In Search of Wisdom

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe 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?” […]---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---  🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen 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 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.  ---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---  🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen 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 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 dignityThe wisdom of opposing ideasThe call to compassion ---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---  🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe 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 knowingThe meaning of ignoranceThe beginning of learning  ---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---  🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe 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 QuestionsCircles of ConcernLoneliness to Connection  ---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---  🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen 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 In Search of Wisdom, we explore impermanence, a topic from our Wisdom is the Way course. We discuss why understanding how the world works is an integral part of a philosophy of life and the various ways that philosophical and spiritual traditions think about impermanence. We also discuss how embracing uncertainty can help us lead an intentional life. Key Takeaways:The Wisdom of ChangeThe Art of BecomingThe Shortness of Life  ---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPodsWebsite: https://www.perennialleader.com/---  🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen 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 In Search of Wisdom, my guest is Prof. Emily Austin, the author of Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life. Living for Pleasure is part of the Guides to the Good Life series by Oxford University Press. I’m a big fan of the series; it’s dedicated to the idea that philosophy can, as it was for hundreds of years in the ancient world – be a way of life.***This episode is a rebroadcast (it was originally released on January 18th, 2023). Key Takeaways:Why Epicurus is a perennial figure.How to find tranquility.The meaning of pleasure.Virtue, Gratitude, and much more.   ---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPodsWebsite: https://www.perennialleader.com/---  🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen 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 In Search of Wisdom, my guest is John Oakes, author of The Fast: The History, Science, Philosophy, and Promise of Doing Without. In the conversation, we explore John's spontaneous initiation into fasting and his insights from the practice. We delve into the historical prevalence across various cultures and religions, its philosophical and spiritual dimensions, its effects on the mind and body, and much more. Key Takeaways:The historical roots of fasting.The different types of fasting.Why fasting is not a path to weight loss.How fasting can help us gain insights about ourselves.   ---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPodsWebsite: https://www.perennialleader.com/---  🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe 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.---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPodsWebsite: https://www.perennialleader.com/---  🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe The Way of Contemplation is a weekly series that delivers meditations, prompts, and practices on the art of living. These short guided contemplations are designed to help us think deeply about perennial ideas, questions, insights, and what it means to live an intentional life.---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPodsWebsite: https://www.perennialleader.com/---  🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts