Lessons from 'When Breathe Becomes Air' by Paul Kalanithi Paul Kalanithia was a neurosurgeon, writer, and a young father. He was completing his residency training in neurological surgery and a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience when he was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic lung cancer. He died in March 2015, 22 months after. 'When Breathe Becomes Air' is a memoir and Paul's story of battling lung cancer. It was posthumously published on January 12, 2016 - USA: https://amzn.to/3xWPaEL CA: https://amzn.to/49YuYPU - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - Excerpt 01:46 - We all have a terminal illness, so what then is our call? 03:34 - Who is Paul Kalanithi and why he didn’t want to become a doctor 06:30 - Seeking to answer life’s greatest questions, and learning to understand the “physiological-spiritual” man 09:00 - Surrounded by death becoming a better doctor 12:26 - Neurosurgery must be a calling—it can’t be a job 15:30 - Life is ephemeral. Ask if yourself if you’re ready for death, and then if what you’re doing is something externally or internally motivated 25:16 - “…the culmination of decades of striving, evaporated” What are you going to do with your life? 33:40 - Live each day at a time 38:00 - When you see past the illusion, the most important things become clear 40:20 - Challenge

Lessons from "Leisure: The Basis of Culture" by Josef Pieper. This book challenges our contemporary work-centric culture and the idea of “total work,” where every aspect of life is dominated by the ethos of work and productivity. Pieper argues that this shift has led to a loss of meaning and a neglect of the liberal arts, which traditionally has been a space for leisure and the cultivation of individual freedom. Josef Pieper was a professor of philosophy at University of Munster. He was schooled specifically the Greek philosophy and Thomas Aquinas, law and sociology. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - Excerpt and background 04:30 - Our work-centric culture vs. leisure 07:10 - Individual freedom comes leisure 13:30 - When work becomes a religion, leisure makes no sense 16:00 - Hyper-productive state is at odds with enlightenment 19:15 - Servile arts vs. liberal arts 24:30 - Leisure is only possible when you know yourself 33:00 - Crave out a time for leisure 38:00 - Virtues perfect you so that you can act effortlessly 40:10 - Challenge

Lessons from 'Out of Solitude' by Henri J.M. Nouwen. Henri Nouwen was a Professor of Religion and Theology at Yale University, the University of Notre Dame and Harvard Divinity. He left his academic post to join L’ Arche, a community that helps people with disability. - Out of Solitude: USA - https://amzn.to/3VXb2tC CA - https://amzn.to/445ig0I The Power of Silence by Robert Cardinal Sarah: USA - https://amzn.to/3vUzfGf CA - https://amzn.to/3W1EO0b Meditation by Marcus Aurelius USA - https://amzn.to/3UhKRN5 CA - https://amzn.to/3QoXJi7 - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - Excerpt from ‘Out of Solitude’ 05:00 - Fear of the other is the root of all our problems 06:16 - Who is Henri Nouwen? 10:31 - How solitude leads to care 12:00 - Find your lonely place 14:45 - Charity as gratitude vs. Charity for praise 16:40 - Sitting in silence 18:20 - The wise know themself that they don’t require affirmations from others 26:34 - Difference between Isolation and Solitude 31:00 - Darkness meditation 32:30 - Tao’s story of uselessness and why it’s ultimately the most useful 39:00 - What does it mean to be a good friend? 43:15 - To care means to live in the present 50:10 - Challenge

Lessons from the ‘Book of Ecclesiastes’ by Solomon Solomon was the King of Jerusalem and is traditionally considered to be the author of Ecclesiastes. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon embarks on a quest for meaning and wisdom. He explores the different aspects of human life but concludes that everything is vanity. And death is the great equalizer. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from ‘The Analects of Confucius’ by Confucius. He was born around 551 BC, in the ancient state of Lu. Confucius is recognized as one of the greatest philosopher teachers. His ideas have influenced Chinese cultural traditions and the world for over 2000 years. - USA - https://amzn.to/3PKhznn CA - https://amzn.to/3PDjeLl - Social & Website: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com Show notes: 00:00 - Excerpt, background on Confucius & ancient China 06:10 - Confucius’ blueprint for life 12:40 - Your habits shape your character 14:50 - Demand much from yourself, less of others 17:50 - The importance of always learning 22:08 - How to express yourself honestly 25:20 - Practice what you preach, talk only when you’ve done it 27:40 - There’s something to learn from everyone 30:20 - Exploitive behaviors are what petty persons do 33:30 - Sharpen your tools, and don’t get distracted by shiny things 36:50 - Immerse yourself in the river of life 39:00 - You can face death at dusk if you’ve walked the way in day 40:30 - Challenge

Lessons from "The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday. Holiday is an author and entrepreneur. He revitalized Stoicism for the 21st century through his writings. - Order: USA: https://amzn.to/3TyP4dk CA: https://amzn.to/3vnVtQM - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - The excerpt 02:40 - Who is Ryan Holiday 06:05 - Only you are responsible for yourself 08:43 - The obstacle is the way forward 11:50 - "Hurricane" Carter and Viktor Frankl show what it means to be responsible for your mind 17:30 - How to reshape your story through the power of the mind 25:00 - A life properly lived is an act of meditation 28:45 - Quitting is not an option 30:31 - What we can learn from Abraham Lincoln’s struggle with depression 32:32 - Acting and living in the present moment is the key to living 36:15 - What is wisdom, physical exercise as a spiritual practice 39:42 - Human nature has not changed which means there are universal ways to overcome suffering and obstacles 41:10 - Memento Mori 42:38- Challenges

Lessons from 'The Screwtape Letters' C. S. Lewis C. S. Lewis is a philosopher, theologian, and a Medieval and Renaissance English professor at the University of Cambridge. 'The Screwtape Letters' is a novel where a senior demon advises Wormwood, his nephew, on tempting and corrupting a human, delving into themes of morality and spiritual warfare. Lewis provides a satirical exploration of demonic strategies, urging readers to reflect on their beliefs and behaviours. - Order: USA - https://amzn.to/3IH6jEm CA - https://amzn.to/4clWqcM - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - Excerpt 02:13 - Who is C.S. Lewis, what is Screwtape Letters about, why you should read it 05:15 - Don’t be a scholar who lacks wisdom 06:35 - Knowledge without action is useless 14:42 - Don’t live a life of mediocrity chasing the praises of others 16:44 - How to pray ineffectively and have double standards 21:40 - The hypocrisy of being a prig 28:42 - Transactional relationships treat the other as an object 31:00 - Humans are amphibians, learn to live in the Unbounded Now 37:00 - Krishnamurti and C.S. Lewis converge 39:00 - Gluttony of delicacy and the vice of living in the past 41:16 - Cowardice vs. Courage 44:16 - Challenge

Lessons from 'You Are The World' by Jiddhu Krishnamurti. Krishnamurti is an Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher. He was adopted by the Theosophical Society and raised to be a World Teacher. Later Krishnamurti rejected the title and the society. Order: USA: https://amzn.to/3IvIO0Y CA: https://amzn.to/4ccrwnp - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - Excerpt & brief history of Jiddhu Krishnamurti 05:00 - You are the world, learn to observe yourself without judgement 08:00 - Know yourself 10:13 - You need discipline to become free, not gurus (Don’t let your past baggage cloud your ability to experience the present) 17:08 - The impact of losing his mother, sister, and brother 18:12 - Why live in an immoral world and what we can do about it 21:00 - Fear is the root of all problems, but you can change this reality immediately 27:27 - The way out of “thought” is not escaping it to monasteries or drugs 32:52 - What is meditation? 38:25 - How do you meditate properly & why enjoying a sunset fully will you meditate 41:48 - How to live in the present moment 44:30 - Step out of the circle, and end all conflict 45:55 - Challenge

Lessons from 'Tao Te Ching' by Lao Tzu Lao Tzu is an ancient Chinese philosopher, considered the founder of Taoism. 'Tao Te Ching' is comprised of 81 short chapters and its a guide on how to live in harmony. In the book, Lao Tzu emphasizes concepts such as wu wei (non-action), harmony, and the pursuit of inner virtues. - 00:00 - What is Tao Te Ching? The wisest book ever written 04:50 - Why you die before dying to understand life 07:25 - The wise person guides others to Tao 10:00 - Become detached from material possessions, otherwise they will control you 13:00 - Knowing thyself is the greatest project in your life, live in the present moment without anxiety 20:00 - The wise become vessels for Tao 23:00 - Be generous in your relationships without expecting anything back, always do you best work 26:40 - What is act by not acting and do by not doing (Wu Wei) 28:45 - What is Tao? 32:12 - Knowing moderation is wisdom, cultivating stillness to find Tao, love is the most important thing 40:31 - You don’t need to travel to find wisdom, start your journey now with humility 46:00 - Challenges -- IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from 'In My Own Way: An Autobiography' by Alan Watts. Alan Watts is a philosopher who introduced and popularized Eastern philosophy and religion especially Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism to the West in the mid-20th century. He influenced Steve Jobs, Joseph Campbell, George Lucas, and more. - In My Own Way USA: https://amzn.to/49XuN82 In My Own Way CA: https://amzn.to/3wFRY8t - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - Excerpt 02:45 - What would you dream if you could dream any dream? 05:00 - Paradox of Watts's life living as an epicurean and mystic 08:15 - Marrying Buddhism and Christianity 11:21 - Alan Watt's "way-ward spirit" and living honestly 17:47 - The problem with the priestly class in religion 20:00 - Young Watts learning about Eastern philosophy and religion 23:00 - Becoming an Episcopalian priest 29:55 - Resigning priesthood after five years, and Watts's powerful resignation letter 39:00 - Can you attain enlightenment without any spiritual pratice? 47:20 - How to live a life with conviction 50:30 - Challenge

Lessons from Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Dostoevsky is one of the greatest writers. His works include 'Brothers Karamazov' and 'Crime and Punishment'. 'Notes from Underground' is considered the first work of existential literature. The Underground Man rejects rationalism and utilitarianism because it deprives humans of free will and dignity. He is self-loathing, intelligent and vengeful. He considers himself an anti-hero who doesn't care about anyone or anything and would rather watch the world burn so long as he can drink his tea. - 00:00 - Excerpt 04:00 - What is Notes from Underground? 05:00 - Who is the Underground Man and what is his purpose in life? 12:40 - Having a victim mentality and seeking sympathy from people 14:00 - Humans are contradictory creatures, not ever taking any actions, staying fragile 19:00 - Knowing what is good for you and not doing it! 25:50 - Why did Cleopatra enjoy hurting slave girls? 27:00 - Freedom without constraints is freedom 30:12 - The “chase” is the fulfilment and honestly expressing yourself 33:50 - Don’t develop your character because you’ll be a slave to yourself 36:20 - Always avoid confronting your demons by distracting yourself 39:00 - Looking for attention from anyone even if hurts you 43:45 - Desire to control other people 46:15 - Meeting Liza and avoiding true relationships - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle. Eckhart Tolle is a German-born spiritual teacher. His books include, 'A New Earth' and 'Guardians of Being'. Tolle gained prominence in the U.S. and internationally after Oprah Winfrey endorsed his books. 'The Power of Now' is a spiritual guide to enlightenment through the active participation of being present in every moment of your life. And understanding that true freedom lies in your ability to embrace the present moment. - 00:00 - Excerpt 06:07 - The parable of the beggar sitting on gold 08:50 - Power of Now = constant flow state 10:05 - Why the word ‘God’ is empty of meaning 13:00 - Stop your mind from using you, become Conscious 16:10 - Dream state is entering pure consciousness 18:10 - The pain-body stops you from inner peace and fulfillment 21:15 - How to live in the Now 23:45 - Thrill seekers are seeking the Now 30:00 - Stop waiting for the future to make you happy and you'll awaken 40:50 - Seek nothing outside yourself 43:40 - Is there such thing as negative or positive in life? 48:34 - How to free your mind from itself? - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. McConaughey (born Nov. 4, 1969) is an Academy Award Winner, husband and father. His movies include A Time to Kill, The Lincoln Lawyer, Mud, Interstellar and more. Greenlights is a memoir and an approach book on how to live life on your terms. - 00:00 - Excerpt 02:55 - What is Greenlights about? 04:00 - Who is Matthew McConaughey 05:45 - Defeating and defending dad, a rite of passage 11:40 - Don’t ignore effort 13:12 - Using the process of elimination to find yourself 20:55 - Don’t half-ass & Kahlil Gibran’s poem 25:20 - Death & becoming a man 30:00 - What do you want in life? 34:30 - The monastery, Peru and fighting demons 38:44 - Difference between knowing and understanding 42:30 - Craftsman mentality 46:34 - Hedonism vs. discipline 53:00 - Fatherhood & holding to your conviction 58:55 - Define what success means to you 1:00:00 - Challenge - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. The Prophet is a collection of 26 prose poetry fables that deal with love, children, friendship, freedom, charity, time and death. The Prophet is one of the most translated books. Kahlil Gibran was a Lebanese-American writer, poet, and artist. He was born in 1883 in Bsharri, a village in northern Lebanon. He wrote in both Arabic and English, and his works reflect his influences from various spiritual and philosophical traditions. He is best known for his book The Prophet. - 00:00 - Excerpt 02:35 - Gibran’s influence on culture 05: 44 - The Prophet’s synopsis 06: 40 - Unify your reason and passion 09:56 - How to prepare for death 11:30 - How to love deeply 15:30 - How to treat your children 19:00 - How to give with joy 25:55 - Embrace both suffering & joy fully 30:00 - How to work 34:40 - Giving thanks for your food 39:40 - How to seek knowledge within yourself 41:00 - Find solitude always 46:00 - The path is made by walking 50:50 - Challenge - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from the Book of Five Rings and ⁠Dokkodo⁠ by Miyamoto Musashi. Miyamoto Musashi (1585 -1645) is a sword-saint, poet, artist and legend. The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書, Go Rin No Sho) contains strategies of warfare, single combat, and most importantly the Way to finding enlightenment and meaning as a warrior. And the The Dokkodo (獨行道, The Path of Aloneness) is a list of 21 precepts for living a life of honesty and honour. - 00:00 - Excerpt on Miyamoto Musashi’s life 02:55 - What is the Way of the warrior? 05:55 - Significance of The Book of Five Rings for modern life 07:25 - Become action-oriented 08:50 - Strengthen your mind by doing difficult thing, some examples 11:00 - How anyone can become a warrior using pen and sword 14:30 - What are the four types of people? 18:40 - To live the Way you must act 20:50 - Believe in yourself, there is always strength within 25:00 - Study all the arts 27:44 - Why the greatest control themselves 31:45 - If you follow the Way, you have to transcend categories to reach enlightenment 37:27 - The moment you know your enemy, you will love him but you must destroy your enemy 39:35 - The Dokkodo, the 21 precepts for living in this chaotic world 46:50 - The Book of the Void and the mystical experiences 50:20 - The challenge - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from the book of Proverbs. Attributed to King Solomon, Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings, parables and poetry that teaches the importance of getting wisdom and understanding. Proverbs is one of three wisdom literature in the Old Testament. - 00:00 - Excerpt from Proverbs and short background 04:20 - Why read Proverbs 05:40 - Embrace Lady Wisdom 07:30 - Avoid the Temptress 09:40 - Overcome and slay your lower man 15:35 - The beginning of wisdom, get wisdom 17:45 - Gaining wisdom is a long-term play 18:30 - Proverbs = probability 20:05 - What is more valuable than gold? 21:15 - What is the path to wisdom? 24:25 - Control your tongue 25:20 - Be action-oriented 29:00 - Gaining immortality 30:00 - The Queen’s secret lesson for kings 32:00 - Self-control & sobriety movement 34:50 - Why patience is required for wisdom 36:05 - Lady wisdom vs. Lady Folly (the Temptress) 38:10 - Challenge - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from Finding Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. He was a professor of psychology and education at the University of Chicago, and he's the author of the bestselling Flow. Finding Flow is a guide to reclaiming ownership of our lives. And a call to dedicate our lives to increasing our capacity for flow states through complete engagement to achieve higher satisfaction levels. - 00:00- What is flow? 04:43 - Why you want flow states in your life? 06:20 - Psychic entropy 08:00 - Industrial revolution and the desire for leisure time 09:47 - The difference in work styles of the West and tribes 12:10 - Workaholic vs. craftsman 14:50 - Happiness requires flow states 16:25 - Do activities that give you purpose and dream big 19:10 - Why having a goal is a perquisite for achieving flow 20:25 - Don’t let genetics or environment determine your life 23:48 - Meditation as an example of getting into flow 27:00 - The opposite of flow is hell 30:15 - Active vs. passive leisure activities 41:02 - The killer of flow states & embracing solitude to increase your capacity for flow 46:00 - Autotelic individual and doing work that decreases entropy 51:05 - Challenges - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from studying Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger. In Be Useful, Arnold reveals his tool kit for how he achieved all his dreams, and why he believes you can use the same tool for your life. Arnold is the world’s greatest bodybuilder, highest-paid movie star, and was leader of the world’s sixth-largest economy. He achieved all this by following a process of clear vision, big thinking, hard work, direct communication, resilient problem-solving, open-minded curiosity, and giving back. His father taught him one lesson: be useful. He never forgot it Freya India's article - No, not everyone needs therapy. - 00:00:00 - Why Arnold wrote Be Useful 00:03:24 - Having a vision for your life 00:05:20 - How Arnold achieve all his impossible dreams 00:08:05 - Your 85-year-old self time travelling to you 00:10:45 - What is vision? 00:13:20 - The discipline of staying consistent even with the little habits 00:15:00 - The power of visualization and emotionally charging them 00:18:45 - Pain is temporary & characters are built amid pain 00:20:00 - The problem of suffering 00:22:00 - Amor fati, Nietzsche’s eternal recurrence 00:24:50 - “Wenn schon, denn schon” & why James Cameron inspired Arnold 00:28:20 - Don’t let the doubters, the haters, stop you from achieving your vision 00:30:15 - There is no plan B! Plan B is to succeed at plan A 00:34:00 - Believe in yourself! 00:36:00 - You only fail if you quit, so don't quit 00:38:20 - Victim mindset leading to unhealthy therapy culture (Freya India) 00:40:00 - Don’t be a victim of your circumstances 00:43:00 - “Two ears, one mouth” and why you should never stop reading and learning 00:46:30 - Don’t let your curiosity turn into a brittle brick 00:49:00 - Finding the greatest meaning in helping others - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from The Dhammapada by The Buddha. A collection of sayings/teachings from The Buddha on how you can master your mind, how to not let outside events affect you, and how to achieve enlightenment. - 00:00:00 - Control your mind, find happiness 00:03:50 - On dying well 00:06:55 - The impermanence of life 00:09:10 - Chasing world desires vs. Enlightenment 00:12:57 - How to control your mind 00:14:50 - How the Buddha became the Buddha 00:19:00 - Live a life of moderation not overindulgence 00:23:57 - Self discipline = freedom 00:28:00 - Hedonist life vs. virtuous life 00:28:40 - Protect your mind from the monsoon rain 00:31:30 - Practice what you preach 00:34:10 - Reflecting on your life 00:35:40 - Moderation is the key to happiness 00:37:10 - How to become wise 00:38:40 - No-one has a monopoly on truth 00:40:00 - Attaining nirvana, keep bad company away 00:42:00 - Better to live a short virtuous life than long mediocre life - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from The Manual (Enchiridion) by Epictetus. The Manual (complied by Arrian) is a set of 53 short practical precepts. The goal of the book is to guide and help Stoics navigate daily life. Epictetus was a Greek philosopher who lived in the 2nd century. He’s one of the most influential figures in Stoicism. He was born into slavery. But later gained his freedom becoming a teacher. - 00:00:00 - Stop waiting for other people's approval 00:02:16 - Epictetus’ background 00:04:44 - How should we act as humans? 00:05:22 - Control what is in your power to be happy 00:07:50 - Higher man vs. lower man 00:09:13 - Practice non-attachment 00:12:00 - Death of a child, how to be a friend in times of suffering, how to grieve with your friend 00:14:14 - Your opinion about death causes you to suffer 00:18:41 - When you love, you take the risk of suffering 00:20:30 - How to live in a chaotic world 00:23:20 - How to dine among the gods 00:26:12 - Becoming free 00:28:30 - Don’t let others opinions affect your inner peace 00:33:00 - Don’t be a people-pleaser (if you live for the praises of others, you’re a slave) 00:37:00 - Don’t be an a**hole either (instead live in harmony with opposites) 00:38:55 - Master your mind 00:41:24 - Avoid overindulgence for it weakens the mind 00:44:10 - A philosopher takes responsibility for all things that happen to him 00:45:36 - Take care who you surround yourself with - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com