If you’ve mastered the art of peaceful speech, then it is likely that you have a very firm grasp over your guiding principles. If you have mastered the art of the pause in speech, then it is likely that you have clear convictions and great self-confidence. Truthful, loving speech, no matter the circumstances, is a harbinger of self-mastery. In this article, we’ll explore ten ways to speak like a Stoic. We’ll explore how some ancient Stoic practices have been adopted by modern psychiatrists and have come to define some of the most effective behavioral therapies of today. Finally, we’ll examin ..read more

In modern times, we use the word karma in many ways. ‘Ain’t karma a bitch’—meaning what ‘Goes around, comes around.’ It can also refer to the Golden Rule from the Hebrew and Christian Bible: ‘Do unto others what as you would have them do unto you.’ But, in the context of this article, we’re dealing with ancient times, and going back 2,500 years to India where the Buddha lived and taught. What is karma in Buddhism? Do we have to believe in reincarnation for karma to be relevant?   Karma is a Sanskrit word that literally means ‘action’ or ‘doing’. In Hinduism, it is believed that everyon ..read more

Marcus Aurelius died in a cold, dark place, but his last words shined bright with a message of hope: “Go to the rising sun, for I am already setting.” He delivered these words not to a beloved, but to a guard of the night’s watch in his military camp near the frontline of war. We know quite a bit about the death of Marcus Aurelius. We have descriptions of his demeanor. There are records of his final deeds and words. We, the readers of history, have the advantage of retrospection. So, in this article, let us study Marcus Aurelius’ death to see if we learn something about life. We’ll look back ..read more

  What if there was a way you could train your wisdom and insight? No tools or equipment required. No books to read. No classes to attend. All you’d need is a few minutes each day. Such a means of building a wider perspective and developing clear insight exists. It’s called Zen meditation.   Zen Buddhist traditions place a greater emphasis on meditation than do some of the other schools of Buddhism. In Zen Buddhism, there’s a belief that wisdom, morality, and insight follow naturally from meditation practice.    In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the two fundam ..read more

If I were to define Zen Buddhism, I would do so in two four-word sentences:   Absolute attention is prayer. Compassion for all beings.   “Zen teaches nothing. It merely enables us to wake up and become aware. It does not teach; it points. The truth of Zen is the truth of life, and life means to live, to move, to act, not merely to reflect. The truth of Zen is what turns one’s humdrum life, a life of monotonous, uninspiring commonplaces into one of art, full of genuine creativity.” – D. T. Suzuki   Let’s review the Four Noble Truths before we begin our exploration of the Rig ..read more

Mindfulness is the skill required to live, because life only happens in the present moment. Life doesn’t happen in the stories we tell ourselves about the past, nor in our fantasies about the future. Meditation is the exercise that builds the muscle of mindfulness—that builds the ability to live in the present. Moments of calm, focus, and awareness are becoming harder to find in our busy world. I know there’s a barrier to entry for many people when it comes to meditation. They don’t know where to start. They don’t know how… Meditation devices have emerged as valuable tools to guide us on our ..read more

In the pivotal Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan battled a severe flu, yet soared to iconic heights. Against the surging Utah Jazz, he defied physical limits, sinking clutch shots and leading the Chicago Bulls to a crucial victory. His resilience showcased the essence of a true basketball legend, etching the “Flu Game” into sporting history. Would Jordan have preferred to be healthy for that game? Of course. But he treated his symptoms with indifference. Most importantly, he showed up—he acted in accordance with his values. He played the game with skill despite battling disprefer ..read more

In Ryan Holiday’s insightful book, Ego Is The Enemy, we’re led to understand the profound impact of ego on our personal and professional lives. Through a series of powerful insights, Holiday explores the detrimental effects of ego, drawing from historical figures, modern role models, and the timeless philosophy of Stoicism. This short summary of the book Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday distills the key takeaways from the book, shedding light on the importance of humility, self-awareness, and resilience in the face of success and failure. Let’s uncover the wisdom of keeping ego in check, fos ..read more

Well, the first challenge in understanding the Tao is its definition. Translated literally, ‘The Tao’ means ‘The Way’. The very first verse of this ancient teaching warns that it’s useless to try to define or name The Tao: The Tao that can be told Is not the eternal Tao The name that can be named Is not the eternal Name. Despite this warning, the Western mind needs to describe it in a language that it understands, such as, “The intangible formless essence of all things. It is the noumenon at the root of all phenomena, the invisible caused by the presupposed by the visible world of effect ..read more

The cacophony of modern life can be overwhelming. Dr. Amishi Jha’s Peak Mind opens the door to stillness. As a presentation of her research, Jha reveals the keys to unlocking our cognitive potential and cultivating a focused, resilient, and mindful mind. This short summary of the book Peak Mind by Amishi Jha delves into the author’s groundbreaking research and practical guidance. Let’s uncover the tools and strategies for harnessing the extraordinary power of your mind. This post contains affiliate links, which help us keep the blog afloat. Click here for more information. Summary of ..read more