#624: Rolf Potts — The Vagabond’s Way, Tactics for Immersive Travel, Pilgrimages and Psychogeography, Empathy Machines, Full-Throated Love, The Slow Sense of Smell, Lessons from Thích Nhất Hạnh, Falling Upward, and More

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Sep 27, 2022

Rolf Potts, author of the bestselling "Vagabonding," shares his wisdom on the transformative power of travel and immersion. He discusses the joy of disconnecting from technology while exploring new places, emphasizing deeper connections with locals. Potts also reflects on love and personal growth, drawing insights from his experiences and communal activities like martial arts. Their conversation dives into the importance of mindfulness, cultivating presence in daily life, and the richness of authentic interactions while navigating the world.

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ADVICE

Combatting Hostel Isolation

Combat the isolating effect of technology in hostels by engaging with others.
Ask fellow travelers questions, initiating conversations and fostering connections.

ANECDOTE

Pastry-Powered Travel

Rolf Potts recounts a story of a woman hitchhiking across Europe collecting pastry recipes.
Her curiosity became her entry point into local cultures, demonstrating the power of genuine interest.

ADVICE

Embrace Travel Uncertainty

Avoid over-planning your travels to allow for spontaneity and adaptability.
Adopt a focusing theme, like Kevin Kelly's photography mission, to guide your journey and enhance attention.

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The Scent of Time

Bian Chou Han

Thich Nhat Hanh's Works

Mindfulness and Peace Teachings

Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh's works span over 100 titles, including classics like 'The Miracle of Mindfulness' and 'Peace Is Every Step'. His teachings emphasize living in the present moment and cultivating peace through mindfulness. His books cover topics from meditation and mindfulness to engaged Buddhism and environmental awareness.

John Muir

My Life with Nature

John Muir

This book, compiled by Joseph Cornell, presents John Muir's life story through his own writings, offering insights into his adventures and his deep connection with nature. It is designed to inspire both young and adult readers with Muir's spirit of exploration and conservation.

The Meaning Of Life

Albert Edwin Keigwin

Mary Oliver

The Book of Delights

Ross Gay

In *The Book of Delights*, Ross Gay offers a genre-defying volume of short, lyrical essays written over one tumultuous year. These 'essayettes,' in the manner of Montaigne, capture Gay’s daily observations and experiences, ranging from the beauty of the natural world to the complexities of race and masculinity. The book emphasizes the importance of delight as a bulwark against casual cruelties and as a way to connect with others, highlighting the shared humanity and mortality that bind us. Gay’s essays are both intimate and political, never shying away from the terrors of living in America while celebrating the small joys that make life worth observing closely[1][3][5].

Falling Upward

A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life

Richard Rohr

In 'Falling Upward,' Richard Rohr divides human life into two halves. The first half is about building a life, achieving success, and establishing an identity. The second half, often misunderstood as a period of decline, is actually a journey of spiritual growth, contentment, and deeper understanding. Rohr argues that spiritual maturity is achieved not by avoiding failures and sufferings but by embracing them as necessary steps towards true self-discovery and union with God. The book offers practical guidance on transitioning from the outer tasks of the first half of life to the inner tasks of the second half, emphasizing the importance of integrity, love, and non-dualistic thinking[2][3][5].

The Old Man and the Sea

Ernest Hemingway

The novella tells the story of Santiago, an old Cuban fisherman who has gone 84 days without catching a fish. Determined to break his unlucky streak, Santiago ventures far into the Gulf Stream, where he hooks a giant marlin. Over the course of three days, he battles the marlin, showing respect and admiration for the fish. Despite eventually killing the marlin, Santiago's catch is devoured by sharks on his journey back to shore. The story highlights Santiago's endurance, his deep connection with nature, and the themes of struggle, dignity, and the indomitable human spirit.

The Road to Wigan Pier

George Orwell

The book is divided into two parts. The first part is a detailed and evocative account of the poverty and living conditions of the working class in northern England, particularly in mining towns like Wigan. Orwell describes the harsh realities of miners' lives, the poor housing conditions, and the economic struggles faced by these communities. The second part of the book is a more political treatise where Orwell discusses the failures of socialism and his own socialist solutions to the problems he observed. He critiques the middle class and the intellectual left, while advocating for a more practical and compassionate form of socialism[2][4][5].

The Vagabond's Way

366 Meditations on Wanderlust, Discovery and the Art of Travel

Rolf Potts

Little, Big

or, The Fairies' Parliament

John Crowley

The novel tells the story of Smoky Barnable, a young man who travels from the City (New York) to Edgewood to marry Daily Alice Drinkwater. Edgewood, a house designed and built by John Drinkwater, serves as a gateway between the human world and the realm of Faerie. The story spans multiple generations of the Drinkwater family, delving into their unique connections with fairies, magical abilities, and the complex, interconnected nature of their world. The narrative is rich in allegory and symbolism, exploring themes of family, love, and the blurring of reality and fantasy[1][4][5].

4000 Weeks

Oliver Burkeman

A book about time management and how to live a more fulfilling life.

The Attention Merchants

The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads

Tim Wu

In 'The Attention Merchants', Tim Wu explores the history and impact of the industries that feed on human attention. Starting from the 19th century with Benjamin Day's penny newspapers, Wu traces the evolution of advertising through various media, including radio, television, and the internet. He argues that the basic business model of 'attention merchants' has remained constant: offering free diversion in exchange for moments of attention, which are then sold to advertisers. The book also examines the societal and psychological effects of this attention economy and the various revolts against it[2][3][4].

Vanishing Asia

A Masterclass on the Past, Present, and Future of Asia

Kevin Kelly

Vanishing Asia is a comprehensive and visually stunning 3-volume set of oversized books that document the rapidly disappearing traditions, costumes, architecture, festivals, and lifestyles of Asia. Over 49 years, Kevin Kelly traveled to the most remote places in 35 Asian countries, capturing 9,000 images on 1,000 uniquely designed pages. The set covers West, Central, and East Asia, showcasing the diverse cultures from Turkey to Japan and from Siberia to Indonesia. This work is an ambitious passion project that highlights the beauty and complexity of Asian cultures as they face the challenges of modernization.

The Book of Delights

Ross Gay

Vagabonding

An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel

Rolf Potts

In 'Vagabonding', Rolf Potts provides a comprehensive handbook for long-term world travel. The book is not just about travel but an outlook on life, encouraging readers to use the prosperity and possibilities of the information age to increase personal options rather than possessions. It covers practical advice on financing travel, determining destinations, adjusting to life on the road, handling travel adversity, and re-assimilating back into ordinary life. Potts emphasizes the importance of an independent spirit, simplicity, and a friendly interest in people, places, and things, making the reader an explorer in the truest sense of the word[1][3][4].