We’re a highly intelligent species. To be able to contemplate – what was, what is, and what will be is truly a blessing. Balance, though, is required before the blessing becomes a curse. I wrote previously on some wisdom on mindfulness and Seneca urging on true happiness being completely present in this moment. To this blessing/curse balance, Seneca offers this gem: … A mind in a state of anxiety through looking into the future… Projecting our thoughts far ahead of... Read more
Bruce Lee’s genius truly inspires me. I’ve written on his Jeet Kune Do which goes way beyond a martial arts style to a life philosophy and epistemology – finding a style without a style and being open-minded to what works – often summated by his famous urging to “absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own.” For Lee, “success is a journey, not a destination” and “success means doing something sincerely and wholeheartedly.” The depth... Read more
Be present in this moment. Seneca urged us that this is the key to true happiness and peace: “True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so, wants nothing.” Sage advice from a central figure in Stoic philosophy, it shares timeless wisdom found in many religious and philosophical schools. Lao Tzu,... Read more
There’s a timeless theme in Stoic philosophy on the “inner citadel” and focusing on what you can control. In keeping with this theme, I came across an incredible quote by Gandhi that is very much along these lines: “I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet” A related quote of his is: “Nobody can hurt me without my permission” Stated similarly by Marcus Aurelius way before him: “All disturbance comes from within” Sentiments like these... Read more
The amount of wisdom found in Marcus never ceases to amaze me. To continue upon my previous post Marcus Aurelius on the Way, we have a key theme found in Marcus (and Stoic philosophy in general) on the dichotomy of control. With the adversities we face in life, we chose our attitudes and responses and whether or not we can turn them into opportunities – the power lying in focusing on what we can control. Along these lines, there is the... Read more
A truth bomb on stillness, presence, and gratefulness from Seneca: “True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so, wants nothing.” Sage advice from a central figure in Stoic philosophy, it shares wisdom found in many religious and philosophical traditions. It’s not just a philosophical or religious assertion that mindfulness represents... Read more
Not just deep, but epoch – and also very complex. “Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you” “It’s gonna take a lot to drag me away from you” “There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do” What may ring as a love song about someone (with references to Africa) at the surface level, upon deeper inspection it’s actually about love of Africa itself – and a critical choice. Band member and co-songwriter David Paich went to Catholic... Read more
Not the best Rocky movie; but a very deep scene from Rocky Balboa (6th installment of the Rocky movie franchise). Keeping with theme of Stoic wisdom of Marcus Aurelius on The Way and disturbance coming from within, we’re reminded character is defined by how we respond to adversity. In this scene, Rocky’s son is embarrassed by his father’s decision to come out of retirement – and how all the exposure will affect him. In essence, the center of his concern is... Read more
Another Stoic gem from Marcus on the dichotomy of control: “Our actions may be impeded by them, but there can be no impeding our intentions or dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.20) From the dichotomy of control, we have important psychological/spiritual consequences when adversity comes knocking. As Massimo... Read more
In keeping with The Karate Kid and “everything is Kung Fu” theme, here’s a gem from the original, the “Rowboat Scene”, which represents the “everything is Karate” theme by way of the “so I don’t have to fight” revelation. You may remember that Daniel is practicing his form, while balancing on the Mr. Miyagi’s boat, eager to learn how to punch. Mr. Miyagi again intercepts Daniel’s eagerness to learn how to punch with a reply found in bushido, the samurai... Read more
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