Perennial Meditations

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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, I’m joined by my good friend Brandon Tumblin (Host of The Strong Stoic Podcast). In this conversation, we discuss Stoic philosophy and making intentional changes in life. Brandon shares the significance of the practice of memento mori (remembrance of death) in daily life and how contemplating mortality can reorient actions, instill gratitude, and help us overcome fear. We cover practical aspects of adopting change, the value of small steps, the complex nature of personal growth, and much more.

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Welcome to another episode of In Search of Wisdom. Today, we’re searching for lessons on the art of living from the sixteenth-century philosopher Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592). In this episode, you can expect to learn why we need a direction for our lives, the wisdom of solitude, and why we should question everything, at least according to Montaigne.

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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, we discuss how to make space for paradox in daily life. By paradox, I mean the ability to hold opposing truths (or practices) in our minds. You can expect to learn what it means to be more open to life, how Carl Jung defined psychological and spiritual development, what Joseph Campbell meant by saying “yes” to life, and much more.

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• Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods

• Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive

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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, you’ll hear a compilation of three previous guests share insights on life and the search for wisdom. Dean Rickles, a professor of history and philosophy of modern physics, delves into the need for limits and constraints in life. Leslie Stein, a professor and Jungian analyst, discusses the search for wisdom. Valerie Tiberius, a professor of philosophy, helps us figure out what matters in life.

The Shortness of Life with Dean Rickles (Listen here)

Becoming Whole with Leslie Stein (Listen here)

A Philosophical Guide to Figuring Out What Matters with Valerie Tiberius (Listen here)

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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Simon Drew from the Walled Garden Philosophical Society. As many of you know, Simon is a friend, poet, musician, philosopher, and someone deeply interested in life’s questions. Today’s episode concludes the series “Living the Questions” (You can catch up on the previous five volumes here: I, II, III, IV, & V). Throughout this series, Simon and I have explored several perennial questions and attempted to follow the poet Ranier Maria Rilke’s advice to “Live the questions for now. Perhaps then, without even noticing it, you will gradually come, on some far-off day, to live your way into the answer.” In our final conversation in this series, Simon and I explore the question: “What is the meaning of life?” We discuss the importance of finding meaning in everyday life. We explore the themes of interdependence and interconnectedness, maturity and wisdom, aligning oneself with what truly matters, the role of hardships, and much more.

Finding meaning in everyday actions and relationships, such as being a loving spouse and parent, can bring a sense of purpose.

Discernment and clarity are essential in identifying what matters most and creating meaning in our lives.

Finding meaning amid suffering can be a challenge, but holding onto hope and resilience is crucial.

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• Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods

• Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive

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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Dr. Dilip Jeste, author of Wiser: The Scientific Roots of Wisdom, Compassion, and What Makes Us Good. In this conversation, Dr. Jeste emphasizes the importance of social connections and compassion in developing wisdom and improving overall well-being. He also highlights the negative impact of loneliness on mental and physical health and suggests that wisdom can serve as an antidote to loneliness. The conversation concludes with insights on the importance of humility, self-reflection, and finding meaning and purpose in life. 

• Wisdom is a characteristic pattern of behavior that can vary in individuals and across different components.

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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, we discuss a practice I usually refer to as the wisdom to know the difference. Specifically, we revisit and reflect on a previous meditation (from the Letters to a Young Seeker series) titled Neither Good Nor Bad. You can expect to learn what it means to discern between what matters and what doesn’t (in everyday life).

• The meaning of neither good nor bad

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In this episode of In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Todd May, author of A Decent Life: Morality for the Rest of Us. Todd is a philosopher and author of eighteen books, including A Significant Life, A Fragile Life, and a forthcoming book titled Should We Go Instinct?. Todd worked as a philosophical advisor on the hit show The Good Place and has written extensively on meaning, friendship, fragility, and other topics.

• The meaning of a moral life

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🦉 Additional Resources:

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