Becoming Antifragile

Lessons from ‘The Analects of Confucius’ by Confucius. He was born around 551 BC, in the ancient state of Lu. Confucius is recognized as one of the greatest philosopher teachers. His ideas have influenced Chinese cultural traditions and the world for over 2000 years. - USA - https://amzn.to/3PKhznn CA - https://amzn.to/3PDjeLl - Social & Website: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com Show notes: 00:00 - Excerpt, background on Confucius & ancient China 06:10 - Confucius’ blueprint for life 12:40 - Your habits shape your character 14:50 - Demand much from yourself, less of others 17:50 - The importance of always learning 22:08 - How to express yourself honestly 25:20 - Practice what you preach, talk only when you’ve done it 27:40 - There’s something to learn from everyone 30:20 - Exploitive behaviors are what petty persons do 33:30 - Sharpen your tools, and don’t get distracted by shiny things 36:50 - Immerse yourself in the river of life 39:00 - You can face death at dusk if you’ve walked the way in day 40:30 - Challenge

Lessons from "The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday. Holiday is an author and entrepreneur. He revitalized Stoicism for the 21st century through his writings. - Order: USA: https://amzn.to/3TyP4dk CA: https://amzn.to/3vnVtQM - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - The excerpt 02:40 - Who is Ryan Holiday 06:05 - Only you are responsible for yourself 08:43 - The obstacle is the way forward 11:50 - "Hurricane" Carter and Viktor Frankl show what it means to be responsible for your mind 17:30 - How to reshape your story through the power of the mind 25:00 - A life properly lived is an act of meditation 28:45 - Quitting is not an option 30:31 - What we can learn from Abraham Lincoln’s struggle with depression 32:32 - Acting and living in the present moment is the key to living 36:15 - What is wisdom, physical exercise as a spiritual practice 39:42 - Human nature has not changed which means there are universal ways to overcome suffering and obstacles 41:10 - Memento Mori 42:38- Challenges

Lessons from 'The Screwtape Letters' C. S. Lewis C. S. Lewis is a philosopher, theologian, and a Medieval and Renaissance English professor at the University of Cambridge. 'The Screwtape Letters' is a novel where a senior demon advises Wormwood, his nephew, on tempting and corrupting a human, delving into themes of morality and spiritual warfare. Lewis provides a satirical exploration of demonic strategies, urging readers to reflect on their beliefs and behaviours. - Order: USA - https://amzn.to/3IH6jEm CA - https://amzn.to/4clWqcM - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - Excerpt 02:13 - Who is C.S. Lewis, what is Screwtape Letters about, why you should read it 05:15 - Don’t be a scholar who lacks wisdom 06:35 - Knowledge without action is useless 14:42 - Don’t live a life of mediocrity chasing the praises of others 16:44 - How to pray ineffectively and have double standards 21:40 - The hypocrisy of being a prig 28:42 - Transactional relationships treat the other as an object 31:00 - Humans are amphibians, learn to live in the Unbounded Now 37:00 - Krishnamurti and C.S. Lewis converge 39:00 - Gluttony of delicacy and the vice of living in the past 41:16 - Cowardice vs. Courage 44:16 - Challenge

Lessons from 'You Are The World' by Jiddhu Krishnamurti. Krishnamurti is an Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher. He was adopted by the Theosophical Society and raised to be a World Teacher. Later Krishnamurti rejected the title and the society. Order: USA: https://amzn.to/3IvIO0Y CA: https://amzn.to/4ccrwnp - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - Excerpt & brief history of Jiddhu Krishnamurti 05:00 - You are the world, learn to observe yourself without judgement 08:00 - Know yourself 10:13 - You need discipline to become free, not gurus (Don’t let your past baggage cloud your ability to experience the present) 17:08 - The impact of losing his mother, sister, and brother 18:12 - Why live in an immoral world and what we can do about it 21:00 - Fear is the root of all problems, but you can change this reality immediately 27:27 - The way out of “thought” is not escaping it to monasteries or drugs 32:52 - What is meditation? 38:25 - How do you meditate properly & why enjoying a sunset fully will you meditate 41:48 - How to live in the present moment 44:30 - Step out of the circle, and end all conflict 45:55 - Challenge

Lessons from 'Tao Te Ching' by Lao Tzu Lao Tzu is an ancient Chinese philosopher, considered the founder of Taoism. 'Tao Te Ching' is comprised of 81 short chapters and its a guide on how to live in harmony. In the book, Lao Tzu emphasizes concepts such as wu wei (non-action), harmony, and the pursuit of inner virtues. - 00:00 - What is Tao Te Ching? The wisest book ever written 04:50 - Why you die before dying to understand life 07:25 - The wise person guides others to Tao 10:00 - Become detached from material possessions, otherwise they will control you 13:00 - Knowing thyself is the greatest project in your life, live in the present moment without anxiety 20:00 - The wise become vessels for Tao 23:00 - Be generous in your relationships without expecting anything back, always do you best work 26:40 - What is act by not acting and do by not doing (Wu Wei) 28:45 - What is Tao? 32:12 - Knowing moderation is wisdom, cultivating stillness to find Tao, love is the most important thing 40:31 - You don’t need to travel to find wisdom, start your journey now with humility 46:00 - Challenges -- IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from 'In My Own Way: An Autobiography' by Alan Watts. Alan Watts is a philosopher who introduced and popularized Eastern philosophy and religion especially Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism to the West in the mid-20th century. He influenced Steve Jobs, Joseph Campbell, George Lucas, and more. - In My Own Way USA: https://amzn.to/49XuN82 In My Own Way CA: https://amzn.to/3wFRY8t - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com - 00:00 - Excerpt 02:45 - What would you dream if you could dream any dream? 05:00 - Paradox of Watts's life living as an epicurean and mystic 08:15 - Marrying Buddhism and Christianity 11:21 - Alan Watt's "way-ward spirit" and living honestly 17:47 - The problem with the priestly class in religion 20:00 - Young Watts learning about Eastern philosophy and religion 23:00 - Becoming an Episcopalian priest 29:55 - Resigning priesthood after five years, and Watts's powerful resignation letter 39:00 - Can you attain enlightenment without any spiritual pratice? 47:20 - How to live a life with conviction 50:30 - Challenge

Lessons from Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Dostoevsky is one of the greatest writers. His works include 'Brothers Karamazov' and 'Crime and Punishment'. 'Notes from Underground' is considered the first work of existential literature. The Underground Man rejects rationalism and utilitarianism because it deprives humans of free will and dignity. He is self-loathing, intelligent and vengeful. He considers himself an anti-hero who doesn't care about anyone or anything and would rather watch the world burn so long as he can drink his tea. - 00:00 - Excerpt 04:00 - What is Notes from Underground? 05:00 - Who is the Underground Man and what is his purpose in life? 12:40 - Having a victim mentality and seeking sympathy from people 14:00 - Humans are contradictory creatures, not ever taking any actions, staying fragile 19:00 - Knowing what is good for you and not doing it! 25:50 - Why did Cleopatra enjoy hurting slave girls? 27:00 - Freedom without constraints is freedom 30:12 - The “chase” is the fulfilment and honestly expressing yourself 33:50 - Don’t develop your character because you’ll be a slave to yourself 36:20 - Always avoid confronting your demons by distracting yourself 39:00 - Looking for attention from anyone even if hurts you 43:45 - Desire to control other people 46:15 - Meeting Liza and avoiding true relationships - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle. Eckhart Tolle is a German-born spiritual teacher. His books include, 'A New Earth' and 'Guardians of Being'. Tolle gained prominence in the U.S. and internationally after Oprah Winfrey endorsed his books. 'The Power of Now' is a spiritual guide to enlightenment through the active participation of being present in every moment of your life. And understanding that true freedom lies in your ability to embrace the present moment. - 00:00 - Excerpt 06:07 - The parable of the beggar sitting on gold 08:50 - Power of Now = constant flow state 10:05 - Why the word ‘God’ is empty of meaning 13:00 - Stop your mind from using you, become Conscious 16:10 - Dream state is entering pure consciousness 18:10 - The pain-body stops you from inner peace and fulfillment 21:15 - How to live in the Now 23:45 - Thrill seekers are seeking the Now 30:00 - Stop waiting for the future to make you happy and you'll awaken 40:50 - Seek nothing outside yourself 43:40 - Is there such thing as negative or positive in life? 48:34 - How to free your mind from itself? - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. McConaughey (born Nov. 4, 1969) is an Academy Award Winner, husband and father. His movies include A Time to Kill, The Lincoln Lawyer, Mud, Interstellar and more. Greenlights is a memoir and an approach book on how to live life on your terms. - 00:00 - Excerpt 02:55 - What is Greenlights about? 04:00 - Who is Matthew McConaughey 05:45 - Defeating and defending dad, a rite of passage 11:40 - Don’t ignore effort 13:12 - Using the process of elimination to find yourself 20:55 - Don’t half-ass & Kahlil Gibran’s poem 25:20 - Death & becoming a man 30:00 - What do you want in life? 34:30 - The monastery, Peru and fighting demons 38:44 - Difference between knowing and understanding 42:30 - Craftsman mentality 46:34 - Hedonism vs. discipline 53:00 - Fatherhood & holding to your conviction 58:55 - Define what success means to you 1:00:00 - Challenge - IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist. - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com

Lessons from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. The Prophet is a collection of 26 prose poetry fables that deal with love, children, friendship, freedom, charity, time and death. The Prophet is one of the most translated books. Kahlil Gibran was a Lebanese-American writer, poet, and artist. He was born in 1883 in Bsharri, a village in northern Lebanon. He wrote in both Arabic and English, and his works reflect his influences from various spiritual and philosophical traditions. He is best known for his book The Prophet. - 00:00 - Excerpt 02:35 - Gibran’s influence on culture 05: 44 - The Prophet’s synopsis 06: 40 - Unify your reason and passion 09:56 - How to prepare for death 11:30 - How to love deeply 15:30 - How to treat your children 19:00 - How to give with joy 25:55 - Embrace both suffering & joy fully 30:00 - How to work 34:40 - Giving thanks for your food 39:40 - How to seek knowledge within yourself 41:00 - Find solitude always 46:00 - The path is made by walking 50:50 - Challenge - Social & Website Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ijmakan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://becomingantifragile.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ijmakan.substack.com