Sup. Welcome to the third edition of the WWWW digest.
I’ve done two previous editions of WWWW digests which you can read here and here to catch up on what’s up and down. As I’ve recently hit 250 subscribers (thank you for tuning into my thoughts), I also wanted to share a little bit about this newsletter.
WWWW was born from the exploration of consciousness via drugs and meditation.
The name whatswhatwhoswho encapsulates a culminating spiritual and philosophical insight through a question that is it’s own answer. It represents the pathless path, the divine play, the eternal mystery. It is a philosophical and spiritual inquiry into the nature of existence and identity, prompting introspection and contemplation about the essence of things, their meanings, and the true nature of reality and self. WWWW embodies the quest for understanding the mysteries of what is, inviting us to explore the depths of consciousness to perceive from a more whole perspective.
The statement also embodies the playful but serious spirit of post-enlightenment, encapsulating the circular essence of self-inquiry and discovery. It is gonzo mysticism, an epistemological rabbit hole and a supreme creative act.
The peculiar connection between psychedelics and Zen Buddhism also inspired WWWW. As a young consciousness explorer, I found the philosophical and spiritual insights gathered via acid aligned very well with the Buddhist philosophical and spiritual ideas I was reading at the time. Upon further investigation, I discovered how plenty of established teachers of spirituality, Buddhism and meditation in the West were initiated to their path through psychedelics. I also soon learned about Steve Jobs and his passion for his early psychedelic experiences and Zen training.
In his essay, LSD and the Enlightenment of Zen, Wilson Van Dusen writes:
“There is a central human experience, which alters all other experiences. It has been called satori in Japanese Zen, moksha in Hinduism, religious enlightenment or cosmic consciousness in the West. The experience is so central that people have spent their lives in search of it. Once found, life is altered because the very root of human identify has been deepened. I wish to draw attention to the fact that d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) appears to facilitate the discovery of this apparently ancient and universal experience.”
So, yeah.
I like to think of WWWW as where LSD and Zen meet, and everything in between.
At first, WWWW was a Tumblr page with quotes I love and photos of things I’m into, including psychedelic and drug culture, timeless design and art, philosophy, and spirituality. Then, it became an Instagram account, similar to the Tumblr page.
Then, it became this Substack.
WWWW will continue to evolve.
The beauty of it is that there is no agenda, no plan.
I just do what is felt. No rules, no confines. Simple (non-)self-expression.
Ultimately, WWWW is a nod, a bow to the polarities of life and the beauty that arises through the extremes and from integrating the extremes into a harmonious whole.
Okay, enough explanations. Here’s some cool stuff you’ll probably enjoy.
Listen to Yamaha by Aleksandir
I don’t have much to say about this song, other than it being epic and entrancing. It’s just great House music featuring an enchanting mix of unique lightweight percussions and melodic keyboard magic. If you like House, you’ll like Yamaha, and if you like Yamaha, you’ll like Aleksandir, the artist who gifted it to us. Check him out.
My recommended setting for an optimal experience listening to Yamaha include using high-quality headphones or sound-system, and a pinch of LSD, ketamine or cannabis.
Volume: high. You: high.
You might also find Aleksandir’s music helpful for focus and motivation.
Lowdown are Sacro are other favourites from Aleksandir. The whole album on which you’ll find Lowdown is excellent. I hope you enjoy.
Watch Zen in America
At this point, you know, there’s something about Zen.
Ever since my first acid trip, I’ve been fascinated by Zen.
More than any other mystical tradition, Zen seems so simple and straightforward.
Zen Buddhism is often referred to as a "non-philosophy" because it emphasizes direct experience and transcends the limitations of conceptual thinking or intellectual analysis. While philosophy typically involves the rational and ego-directed exploration and interpretation of ideas and concepts, Zen focuses on direct experiential realization and direct transmission of wisdom beyond words and concepts.
In Zen, the emphasis is placed on meditation practice (zazen) and the direct experience of reality as it is, rather than relying on intellectual understanding or philosophical constructs. Zen practitioners thus seek to go beyond dualistic thinking and intellectual speculation, aiming for direct insight into the nature of reality and self.
Zen teachings often utilize paradoxical statements (koans) or non-dualistic language to challenge conceptual thinking and provoke direct experiential insight. By encountering these paradoxes or engaging in contemplation, practitioners are encouraged to transcend ordinary dualistic thinking and access a deeper level of understanding beyond the confines of language and conceptual frameworks.
What is the sound of one hand clapping?
The non-philosophical nature of Zen emphasizes experiential realization over intellectual understanding, direct insight over theoretical analysis, and direct practice over abstract speculation. It invites practitioners to awaken to the true nature of reality through direct experience, often described as "seeing into one's own nature" or experiencing a direct connection with the essence of existence.
It’s nothing holy, but it’s also the holiest thing I’ve ever seen or done.
Paradoxical but, it works.
Watch The Sights of Space
Coolest Youtube channel I’ve ever come across. No doubt.
I have nothing else to say.
Enjoy.
Thanks for reading.
If you enjoyed reading this, please let me know by tapping the “heart” icon. If you didn’t enjoy this, you can also let me know. If you hated it, definitely let me know.
I hope you enjoyed and found new rabbit holes to dive into.
Peace and love.
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