The Peter Attia Drive #90 - Ryan Holiday: Stillness, stoicism, and suffering less
Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of 'Stillness is the Key,' dives into the transformative power of Stoic philosophy. He discusses how modern life challenges stillness and offers practical strategies to cultivate it. Holiday emphasizes the dangers of ego and the toxic effects of jealousy and anger on personal fulfillment. He reflects on the balance between ambition and contentment, the significance of mindfulness in technology use, and how storytelling can shape our self-narrative. His insights on living in the present resonate deeply in today’s fast-paced world.
02:16:06
Farm Living & Death
- We often overestimate our time and control.
- Living on a farm teaches you about death's presence and life's finite nature.
Sterile Environment & Presence
- A sterile environment robs us of presence.
- Assuming infinite time makes us less present in each moment.
Death's Presence
- Reflect on death's constant presence, not as a future event.
- Most of our time belongs to death; the past is already gone.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Embracing Rural Life and Mortality
01:54 • 14min
Stoicism and the Art of Resilience
15:45 • 23min
The Balance of Stillness and Success
38:50 • 14min
Ego vs. Confidence: The Hidden Dangers
52:49 • 11min
Navigating Complexity and Stillness
01:03:52 • 14min
Mindful Tech Usage: A Morning Routine
01:17:40 • 6min
Ego, Stillness, and Modern Discontent
01:24:08 • 16min
Embracing Stillness in Parenthood
01:39:41 • 2min
Crafting Your Ideal Saturday
01:42:08 • 5min
Meditation and the Art of Stillness
01:47:29 • 9min
Crisis Leadership: Kennedy and Johnson
01:56:51 • 4min
Navigating Leadership and Anger
02:01:20 • 10min
Navigating Self-Reflection and Creative Discipline
02:10:57 • 5min
Slaughterhouse-five
Kurt Vonnegut
This novel follows the life of Billy Pilgrim, a chaplain's assistant in the U.S.
Army during World War II. Billy becomes 'unstuck in time' and experiences his life out of order, including his time as a prisoner of war in Dresden during the Allied firebombing.
The book is a powerful anti-war statement, blending Vonnegut's own experiences with science fiction elements, such as Billy's abduction by aliens from Tralfamadore.
It explores themes of post-traumatic stress, the absurdity of war, and the human condition, using Vonnegut's characteristic black humor and fatalistic tone.
Stillness is the Key
Ryan Holiday
In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more.
The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body.
Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life.
He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness[2][3][5].
Catch-22
Buck Henry
Set in the closing months of World War II, 'Catch-22' is a satirical novel that follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, a bombardier stationed on the island of Pianosa off the coast of Italy.
The novel explores the absurdity and inhumanity of warfare through Yossarian's attempts to escape his flying duties, thwarted by the bureaucratic rule known as 'Catch-22'.
This rule creates a paradox where a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous missions, but if he requests to be relieved of duty, he is proven sane and thus ineligible for relief.
The novel is known for its nonchronological structure, circular reasoning, and its critique of military bureaucracy and the illogical nature of war.
Ego is the Enemy
Ryan Holiday
In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success.
The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives.
Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers.
The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.
Letters from a Stoic
Seneca
Seneca's "Letters from a Stoic" comprises a collection of personal letters offering practical advice on living a virtuous life according to Stoic principles.
Written to Lucilius, a friend and student, the letters cover a wide range of topics, including dealing with adversity, managing emotions, and finding inner peace.
Seneca's writing style is engaging and relatable, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wider audience.
The letters offer timeless wisdom on self-improvement and ethical living.
They remain a valuable resource for anyone seeking guidance on navigating life's challenges.
Pensées
Blaise Pascal
The 'Pensées' is an unfinished work by Blaise Pascal, intended as a comprehensive defense of the Christian faith.
It consists of fragments and notes that Pascal was compiling before his death in 1662.
The work is characterized by its psychological and philosophical approach, particularly evident in Pascal's Wager, which argues for the rationality of believing in God. Pascal's writing highlights the contradictions and complexities of human nature, emphasizing both the wretchedness and greatness of humanity.
The 'Pensées' also critiques skepticism and underscores the importance of seeking spiritual truth beyond mere reason[2][3][5].
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe.
Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature.
Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
The brass check
Upton Sinclair
The Brass Check, published in 1919, is a critical analysis of American journalism, focusing on its commercialization and political biases.
Sinclair critiques newspapers and the Associated Press for serving the interests of their owners rather than the public.
He proposes reforms to address these issues, including laws to ensure accuracy and the unionization of journalists.
Inside of a dog
What Dogs See, Smell, and Know
Alexandra Horowitz
In this book, Alexandra Horowitz uses her expertise in cognitive science to explain how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and humans.
She draws on up-to-the-minute research to describe dogs' detection of disease, the secrets of their tails, and their skill at reading human attention.
Horowitz's approach is based on the biosemiotic theory of Jakob von Uexküll, focusing on the 'umwelt' or subjective world of animals.
The book provides practical insights for dog owners to understand why their dogs behave in certain ways and how to improve their relationships with their pets.
The 48 laws of power
Robert Greene
In 'The 48 Laws of Power', Robert Greene and Joost Elffers synthesize three thousand years of the history of power into 48 laws.
These laws are derived from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz, as well as the lives of influential figures such as Henry Kissinger and P.T.
Barnum.
The book provides tactics, concepts, and lessons on how to achieve and maintain power, emphasizing prudence, confidence, and self-preservation.
Each law is illustrated with historical examples and is designed to help readers understand and navigate the dynamics of power in various aspects of life, including work, social hierarchies, and politics.
Show Your Work!
Austin Kleon
In 'Show Your Work!
', Austin Kleon provides a manifesto for succeeding as any kind of artist or entrepreneur in the digital age.
The book emphasizes the importance of generosity over genius, getting 'findable' by using the network, and self-discovery through sharing your creative process.
It offers ten transformative rules for being open, generous, brave, and productive, including chapters on sharing something small every day, engaging with your audience, and the etiquette of sharing online.
The book is filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples to inspire and guide readers in their creative journeys[2][3][4].
The Guns of August
Barbara W. Tuchman
In this landmark account, Barbara W. Tuchman re-creates the first month of World War I, tracing the events from the funeral of Edward VII to the battles on the Western and Eastern fronts.
The book focuses on the political machinations and military strategies that led to the outbreak of war, highlighting the roles of key players and the inevitability of the conflict.
Tuchman's narrative is known for its comprehensive and engaging portrayal of the period, making it a classic in historical literature.
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes.
Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will.
He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs.
The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges.
Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
History of the English-Speaking Peoples
Winston Churchill
This four-volume work, published between 1956 and 1958, traces the historical development of the English-speaking peoples from Roman Britain through the end of the 19th century.
Churchill covers key events and figures, including the rise of Britain as a world power, the colonization of North America, the American Revolution, and the defeat of Napoleon.
The work is a personal view of the processes that have shaped the distinctive position and character of English-speaking peoples around the world[5][3][4].
Trust Me, I'm Lying
Confessions of a Media Manipulator
Ryan Holiday
In 'Trust Me, I'm Lying,' Ryan Holiday exposes the inner workings of the online media system, detailing how rumors and false information can quickly spread from low-level blogs to major news outlets.
The book highlights the role of marketers and media manipulators in this process, driven by the toxic economics of the news business.
Holiday shares his own experiences as a media manipulator and provides insights into the social science behind why this system is so vulnerable to manipulation.
He also offers advice on how to spot and combat these manipulative tactics[1][3][5].
In this episode, Ryan Holiday, author of Stillness is the Key, shares the profound impact that stoic philosophy has had on his personal life and his career as a successful writer. Ryan stresses the importance of stillness in a modern world set up to encourage the opposite and lays out the best strategies to develop stillness in your life. He also explains the destructive nature of being driven by ego, as well as the perils of jealousy and anger, and provides practical steps you can take to avoid those harmful states.
We discuss:
- Has a more connected world improved or worsened our lives? [2:15];
- Consequences of an overly secure life, living in the present, & the misconception of unlimited time [5:45];
- Stoicism 101: The definition and origins of stoic philosophy [15:45];
- Ryan’s career transition into writing, and his take on what makes a book or business successful [26:45];
- Storytelling—The upside and downside of telling stories and self-narrative [36:15];
- Does achieving success have to come from a place of craving and proving others wrong? And what are the costs of building a legacy? [38:45];
- Ego—confusing ego with confidence, signs your ego is showing, & antidotes to the negative effects of ego [52:45];
- Ryan’s advice to Peter about writing (and finishing) his book [1:06:30];
- Stillness—what it is, how it compares to meditation, & the obstacles to achieving stillness [1:10:30];
- Ryan’s morning routine, relationship with his smartphone, and how he avoids falling victim to the trappings of technology and a hyperconnected world [1:17:40];
- The perils of jealousy and envy [1:24:15];
- How to live in the moment in a modern world not designed for stillness [1:32:15];
- How the idea of “dying well” can help you live better [1:36:00];
- How has fatherhood impacted Ryan’s philosophies on stillness and living in the moment? [1:39:45];
- How to make your favorite day your every day [1:42:00];
- The most reliable strategies for developing stillness [1:47:30];
- Anger—what the stoics say about anger, outrage in politics, & why more anger isn’t the solution [2:02:00];
- How to follow Ryan’s work [2:12:00]; and
- More.
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