Perennial Wisdom

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeYou’ve likely experienced the optimistic reset: a fresh note, a new week, and a well-crafted routine. It includes things like reading, prayer, or exercise. Then life happens. A late night. A tough conversation. A sick day. A looming deadline. One miss becomes two, and suddenly the whole “system” feels like a verdict: “I’m inconsistent.”A “Rule of Life” is designed to protect you from this cycle of success and failure.Think of it less as “rules” and more as a trellis: a simple framework of practices and boundaries that supports what you most want to grow. It’s not an ideal schedule for an ideal self. It’s a pattern sturdy enough for your real life—especially the messy weeks. [...]--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeToday’s essay is about something most of us rarely talk about.Quitting.From the time we’re young, we’re taught to admire perseverance.“Finish what you start.”“Never give up.”“Stay the course.”“Push through.”And often, that advice is wise.But not always.Sometimes the bravest, clearest, most honest act is not to continue—but to quit. Not from laziness. Not from fear. But from truth. From discernment. From a deeper loyalty to what matters more than pride or the story we once told about ourselves.Ancient philosophy and spiritual traditions understood something modern culture often forgets: Quitting is not always failure. Sometimes, it is loyalty to a higher calling.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeMany of us treat our inner life like a home renovation project.If I could just fix my overthinking, my consistency issues, my need for approval, and my procrastination, I could finally become “the person I’m supposed to be.” Yet often, the more we try to fix ourselves, the more tense and self-doubting we become—it’s like we are managing a difficult employee in our heads.Here’s the uncomfortable truth: much of self-improvement is just self-rejection in nicer clothes. Stay with me... Carl Rogers—one of the most respected psychologists of the 20th century—offers a different perspective: real change doesn’t come from forcing yourself into a new personality. It comes from accepting what’s true, without flinching.This is not a call for complacency. It’s a call for a more realistic kind of transformation—one based on honesty rather than self-conflict.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeChristmas invites us to reflect on gifts, but the most meaningful one is the hardest to give. It isn’t bought or wrapped; it has nothing to do with ribbons or receipts. The true “present” of Christmas is presence itself—the quiet courage to be here, fully, without rushing past your own life. Before we offer anything to others, Christmas calls us to accept this moment as a gift. But that’s not usually how the season feels. The roads are jammed, inboxes fill with sales and invitations, and there’s always one more thing to buy, one more event to attend. Outwardly, everything speeds up. Inwardly, many of us feel scattered and thin. Precisely here, in the busyness and noise, the Christmas season can become a school for the inner life.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeBefore we begin, it may help to name the kind of territory we’re entering—because this essay (or episode) is all about paradoxes and polarities.A paradox is two things that seem to oppose each other but are both true. Similarly, a polarity is a pair of truths that don’t cancel each other out—they balance each other.You experience this every day. You can want independence and connection at the same time. You can feel confident in one moment and insecure in the next. You can love someone deeply and still feel frustrated by them.Wisdom traditions say this is not a mistake. This is what being human feels like.The Zen tradition captures the sentiment beautifully in a single line:“You are perfect just as you are… and you could use a little improvement.”At first, it sounds impossible. But it points to something essential:You are whole—and you’re still becoming.You are worthy—and you’re unfinished.You have goodness in you—and you have a shadow too.Paradox isn’t a problem to solve. It’s a tension to live in.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the profound and surprising vision of happiness taught by the 13th-century theologian and philosopher St. Thomas Aquinas. Long before modern self-help, Aquinas argued that most of our suffering comes not from pain itself, but from aiming our deepest desires at things too small to satisfy them.Through three core ideas, we examine why:No finite thing can be our final happinessThe human heart longs for something infiniteVirtue is not moralism, but the reordering of desireThroughout our journey, we draw on insights from Aquinas’ Treatise on Happiness and the modern philosopher Josef Pieper, revealing a vision of happiness rooted not in stimulation or control, but in truth and contemplation.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the art of boredom: a journey through ancient philosophy, psychology, and modern thinkers like David Foster Wallace. From the desert monks who believed stillness revealed the soul, to Pascal’s warning that our fear of silence shapes our entire lives, to modern research showing boredom can unlock creativity. We talk about why boredom is so uncomfortable, how it shows us what we really want, and why we often use distractions to avoid facing ourselves. If you’ve struggled to slow down, sit still, or be with your own thoughts, this episode offers an ancient guide to being where you are.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we trace a journey from the streets of ancient Athens to the inner life of a restless bishop. Socrates challenges us with the idea of the unexamined life, while Augustine encourages us to look inward and seek truth within the depths of our own souls. Along the way, we examine how ancient rhetoric, self-persuasion, and spiritual reflection can help us break free from groupthink and reclaim our inner freedom.This episode offers a quiet, contemplative space for anyone overwhelmed by others' opinions and eager to reconnect with their own thoughts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we enter the world of Arthur Schopenhauer—the philosopher of pessimism, and, unexpectedly, a teacher of compassion. Schopenhauer believed that happiness cannot be found by escaping suffering but by understanding it. Life, he wrote, “swings like a pendulum backward and forward between pain and boredom,” yet within that rhythm lies a quiet freedom—the freedom of acceptance.Drawing from The World as Will and Representation and On the Basis of Morality, this reflection examines how pessimism, properly understood, becomes a form of wisdom: an art of seeing clearly without illusion, feeling without resentment, and living without denial.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we sit down with Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish philosopher often considered the father of existentialism. Specifically, we explore insights from his book Either/Or, which addresses one of life’s toughest questions: How do we live when every choice feels like a loss?Kierkegaard believed that to live at all is to make a choice. And every choice—whether we act or remain still—shapes who we become.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the moral and psychological depth of Fyodor Dostoevsky, one of the greatest novelists and spiritual thinkers in history. From his near-execution in 1849 to his rebirth in the prisons of Siberia, Dostoevsky’s life became a living parable of human suffering, redemption, and love.Drawing from Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, and The Idiot, we uncover three perennial lessons for the modern world:Freedom without responsibility leads to despair.Suffering is the path to self-knowledge.Love is the final answer to the problem of evil.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the life and thought of Immanuel Kant through the lens of three enduring philosophical questions: “What can I know?” “What should I do?” “What may I hope?” Drawing on Kant’s groundbreaking ideas from The Critique of Pure Reason and The Critique of Practical Reason, we walk through his views on knowledge, morality, and hope.Kant’s philosophy offers us tools for navigating uncertainty, making ethical decisions, and sustaining hope in a complex world.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to the provocative thoughts of Friedrich Nietzsche (1844—1900) to explore one of the most overlooked yet essential inner struggles: the fear of change.Building on the previous episodes—Socrates on the Fear of Death and Maslow on the Fear of Greatness—we now face Nietzsche’s challenge: to become who we are. Through poetic reflection and profound insights from Nietzsche, we explore how change is both essential and frightening.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore a hidden but deeply human struggle: the fear not of failure—but of greatness. Drawing from Abraham Maslow's insights, we consider what it means to avoid our potential and why many of us unconsciously choose comfort over potential. --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to Plato’s Apology and the final words of Socrates to explore how philosophy can liberate us from the fear of death. Socrates stood trial, was sentenced to die, and yet he remained calm, unshaken, and grounded in virtue. For Socrates, living an unexamined life poses a greater danger than death.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi to uncover a countercultural and liberating truth: true joy is not found in comfort, success, or status—but in humility, simplicity, and love.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we discuss why we often struggle to see ourselves or life clearly, and how to calm restless minds while examining our perceptions and our place in the cosmos. We focus on what it means to “look again” at life—to pause, to notice, and to practice humility and wonder. This episode draws on insights from spiritual teacher Ram Dass, philosopher Socrates, psychologist Adam Grant, and astronomer Carl Sagan.Key TakeawaysWe don’t always see clearly.Humility can foster growth.A broader perspective reveals what truly matters.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we examine an essay from the “Know Thyself” series on The Philosophy of Desire. You can expect to learn about the influence of desire in our daily lives. Why desire often shapes our decisions, self-image, and emotional states. This is volume one of a 10-part series on the art and science of self-awareness. If you’d like access to this series, consider becoming a Perennial Meditations member.Key TakeawaysBuddhism and the roots of sufferingStoicism and the discipline of desireEpicurus on having enoughSt. Thomas Aquinas on human desire--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeToday, on this Sunday edition of Perennial Wisdom, we are turning to the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus, who famously said,No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river and he is not the same man. — FragmentsHeraclitus believed that everything and everyone is in a constant state of change. While this idea might seem unsettling, he presents it not as a threat but as a vital key. To live well, we must live with change, not against it.When Heraclitus wandered through the ancient streets of Ionia in the 6th century BCE, he was known not for power or prestige, but for speaking in paradoxes. His fragments are short and cryptic, yet they reveal wisdom. He saw what many refused to see: that stability is an illusion, and becoming is the ground of all being. “Everything flows; nothing stands still,” he stressed. [...]--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we discuss the timeless truths shared across cultures and traditions that guide us in cultivating a life well-lived. Rather than chasing life hacks, quick fixes, or fleeting trends, expect to learn why perennial wisdom invites us to slow down and return to what truly matters: cultivating character and finding meaning beyond ourselves.Key TakeawaysTimeless truths about human nature and the good lifeThe importance of cultivating inner clarity and characterWhy these enduring insights still matter today--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeToday, on this Sunday edition of Perennial Wisdom, we reflect on humility—not as weakness or self-negation, but as wisdom—through the voice of one of the great spiritual teachers: St. Benedict of Nursia.St. Benedict lived in the sixth century, during a period of political chaos and moral confusion. From this turmoil, he initiated a quiet revolution—a rule of life centered on prayer, work, and stability. His Rule became the basis for Western monasticism and continues to serve as a guide for spiritual seekers today. At the heart of his teaching is a single word: humility. [...]--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeToday, on this Sunday edition of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to one of the great pillars of Western philosophy—Plato—and his vision of the Good. Not just goodness in the moral sense but the ultimate source of truth, beauty, and being.Plato held that each human soul is inherently attracted to something ultimate. Though we might not always be conscious of it, beneath our pursuits for success, pleasure, approval, or knowledge lies a deeper desire—a longing for what is most real, whole, and divine.Writing in 4th-century BCE Athens, Plato watched his teacher Socrates face execution for asking questions and “corrupting the youth.” From this injustice, Plato dedicated his life to awakening the soul, proving that truth and goodness are more than mere ideals. [...]--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialMeditations--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we delve into how philosophy offers healing, not by curing mental illness, but by guiding us to live with clarity, freedom, and meaning. By drawing insights from ancient philosophy, theology, and Therapy for the Saneby Lou Marinoff, this episode explores philosophy’s role as a medicine for the soul. Key TakeawaysPhilosophy and Suffering Philosophy and Inner FreedomPhilosophy and the Quest for Meaning--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we turn to monks and the monastic life for wisdom. In this video essay, we explore how to “Think like a Monk” by drawing from The Wandering Mind by historian (and previous podcast guest) Jamie Kreiner, as well as the wisdom of early Church Fathers. Expect to learn how medieval monks battled distraction, cultivated silence, practiced simplicity, lived lives of service, and much more. Key TakeawaysThe art of silenceThe wisdom of simplicityThe path of service--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Shane Trotter (author of Setting the Bar). In our conversation, Shane and I explore the complexities of character development, focusing on themes such as responsibility, discipline, and societal context. We also discuss the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities, the importance of clarity in priorities, the distinction between duty and obligation, and much more. Key TakeawaysHow to see responsibility as a gift instead of a burden.The difference between duty and obligation.Why discipline and responsibility are interconnected.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Prof. Dean Rickles, the author of Life is Short: An Appropriately Brief Guide to Making it More Meaningful. Dean is a professor of history and philosophy of modern physics at the University of Sydney, where he is also the director of the Sydney Centre for Time. ***Rebroadcast: This episode was recorded on March 22, 2023. Key TakeawaysWhy the shortness of life is what makes it meaningfulOvercoming the fear of deathSeneca’s influence on the bookThe need for uncertaintyHow to connect with the future youDiscerning our path in life and much more--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Brittany Polat (co-author of Stoic Ethics: The Basics). In the conversation, we explore the application of Stoicism in relationships, love, and ethics. You can expect to learn the importance of stepping back to gain perspective in relationships, the dichotomy of control in family dynamics, and the concept of indifference in Stoicism. Key TakeawaysWhy cultivating a Stoic mindset takes time and practiceHow self-awareness connects with personal growthThe role of compassion in Stoic philosophyUnderstanding our beliefs helps us manage our emotions--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I welcome Dr. Brian Russell back to the show. Brian is an author, professor of biblical studies, and transformational coach. He is also the host of Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations, a podcast dedicated to spiritual and missional formation. In this conversation, we explore the concept of spiritual formation, the doctrine of original sin, and its implications for understanding Christianity. We also delve into the relationship between virtue and sin, the role of grace, the importance of prayer, spiritual practices that nurture wisdom, and much more. Key TakeawaysWhy self-compassion is crucial for the spiritual journeyHow prayer connects with seeking grace and truthThe spiritual practices that nurture wisdom and growth --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Dr. Carl Erik Fisher (author of The Urge: Our History of Addiction). In the conversation, Dr. Fisher, an addiction psychiatrist and bioethicist, shares insights on the multifaceted nature of addiction and its implications on human behavior. Expect to learn the importance of flexibility in psychological health, the need for balance in seeking wisdom, and the cyclical nature of personal growth. To learn more and stay connected, check out: Rat Park with Carl Erik Fisher. Key TakeawaysWillingness to accept uncertainty is more active than mere acceptance.The desire for control can lead to anxiety and addictive behaviors.Wisdom involves knowing when to accept and when to change. --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Shane Trotter (author of Setting the Bar). In the conversation, Shane and I explore the intersection of character and the common good. We discuss the role of community in character development and the value of adopting timeless virtues. Expect to learn practical approaches to fostering compassion, understanding human limitations, seeking the common good, and much more. Check out Shane’s Substack: Setting the Bar!Key TakeawaysHuman flourishing relies on social connections and shared valuesA sense of the common good is essential for individual well-beingAncient virtues provide a solid foundation for modern values--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest Massimo Pigliucci (co-author of the new book Beyond Stoicism) discusses the importance of seeking wisdom beyond Stoicism. We explore the distinctions between virtue and pleasure, the nature of courage, and the interconnectedness of virtues. Prof. Pigliucci explains why we need a balanced approach to happiness, the significance of relationships in leading a meaningful life, and much more. Key TakeawaysThe ancient debate between virtue and pleasureUnderstanding virtues as interconnected can clarify moral dilemmasWhy skepticism is a necessary ingredient of any philosophy of lifeExploring various philosophies can enrich our understanding of life--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Henry Shukman. Henry is a poet, author, meditation teacher, and co-founder of the single-path meditation app The Way. His most recent books are Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening and the Zen memoir One Blade of Grass. He has taught at Google, the New York Times, Harvard Business School and Medical School, and the Institute of American Indian Arts. He has written several award-winning and bestselling books of fiction and poetry. His poems have appeared in The New Yorker, Guardian, Times, and Sunday Times.In the conversation, Henry and I discussed the concept of original love. We delve into the beginner's mind and how embracing our fallibility can lead to a more fulfilling existence. Finally, we touch on the essence of wisdom and how it relates to living well and fostering interconnectedness. Learn more about Henry ShukmanThe Way: https://www.thewayapp.comHenry Shukman: https://henryshukman.com--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is James Romm (editor of How to Die and How to Have a Life). In the conversation, James and I discuss the importance of preparing for death, the role of virtue in achieving happiness, and the art of self-reflection. As you’ll hear in the episode, James is highly knowledgeable of Seneca's life and philosophy. He is the author of Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero and several others, including a forthcoming book titled Plato and the Tyrant.Key TakeawaysSeneca’s view on preparing for death.Why self-knowledge is essential for ethical living.The connection between forgiveness and self-improvement.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Donald J. Robertson, author of How to Think Like Socrates. Donald is a psychotherapist, the author of several phenomenal books on Stoic philosophy, and a return guest on the podcast. In this conversation, we discuss the connections between Socrates and Stoicism. We delve into the Socratic method and its relevance in modern cognitive therapy. Donald emphasizes the importance of cognitive flexibility and the practical applications of Socratic techniques in everyday life. Key TakeawaysThe Socratic method is a form of psychological therapy.Cognitive flexibility is crucial for emotional resilience.Wisdom involves dynamic cognitive skills, not just knowledge.Self-knowledge requires deep questioning of one's beliefs.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, my guest is Ken Sheldon, author of Freely Determined. Ken is a psychology researcher and professor; his areas of study are positive psychology, motivation, and well-being. Today, you can expect to learn the complex interplay between free will, determinism, and happiness. The importance of autonomy and the role of personal choices in achieving well-being. Along with the downsides of a deterministic worldview and the significance of mistakes in personal growth. 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsZwcUIaxgA--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we search for lessons from the life and philosophy of Socrates. Expect to learn the key to simple living, the role of testing your assumptions, and much more. 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNDsjS8smf0&t=337s--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of the Perennial Wisdom podcast, we search for insights into the nature of suffering, gratitude, and the good life. Expect to learn why the Buddha said, “Life is suffering,” along with what philosophers and theologians can teach about gratitude and meditating on one’s life.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaZDnvNAuwQ&t=23s---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the paradoxical lessons on the nature of emotions. Expect to learn why “negative” emotions are not obstacles to the “good” life. The problem with psychological rigidity and the wisdom (and practice) of being open to life. 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdfQJbusyxA---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I share a short guided contemplation inspired by the Essays of Michel de Montaigne. It's part of a new series on the podcast and the Perennial Meditations YouTube Channel.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN9pA_P38JE---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, we explore the ancient philosophy of pleasure (Epicureanism) to find three lessons for modern living. Expect to learn what the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus thought about having enough, friendship, and the art of dying well.📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2gLGg4PcN8&t=68s---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I share a short guided contemplation inspired by Marcus Aurelius's Meditations. It's part of a new series on the podcast and the Perennial Meditations YouTube Channel. 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KNZQ5INN9A&t=2s---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I share a short guided contemplation inspired by Albert Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus. It's part of a new series here on the podcast and the Perennial Meditations YouTube Channel. ---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of Perennial Wisdom, I explore the challenges of creating meaning in the mundane aspects of life. The episode is delivered in a video essay format (Watch on YouTube here). Expect to learn the role of courage in creation, how to accept the eternal truths of life, and what it means to say “yes” to lifeRead on Substack here: https://perennial.substack.com/p/how-to-find-meaning-in-the-mundane---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: X: https://x.com/StoicisminaYearInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWelcome back to the podcast, and happy new year to you all! Today, we’re pausing to revisit a few episodes from last year. This is not necessarily a “best of” collection; it’s just a few clips that I found particularly insightful or helpful. In the first clip, you’ll hear a portion of my conversation with Samir Chopra (author of Anxiety: A Philosophical Guide) on the meaning of anxiety. Next, you’ll get a clip from my conversation with Prof. Ross D. Inman (author of Christian Philosophy as a Way of Life) on the wisdom of wrestling with “big” questions. Finally, I conclude the episode with a portion of my conversation with Prof. Jay Garfield (author of Losing Ourselves), discussing what it means to live as a selfless “person” in the world.Key Takeaways:Why anxiety can be our greatest teacherHow "big questions" can unlock intellectual and spiritual growthWhat it means to live without a self---💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: X: https://x.com/StoicisminaYearInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of In Search of Wisdom, I discuss selected passages from the American essayist and philosopher Henry David Thoreau's classic Walden. As the year comes to an end, Thoreau’s wisdom offers much-needed reflection and insight into what it means to live deliberately.Key Takeaways:Learning to ‘think’ for yourselfThe wisdom of simplicityWhen to change directions--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Patrick Boland, author of The Contemplative Leader. Patrick is an Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant, and Psychotherapist. Our conversation focuses on the meaning of contemplation and how we might lead a more contemplative life. Key Takeaways:How to ‘think’ about contemplation. What it means to change ourselves internally.The difference between a goal and desire.The keys to living a contemplative life. --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Ben Aldridge, author of the new book Seriously Happy. Ben has spoken to audiences worldwide, encouraging others to build resilience by stepping outside their comfort zones in various ways. His writing and methods are inspired by ancient philosophy and modern psychology. You can learn more about Ben and his work at BenAldridge.com.Key Takeaways:What Socrates can teach us about critical thinking.How Buddhism can help us be more resilient.The power of writing a setback diary.Why the concept of impermanence can help create mental toughness.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Leslie Stein, the author of Becoming Whole: Jung’s Equation for Realizing God. Prof. Stein is a Jungian analyst and graduate of the C.G. Jung Institute of New York and is in private practice in Sydney, Australia. Today’s episode is a rebroadcast. Since we’re exploring Carl Jung’s ideas for ‘Reading and the Good Life’ this month (our Book Club for the Perennial Meditations newsletter), I thought it would be a good time to share it. Key Takeaways:The meaning of IndividuationObstacles to understanding the ‘Self’Why we ‘seek wisdom’ The role of the ‘Ego’ in daily life --- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe The Dying Every Day series delivers guided meditations on the art of living. Each meditation provides a quote, a selected passage (from an original Stoic text), and a reflection prompt to consider. These meditations are designed to help you (and me) reflect on what it means to live a good life.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe When you look up the word happiness, it's usually defined as “the state of being happy” or “a state of well-being and contentment.” But what does it actually mean to ‘be’ happy in everyday life? Strangely, it's a more challenging question than one might think. On this episode of In Search of Wisdom, I share a meditation from our upcoming course, Happiness & the Meaning of Life (beginning 19 September). This 10-week philosophical study explores happiness and the art of living a meaningful life. Some of the lessons we’ll cover are “The Science of Well-Being,” “A Buddhist Guide to Happiness,” “Saying ‘Yes’ to Life,” and others.Today, I share a portion of a meditation titled Being and Becoming. Some of you who are longtime subscribers may remember a meditation titled The Art of Being Where You Are. But what if ‘being’ is only one side of the equation? Wisdom traditions also stress the idea of ‘becoming’ who we are. One might ask, “What is more important, being or becoming?” […]--- 🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts