and head high. A...

Here's the text of an email I wrote a friend regarding my Vipassana experience, a teaser of a much longer article I'm working on. it was the most grueling thing i'd ever done. i was pushed to the limits of my mental tolerance. it is not easy stuff to do. i don't think it has any particular agenda, but i didn't enjoy their "If you are doing Vipassana correctly, you'll want other people to join." philosophy. Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be anything suspicious or fishy about it. Most of the people, on the last day when we could talk, seemed to have loved the experience. i was mostly just glad to get out of there, but i admit that i was curious as to what effect it would have on my daily life. thus far, it's hard to say. i think i'm still recovering from the lack of sleep and food (i lost 8 lbs!), so i'm hesitant to gauge any differences in my emotions and reactions. it might be a lot less shocking if you are already in the habi...

Well, I'm back. Tired, mentally and physically. I'm not sure yet what effect 10 days of Vipassana meditation (100 hours total) has or will have on me. Right now I feel the drain of little sleep, little food and little exercise. In fact, I may just treat myself to some McDonald's! I have many thoughts and notes which I'll leak out over the next while. Right now I need real sustenance, to consume the flesh of an animal and feel ALIVE.

I find Seth Rogen funny. He may not have a lot of range but he's consistently amusing whenever I see him. In Pineapple Express he plays yet again the relatively straight but fun-loving and easy-going slightly chunky dude, this time teaming up with his old Freak and Geeks alumni, James Franco. Franco's a natural for that stoner role he's carved for himself, and in Pineapple Express he's just as endearing as ever. So, we've got this lovable pair who are funny whenever they're on screen (which is the most of the film), and the film itself has all the ingredients of being great -- the right atmosphere, the right plot hooks, and some likable, engaging characters. Unfortunately, the second half just unravels and gets out of hand and is silly and predictable and doesn't tie all the ends and lets you down as you watch it slip away, bemoaning the promises of something better. Like the drug, Pineapple Express is light and airy fun. I went to a black-belt seminar on ...

Just another six days until I leave for Barrie and Vipassana. I decided, perhaps rashly, that I would stop my coffee consumption today. I got through work well enough but my ride home was filled with unease and mild headaches. I seem to be paying quite a bit now, but that could be the orange Mr. Clean fumes as I am trying to tidy my place up before leaving. I also got rid of a rug that I suspect was responsible for the vast majority of the dust in my apartment. Whoo craigslist! Anyway! Six more days. I bought a couple cushions for meditating on, a travel alarm clock and some clothes (but I may get more). They say to bring mosquito repellent and a water bottle, which I think I'll get tomorrow from MEC. I do worry that I'll forget much of my Korean, and how much my body will atrophy without exercise. Oh gosh this was a bad idea. This journal entry, I mean. a) I don't have any news, and b) I am bushed. Time to shutdown.

Yes that's right -- I hate BOTH Bell and Rogers. Rogers, well, there are so many, many reasons to hate those guys, fumbling over themselves to snatch every penny they can shake out of you. But most recently my disgust has flared up with their iPhone offerings, a package so pricey, so draconian I wonder that they should have the gall. Yet that is not the worst of it -- the worst is that people who are already with Rogers have to buy out their old plan first and lose their old number. Oh jaded snipers and bombers with agendas, wherefore do thee not do away with these media tyrants? Please send your head-cutting psychopaths to do something useful with thine Bowie knives! Oh, and Bell? I just learned (although apparently it's been in place since January) that if you do not have an long distance plan, your LD calls are subject to an extra "LD network connection fee". WHAT THE HELL!!! Long distance calls are also charged by DISTANCE . Dudes, seriously, can we not do somet...