Welcome to the Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast. Our intention is to awaken, enlighten, enrich, and inspire a simple and uncomplicated life. Discover the benefits of mindful living with your host, Timber Hawkeye. Even standing completely naked in front of people wouldn't feel as vulnerable as sharing this episode with you, because I'm exposing how my brain works, which is really intimate. I'm doing it to shed light on an area that's been in the dark for a long time.
I'm hoping it either helps you or someone you know who might benefit from hearing it. While most labels are damaging, restricting, confining, segregating, and compartmentalizing people into structured identities and denominations, limiting what we can and cannot be, this is a rare case of identifying with something expansive rather than marginalizing, more akin to a breath of fresh air.
Growing up, I was called weird, strange, odd, and insensitive, all negative terms that suggest I was different from others in bad and undesirable ways. Later in life, however, when I learned I am simply neurodivergent, it finally explained how and why my mind processes data and feelings in ways that neurotypicals don't always understand, let alone accept. So, please allow me to explain that this is not a disorder, it's an operating system that works just fine.
It's like asking someone for Chips and they give you French Fries. As soon as you realize that they are British, and French Fries are called Chips in the UK, Nobody is "wrong" or "stupid." Even though you both speak English, you now understand the need to be more specific in the future, because language can be tricky.
A friend actually snapped at me once, saying, "You're so random. Timber!" "We were talking about French Fries and you're asking me about speedboats!" "How are the two even connected?" So, I told him: French Fries, also known as Chips, are made out of potatoes. Idaho grows more potatoes than any other state in America. A few years ago, I learned how to water ski on Priest Lake, Idaho, with my friend's speedboat, so I was wondering if you knew anyone with a boat.
He thought I made no sense, but I don't understand how anyone thinks about anything without going through that progression. I mean, I can't drink water without thinking about its entire cycle, from rain to rivers, pipes, filters, and the glass in front of me. Most notably, my brain can't process conflicting data, like when people say they care about their health, for example, and then they turn around and drink alcohol.
My mind gets stuck in a loop thinking: it's one or the other... You can't do both! Or when someone says they love me but then treat me in ways that aren't loving. My brain gets stuck in that loop again, just trying to figure out: Which is it? And to expose myself even more without making anyone too uncomfortable, I see dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, and cows in the same light, so it makes no sense to put one on a plate while petting the other.
When my thoughts cycle through contradicting information like that in a loop, imagine a computer program that's about to crash. It's very unsettling and disturbing. So life becomes a challenging obstacle course through over-stimulating environments, conflicting data, loud noise, and so on. Nothing negative is implied by neurodivergence. It simply means we see and understand the world through another lens.
Our Love Language may not necessarily be the typical physical touch, acts of service, gifts, words of affirmation, or quality time. For us, conveying love may look more like: I saw this article and thought of you, here's a thing about your favorite thing, or you can share my silence with me. The more I think about it, it's possible Buddhism and Mindfulness resonate so much because they connect the dots in ways that make sense. So, let's expand our vocabulary to accommodate a raised awareness.
Let's stop using negative words like Weirdo or Freak, and start getting curious about the many paths up this mountain of life, not just a trail most traveled. There's room in your heart for everyone. I love you the way I know how to show it, and it's through this vulnerability, honesty, and
transparency. So, if you find value in what I do with the Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast, and you appreciate as much as I do that the podcast doesn't have corporate sponsorship or ad placement, then please show your support on Patreon.com/BuddhistBootCamp Thank you for receiving this information with gentle grace, and for being part of this Sangha. I appreciate you. 🙏🏼 Timber Hawkeye is the bestselling author of Faithfully Religionless and Buddhist Boot Camp.
For additional information, please visit BuddhistBootCamp.com, where you can order autographed books to support the Prison Library Project, watch Timber's inspiring TED Talk, and join our monthly mailing list. We hope you have enjoyed this episode and invite you to subscribe for more thought-provoking discussions. Thank you for being a Soldier of Peace in the Army of Love. 🙏🏼