David, as always you have a lovely way of expressing yourself.
You raise an interesting question. Isn’t ‘expanding’ a kind of manipulation, which therefore takes us away from the experience itself? It is if it goes in the direction you found yourself pursuing, what you call “a kind of linear unfolding.” That in itself may be valuable, but yes, it is inherently limited and limiting.
Christopher’s reflections are helpful, and I have nothing to add, except perhaps that we can let ‘zero’ wait for another time. As for the political news, it’s nice to feel that we in American are doing something of value for the world, for a change.
Erin, I had to look up “hand-casting cotton linter;” it seems to have to do with making paper by hand, and I gather you’re doing it for Christmas gifts. Nice. In your description, there is the thinking about (expanding) the context of what you were doing, and there is also the inquiry being conducted by your hands, shaped by your expanding thoughts into perhaps an expanding sense of what is ‘going on’.
Best to all, and looking forward to the phone call.
Jack