Becoming Antifragile

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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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.

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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

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IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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

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IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist.

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Social & Website

Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com