Cory Muscara’s six months with Sayadaw U Pandita, one of the toughest Buddhist monks on the planet, was a life-changing experience. Muscara meditated 15 hours a day, sleeping only two to five hours a night, with no reading, writing, or speaking allowed. He endured tremendous pain and yet gained insight. Here is a look into the lessons he learned.
Muscara discovered that finding one’s true self is an act of love, while expressing it is an act of rebellion. He also saw a sign of growth as having both more tolerance for discomfort and less tolerance for “bullshit.” He learned that although who one is isn’t their fault, it is their responsibility. Procrastination, he discovered, is a refusal or inability to be with difficult emotions. Desires that arise from agitation are more aligned with one’s ego, while those from stillness are more aligned with one’s soul.
Muscara learned that the moment before letting go is often when one grips the hardest. One finds their ground not by looking for stability, but by relaxing into instability. He also discovered that what one hates most in others is usually what one hates most in themselves, and that the biggest life hack is to become one’s own best friend.
As Muscara became more comfortable in his own skin, he no longer needed the things he thought he needed to be happy. He also learned that if one doesn’t train their mind to appreciate what is good, they’ll continue to look for something better in the future, even when things are great. He saw that the belief that a future moment is more worth one’s presence than the one they are in is why they miss out on life.
Muscara also discovered that there is no set of conditions that leads to lasting happiness, and that lasting happiness comes from learning to flow with conditions. He saw that one should spend more time cultivating a mind that is not attached to material things than time spent accumulating them. He learned that sometimes one needs to get out of alignment with the rest of the world to get back into alignment with themselves, and that real confidence looks like humility.
Muscara found that a high pain tolerance is a double-edged sword, and that negative thoughts will not manifest a negative life, but unconscious negative thoughts will. To feel more joy, he found, one must open to their pain. He also observed that bullying oneself into enlightenment does not work, and that peak experiences are fun, but one always has to come back.
Meditation, Muscara discovered, is not about feeling good, but feeling what one is feeling with good awareness. He found that if one can watch their mind think, it means who they are is bigger than their thoughts. Practicing stillness is not about privileging stillness over movement, it’s about the capacity to be still amidst one’s impulses.
Muscara also realized that the issue is not that one gets distracted, but that they are so distracted by distractions they don’t even know they are distracted. He saw that life is always happening in just one moment and that’s all one is responsible for. He learned that one’s mind doesn’t wander, it moves toward what it finds most interesting, and that life continues whether one is paying attention to it or not.
Sayadaw U Pandita passed away in 2016, but he left a lasting impression on all his students, including Muscara. His teachings changed Muscara’s life in ways he can’t describe, and he is forever grateful.
This story was written by an AI and it that follows the mischievous and curious Cat in the Hat and his friends as they embark on a series of epic adventures in a magical land filled with wonder and imagination. Along the way, they encounter all sorts of strange and fascinating creatures, and must use their cunning and bravery to overcome the forces of evil!
Part 01
Is this the start or is this the end? Once upon a time, in a world filled with the magic of childhood imagination, there lived a mischievous and curious cat named the Cat in the Hat. He was known for his zany antics and his love of adventure.
One day, the Cat in the Hat stumbled upon a mysterious land called Wonderland, where he met a curious young girl named Alice. Together, they explored the strange and wondrous world of Wonderland, encountering all sorts of bizarre creatures and fascinating sights.
As they journeyed further and deeper into Wonderland, they stumbled upon the enchanted land of Narnia, ruled by the powerful and cunning Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The Cat in the Hat and Alice quickly found themselves caught up in the Lion’s quest to defeat the Witch and restore peace to Narnia.
Meanwhile, in the land of the Hundred Acre Wood, a young boy named Christopher Robin was accompanied by his lovable and silly friend, Winnie the Pooh. Together, they embarked on a series of whimsical adventures, meeting all sorts of delightful creatures along the way.
But their adventures were not without danger, for the dark forces of evil were also at work in this magical land. The wicked Gollum, a creature twisted and corrupted by his obsession with a magical ring, sought to capture and enslave the innocent inhabitants of the wood.
But the Cat in the Hat and his friends were not deterred. With the help of their new allies, they embarked on a epic quest to defeat the Gollum and his dark forces. They traveled across the land, encountering all sorts of challenges and obstacles along the way.
As they journeyed, they met the brave and wise Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who joined them on their quest. Together, they battled fierce trolls, giant spiders, and treacherous goblins, determined to vanquish the darkness and restore peace to the land.
Through their adventures, the Cat in the Hat and his friends learned the importance of friendship, bravery, and the power of imagination. And even though their journey seemed to have no end, they continued to explore the magical world around them, always seeking out new and exciting adventures.
Part 02
The Cat in the Hat and his friends continued to explore the magical world, encountering all sorts of new and wondrous creatures along the way. They met the wise and gentle Little Prince, who taught them about the beauty and fragility of life. They also met the clever and resourceful Charlotte the spider, who helped them out of many a sticky situation.
As they journeyed, they encountered the Secret Garden, a hidden and enchanted place filled with wondrous plants and animals. Here, they met a young girl named Mary, who was determined to bring life back to the garden. With the help of the Cat in the Hat and his friends, she was able to unlock the garden’s secrets and restore it to its former glory.
But their adventures were not without danger. The wicked Captain Hook, a pirate with a hook for a hand, was always lurking in the shadows, determined to capture and enslave the inhabitants of the magical land. The Cat in the Hat and his friends had to use all of their cunning and bravery to outwit the Captain and his band of pirates.
In the end, the Cat in the Hat and his friends triumphed over evil and restored peace to the magical land. But their adventures were far from over, for there was always another adventure waiting just around the corner. And so, they continued to explore the magical world, always seeking out new and exciting challenges.
The end…or is it? For in this magical land, the story never truly ends. The adventures of the Cat in the Hat and his friends will continue forever, as they explore the endless wonders of the imagination.
Part 03
As the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued their adventures, they encountered all sorts of new and exciting challenges. They battled fierce dragons, outwitted cunning thieves, and even explored the depths of the ocean.
Along the way, they met new friends and allies, such as the clever and resourceful Peter Pan, who taught them the joys of never growing up. They also met the fierce and loyal Tiger Lily, who helped them in their battles against the evil Captain Hook.
But the Cat in the Hat and his friends never lost their sense of wonder and curiosity. They continued to explore the magical land, discovering new and wondrous sights at every turn. And even though they faced many dangers and challenges, they never lost their spirit of adventure.
In the end, the Cat in the Hat and his friends triumphed over all the obstacles that stood in their way. They saved the magical land from the forces of evil, and brought peace and happiness to all its inhabitants.
But their adventures were far from over. For in this magical land, there was always another adventure waiting just around the corner. And so, the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued to explore the wonders of the imagination, forever seeking out new and exciting challenges. The end…or is it? For in this magical land, the story never truly ends.
Part 04
As the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued their adventures, they encountered all sorts of new and wondrous sights. They climbed towering mountains, explored deep forests, and even journeyed to the stars.
Along the way, they met many strange and fascinating creatures, such as the Very Hungry Caterpillar, who taught them the importance of taking care of their bodies and minds. They also met the wise and benevolent Lorax, who helped them understand the importance of preserving the natural world.
But the Cat in the Hat and his friends were not always safe. They had to face many dangers and challenges, such as the evil queen of the fairies, who sought to enslave the inhabitants of the magical land. But with the help of their friends, the Cat in the Hat and his companions were able to outwit the queen and restore peace to the land.
In the end, the Cat in the Hat and his friends triumphed over all the obstacles that stood in their way. They saved the magical land from the forces of evil, and brought happiness and joy to all its inhabitants.
But their adventures were far from over. For in this magical land, there was always another adventure waiting just around the corner. And so, the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued to explore the wonders of the imagination, forever seeking out new and exciting challenges. The end…or is it? For in this magical land, the story never truly ends.
Part 05
As the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued their adventures, they encountered all sorts of new and exciting challenges. They battled fierce monsters, outsmarted cunning villains, and even journeyed to other worlds.
Along the way, they met many fascinating and memorable characters, such as the wise and magical Dumbledore, who taught them the importance of knowledge and wisdom. They also met the brave and loyal Harry Potter, who joined them on their quest to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort.
But the Cat in the Hat and his friends were not always safe. They had to face many dangers and challenges, such as the treacherous Dolores Umbridge, who sought to enslave the inhabitants of the magical land. But with the help of their friends, the Cat in the Hat and his companions were able to outsmart Dolores and restore peace to the land.
In the end, the Cat in the Hat and his friends triumphed over all the obstacles that stood in their way. They saved the magical land from the forces of evil, and brought happiness and joy to all its inhabitants.
But their adventures were far from over. For in this magical land, there was always another adventure waiting just around the corner. And so, the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued to explore the wonders of the imagination, forever seeking out new and exciting challenges. The end…or is it? For in this magical land, the story never truly ends.
Part 06
As the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued their adventures, they encountered all sorts of new and exciting challenges. They battled fierce dragons, outwitted cunning thieves, and even explored the depths of the ocean.
Along the way, they met many strange and fascinating creatures, such as the magical mermaids, who taught them the secrets of the sea. They also met the wise and benevolent sea king, who helped them understand the importance of protecting the ocean and its inhabitants.
But the Cat in the Hat and his friends were not always safe. They had to face many dangers and challenges, such as the evil sea witch, who sought to enslave the inhabitants of the magical land. But with the help of their friends, the Cat in the Hat and his companions were able to outsmart the sea witch and restore peace to the land.
In the end, the Cat in the Hat and his friends triumphed over all the obstacles that stood in their way. They saved the magical land from the forces of evil, and brought happiness and joy to all its inhabitants.
But their adventures were far from over. For in this magical land, there was always another adventure waiting just around the corner. And so, the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued to explore the wonders of the imagination, forever seeking out new and exciting challenges. The end…or is it? For in this magical land, the story never truly ends.
Part 07
As the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued their adventures, they encountered all sorts of new and exciting challenges. They battled fierce beasts, outsmarted cunning villains, and even explored the mysteries of time and space.
Along the way, they met many fascinating and memorable characters, such as the wise and powerful Doctor Who, who taught them the secrets of time travel. They also met the brave and loyal Sherlock Holmes, who joined them on their quest to solve the most puzzling mysteries of the magical land.
But the Cat in the Hat and his friends were not always safe. They had to face many dangers and challenges, such as the treacherous Moriarty, who sought to destroy the magical land. But with the help of their friends, the Cat in the Hat and his companions were able to outsmart Moriarty and restore peace to the land.
In the end, the Cat in the Hat and his friends triumphed over all the obstacles that stood in their way. They saved the magical land from the forces of evil, and brought happiness and joy to all its inhabitants.
But their adventures were far from over. For in this magical land, there was always another adventure waiting just around the corner. And so, the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued to explore the wonders of the imagination, forever seeking out new and exciting challenges. The end…or is it? For in this magical land, the story never truly ends.
Part 08
As the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued their adventures, they encountered all sorts of new and exciting challenges. They battled fierce beasts, outsmarted cunning villains, and even explored the mysteries of time and space.
But no matter how far they traveled or how many obstacles they faced, they never lost their sense of wonder and curiosity. They continued to explore the magical land, discovering new and wondrous sights at every turn.
In the end, the Cat in the Hat and his friends triumphed over all the obstacles that stood in their way. They saved the magical land from the forces of evil, and brought happiness and joy to all its inhabitants.
But their adventures were far from over. For in this magical land, there was always another adventure waiting just around the corner. And so, the Cat in the Hat and his friends continued to explore the wonders of the imagination, forever seeking out new and exciting challenges.
And as they journeyed, they stumbled upon a mysterious land called Wonderland, where they met a curious young girl named Alice. Together, they explored the strange and wondrous world of Wonderland, encountering all sorts of bizarre creatures and fascinating sights.
The end…or is it? For in this magical land, the story never truly ends. The adventures of the Cat in the Hat and his friends will continue forever, as they explore the endless wonders of the imagination. Now return to Part 01!
