Episode 119

Awakening Practices from PRACTICAL WORK ON SELF, "Harmless Whim", Part One

The THREE-HEADED MAN'S discussion centers on the concept of developing conscious will through the practice of "harmless whims."

Jimmy, Jazzy, and Freddy explore the idea that human actions are typically involuntary habits or driven by biological desires rather than true independent volition. To counteract this mechanical nature, they discuss a method from E.J. Gold’s writings that involves intentionally performing meaningless, trivial tasks, such as tugging an earlobe or standing on one leg. By choosing actions that provide no personal gain or gratification, the participants aim to voluntarize their habits and create a "reminding factor" for self-awareness. Their discussion emphasizes that while these efforts are small and likely to fail initially, they serve as essential training for strengthening the attention and resisting the machine-like tendencies of the personality.

Ultimately, the sources highlight how shared accountability within a community helps individuals maintain these spiritual exercises even when they feel inconvenient or purposeless.

All Episodes Previous Episode

About the Podcast

Show artwork for The Three-Headed Man
The Three-Headed Man
Talking To Ourselves For Over 25 Years

Listen for free

About your host

Profile picture for Fred M Schill

Fred M Schill

I like to do. I like to make things. And, I like telling stories. I tell stories to myself and to others.

First, a short biography, which is, of course, is a story. I was born in Cleveland, played sports, and attended university. Later, after a few years in the radio business, I returned to university to study education and literature.

With a teaching certificate in my file folder, I began working in high schools, first as a strike-breaking scab substitute teacher in Cleveland's far suburbs, and then in Chicago, mostly in private high schools.

Cleveland and Chicago. My two main towns, and I escaped them both. Presently, I live in a tiny, isolated, mountain village in Spain. I am reluctant to write the name of the town because I don't like tourists. When the tourists arrive, they look at me as if I am an animal in a zoo.