Some news

and a de-brand

Hello all,

So a little while ago I decided to rename this newsletter, which had been “Philosophy As Therapy” as “Mind Yoga.” I’ve decided to go back to the original title, which I guess is a…. de-brand? or a re-re-brand?

Anyway, the reasons are simple:

1) I was getting some feedback the new title was confusing, due to using the word “yoga” in a way which was both traditional (transformative discipline) and unconventional for the West (not talking about stretching and poses here), but at the same time more broad than its original culturally specific meaning (I am talking about more than Indian disciplines).

This all began to make me feel uncomfortable.

2) My fundamental commitment in this newsletter is to philosophy, the “love of wisdom” or, as Emanuel Levinas punned, “the wisdom of love.” I have my specific interests and teachers, but I don’t want to pigeonhole my thinking, in appearance or in reality, within the thinking and disciplines of traditional Yoga, as much as I am inspired and influenced by my studies of Yogic wisdom.

3) I have long wanted to write more about Benedict Spinoza, and plan to dedicate some serious time to sharing his philosophy and insights in coming posts. I think the world— including myself— needs more Spinoza. This project sits oddly with my recent re-brand, but sits comfortably with Philosophy As Therapy. I take this as another sign that title and presentation was actually the best umbrella for my work.

In other news, I am going head with my plan to offer some online courses in Philosophy As Therapy and to launch a podcast soon! So please stay tuned for that.

So— thanks for hanging in there with me, and if you’ve read this latest missive from my restless mind, thanks for that too. I really, sincerely appreciate your readership, your support, and the comments and messages I get from you. Thanks for being here, and I hope this newsletter continues to be of service to you.

Warmly,

Matthew

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Photo: Portrait thought to be of Baruch de Spinoza, attributed to Barend Graat, 1666. Wikimedia