Sonya: Hi Vineeto,
It is amazing how simply noticing, coupled with the intent to be happy and harmless can lead to such change. I can say now I’ve reaped quite a few benefits from this.
Hi Sonya,
A large yellow-orange full moon just rose an hour ago in the north, shining its glimmering rays over the water. It is particularly stunning tonight – they say it’s the brightest moon of the year, closest to earth. All is dark and still except the moon and some town lights lending their reflections to the river, amazing and magnificent.
It’s a delight to read your message. You certainly seem to have the knack to successfully follow your sincere intent to be happy and harmless.
Sonya: I have to say, when I first heard about actualism it all seemed too complicated and intellectual for me. Of course this isn’t the case at all. I think I just wasn’t bothered to change and kind of piggy backed what Kuba was sharing with me at the time which had some benefits and some drawbacks as well – It meant that I never saw anything for myself or actual realise I could change and only I can do something about it.
I also misunderstood the method massively because of this, and remained stuck with doing intellectual theorising and mental gymnastics to logic away the feelings because I thought that was what Kuba was doing and of course because I hold him as some kind of authority, believed I should be doing that too, how silly.
Ha, so much better that you started to think for yourself and experientially explore for yourself. Kuba made a similar discovery when he understood where his previously adhering to Srinath ‘sandpit actualism’ (7 June 2025) had been going awry.
Richard: All that is required is that one comes to one’s senses – both literally and metaphorically – and spend the rest of one’s life without malice and sorrow. One will be blithe and benign … that is, carefree and harmless. It is, of course, a bold step to forsake lofty thoughts, profound feelings and psychic adumbrations and enter the actuality of life as a sensate experience. (Richard’s Journal, Foreword, p. 15).
Perhaps not being burdened by too many “lofty thoughts” and “psychic adumbrations” in the first place gives you an advantage so you can concentrate on the “profound feelings” whenever they get in the way of enjoyment and appreciation.
Sonya: Of course, now I am standing on my own two feet a bit more and taking accountability for the disarray and chaos I cause as an identity (whilst being kind to myself), I am quickly noticing the benefits. It’s all very refreshing and light. (link)
Indeed, being kind to yourself, down-to-earth and unsophisticated you can do one step at a time and with each success you become more confident that living as happy and harmless as possible is doable and fruitful – and what is more, you keep on enjoying and appreciating this moment of being alive while doing it.
Cheers Vineeto