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For this week’s conversation we watched a Pursuit of Wonder YouTube video called “The Man Who Found The Edge Of The Universe”. It's a fictional, layered story that follows a protagonist named Simon who due to his scientific abilities, as you guessed it, eventually reaches the edge of the universe. I watched this a couple of years ago and it has stuck with me ever since. Simon has a tragedy happen early on in his life that determines his life’s work. It’s a story I think many can relate to. We are often seeking the thing that we once lacked. I would recommend watching the YouTube video before you watch our video, but if you’re impatient like me, it doesn’t matter what order you watch the videos in.
The Man Who Found The Edge Of The Universe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5b2qMHRd4A
A few nights after Shelsea and I’s conversation I watched “The Midnight Gospel”. If you haven’t heard of this show, absolutely check it out. Pendleton Ward, creator of Adventure Time, worked with a comedian and spiritual podcaster, Duncan Trussel, to animate a podcast. The result was a gloriously trippy and insightful show that explores spirituality and meditation.
In one of the very funny moments, Clancy gets turned into a Zombie. The Zombies begin singing a song and one of their lyrics goes like this.
“We move slow because there’s no need to run. Besides what’s the point of running when it’s love that you’re running from”
Song Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjNkPuFeMvs
This struck me hard. I spend many of my days moving quickly and efficiently. I am productive and typically accomplish what I set out to do. However, I rarely meditate these days. I rarely give myself space to really slow down and feel through all the emotions in my body. In therapy, my therapist is helping me push against these tendencies. He works with me to meditate and process the emotions that are trapped in my body. He helps me slow down and identify the tension in my head, my stomach and wherever else it may be presenting. Through guided questioning we dive into these feelings and figure out where in memories these feelings originated from.
I have to remind myself that when I get lost in accomplishment, my personal dreams, or the busy-ness of daily life, I can slow down, breathe, and find out what parts of my body need attention and care. I can remind myself that moving faster and being more productive won’t solve my problems.
What are you chasing? What are you running from?