Delve into the intriguing relationship between comfort and discomfort, exploring how they affect personal growth and societal well-being. Discover the complexities of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and how transformative philosophies like Stoicism and Buddhism address the quest for comfort. Uncover the pressing implications of modern living on climate change and the overlooked significance of nursing in providing emotional support. Dive deep into what it really means to lead a fulfilling life in a world where comfort can sometimes hinder true happiness.
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Comfort vs. Discomfort
Recent self-help books explore comfort, some promoting it, others critiquing it.
This raises the question of whether we should seek comfort or discomfort.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Comfort Books
Matt Haig's The Comfort Book offers inspirational quotes and anecdotes.
Ellie Anderson created a similar "book of inspiration" as a teenager.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Sources of Comfort
David Peña-Guzman found comfort in reading Harlequin romance novels as a postdoc.
Ellie Anderson finds comfort reading on her phone in bed.
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This book presents the Shambhala Buddhist vision of Chögyam Trungpa, focusing on the creation of an enlightened society through secular and non-religious approaches. It discusses the importance of meditation, basic goodness, fearlessness, egolessness, and soft-heartedness. The book aims to help individuals establish an enlightened society by living genuinely and compassionately in each moment, and it is grounded in the principles of Tibetan Buddhism while being accessible to people of any or no religious background.
The Comfort Book
Matt Haig
The Comfort Book by Matt Haig is a non-fiction work that combines memoir, self-help, and philosophical reflections. It is a compilation of short essays, lists, and anecdotes that provide comfort and hope, especially during difficult times. Haig shares his personal struggles with mental health, including depression and anxiety, and offers wisdom and insights gained from his experiences. The book includes diverse sources from history, science, and literature, and it emphasizes the importance of hope, forgiveness, and moving forward in the face of challenges. It is designed to be a comforting and uplifting read, with the author's conversational style making it feel like an intimate and supportive conversation.
Get comfy as you listen to this episode! In episode 118 of Overthink, Ellie and David discuss all things comfortable…and uncomfortable. They talk through the conflation of comfort and luxury, modern architecture’s prioritization of comfort, and whether our need for comfort is the reason for our burning planet. With everything from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to “the comfort-industrial complex,” this episode will have you questioning what it takes for us to lead a full and happy life. Plus, in the bonus they get into the meaning of the phrase ‘too close for comfort’, alcohol as a destructive form of comfort, and the importance of attachment theory.
Works Discussed: Daniel Barber, “After Comfort” J L Bottorff et al., “The phenomenology of comfort” Matt Haig, The Comfort Book Ryan Heavy Head, “Blackfoot Influence on Abraham Maslow, Presented by Narcisse Kainai and Ryan Heavy Head at the University of Montana” Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler and Ann Malinowski, “Comfort: exploration of the concept in nursing.” A. H. Maslow, A Theory of Human Motivation Teju Ravilochan, “The Blackfoot Wisdom that Inspired Maslow’s Hierarchy”. Peter Sloterdijk, Spheres trilogy Chögyam Trungpa, Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior
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