Perennial Meditations

In this episode, I speak to my friend Cedric Ashley on The Meaningful Life. Cedric is someone I have always found to have a wise perspective on life and the world. You can learn more about Cedric and  The Meaning Life Newsletter here.  In the conversation, Cedric and I discuss: What is Meaning?  Meaning and Happiness The role of learning and meaning Meaning beyond the career, and much more Follow...

We turn to the philosopher Aristotle for wisdom in this reflection. Specifically, the lesson is known as the golden mean. Nearly 2,000 years ago, Aristotle tutored Alexander the Great on this timeless lesson. Aristotle explained, “Virtue is the golden mean between two vices, the one of excess and the other of deficiency.” [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom I...

In this reflection, we explore The Parable known as The Two Villages.  "A man who was traveling came upon a farmer working in his field and asked him what the people in the next village were like. The farmer asked, “What were the people like in the last village you visited?” The man responded, “They were kind, friendly, generous, great people.” “You’ll find the people in the next village are...

In this reflection, we explore the topic of progress. If we assume that we are all heading down a particular path, moving forward feels like the only suitable option. Although sometimes making progress includes choosing another way altogether. As the writer and theologian C.S. Lewis tells us, "Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then...

In this episode, I connect with Matt Malcolm the creator of The Pocket Philosopher Newsletter on Substack. In the conversation, we discuss the wisdom of writing out your ideas, exploring different disciplines and traditions, the connection between compassion and wisdom, and much more. Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcas...

This reflection begins with a passage from poet and novelist Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749–1832), known today simply by Goethe. This passage provides insight into finding our path in life. Goethe wrote, "Everyone holds his fortune in their own hands, like a sculptor the raw material he will fashion into a figure. But it’s the same with that type of artistic activity as with all others: We...

In this reflection, we explore navigating the inner voice. To begin, we turn to the Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh for wisdom. Van Gogh offers this practical advice, "If you hear a voice inside you say that you cannot paint. Then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced." [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: in...

We turn to the ancient practice known as the view from above in this reflection. The philosopher Pierre Hadot said, “Philosophy deepens and transforms habitual perception, forcing us to become aware that we are perceiving the world, and that the world is that which we perceive.” How do you perceive the world? Are you seeing clearly? [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searc...

In this reflection, we explore the topic of gratitude. The Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero called “gratitude not only the greatest of all virtues but the parent of all others.” But, how do we avoid taking things for granted amidst life’s challenges? The French philosopher and writer Voltaire, known for his wit, once quipped: "Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the l...

We turn to the philosopher Socrates for wisdom in this reflection. A curious paradox of wisdom is the need to let go of the traditional idea of knowing. Socrates now famously stated, “All that I know is that I know nothing.” [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short refle...

We turn to the philosopher Seneca (4 BCE — 65 CE) for wisdom in this reflection. Seneca’s writings serve as one of the most important bodies of work for Stoic philosophy. In his essay On Anger, Seneca stressed that anger is the most destructive of the passions. [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for The...

The Wisdom of Questions - We begin this reflection with the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. Rilke wrote in Letters to a Young Poet, " Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searc...

We turn to the philosopher Seneca (4 BCE— 65 CE) for wisdom in this reflection. The poet Mary Oliver wrote: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with this one wild and precious life?” Around two thousand years before Oliver, Seneca wrote in his treatise On the Shortness of Life similar questions on living a meaningful life. Seneca put it this way, "It’s not that we have a short time to live, b...

We turn to the philosopher Heraclitus (535–475 BCE) for wisdom in this reflection. Heraclitus wrote, "No one ever steps in the same river twice, for it is not the same river, and they are not the same person." [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflection...

We turn to the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121–180) for wisdom in this reflection. His journal, known today as Meditations, serves as one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wi...

In today's episode, we turn to the philosopher Seneca for wisdom. Specifically, the treatise On the Shortness of Life [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom).  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or...

In this episode, I speak with Brandon Tumblin from The Strong Stoic podcast to discuss Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. In the conversation, Brandon and I discuss the perils of spite and resentment, the virtuous path, integrating the shadow, and much more.  Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up f...

In today's episode, we reflect on the words of the Buddha for wisdom. Specifically, the Dhammapada, a collection of sayings of the Buddha, and one of the most widely-read Buddhist scriptures. [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom).  This is...

In this episode, we turn to Marcus Aurelius for wisdom. His journal, known today as Meditations, serves as one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom).  This is a public episo...

In this episode, we reflect on the path of virtue.  Sages throughout history have generally agreed that virtue is the path to the good life. And choosing the way of “virtue lies in our power, and similarly so does vice,” wrote Aristotle. [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter...

In this reflection, we explore the idea of true greatness.   According to Nietzsche, "The formula for greatness in a human being is Amor Fati: that one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity. Not merely bear what is necessary, still less conceal it… but love it." [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: i...

In this reflection, we explore the idea of changing the world.  According to Tolstoy, regarded today as one of the greatest writers of all time when it comes to change, we often look externally. Tolstoy wrote, Everyone thinks of changing the world. But no one thinks of changing themselves. [...] Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofw...

In this reflection, we turn to the philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) for wisdom. What initially comes to mind when you think of sitting quietly in a room alone? Pascal writes that the inability to sit quietly alone in a room is the source of all humanity’s problems... Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for...

Today's episode comes from a conversation on the In Search of Wisdom podcast with Massimo Pigliucci. The conversation discusses how Stoicism can help us avoid anger and find peace in life.   Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom).  This is a publi...

In this reflection, we turn to Marcus Aurelius (121–180) for wisdom on virtue and vice. The Stoics followed Socrates in the idea that virtue was knowledge and vice, ignorance. When people do right, it stems from virtue, and they go wrong from ignorance and false beliefs. Follow Perennial Leader Project: Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdom Instagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcast Sign-up for...