Dr. Peal’s positive thinking

I’m convinced that the Trump we see acting is a by-product of self-regimented positive thinking that tells people anything you want, you can have. This is in fact, Trump’s driving trait, to the point that he turns anything he desires or thinks into a firm belief that he convinces himself of, and never lets anyone tell the contrary. 

He does it, because he isn’t that bright and that mechanism of self-persuasion enables him to disregard doubts, material impossibility, any kinds of obstacles or push anything that advances his agenda. He’d probably kill to get what he wants and would say it was ordered to him by God. In my view, that self-induced belief system is a form of dementia. 

Donald’s overconfidence and self-serving attitudes can be traced to his dad Fred’s obsession with Norman Vincent Peale, a popular self-help author of the 1950s. A clergyman, he wrote “The Power of Positive Thinking” in 1952, that since sold over 7 million copies.

Self-confidence was Peale’s life philosophy. Trump’s father was so mesmerized by Peale’s teachings that he made his family join Peale’s church, Marble Collegiate, in New York City. That’s where Donald married his first wife, Ivana, in 1977. 

Peale’s doctrine proclaimed that one needed only self-confidence to prosper in the way God wanted him to, and that obstacles weren’t permitted to destroy one’s happiness and well-being. Defeat only happened if one was willing to let it. “A sense of inferiority and inadequacy interferes with the attainment of your hopes, but self-confidence leads to self-realization and successful achievement,” Peale wrote. 

 Trump’s dad viewed self-doubt as a weakness and passed on that belief to Donald. Even though Peale had a huge following, he had vociferous critics; also known as “God’s salesman” Peale was called a con man because “his simple-minded approach shut off genuine thinking or insight.” 

This probably is a view that perfectly fits Donald Trump, so now you know what’s behind this extremely deranged man.

Truth costs more than lies

With the flood of false information of lies in the US media ever since Trump invaded the political scene in questioning Obama’s citizenship in 2011, and continues until today with Haitians stealing and eating pets in Ohio, it seem that truth is much more cumbersome than lies. 

There are some rare cases when truth is simple and obvious, but most of the time, it’s always complicated and requires lots of work and time. In contrast, lies and conspiracy theories are generally very simple, primary in their expression, quick to be put out and spread, as well as easily understood by all, especially that less than bright people. Lies also seem to stick much better than truth, at least that’s is my opinion. It’s a fact that the distinction between truth and lies is a complex philosophical and ethical question. 

While lies are generally understood as statements made with the intention to deceive, truth is often more nuanced simply because it’s complex, multifaceted, is often situated in gray areas, and requires careful consideration and analysis. Yet, truth is generally understood to be accurate and honest, even if it's not immediately obvious or easily understood. 

Lies, on the other hand, are often simpler and more straightforward, but will always have some serious and different impacts, for the liar and for those who are deceived. Just like calumny, lies are hard to erase completely once proffered, they’re just like putting back toothpaste inside tube, an impossible task. 

Ultimately, the difference between truth and lies is a matter of intent and consequences. Lies are just like convenient shortcuts, they’re intentionally false statements cheaply made by anyone to deceive just like the wide, 

The American Right has been making them under what seems to be the feared Trump’s thumb, while truth is generally understood to be a positive value, reflective of its source, namely something accurate and honest.

The path to self-realization (part 6)

The last step in that series is about seeking a sense of calm and tranquility within oneself, even when circumstances are hard or adversarial. Being capable of finding these resources seems super valuable and how to get there is possible with using some of these strategies: 

The first set of skills to help us achieve that state is practicing mindfulness by paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Meditation is another essential practice we should all learn to master to help reduce stress and promote relaxation. 

Then we need to pay close attention to our lifestyles and prioritize our well-being, like getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising regularly. Also limiting sources of stress in our lives and engaging in activities we enjoy, to relax and unwind will help get us there. 

Challenging negative thoughts and replacing them with positive affirmations is another way to get ahead, also focusing on the things we're grateful for and cultivating a hopeful outlook on life will go a long way in bringing inner peace into our lives.

Reaching that state takes time and practice but is absolutely worth it as a personal investment, no matter how old we are and reluctant we may be to learn new things!

The path to self-realization (part 5)

If there's someone who tries to connect with people, it’s me. Perhaps because I’ve most of my live away from my roots, I’ve always valued establishing and keeping meaningful connections with others and the world. I feel it’s something essential for our well-being and happiness and most research confirm that idea. Here are some strategies to help us establish and maintain stronger connections: 

To start it’s important to practice active listening by paying attention to what others are saying without interrupting and by placing ourselves in their shoes to try to understand their perspective and feelings. It’s another good opportunity to be authentic, show genuine interest into their lives in just be ourselves.

This is particularly true when we share our thoughts, feelings, and experiences honestly in all of our interactions. In many ways, it’s also giving back, in spontaneously contributing to others volunteering our time, offering assistance when it’s needed or performing random acts of kindness to brighten someone's day. 

Most importantly connecting with others and keeping communicating isn’t something for which one should expect total reciprocity. Some may come, but it shouldn’t be seen as a sure thing or even a small possibility. It simply is a gift of caring and of friendship. 

This said, the goodwill and and the positive impact will return multiple times in terms of self-satisfaction and of appreciation on the receiving end. 

(To be continued...)

The path to self-realization (part 4)

Another difficult but important aspect of self-realization is to remain authentic, that is living in alignment with one's true self, rather than following what the rest of the society expects us to do, and the fads of culture, consumerism among other influential factors. 

Being authentic is the antidote to hypocrisy, the number one trait of right wing politicians and religious leaders in America!  

First, we need to understand what our values, passions and core beliefs are and what really excites and motivates us. Then it’s a matter of making decisions and taking actions that align with our authentic self. How do we get there? 

For one thing, limiting social media exposure is critical to avoid feeling pressured to conform to standards that are indirectly forced on us. That’s also where building genuine relationships with people who support and accept us for who we are become critical. 

As we’ve seen previously, we need to accept our flaws and to love ourselves unconditionally, as weird as it may seem to us. 

Finally, let’s not fall in the trap of comparing ourselves to others, but instead just focus on our own journey and progress so we can fully appreciate what makes us different and special and dare to be that person!

The path to self-realization (part 3)

Depending on how a person is born, their birth location and place in society, their culture and their education, getting a sense of the meaning and purpose of life may vary vastly. It can run the gamut from surviving, enjoying an easy, carefree life, while a large number of people don’t have the time, the education or the leisure to ask themselves questions about the deep meaning and purpose in life. 

Some don’t seem to care about it while others will embark on a deeply personal journey to finding things out. According to the individual, this quest will vary a whole lot. No matter the intensity of our intent, we can all ask ourselves what is so important in our lives? 

What principles guide our decisions, how can we discover our oftentimes hidden talents or passions, and from there, what activities, vocations or professions can naturally attract us and bring us joy and fulfillment? This quest for attempting to match our questions with answers can take us a lifetime to resolve and still be woefully incomplete when it’s time for us to go. 

For those of us who are ready to start that journey, it’s useful to first explore and search where we ought to go and what we’ll do when we find our answers. Then set both short-term and long-term goals that align with our values and passions. 

When we’ve done it, we can connect with activities, places and communities of people that share our values and interests, including various spiritual or philosophical traditions to find meaning and purpose, as well as a fertile terrain for the personal growth we’re after. Quite an undertaking, in fact a lifelong project that will demand curiosity, courage, open-mindedness, flexibility, sacrifices, determination and above all, persistence. 

We have an infinite number of choices, options and paths and we can embark on them as we see fit. Dr. Itai Ivtzan, a psychologist says that meaning refers to how we “make sense of life and our roles in it,” while purpose refers to the “aspirations that motivate our activities” This would suggest that in the absence of either, our life lacks a story. 

Still, no matter what people will tell us, say or think, this exploratory work is really totally up to us! 

(To be continued...)

The path to self-realization (part 2)

Today’s building block is self-acceptance, quite a big deal, because it means accepting us the way we are, including what’s positive and negative in us, without judgment or self-criticism. We’re often too tough when we’re criticizing or judging ourselves; instead, we should treat ourselves with as much kindness and understanding as we do for our friends. 

We sometimes must be more lenient when it comes to certain of our flaws. We all have some and we should be aware of them without being too harsh or obsessing about them. Our flaws or mistakes are also great opportunities for learning how to minimize or eliminate them and for personal growth. 

Also, when we do something right, let’s make sure we appreciate and celebrate it, no matter how small it may be. 

We should also filter our negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations and a more outgoing viewpoint. Another good step is to look for positive relationships by spending more time with supportive and uplifting people that share our interests and our values. 

Helping others in need can also provide us a great deal of satisfaction and personal fulfillment. While we try to do all this, let’s make sure we stay in shape by taking good care of our physical and mental health through exercise, healthy eating, and plenty of sleep. 

Let’s just remember that all this takes time and effort to develop and be patient! 

(To be continued...)

The path to self-realization (part 1)

In the upcoming blogs, we’ll explore and try to understand what goes into self-realization in order to activate them on our behalf. 

At first, there’s self-awareness that means understanding one's own thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and behaviors. This includes recognizing our own strengths, weaknesses, and patterns of behavior. This is how I do it. 

Starting with reflective actions, I’ve created a system I named “Daily Self Debriefing” which is a way for me to review my day before going to sleep. I go over the specific thoughts, feelings and experiences I encountered and pause on anything that is worth remembering and adding to my quiver of experiences, good and bad. When it’s bad, I focus enough on it so I will avoid repeating it in the future. 

I also regularly revisit portions of my past to reminisce and judge my deeds at certain moments and do my best to honestly amend my memories, my image and my personal assessment accordingly. In addition, regular meditation and mindfulness practice help me know myself better and pay more attention to the daily richness of life.

As much as I can manage, I try to be an active listener and I also seek feedback to gain insights on how I’m perceived; not an easy task! In the same spirit, I set myself to learn news things everyday, do things I love, to expand my knowledge and my views. 

Then, I place a major importance on maintaining my physical and mental health as well as setting boundaries, including learning to say “no” to protect my time and energy. 

(To be continued...)

Hello, self-realization!

 

“Know yourself” might encapsulate what self-realization really is. In fact it’s a multifaceted process that involves a deep understanding of who we are where we belong in the world. 

It's a journey of self-discovery and personal growth that can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life. 

I never was taught about it as a kid and it’s something I discovered mostly through trial and error, along the way into adulthood. 

If you aren’t familiar with self-realization, here are some of the elements that go into it: 

• At first, there’s self-awareness that means understanding one's own thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and behaviors. This includes recognizing our own strengths, weaknesses, and patterns of behavior. 
• Then there’s self-acceptance, which consists of accepting oneself, including both positive and negative qualities, without judgment or self-criticism. 
• Authenticity is the next concept at play. This means living in alignment with one's true self, rather than conforming to societal expectations or the desires of others. 
• The next area is the discovery and pursuit of a sense of meaning and purpose in life. This may involve identifying personal goals, values, and passions. 
• This is followed by establishing meaningful connections with others and the world around us. This can involve building relationships, contributing to society, and finding a sense of belonging. 
• Finally there is the quest for a sense of calm and tranquility within oneself, even in the face of arduous challenges or adversity. 

As you can appreciated it, self-realization is quite an endeavor! It’s a lifelong journey that unfolds at its own pace. It's not a destination to be reached, but rather a process of ongoing discovery and growth. By focusing on these key aspects, individuals who seek it can deepen their understanding of themselves and live more fulfilling lives. 

In the following blogs, we’ll explore how to understand these categories and put them to work for us.

The beginning of Trump’s end

At last night’s debate, Trump finally received his well-deserved comeuppance, from the prepared, flawless and presidential looking Kamala Harris. 

From the get-go, the 78 years old looked beat-up, woefully unprepared, frozen in place, and incapable of seizing Harris. 

He thought that regurgitating its worn-out rally rants would secure him a second mandate, but it failed to do so. 

Trump is also particularly lazy and doesn’t want to practice as he believes his swagger will suffice to intimidate others. 

Further he was told by his advisors not to be a bully, that means not being himself and he absolutely can’t do that. That’s why he looked so pathetic and lost. 

He finally received all the blows he deserved from a non-white woman!

A ten-days goiter?

For those of you who don’t know it, a goiter is an adaptive reaction of the cells in the thyroid gland to any process that blocks its hormone production. While the most common cause of goiter is iodine deficiency, other conditions can cause it. 

I just got one after being stung by a wasp just below the chin, into my neck area. Unbeknownst to me, being stung in that area so close to the larynx and the trachea may swell rapidly, potentially obstructing the airway and causing difficulty breathing. 

All this might lead to shortness of breath or even respiratory failure. To make matters worse, if one is allergic to wasp venom, there might be a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis that can be life-threatening. In addition to breathing difficulties anaphylaxis can include swelling of the face and throat, hives, and a rapid heartbeat. 

The morning following my being stung, as I brushed my teeth I was stunned to see a massive mass of flesh dangling back and forth in my neck area. My wrinkled neck was now smooth and well-rounded! I immediately realized that, by stinging me, the wasp had done some major damage to my usually good looks. I don’t know if the sting hit the thyroid gland but it created a massive swelling, similar to the goiter pictured here.

This incident will have some lasting effects, some ten days of swelling I’m told. Hopefully, I’ll soon recover my wrinkled neck and return to being my true self!

Karl Wallach, 1925-2024

A partner with Jim Woolner at Beconta, the first company I worked for when I came to the US, Karl imported and distributed Puma shoes and Nordica, Look as well as Völkl into the United States. 

While Jim played “good cop”, Karl was the “bad” one. I remember him driving a Citroen SM before downgrading to a Cadillac. He loved to ski and play golf as well as tennis. He also had a passion for boating and fishing throughout his life. 

He died peacefully in his home on August 1, 2024, at the age of 99. Karl was born in New York City on March 9, 1925, was a WWII Navy Veteran and graduated from Columbia University. Karl lived in Manhattan and Scarsdale, New York, Aspen and Carbondale, Colorado, and finally in Cape Coral, Florida. 

Quite active, Karl skied he was 89 and had to stop after he was hit by a snowboarder and quit. Just like Karl, we can only hope to live and stay well until we hit 99!

Need extra oxygen to sleep?

At our ski resorts, some luxurious homes have it all from elevators to snow-melting driveways, but these days, we're invited to add certain bizarre amenities like extra oxygen in the bedrooms to help us sleep. 

We just received that postcard from these in-home oxygen providers claiming that “Air at altitude has 30% less oxygen than at sea level. This thin air causes fatigue, poor sleep, moodiness, and altitude sickness. Increasing oxygen eliminates the cause of poor sleep and fatigue at altitude.” 

This sounds all well and good except that healthy people don’t need it in Park City where altitude ranges between 6750 to 8500 feet. It’s interesting to note that cabin pressure during a flight is around an altitude equivalent of about 8000 ft and besides walking a tiny bit in the aisle or going to the bathroom is never to strenuous! 

Sure, individuals with severe lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or diffuse interstitial lung disease, a safe maximum altitude to reside at is generally considered to be around 2,500 to 3,000 feet above sea level. At elevations above this range, the decreased oxygen availability can exacerbate respiratory symptoms and lead to complications. 

However, individual tolerance can vary significantly, so some patients may be able to tolerate higher altitudes, while others may experience difficulties even at lower elevations. 

As you might expect, such oxygenating systems don’t come cheap starting in the $30,000 range, including installation, oxygen equipment, digital sensors, touch-screen panel, industrial-grade electrical controls and remote online access. 

I think I’ll still pass installing one in our house for the year!

What air do we breathe?

Over the years, the entire world has become conscious about the importance of air quality, to the point that many new companies have been created, older have expanded in providing salutary measurement of air conditions throughout the world. 

More recently, these companies have been providing convenient smartphone apps that can tell us instantly how good or bad the air quality is where we live, in places we’d like to go or anywhere our friends or relatives live. 

Where we live in the US there’s AirNow, a service from the Environmental Protection Agency, but if lone lives anywhere in the world there’s also a convenient app from IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, specializing in protection against airborne pollutants, developing air quality monitoring and air cleaning products. 

That company was founded in 1963 by brothers Manfred and Klaus Hammes, who introduced an air filter system for residential coal furnaces and oven in Germany to help reduce black dust build-up on the walls behind ovens. 

Manfred Hammes, a lifelong asthma sufferer, noticed that the filter reduced his flare-ups during the winter months. 

Klaus Hammes continued through the 1960s and ’70s, to adapt the air filter for other heating systems such as radiators, baseboard heating and forced-air heating and cooling systems. In 1982, Klaus Hammes relocated the company headquarters to Switzerland. 

If clean air is important to you, make sure to download the app available for iPhone or Android.

What’s in a name?

The Stein Eriksen Lodge used to be the most prestigious Hotel in Deer Valley, just above Park City. It opened in December 1982, just one year after Deer Valley began operations. At the time it was the “in” place to be an eat in that exclusive resort. Since that time the Montage and the St Regis have taken some of early glitz away from a property that now shows its age. 

The Norwegian ski champion Stein Eriksen gave his name to the place and was regularly seen there until he passed away in 2015. The Logde includes the Glitretind Restaurant named after a Norwegian mountain and that automatically suggests a luxurious dining experience, at least on paper. We had dinner there early this month and were not quite impressed by our overall experience except the prices that were sky-high! 

The restaurant is very much over hyped and over priced based on the taste quality of food. The presentation is good but the greatness stops there. This made our skimpy entree a very poor value that dragged on our overall experience, even thought the only positive elements were the desserts that were delicious. 

The setting on the outdoor deck was alright, but Deer Valley’s Bald Mountain is a far cry from the Grand Tetons, and overall we found the place stuffy and won’t return there for in foreseeable future. Looking at reviews on Google, Tripadvisor or Yelp don’t help much as a majority of guests comments are more influenced by the image than by what is actually in their plate. 

Prestige, location, a big name and reputation always end up being deceiving when they are used to prop-up what should be for the price a decent culinary experience, at the very least!

A song that got my attention…

I believe it was one September morning of 1976, the radio was on, I was shaving, getting ready for work at Look ski bindings, in the small bathroom of our old Nevers apartment, and suddenly I heard for the very first time "Porque te vas" by Jeanette, a song that instantly captured my total attention and stayed in my head for good. 

To this day, I’m still wondering why I fell in love with it, even though, at that time, Spanish language was alien to me. The romantic ballad blended elements of funk, disco and pop music, featuring a predominant use of the saxophone. 

Antoine Deshusses, a journalist for Le Monde, wrote in 2005, "Simple and effective, the song intrigues. This entanglement of horn and guitar sounds armed with a wah-wah pedal, cadenced by drums hitting the open hi-hat, offers against all odds a support adapted to the strange acidulated voice of its interpreter and later to the intervention of the brass. The basic and alert rhythm of 'Porque te vas' easily enters the ear, and later the head." 

The song remains a timeless classic due to some unique factors that captivated the ear, like its emotional depth as it delved into themes of heartbreak, loss, and longing, evoking strong emotions in the listener. Also it’s melodic beauty is both haunting and memorable, creating a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. 

If you don’t understand Spanish and read their translation, the lyrics are poignant and relatable, expressing universal feelings of love and loss. Finally, Jeanette's powerful and emotive vocals perfectly conveyed the song's emotional intensity. 

I’m sure you too have a song that one day struck you like this one did for me. Leave a comment and share with us which one it is! 

“Hiring” a President

To me, the upcoming presidential election reminds me of my active professional life, when I had to hire key associates that would potentially have a huge impact on the quality and the life of the business I was running. 

Over the years, I have become pickier and more savvy about who to hire for various executive and sales jobs, because I learned from my numerous mistakes, and while I made too many of them, I always (successfully) endeavor not to repeat them. 

I was prioritizing attitudes over skills. For instance, a born-salesman is always better in sales even if the individual comes with a few flaws of his own and some deficiencies or lack of product knowledge. If the person is smart enough it can always be added later, but if the character isn’t right, it’s very unlikely to change in a few years. 

Generally, it’s agreed that one should always look for the following qualities: 

• Leadership Traits: Before anything, the best candidates are ethical and trustworthy. They don’t lie and cheat..They’re true leaders, with vision, seeing the big picture and setting clear goals. They’re able to make tough decisions promptly and are inspiring to motivate and inspire a team. 
• Interpersonal Skills: They communicate clearly, they’re positive, civil and respectful, show empathy and are understanding and responsive to the needs of others. They’re open-minded, collaborate and work effectively with a wide variety of individuals. They’ve strong interpersonal skills to foster positive relationships. 
• Strategic Thinking: They don’t complain, accept the rules and are problem-solvers, able to identify and address complex situations. They’re also able to analyze data to make solid decisions from it. Adaptability to constantly changing circumstances are also required qualities as well as managing risk intelligently. 
• Business Acumen: The know and master financial concepts and metrics, understand the market and are aware of trends and competitors. They can develop and implement effective business strategies and be great negotiators for the long term interests of the organization. 
• Personal Attributes: Finally, they need to be resilient and bounce back from setbacks, show passion and determination to succeed. Accept defeat and learn from their mistakes, while effectively managing their time and offering a strong dose of emotional intelligence. 

Now, when I look at that long list and ask myself, who of Trump or Harris are the best equipped to meet these criteria, the answer is totally clear.

Starting day at Look!

Just 50 years ago, I began to work for Look bindings, my biggest break in my entire life! I had been interviewed at the company’s aging headquarters and discovered a brand new factory on my first day there, with nice offices and located in a nice setting. 

I was rightfully excited and went to meet my future co-workers, a bunch of young executives working mostly in the export department. The domestic sales organization with refined tastes and an independent streak was headquartered in beautiful Annecy, back in the Alps, just like Salomon, our emerging and fierce competitor! 

As I walked into my job, there were no records or files about my new job as director of racing services. No list of racers per country, as one might have surmised, no budget either, no database of racers and tech reps, no budget, no correspondence with the various ski federations. Absolutely nothing! 

I guess they expected the new guy to be an imaginative self-starter, which I had to be given the circumstances. The Look owners in firing and/or parting ways with my predecessor had not even thought of extracting and salvaging that crucial information under whatever form it could exist, even though the entire program was costing them in today’s dollars the equivalent of almost 7 millions! 

An interesting way of running a business… Sure, René Plancherel, the guy in charge lived in Switzerland, which made it handy for paying some skiers under the table out of secret bank accounts in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, and had to keep all that illegal activity away from prying eyes! I was further summoned by the owner not to contact or talk to Plancherel under any circumstances. 

Yet, now I had the job and had no other alternative than simply walking out on my first day, or making it work. I chose the latter and managed to survive with that agonizing company for eight years before it finally expired.

What are the four Jhanas?

I just read a recent Time article, about Jhanas, a series of deep meditative states, that have become the new hot thing among trendsetters. From what I can understand, the Jhanas are at the pinnacle of concentration and mindfulness, leading to a profound sense of tranquility and bliss. 

While Jhanas have been adopted by Buddhism and Hinduism, they likely predate these religions. Yet, they're often associated with them, as the specific term "Jhanas" is primarily used within the Buddhist and Hindu contexts. They’re typically divided into four stages levels, which are quite a program to put it mildly: 

• The first Jhana is characterized by initial concentration, vitakka (applied thought), vicara (sustained thought), and a sense of rapture and joy. 
• The second Jhana entails a deeper level of concentration, where vitakka and vicara have subsided, and rapture and joy are more refined. 
• The third Jhana brings a sense of equanimity, where rapture and joy have faded, leaving behind a sense of contentment and bliss. 
• Finally, the fourth Jhana represents the ultimate state of concentration and is marked by neither pain nor pleasure but a profound sense of equanimity and mindfulness. 

After learning all this, I asked myself, how does these Jhanas compare to other forms of meditation? While Jhanas are pretty unique, they share similarities with other popular practices: 

• Compared to mindfulness, Jhanas emphasize concentration and awareness of the present moment. They seek however a deeper level of concentration and a more intense focus on specific objects or sensations. 
• If compared to Transcendental Meditation (TM), both claim to achieve a deep state of relaxation and concentration. However, TM typically uses a mantra, while Jhanas focuses instead on specific sensations or objects. 
• As for comparing Jhanas to Vipassana (a form of insight meditation emphasizing the observation of the impermanence of all things), Jhanas can also lead to insights and wisdom but they primarily focus on concentration and bliss. 

For the practitioners, the benefit of Jhanas are deep states of tranquility and a sense of peace and serenity that transcends everyday experiences. It’s also supposed to afford enhanced concentration and intense focus. It also increases happiness and well-being, contributing to a greater sense of contentment and happiness. 

Jhanas are also seen as a path to spiritual enlightenment and liberation from suffering. Finally, Jhanas claim to improve physical health, like reducing stress, improving sleep, and boosting immune function. 

From what I’ve been able to gather, Jhanas are often considered like belonging to an advanced form of meditation requiring a long study and practice, like one thousand hours. 

In that Time’s article, the main subject was a new startup company called Jhourney, that can cut the number of hours required to just 40 at costs ranging from $1,100 to $5,000 depending on how they’re administered. 

I’ll be looking at the do-it-yourself version, if there’s one, and will share my findings with you!

Ski season cut short at Mt. Buller

This Australian ski resort wasn’t lucky this winter as far as snow was concerned and today is closing day at Mt. Buller. Usually, skiing lasts well into most of September there, and many times continues into early October. Last year’s closing day already was early as it fell on September 14! 

The season began with very little natural snow, still, Mt. Buller, that had just received an extra TechnoAlpin SnowFactory all-weather snowmaking unit, was put in the strongest position, opening with roughly a mile of trails when everyone else had little if no snow! 

The big change came in mid-July, five or six weeks into the season when heavy snowfall arrived. Some resorts saw more than 40 inches of snowfall in seven days and conditions transformed. Perisher opened all 46 lifts by the third of August thanks to a combination of natural snow and snowmaking. 

Today, the New South Wales are still operating, so is Mt. Buller’s early closing just a fluke or the new shape of things to come? We’ll find out soon enough!