Author Bonnie Tsui on the Wonders of Water | Pressure, Like Power, Reveals

Apr 14, 2021

Bonnie Tsui, author of "Why We Swim" and "American Chinatown," dives into the philosophical benefits of swimming and its historical significance. She discusses how water can serve as a transformative communal space, bonding families and cultures. The conversation also highlights swimming as a meditative practice, providing clarity and joy amidst modern life's chaos. Tsui shares personal anecdotes of overcoming fears and embracing challenges, reflecting on the deep emotional connections that water fosters.

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INSIGHT

Swimming as Moving Meditation

Swimming is like a moving meditation, offering unique mental benefits.
It provides a much-needed escape from constant digital connection.

ADVICE

Embrace Water, Regularly

Find a body of water and jump in.
Swimming offers sensory deprivation in our screen-filled world.

ANECDOTE

Poolside Inspiration

Bonnie Tsui worked through book ideas while swimming.
She used the pool as a thinking space, recording insights post-swim.

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Why We Swim

Bonnie Tsui

In 'Why We Swim,' Bonnie Tsui examines the multifaceted relationship humans have with water. The book is propelled by stories of Olympic champions, a Baghdad swim club, modern-day Japanese samurai swimmers, and an Icelandic fisherman who survived a six-hour swim after a shipwreck. Tsui, a swimmer herself, investigates what it is about water that seduces us and why we return to it repeatedly. She explores the therapeutic, communal, and transformative aspects of swimming, drawing from personal experiences, historical contexts, and scientific insights. The book is a cultural history of humankind’s relationship with bodies of water, highlighting the benefits and dangers of swimming and its impact on human behavior and well-being.

The Laws of Human Nature

Robert Greene

In 'The Laws of Human Nature,' Robert Greene delves into the complexities of human behavior, identifying 18 laws that govern our actions and motivations. Drawing from historical figures such as Pericles, Queen Elizabeth I, and Martin Luther King Jr., Greene provides insights into how to detach from emotions, master self-control, develop empathy, and see beyond people's masks. The book is designed to help readers become better judges of character, manage their thought patterns, and influence others more effectively. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's own flaws to make better decisions in personal and professional life[2][3][4].

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Haruki Murakami

In this memoir, Haruki Murakami reflects on his experiences with long-distance running and how it has influenced his writing. He started running in the early 1980s and has since completed over twenty marathons and an ultramarathon. The book delves into the parallels between running and writing, highlighting the discipline, perseverance, and mental fortitude required for both. Murakami shares his training regimens, memorable races, and the philosophical insights he has gained from his running experiences, which have significantly impacted his creative life.

The Odyssey

Homer

The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges. Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage. With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne. The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.

Swimming Holes of Texas

Julie Wernersbach

Carolyn Tracy

This book serves as a comprehensive guide to natural swimming holes in Texas, featuring one hundred spots across the state. It includes color photos, descriptions of each site, and practical information such as admission fees and on-site amenities. The book is organized by geographic regions, making it easy to plan trips to nearby or distant swimming spots.

The Boy Who Would Be King

Ryan Holiday

Victor Juhasz

Ryan reads today's Daily Stoic email and talks to author Bonnie Tsui about her new memoir, Why We Swim, their mutual adoration of swimming, how physical exercise can be a catalyst for creative thinking, the philosophical benefits of spending time in the water, and more. Her newest piece, The Uncertain Sea, is available now on Scribd.

Bonnie Tsui is the author of many books including American Chinatown: A People’s History of Five Neighborhoods, which won the 2009-2010 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. Her past accolades include the 2019 National Press Foundation Fellowship and the Jane Rainie Opel Young Alumna Award at Harvard University.

This episode is also brought to you by Scribd, the e-book and audiobook subscription service that includes one million titles. We’re offering listeners of The Daily Stoic a free 60 day trial. Go to try.scribd.com/stoic for your free trial. That’s try.scribd.com/stoic to get 60 days of Scribd for free.

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