What’s in my Cup? #1: Demons, Dadaism, and (Buddhist) Discipline

I’m starting “What’s in my Cup?” as a periodic series where I share some of the things that have been lighting up my brain and heart recently (AKA what’s been “filling my cup”). Trying my best to keep it semi-brief! Let’s get into it!

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

What is it: Anime series (based on the manga by Koyoharu Gotouge) about a boy who learns to fight demons after his entire family is slaughtered by one, save for his sister who has turned into a demon after the attack.

What it fills my cup with: profound empathy & kindness, sympathy (but not forgiveness) for those who have caused great harm, the power of love and service as a driving force, the importance of breath and mindfulness as a foundation for action, duty and determination, finding meaning amidst tragedy, beautiful animation & backdrops, battle scenes filled with internality, acknowledgment of the worst of humanity but also the best, deliciously punky character designs, laugh-out-loud moments, cathartic cries.

When you fixate so hard on the show that you need doll versions of the characters. The Kamado siblings from Demon Slayer (not to scale).

System of a Down

What is it: Armenian-American metal band with strong anti-establishment messaging.

What it fills my cup with: catharsis (especially pertaining to anger/frustration/grief about society), thrashing guitars, Dadaist lyricism alongside overt statements (and sometimes statistics) about social issues, emotion-filled shouted vocals mixed with beautiful and melodic harmonies, music that I both dig sonically and feel validated by.

Perhaps goes without saying, but warning that the linked audio is loud!

The writings of Thich Nhat Hanh

The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh as translated by Mobi Ho, with illustrations by Vo-Dinh Mai.

What is it: books by Buddhist monk, activist, and “father of mindfulness” Thich Nhat Hanh.

What it fills my cup with: genuine gratitude for existing on this earth, a slower pace of existence, mindfulness that grounds and connects, reverence for stillness and deliberate non-action, salve for wounds inflicted by capitalism, perspective that challenges my brain patterns, reminders that tending to our foundations is a prerequisite for intentional action, inspiration for advocating peace.

Feel free to share what’s been filling your cup lately!