Dear friends,

I have not written as frequently as I normally do. That’s because a lot of interesting things have been going on here. To be honest, I almost cannot keep up with myself at this point.

Still, 159 essays in, I've enjoyed experimenting with different styles of writing while finding a consistent voice, and the most authentic way I can share of this experience of awe. And that's exactly why I'm excited to properly shape Contemplative Currents within a strategic frame. One that brings more value to you, opens more room for what wants to come through me, and becomes something you or I can return to from time to time.

I want to make something very clear. I do not position myself as a teacher, a guru, or someone who has achieved anything that isn't already the case for you, for me, for anyone. There's no ladder I've climbed, no special state I've arrived at, no insight I hold that you don't already have access to. My excitement in carrying out this project is simply this: to bring some simplicity and clarity to what our seeking— and our restless quest for "more" tends to overlook entirely. The very thing we keep reaching for is often what's already here, waiting beneath the noise of the search itself.

I tell you this: with tears in my eyes while writing this at this moment, I feel so incredibly blessed to share of this experience of living. That I can live, love, be broken down emotionally, be built up in confidence, argue with friends, dance in sorrow, swirl in joy, mourn a loss, break up in shame, enjoy the taste of tacos from Cantina Louie, get a new pair of glasses, rack up $4.99 wine bottles at Trader Joe's, walk Milo at dawn while the neighborhood is still half-asleep, fumble through a hard conversation and find my way back to ease — that I could listen in love and care to my closest friends as they share with me their challenging times, fully present to their pain while quietly holding what I know are temporary moments, never rushing them past what they're feeling. I get it! Because everyone’s pain is connected. Oh, all of these finite experiences are an incredible joy! That I can sit on my bench and point attention back to the source of attention itself, gaddamn it! Right there, nothing missing, nothing to chase. The outpouring of joy is delightful. Oh, wasn’t it the writer Paul who said, ‘count it all joy…’

These are the reasons I enjoy writing here, connecting with you, connecting with the world. And so, friends, you should expect in the next day or two a new cadence to my work here on Substack. If you haven’t already, please check out the About page of this Substack.

Also, there are more interesting things coming. Here are some, and here are the highlights:

* First and foremost, the Hold Within app is now live but only for Android. I hadn’t bothered making the announcement till I finish up some paperwork with Apple. But if you have an Android app, please go ahead and download the app for your own contemplative practice. The Hold Within app can be accessed through https://holdwithin.app/

* Secondly, I am excited to also add a visual angle to Contemplative Current. I will be adding a YouTube channel for this.

* Thirdly, I have been invited on a few podcast interviews, some already lined up for the next couple of months and I’m super happy to share of the excitement of these conversations. Special shout out to Inside the Minds Eye for this interview. You should check out Adam’s other YouTube content too! Great stuff.

* Progress on my upcoming book had been put on hold with all of the shifts this year but I’m glad to let you all know that I’m about 90% done with the first draft.

* If you don’t already know, I released a new single called Hey Brother. You can find a link here https://seyekuyinu.com/music. It’s inspired by my recognition of all beings being a part of this one universal family. More on that later. And music video is underway.

* I have also updated my personal website, https://seyekuyinu.com, to include and indicate that coaching services for me will remain free as I’m abundantly provided for in my other businesses. Also, while a paid tier is going to exist on my Substack starting from next week, every single part of the content uploaded here will be free. Forever. The paid tier will just serve as an opportunity for voluntary donations + a free signed copy of Beyond Silence, my upcoming book. Once again, more to come on that.

* Also, if you didn’t already know, I am a part of Bayit: Building Jewish, as a game designer. We recently put out one of many board games, Journey To Sinai which can be gotten on GameCrafters. It’s a cooperative game of wandering, waiting, and revelation.

Oh man! There’s so so much I want to talk about. I hope in some ways, my excitement is contagious and you become infected by this excitement. My hope, my deep hope in this time, is that what I share here on this Substack brings so much value to our shared experience of being. That in some ways, what gets exchanged here, me to you, you to me is in the deepest truth an expression of the incredible joy that is Living.

For anyone who subscribed recently, I’m incredibly glad that you are here. I hope, yes I really do hope that this platform does not grow beyond where I don’t have the time or bandwidth to respond meaningfully to each and every email.

Today, what bleeds out of my breathe is so much love. Love held within and beyond the context of this shared being.

Love, Seye Kuyinu

Contemplative Currents is a free (bi-weekly) newsletter that aims to shed light into our daily experiences as opportunities for contemplation of this glorious Mystery. If you’d like to support my work, please consider subscribing and/or sharing this free Substack. If you’re looking to monetarily support, buying my book, This Glorious Dance: Thoughts & Contemplations About Who We Are, is enough. I’m grateful for your support in whatever capacity.

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit seyekuyinu.substack.com