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In 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 yourself
• The wisdom of simplicity
• When to change directions

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In 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. 

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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.

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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 Individuation
• Obstacles to understanding the ‘Self’
• Why we ‘seek wisdom’ 
• The role of the ‘Ego’ in daily life

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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.

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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?” […]

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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Dr. Daniel McInerny, author of the new book Beauty and Imitation. Dr. McInerny is an associate professor and chair of the philosophy department at Christendom College, as well as a novelist and dramatist. In the conversation, we discuss the wisdom of imitation, the art of contemplation, the way of beauty, and much more.

Key Takeaways:

• The connection between humility and art.
• Why it’s possible to ‘fail to see’ objective beauty.
• How ‘works of art’ can guide us through challenging times. 

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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, we explore what it means to answer the call to the “better angels of our nature,” as Abraham Lincoln put it. We discuss whether or not we have better (and worse) angels of our nature. And if so, what can we do to lead a life that’s guided by the wiser sides of our nature?

Key Takeaways:

• The wisdom of dignity
• The wisdom of opposing ideas
• The call to compassion

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What can we know for sure? A curious paradox of wisdom is the need to let go of the traditional idea of knowing (or learning). In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, we explore the art of not knowing; another meditation from our Wisdom is the Way course. Today’s episode discusses how and why we must practice not knowing, working with our assumptions, and much more. 

Key Takeaways:

• The many names of not knowing
• The meaning of ignorance
• The beginning of learning

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If philosophical and spiritual traditions point to interconnectedness as an eternal truth, why do we ever feel disconnected? In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, we explore the art of connection, a topic from our Wisdom is the Way course. Today’s solo episode discusses how and why connection plays an integral role in shaping our philosophy of life. 

Key Takeaways:

• Perennial Questions
• Circles of Concern
• Loneliness to Connection

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