What is a Good Life?

What is a Good Life? #86 - Knowing That We Belong with Nic Askew

Sep 3, 2024

Nic Askew, a filmmaker renowned for his exploration of human connection, shares his journey into authenticity and belonging. He reveals how his 'Inner View' method uses stillness and the camera to highlight our innate sense of belonging. Nic discusses the exhaustion of seeking external validation and the transformative power of silence in fostering deeper relationships. He emphasizes that true worth comes from simply existing, inviting listeners to embrace their inherent value and connect meaningfully with others.

01:28:40

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Nic Askew

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Quick takeaways

Nic Askew emphasizes that belonging is an inherent state, liberated from the need for external validation or self-improvement.

The practice of stillness and presence fosters genuine human connection by allowing individuals to embrace their innate awareness of belonging.

Creativity and inspiration flourish when individuals let life unfold naturally, moving beyond traditional productivity to embrace the beauty of simply existing.

Deep dives

The Quest for Meaning

The exploration of what constitutes a good life is a central theme, with an emphasis on defining personal meaning rather than adhering to a universal answer. Nick Askew, a filmmaker, shares his journey of questioning the purpose and significance of his work, expressing a desire to understand his role in facilitating human connection through film. He reflects on the paradox of seeking external validation while grappling with feelings of inadequacy and wondering if he is doing enough. His introspection leads him to value the profound human experience he captures, which emphasizes connection beyond societal norms.

Intro

3min

Exploring Purpose Through Imagination and Connection

6min

The Power of Stillness and Belonging

16min

The Power of Stillness and Connection

33min

The Essence of Language and Connection

5min

The Exhausting Quest for Belonging

2min

The Essence of Belonging

25min

On the 86th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I'm delighted to introduce Nic Askew as our guest. Nic is a filmmaker who has discovered a powerful way to use the camera to deepen people's awareness. He has been described in various ways—an itinerant confessor, a disruptive influence, a monk independent of any religion, and an explorer of the inner world.

Over two decades of exploring human connection, authenticity, and insight through film, Nic has uncovered a profoundly simple way for us to be together, which he calls Inner View. This method has led to the creation of the acclaimed Soul Biographies Film Series, an experience of human presence that has resonated with millions.

In this enlightening conversation, Nic clearly articulates and points to a deeply felt sense of universal belonging, without the need to do, improve, or follow steps—simply by virtue of our existence and the lack of separation between us. He discusses how he uses the camera, stillness, and nothing to reveal our innate sense of belonging. With an awareness of this belonging, we can move through the world working on behalf of everyone and everything with life living itself through us.

If you're struggling with feelings of unworthiness, a lack of belonging, or the belief that you need to fix or improve yourself, Nic's insights may help you see beyond these barriers to the simple truth of your inherent worth and obvious belonging.

Subscribe for weekly episodes, every Tuesday, and check out my YouTube channel (link below) for full interviews and clips.

For further content and information check out the following:

Soul Biographies: https://soulbiographies.com/
Nic's website: https://nicaskew.com/
Nic's newsletter: https://nicaskew.substack.com/

- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
- My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/

Contact me at mark@whatisagood.life if you'd like to further explore your own lines of self-inquiry or create experiences that lead to more connecting and genuine conversations amongst groups of people or you'd like to join my weekly silent conversation groups.

00:00 Introduction
03:00 What is this work that I do?

07:19 Stillness, awareness, and a realisation of belonging

13:40 The power of silence and subtracting

18:07 The challenge of our cultural way of being

20:40 The realisation of our connectedness

26:20 Become aware of what we are capable of

30:50 Stillness and silence tending to our trauma

33:20 Life living itself through you - nothing to do

41:40 An awareness of the dissolving of time and space

46:40 The Girl in the Entrance Hall

51:10 Working on behalf of everyone and everything

58:20 Realising why everyone hurt

1:04:45 It is much more simple than we imagine

1:11:15 An absence of time in our encounters

1:16:20 Could I be doing something else?

1:21:23 What is a good life for Nic?

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