In Stillness is the Key (Amazon), I feel like Ryan Holiday simply set out to write a guide to the good life—it just so happens that you can weave a theme of stillness through that guide. If you're new to philosophy or spirituality, this book is … [Read more...]
Zen Stages of Enlightenment: The Ten Bulls or Ten Oxherding Pictures (Short Story)
Although I'm already familiar with most of the topics in Ryan Holiday's new book, Stillness is the Key (book summary), I'm grateful that the book introduced me to this story. Holiday says: One of the best stories in Zen literature is a series of ten … [Read more...]
50 Profound Quotes & 5 Deep Questions from “The Lessons of History” (Book Summary)
Looking for the full book summary? You can find it here: 35 Human Learnings from "The Lessons of History" by Will & Ariel Durant (Book Summary) Civilization owes Will and Ariel Durant a debt of gratitude for dedicating their lives to the study … [Read more...]
35 Human Learnings from “The Lessons of History” by Will & Ariel Durant (Book Summary)
"There is something greater than history. Somewhere, sometime, in the name of humanity, we must challenge a thousand evil precedents, and dare to apply the Golden Rule to nations." — Will Durant Note: To make this post length more manageable, I … [Read more...]
What is Gerotranscendence & Can You Experience it at a Younger Age?
There's definitely something universally intriguing about transcendence. Maslow revised his own hierarchy of needs late in his life to propose transcendence—or self-actualizing transcenders—above self-actualization as the highest height of … [Read more...]
24 Characteristics of the Self-Actualizing Transcender (Maslow Theory Z Summary)
Looking for the full book summary of Maslow's "The Farther Reaches of Human Nature"? How about deep dive notes on self-actualization or transcendence? This post includes Maslow's highlights on self-actualizing transcenders from The Farther Reaches … [Read more...]
What is Transcendence? The True Top of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
"Man's true fulfillment depends upon communion with that which transcends him." — Heschel This post includes Maslow's writing on transcendence from The Farther Reaches of Human Nature (Amazon). Note: You can use these links to read my "Farther … [Read more...]
Happiness 301: The Master’s Guide for How to be Happy Spiritually (Presence, Letting Go, Transcendence, Joy)
This is the final post in the 3-part happiness series. Jump to the first or second post here: Happiness 101: The Beginner's Guide for How to be Happy (Money, Simplicity, Relationships, Culture) Happiness 201: The Advanced Guide for How to be … [Read more...]
Keeping up with the Spiritual Joneses: The other side of Ego that Spiritual Narcissism, Virtue Signalling & Moral Grandstanding have in Common
When I say the word "ego," what's the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe "ego" immediately makes you think of a "big ego"—someone who thinks they are a big deal, superior to others, full of themselves, or too cool for school. The mental images … [Read more...]
After all the Enneagram Tests, I’m Stuck Between Enneagram Types 3, 5, & 1 (Type Summaries)
Looking for the full book summary? Personality meets Spirituality in "The Wisdom of the Enneagram" by Riso & Hudson (Book Summary) This post dives deeper into Enneagram types 3, 5, and 1. Why those three types out of the nine? Because I … [Read more...]
