

Becoming Antifragile
IJ Makan
Timeless wisdom from history's greatest minds on love, happiness, meaning, peace and enlightenment.
Support my mission in recovering wisdom: https://becomingantifragile.com
Support my mission in recovering wisdom: https://becomingantifragile.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 24, 2024 • 44min
021: How To Overcome Obstacles In Your Life - Ryan Holiday
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.
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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

Mar 17, 2024 • 45min
020: How To Outwit The Devil - C.S. Lewis
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.
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Website https://becomingantifragile.com
Newsletter https://ijmakan.substack.com
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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

Mar 10, 2024 • 47min
019: How To Free Yourself From Fear - J. Krishnamurti
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.
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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

Mar 3, 2024 • 47min
018: How To Become Wise - Lao Tzu
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.
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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
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IJ Makan is a philosopher, designer, and martial artist.
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Social & Website
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan
Twitter https://twitter.com/ijmakan
Website https://becomingantifragile.com
Newsletter https://ijmakan.substack.com

Feb 25, 2024 • 53min
017: How To Live Honestly Without Abandoning Your Convictions - Alan Watts
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.
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In My Own Way USA: https://amzn.to/49XuN82
In My Own Way CA: https://amzn.to/3wFRY8t
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Social & Website
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan
Twitter https://twitter.com/ijmakan
Website https://becomingantifragile.com
Newsletter https://ijmakan.substack.com
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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

Feb 18, 2024 • 59min
016: How To Avoid Becoming A Person You Hate - Fyodor Dostoevsky
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.
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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
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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

Feb 11, 2024 • 50min
015: How To Stop Your Mind From Using You - Eckhart Tolle
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.
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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?
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Social & Website
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan
Twitter https://twitter.com/ijmakan
Website https://becomingantifragile.com
Newsletter https://ijmakan.substack.com

Feb 4, 2024 • 1h 2min
014: How To Find Your Identity - Matthew McConaughey
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.
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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
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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

Jan 28, 2024 • 52min
013: How To Find Yourself and Peace In A Noisy World - Kahlil Gibran
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.
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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
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Social & Website
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan
Twitter https://twitter.com/ijmakan
Website https://becomingantifragile.com
Newsletter https://ijmakan.substack.com

Jan 21, 2024 • 52min
012: How To Find Enlightenment And Meaning Like A Warrior - Miyamoto Musashi
Lessons from the Book of Five Rings and Dokkodo by Miyamoto Musashi. Miyamoto Musashi (1585 -1645) is a sword-saint, poet, artist and legend.
The Book of Five Rings (五輪の書, Go Rin No Sho) contains strategies of warfare, single combat, and most importantly the Way to finding enlightenment and meaning as a warrior. And the The Dokkodo (獨行道, The Path of Aloneness) is a list of 21 precepts for living a life of honesty and honour.
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00:00 - Excerpt on Miyamoto Musashi’s life
02:55 - What is the Way of the warrior?
05:55 - Significance of The Book of Five Rings for modern life
07:25 - Become action-oriented
08:50 - Strengthen your mind by doing difficult thing, some examples
11:00 - How anyone can become a warrior using pen and sword
14:30 - What are the four types of people?
18:40 - To live the Way you must act
20:50 - Believe in yourself, there is always strength within
25:00 - Study all the arts
27:44 - Why the greatest control themselves
31:45 - If you follow the Way, you have to transcend categories to reach enlightenment
37:27 - The moment you know your enemy, you will love him but you must destroy your enemy
39:35 - The Dokkodo, the 21 precepts for living in this chaotic world
46:50 - The Book of the Void and the mystical experiences
50:20 - The challenge
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Social & Website
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ijmakan
Twitter https://twitter.com/ijmakan
Website https://becomingantifragile.com
Newsletter https://ijmakan.substack.com