The Enlightened-ish Buzz

Weekly tips and testimonials from author, adventure writer, and teacher Brad Wetzler

Here’s what I’m reading, listening to, considering, pondering:

What I’m reading:

Coming Alive: 4 Tools to Defeat Your Inner Enemy, Ignite Creative Expression & Unleash Your Soul’s Potential

If you haven’t watched Stutz on Netflix, you’re missing out. The jist of the show: You get to watch actor Jonah Hill in real-life therapy sessions with his psychiatrist/therapist, Phil Stutz. This documentary is raw, vulnerable, and funny stuff. Coming Alive is a follow-up to Stutz’s (and co-author Barry Michels’) The Tools, which initiated readers to Stutz’ creative, solution-oriented way of doing therapy. I love that Coming Alive is less about coping with life and more about “activating your aspirational self.” It’s full of great advice that can help us foster more positive life experiences, spark more creativity, and establish more resilience. My favorite of these Tools is the Black Sun Tool.

Music I’m Listening to:

Songs of Surrender by U2

I’ve been a U2 since I first heard the Boy album in high school. I’ve followed them throughout their journey from Irish post-punk band to international superstars. I have a push-pull with their grandiosity —but, ultimately, I am deeply moved by their soaring lyrics and textured sound. If you’re a U2 fan, too, you might check out their latest: Songs of Surrender. It’s a different type of greatest hits album. All the songs are brand new, subtler takes on many of their most popular songs. My favorite of this bunch, which includes altered lyrics is Bad: “If I could I ask for help, I know what you would say/ You can only have it all, if you give it all away.”

What I’m watching on YouTube:

Hanging Out in the Heartspace with Krishna Das

If you’ve read my new memoir, Into the Soul of the World, you know that the devotional singer Krishna Das played a central role in my finding my way back to a vaster, more spiritual way of viewing my life and the world. In fact, last winter I spent a few days with KD, as he’s known in India. It was a special time. Well, Krishna Das offers free chanting and teaching sessions every Thursday evening that he’s not traveling. I tune into these virtual kirtans every week myself. Sometimes I watch these YouTube offerings. Other times, I listen at low volume while I read or clean my house. He answers viewers questions for the last 45 minutes or so. His “teaching” is spare and practical. He offers no bullshit. A breath of fresh air compared to many people shilling spiritual wisdom these days.

Quote I’m pondering:

“Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good; if it doesn't, it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere; but one has a heart, the other doesn't. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it, you are one with it.” The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castaneda.

This is actually one of my favorite book quotes. I ponder it a lot. In fact, I ask myself this question every day, multiple times per day. Do my actions, speech, or thoughts come from my heart, i.e. that deeper place within that is connected to our most sacred personal values. There’s little sense in doing anything that doesn’t align with our deepest values, right? Life’s too short.

AMAZON.COM: https://www.amazon.com/Teachings-Don-Juan-Yaqui-Knowledge/dp/0671600419

---

My memoir, Into the Soul of the World: My Journey to Healing, is available now at your favorite indie bookstore and at Amazon.com.

Check my website, bradwetzler.com for soon-to-be-released news about a new class offering, which will begin this summer.