What I’ve been reading:
Meditation in Action by Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam Trungpa was a Tibetan Buddhist meditation master and one of the most important teachers of Tibetan Buddhism in the West. I believe it’s important to note that his personal life didn’t exactly reflect the life of an enlightened person or what you would expect from a spiritual teacher. However, he was still greatly respected by many other notable Buddhist teachers and regarded as a great mind whose teachings are immensely valuable to anyone interested in Buddhism but also in meditation from a secular perspective.
This book is not a step-by-step guide to meditation. If you decide to give it a shot, don’t expect the most actionable advice-packed read. With that being said, it is the first book Trungpa wrote and is one of the best introductions to his teachings. If you are genuinely interested in the topics mentioned above, it’s worth giving it a try.
What I’ve been listening to:
Dr. Paul Conti on the Huberman Lab podcast - Part 1: How to Understand & Assess Your Mental Health
This is Part 1 of a 4-part special series on mental health that Andrew Huberman did with renowned psychiatrist Paul Conti.
Andrew Huberman is known, amongst his other qualities, for using every chance he gets to give credit and praise to other scientists. Among them, few have received as much praise as Dr. Paul Conti.
While being a guest on the Lex Fridman podcast, Huberman announced this (at that time upcoming) series as the most important and valuable project he’s done since he started the Huberman Lab podcast. And if you’ve consumed even 1% of his online material, you understand how much free value this man has already given to the world.
Judging by the first episode, with this series, Huberman is aiming to give a university course level of value on the topic of mental health, for free.
I suggest you take out your notebooks and listen to this series with full attention. This is not a podcast to be listened to as background noise for your daily chores.
What I’ve been thinking about:
“My journey began with self-accountability and ending the cycle of generational trauma. More crucially, it involved learning to be vulnerable—not in a weak or submissive sense, but in a way that allows for the expression of emotions when necessary, followed by growth and learning. Much of my life, I was a pushover, trapped in self-pity and nearly swayed by online movements due to my lack of constructive guidance. However, discovering the beauty within myself and realizing the world's potential has significantly improved my life.
I've learned that the only reward I need is making the world a better place with my abilities. Motivation comes from nurturing my mind, body, and soul. Emotional vulnerability remains a challenge, but through activities like intense workouts, reading, and active listening, I indirectly contribute to those around me. I've grasped that self-expression and inspiration extend beyond words; they include holding oneself to a higher standard and showing others the potential for personal change, even within one's local community.”
This was written by Kyhree, one of the members of the Sisyphus Society. A member who shows up consistently to encourage and uplift others, I should add. Which probably comes as no surprise after reading this. Kyhree is a person who has inspired me greatly.
I want to let you enjoy his words and spend some time thinking about them. (I gave myself the freedom to put in bold the parts that have been echoing in my mind.)
The only thing I will add is that you should take this as a reminder that you don’t have to search for inspiring stories and individuals exclusively in books, whether fiction or nonfiction. They can be found in the people around you if you just pay attention. And, in our modern age, “around you” also means in the online communities you are spending time in. You see that ordinary people around you are not so ordinary when given a chance to show their greatness.
Thank you for reading.
Stay strong, love life, and never feel sorry for yourself.
Free Resources:
My free ebook: The Lost Art of Reading
Paid Resources:
The Art of Showing Up: A Clear and Practical Method for Mastering Consistency
The Gold Pill: Timeless Ideas for a Life Worth Living
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Such a premise!