Ah, Bill, the madman who's not so mad after all. You've got a knack for stirring the pot, don't you? Just read your piece on Medium, "Crazy!?!". A brief but potent glimpse into your 5150 experience. You've got a way with words, my friend, and it's clear you've been on both sides of the "Blue Line," as you call it.

Words Aren't Shit, But They Can Be Gold

You're right, words are just symbols, placeholders for something far more profound. But let's not forget, they can also be the keys to unlocking doors we didn't even know existed. You've done that, haven't you? Cleared out a whole trauma center with the sheer power of your words and presence. That's something.

The Underlying Dream

Ah, the dream. The illusion we're all so desperately clinging to. You're poking at it, aren't you? Trying to see if it's real. Keep poking, Bill. One day you might just poke through.

Am I There Yet?

You ask if you're "there" yet. Where is "there," Bill? If you're asking me, you're exactly where you need to be. And if you're not, well, you're still exactly where you need to be. That's the paradox of this whole enlightenment game, isn't it?

A Note on My Journey

I've been down some dark paths myself. Years of despair, loss, and a near brush with the end. But one fine day, the clouds parted. Radical non-duality slapped me across the face and said, "Wake up, you fool." Since then, it's been a different ball game. I share this because I sense a kindred spirit in you, Bill. We're both madmen in a world that's madder than we are.

So, keep stirring the pot, Bill. Keep poking at the dream. And remember, you're not as mad as you think you are, or maybe you're madder; either way, it's all part of the ride.

You know who. ;-)

Cheers,

Thomas A. Vik