Lessons from reading Confession, a spiritual-philosophical reflection by Leo Tolstoy (Sep 9, 1828 - Nov 20, 1910) as he struggles with existential despair and the meaning of life.

Leo Tolstoy attained the kind of success only a few reached. He had enormous wealth, an estate that stretched for 16,200 acres, a mansion, 300 horses, two of his books (War & Peace and Anna Karenina) were considered masterpieces, and he was already regarded as one of the greatest novelists.

And it’s here that we pick up 'Confession'. Not a memoir nor a novel, but Tolstoy’s personal spiritual-philosophical reflection as he struggles with existential despair and the question of the meaning of life.

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00:00:00 - The question of life

00:01:48 - The success of Tolstoy

00:02:30 - Living without meaning

00:05:18 - Keeping up appearances

00:06:15 - All is vanity

00:07:20 - Why we’re reading these books

00:08:20 - The 80-year-old version of you

00:08:35 - The Fable

00:12:50 - Is life meaningless?

00:13:50 - Importance of having skin in the game

00:16:40 - Cultivate a strong reputation with yourself

00:20:00 - Tolstoy undermining his ethics

00:23:23 - The breakthrough

00:29:00 - Gaining the world, losing your soul

00:31:18 - Can science and philosophy provide the answer to the question of life

00:37:45 - The people who live with meaning

00:41:30 - Living in community

00:44:00 - Who is more successful: Khabib vs. Conor?

00:46:22 - Face your mortality

00:48:00 - Wealth and craftsmanship

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IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist.

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002: How To Seek Meaning In A Meaningless World - Leo Tolstoy