Perennial Meditations

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In 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 Shukman

• The Way: https://www.thewayapp.com
• Henry Shukman: https://henryshukman.com

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• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/
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 🦉 Additional Resources: 

• Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive
• Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

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In 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 Takeaways

• Seneca’s view on preparing for death.
• Why self-knowledge is essential for ethical living.
• The connection between forgiveness and self-improvement.

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 🖇️ Stay Connected: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods

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 🦉 Additional Resources: 

• Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive
• Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

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In 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 Takeaways

• The 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.

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 🖇️ Stay Connected: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods

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 🦉 Additional Resources: 

• Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive
• Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

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In 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

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 🖇️ 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/archive
• Listen 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 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

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 🖇️ 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/archive
• Listen 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 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

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💀 Subscribe to Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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 🖇️ 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/archive
• Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

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In 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

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💀 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/archive
• Listen 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 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

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💀 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/archive
• Listen 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 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

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💀 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/archive
• Listen 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 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

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💀 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/archive
• Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts