James reflects on the true essence of originality. Inspired by Alan Watts' insight, "To be original is to speak from the origin," we challenge the common misconception that originality is about being wildly unconventional or eccentric. Instead, we explore how genuine creativity and innovation stem from a deep, inward journey of self-discovery and authenticity. We discuss how great creators, like Michael Jordan or master artisans, achieve their unique brilliance not through isolation, but through a profound connection with their true nature and community. Highlighting the concept of Swadharma from Vedanta, we emphasize that true originality is an unselfish act of service, deeply rooted in one's innate qualities and offered for the greater good. Join us as we dive into this enriching reflection on being truly original and its impact on our lives and communities.
The Daily Vedantic is a daily podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to the timeless wisdom of the Upanishads (https://www.thedailyvedantic.co). Dating back to over 5,000 years ago, the source of nearly all Eastern Philosophy, and loved by Western giants from Emerson to Thoreau to Carl Jung and Alan Watts, studied daily by Joseph Campbell to Aldous Huxley to Arthur Schopenhauer and countless others, The Daily Vedantic aims to make this ancient philosophy as modern and accessible as it is simple, practical — and profound.
James Beshara (https://www.twitter.com/jamesbeshara) is a renowned startup founder of multiple companies, a prolific startup investor in 200+ others including some of the biggest startup names on the planet, a husband and father of three little girls, and philosophy student and teacher in Los Angeles.
James also co-hosts Yoga For Your Intellect (https://www.YFYI.co), a biweekly long-form conversational podcast with his teacher Joseph Emmett ( https://www.instagram.com/yogaforyourintellect ).
James is a student of Swami Parthasarathy, the acclaimed author of Vedanta Treatise (Vedanta Treatise – The Eternities) and teacher at Vedanta Academy in Malavli, India. As James says often, when you’re ready for the real thing, Swami’s daily lectures are where the true wisdom and systematic discovery of the world’s oldest continually studied philosophy resides: https://www.vedantaworld.org