What Was Milan, Italy Like?

Yesterday, I realized that being overly perfectionistic and focusing only on work and one person can leave you isolated. This happens even when you need someone to talk to during the smallest conflict with that person. Maybe, since there’s no one to talk to right now, I should at least write something down.

Some time ago, I had an interesting experience on a trip. People tend to learn quickly and draw insightful conclusions. This is especially true if they have a natural tendency to observe those around them wherever they go.

This was true for me during visits to two countries with distinct traditions: Italy and Austria. It all centered around a Very Important Conference.

By the way, I discovered I have no reason to envy my father, who often travels for work. In my own life, I travel the world just as much as a scientist. This is one of the few perks of this career.

In Italy, the warmth and helpfulness of the people were hard to miss. While enjoying the Italian vibrancy and nightlife, you should be cautious.

What Should Visitors Know Before Exploring Milan at Night?

The limited metro service runs only until 11 pm. Furthermore, most shops close between 4 pm to 6 pm, which makes nighttime exploration tricky. But there’s no shortage of glamor.

In Milan, one of the world’s fashion capitals alongside Paris, New York, and London, fashion mainly shines in storefront displays. People on the streets usually wore blue jeans, modest blouses, and occasional sunglasses. However, beneath the glamorous exterior, there was a stark contrast — scenes that reminded me of World Press Photo images.

Behind Armani glass, homeless people were a common sight. I had seen similar views in San Francisco, initially thinking it was an American phenomenon.

But it wasn’t. Unfortunate. According to Pasqualini and Bazzani (2021), *Genus*, Milan has one of the largest homeless populations of any Italian city. This reality is frequently obscured by the city’s glamorous fashion-capital image.

What Made Milan’s Old-World Charm Stand Out?

Italian attachment to tradition was a delightful sight. Everything inherently Italian was preserved and authentic.

Italian gelato, pizza, architecture — all showcased their unique charm. The city’s architecture particularly appealed to me.

The absence of glass buildings and skyscrapers in Milan’s city center maintained the image of a traditional medieval city. This gave it its distinctive atmosphere. Even finding a grocery store was challenging, as such practicalities seemed too mundane for Milan’s center.

We humorously speculated that groceries were relegated to the less glamorous suburbs. This was because an Italian woman wouldn’t be caught dead with a bag of vegetables in hand.

Curiously, what stands out now, well after my return, is the lack of children I noticed in Milan. It might reflect an aging society or perhaps a cultural trend regarding children’s mobility.

Overall, my impressions are positive. This leads me to think about how a country like Italy, with its prosperity, peace, abundant sunshine, and lively atmosphere, could be an ideal place for a tranquil retirement. Something to consider in about 50 years.

What Was Soelden, Austria Like?

The scenery then changed dramatically as I found myself in Tyrol. While the tourist attractions of Soelden took precedence over the conference, I had no regrets.

Observing the locals proved to be less frequent here. This was mainly due to the abundance of tourists and the incompatibility of skiing and mountain hiking with casual observation. However, there’s no denying that only the Germanic nations could think of adding techno or trance music to the bright sun, glistening snow, and the hum of the snow machines.

This combination inspires unusual thoughts. I appreciate them for this uniqueness.

It was clear that the town was heavily focused on skiing. This was evidenced by the poorly marked hiking trails, which reflected a lack of care. However, with spring and abundant sunshine, it’s unlikely anyone would face real danger in these mountains.

My closest encounter with native Austrians occurred during a bus ride to the conference. Among Austrian schoolchildren, I noticed their organizational skills, politeness, and contentment.

Their attire was a well-thought-out mix of sporty and funky elements, typical of many Germanic individuals I’ve encountered. They tend to be more introverted compared to their flashier southern counterparts. Instead, they place greater emphasis on gadgets and clothing to express themselves.

As for our performance at the conference, I had the chance to present a poster. Although it didn’t directly relate to my research but focused on the Neurobiology Students’ Scientific Circle, it proved intriguing. This was especially meaningful for someone with a melancholic disposition like mine.

What Is Depressive Realism?

Speaking of melancholy, there’s something known as “depressive realism.” Interestingly, people diagnosed with depression often estimate the probability of future events more accurately. They’re less prone to manipulation and unrealistic optimism, traits common among the emotionally healthy.

Several studies suggest that depression may serve an adaptive purpose and that depressive individuals might offer benefits to society. According to Allan, Siegel and Hannah (2007), *Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology*, the classic “depressive realism” finding traces back to Alloy and Abramson’s (1979) contingency-judgment studies.

However, later work found the effect is more nuanced than a simple “sadder but wiser” pattern. I’ve shared these findings under ‘scientific activities,’ if anyone’s interested.

By the way, I’ve come to recognize a silver lining in realism. When the sun emerges after a long winter, I experience a euphoria that typical optimists might never feel.

It’s a dual joy — delight in the sunshine’s warmth and relief from the months of winter depression. These are the days when even the gloomiest cynic becomes a beacon of joy and energy.

Being a bundle of energy, I have many plans. Besides completing my physics master’s degree before pursuing my doctorate (I’ve received a grade of three so far.

But the future is uncertain), I have other ambitions. Lately, I’ve been considering a quest to find the legendary Buddhists I’ve heard so much about but never encountered.

Does Buddhism Mean Asceticism? 

A few years ago, when I regularly attended a Buddhist temple for collective prayers, I was given a Buddhist name. I became captivated by the ideology. However, over time, I’ve grown skeptical about the existence of true Buddhism in the modern world.

It seems logical, doesn’t it? If something is taught, its followers should exist.

Now, my conviction wavers. My doubts began a year ago when Ole Nydahl, a Danish lama promoting Buddhism in the Western world, visited Warsaw.

Although he shared wise insights during a meeting with Polish Buddhists, further examination revealed a different truth. His teachings had taken a commercialized turn, eroding his credibility.

According to Monteiro, Musten and Compson (2015), this kind of drift is a recognized pattern. Contemporary teachers often strip Buddhist practice of its original ethical grounding while keeping only the parts that sell.

Nydahl travels the globe with his wife, leading a seemingly comfortable life. His books sell in the millions, but he no longer comes across as someone who understands life’s struggles.

What could he know about it? His youthful years were marked by hippie and drug use. This led me to favor wisdom from those who experienced concentration camps or grew up in poverty.

What Did the Monks in Korea Teach Me About Buddhist Privilege?

Subsequently, my trip to Korea, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism, raised further questions. I learned that Buddhist monks there enjoyed privileged lives. These lives were devoid of responsibilities, involving driving luxury cars, enjoying plasma screens in their rooms, and indulging in lavish feasts.

Delving deeper, it became clear that deeper philosophical questions were discouraged. “Don’t check” was the common response when I inquired about the meaning of life and how to live it. This essentially meant, “Don’t ask foolish questions; just live.”

Or perhaps, “Vegetate like us and be content.” Needless to say, this did not sit well with me.

What Did I Learn From the Falenica Temple Community?

Recently, I spoke with a colleague. This person is a computer scientist from MIM and used to oversee a Buddhist temple in Falenica until recently. However, he’s no longer involved due to an unexpected reason – he couldn’t tolerate the competitive atmosphere!

It turns out that within the small, close-knit community of intellectuals living and practicing in Falenica, a strong desire prevailed. This desire was to be the wisest and most virtuous. This led to mutual animosity and a constant tendency to point out each other’s reasoning flaws.

According to Vonk and Visser (2021), this feeling of spiritual superiority is measurably linked to communal narcissism. This is the belief that one is more socially skilled and empathic than others. Although I visited Falenica only once, I noticed this dynamic.

Interestingly, there was a peculiar incident involving meat being offered in silence, followed by a spiteful remark: “You’ll rise higher if you learn when to keep quiet and avoid asking questions.” Truly astonishing.

As a result, I find myself considering a journey to Tibet. I want to see if Tibetan Buddhism, much like Zen Buddhism, has also lost its essence. Has anyone truly encountered an authentic Buddhist yet?…