Perennial Meditations

In this episode, I share a short reflection on The Wisdom of Experience. How does one become wise? How does wisdom differ from knowledge? Leonardo Da Vinci says, “wisdom is the daughter of experience.” The philosopher Lao Tzu suggested, “To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.” But, does wisdom only come by way of experience and age?If you're interested in a deeper dive, you can read articles on ancient lessons for modern life at the PERENNIAL publication on Medium or check out our YouTube Channel. Follow Perennial Leader Project:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a short reading from Meditations 2.1 by Marcus Aurelius. We’ve been putting together some selected readings for our new YouTube channel, and I thought I would share one here. These readings are in the spirit of Lectio Divina (or divine reading) which is a way to read, reflect, respond, and rest with a particular passage. As always, I thank you for listening and I hope you enjoy this reading…Meditations 2.1. "Say this to yourself in the morning: Today, I shall have to do with meddlers, with the ungrateful, with the rude, with the crafty, with the envious, and the selfish. All these vices have affected them because they know not what is good and evil. But I have considered the nature of the good and found it beautiful." [...]If you're interested in a deeper dive, you can read articles on ancient lessons for modern life at the PERENNIAL publication on Medium.Follow Perennial Leader Project:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

A consistent theme across philosophical and spiritual traditions is the ancient practice known as memento mori (Latin for remember you will die). The philosopher Montaigne called it a way to practice freedom. “We die every day, for every day some part of life is taken from us,” wrote Seneca in a letter to Lucilius.In a letter known today as An Epicurean on his deathbed, Seneca stressed: “Philosophy enables a person to be cheerful within sight of death, brave and cheerful no matter what condition his body is in, not giving up just because the body is giving out. A great captain sails on, even with his canvas in tatters; even if he has scrapped the ship’s equipment, he keeps the remnants of his vessel on course.” [...]If you're interested in a deeper dive, you can read articles on ancient lessons for modern life at the PERENNIAL publication on Medium.Follow Perennial Leader Project:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

The philosopher Aristotle called “contemplation the highest form of activity and the most continuous” since we are more capable of continuous contemplation than other practical activities. Similarly, the theologian Thomas Aquinas said it was necessary for the perfection of human society that there should be people who devote their lives to contemplation. But, what is contemplation? [...]If you're interested in a deeper dive, you can read articles on ancient lessons for modern life at the PERENNIAL publication on Medium.Follow Perennial Leader Project:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

We turn to Seneca for wisdom in this reflection. Specifically, the letter to Lucilius titled Daily Study and Practice. “No one can live a truly happy life, or even a bearable life, without philosophy,” wrote Seneca.Seneca explained, "While it is complete wisdom that renders a life happy, even to begin that study makes life bearable. But this realization must be confirmed and fixed more deeply through daily rehearsal. It is more work to follow through on honorable aims than it is to conceive of them. One must persevere and add strength by a constant study until excellent intentions become excellence of mind." [...]If you're interested in a deeper dive, you can read articles on ancient lessons for modern life at the PERENNIAL publication on Medium.Follow Perennial Leader Project:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom).  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, I’m sharing a conversation with my friend Kai Whiting (a familiar voice to some; he came on In Search of Wisdom Ep. #33). Kai is the co-author of the great book Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In. In the conversation, we primarily discuss the question: How do we know virtue is the only good?You can learn more about Kai and his work at StoicKai.com. If you're interested in a deeper dive, you can read articles on ancient lessons for modern life at the PERENNIAL publication on Medium.Follow Perennial Leader Project:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom).  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In the letter known today as, On the Tranquility of Mind, Serenus explained, "I am neither sick nor well. My condition is not life-threatening and brings no real disruption. “I am not distressed by the storm but by the seasickness; so take me from whatever evil this is and come to my aid."  Seneca responded,  "For what you are longing for is a great thing and the highest achievement, near to God: never to be shaken. The Greeks call this stable balance of mind euthymia — I call it tranquility." [...]If you're interested in a deeper dive, you can read articles on ancient lessons for modern life at the PERENNIAL publication on Medium.Follow Perennial Leader Project:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom).  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome back to The PERENNIAL podcast, today I’m sharing a conversation with my friend Simon Drew (In Search of Wisdom Ep. #42). Simon is a poet, musician, photographer, and philosophical mentor. He’s the host of The Walled Garden podcast and the author of the new book The Poet & The Sage. In the conversation, we primarily discuss the wisdom of Seneca. You can learn more about Simon at thewalledgarden.com.If you're interested in a deeper dive, you can read articles on ancient lessons for modern life at the PERENNIAL publication on Medium.Follow Perennial Leader Project:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom).  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In this reflection, we explore Seneca's letter to Lucilius, known today as A Beneficial Reading Program. Seneca explained, “In my view, the first sign of a settled mind is that it can stay in one place and spend time with itself.” Although Seneca applauds Lucilius, “I am becoming quite hopeful about you.” He warns against focusing on reading widely and makes a case for reading well. [...]If you're interested in a deeper dive, you can read articles on ancient lessons for modern life at the PERENNIAL publication on Medium.Follow Perennial Leader Project:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom).  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In this reflection, we turn to a letter to Lucilius titled — Taking Charge of Your Time. The letter begins with Seneca urging: “assert your own freedom.”According to Seneca, if we do not gather and guard our time, it will be taken away. He asks Lucilius to look closely and notice that life slips away from us when we are not attentive.If you're interested in a deeper dive, you can read articles on ancient lessons for modern life at the PERENNIAL publication on Medium. Follow Perennial Leader Project:Twitter: twitter.com/searchofwisdomInstagram: instagram.com/searchofwisdompodcastSign-up for The PATH our free newsletter (short reflections on wisdom).  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe