Pico Iyer, a renowned author and speaker celebrated for his TED talks, discusses his latest book, "Aflame." He shares insights on finding peace and clarity amidst chaos, emphasizing the importance of silence in nurturing a calm mind. Iyer reflects on his extensive stays at monasteries, illustrating how craving less leads to greater fulfillment. He champions the concept of an 'inner scorecard,' likening great investors to monks. The conversation also touches on the power of solitude and gratitude in navigating life's challenges.

Pico Iyer, a celebrated author of 15 books and 4 TED Talks, shares his profound insights on living a fulfilling life shaped by simplicity and mindfulness. He discusses why he opts for a minimalistic lifestyle in Japan and forgoes technology, emphasizing the luxury of slowing down. Iyer offers advice to young people about crafting a meaningful existence, embraces the impermanence of life after losing everything in a wildfire, and reflects on valuable lessons from friendships with influential figures like the Dalai Lama and Leonard Cohen.

George Whitesides, founder of Megafire Action, discusses innovative wildfire management strategies critical for California's safety. Pico Iyer, renowned novelist, reflects on his global travels and the complex nature of paradise, contrasting dreams with harsh realities. Ramona Pierson shares her incredible recovery journey after a near-fatal accident, emphasizing the transformative power of community support. Together, they explore resilience, the search for utopia, and the beauty found even in chaos.

Pico Iyer, an esteemed essayist and travel writer, discusses the transformative power of silence. He shares personal experiences from living in a Catholic monastery after losing his home, emphasizing how silence can rejuvenate amid life's chaos. Iyer explores the interplay between inner peace and nature, advocating for self-emptying practices over ego-driven distractions. He highlights the spiritual freedom found in solitude and community, offering insights on how to incorporate stillness into our busy lives for deeper fulfillment.

Resolutions are easy to make, even easier to break. But what if a story or idea can motivate us in a whole new way? This hour, TED speakers offer different perspectives on our most common resolutions. Guests include neuroscientists Wendy Suzuki and Sandra Aamodt, science journalist Catherine Price, behavioral scientist Wendy De La Rosa, and authors Pico Iyer and A.J. Jacobs.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Pico Iyer, an author who lost everything in a California wildfire, shares how his transformative experience in a Benedictine monastery shaped his life and writing. He reflects on the power of silence amidst chaos and modern disconnection. Meanwhile, comedian Roy Wood Jr., known for his special "Lonely Flowers," discusses the role of humor in tackling serious societal issues. He highlights the importance of authenticity and originality in comedy, drawing from personal experiences to illustrate his journey through laughter and legacy.

Pico Iyer, an acclaimed author known for his profound travel writing and insights into global cultures, shares his transformative experience after losing his mother's home to a wildfire. He recounts finding peace in a Benedictine monastery and how silence became a sanctuary amid tragedy. Iyer explores the intersection of personal loss, resilience, and the spiritual depth discovered through solitude. He emphasizes the importance of quiet companionship and the emotional richness that silence can bring to relationships, highlighting nature's role in this journey.

Pico Iyer, an English-born essayist known for his reflections on solitude, dives into the profound impact of silence and meditation on mental well-being. He discusses how embracing inner peace can transform our lives, especially amid chaos. Iyer shares the liberating aspects of silence that bolster personal growth and connection in relationships. He also reflects on navigating the delicate balance between hope and reality, encouraging listeners to find freedom through stillness and trust in themselves.

Join Pico Iyer, an insightful essayist and travel writer whose work delves into travel, spirituality, and globalization. He explores the evolving notion of 'home,' emphasizing how identity and belonging transcend geographical boundaries. Iyer reflects on the transformative power of travel, sharing poignant stories from his journeys and the deep connections made with strangers. He also highlights the emotional depth of letter-writing in capturing these fleeting encounters, showcasing how travel can reshape our understanding of relationships and belonging.

Pico Iyer is an esteemed journalist and essayist, and an explorer of inner life — for himself and in 21st-century society. For this episode in our Future of Hope series, he draws out writer Elizabeth Gilbert and “her sense of hope based not on a confidence in happy endings, but the conviction that something makes sense — even if not a sense that we can grasp.” Pico’s questions and Liz’s answers are all the more poignant given that both of them have recently suffered deep losses. These two friends delve into what it means to retreat into smallness, and grapple with a complex understanding of hope, as the world continues to overwhelm.Pico Iyer is the author of many books, including The Global Soul: Jet Lag, Shopping Malls, and the Search for Home, The Open Road: The Global Journey of the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, and The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere. His latest is A Beginner's Guide to Japan: Observations and Provocations.Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of beloved non-fiction books including Big Magic and the global sensation, Eat, Pray, Love. Her novels include: The Signature of All Things, and, most recently, City of Girls.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.