Tag: mindfulness
-
The Universe ‘I’s: Alan Watts on Death, Consciousness, and Being
Isn’t it remarkable that from the vast nothingness of what you don’t remember—your past before memory, before birth—you find yourself here, alive, conscious, watching, listening, being? Alan Watts, in one of his most haunting and poetic monologues, delves deep into the mystery that most people avoid thinking about: death. But rather than fear it, deny…
-
New Ways to Be Happier: Practical Wisdom from Vanessa King and a Growing Global Movement
We all want to feel happier and more resilient, especially when life gets messy. But what does it really take to build lasting wellbeing—not just for ourselves, but for the people we care about? For me, this question became personal. I’ve not only championed the Action for Happiness movement in my own life, but also…
-
The Illusion of Self: What Altered Minds Teach Us About Who We Are
What if everything you thought you knew about yourself—your memories, your body, even your sense of being—was not as solid as it seemed? Science writer Anil Ananthaswamy invites us to explore this provocative idea through the lens of “altered selves,” experiences shaped by conditions like schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, foreign limb syndrome, and out-of-body phenomena. His exploration…
-
The Unexpected Riches of Having Less
Is it possible that having less can actually give us more? At first glance, it may sound like one of those frustrating clichés designed to console those who are struggling. Many people would rightly push back, arguing that when your basic needs aren’t being met, romanticizing scarcity is offensive and out of touch. But what…
-
Naval on True Intelligence: Designing a Life You Actually Want
You only get one shot at life—so why do so many of us settle for mediocrity? Naval Ravikant, entrepreneur and philosopher, offers a striking redefinition of intelligence that cuts through the noise of IQ scores and academic credentials. In a world full of distractions and pre-written scripts, he argues that true intelligence is about getting…
-
Daniel Kahneman on Well-Being: The Pursuit of Happiness vs. The Story of Our Lives
Title: Daniel Kahneman on the Science of Happiness: From Experience to Memory and Back Again In a conversation as illuminating as it was honest, Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman sat down to reflect on his decades of groundbreaking work—not just in behavioral economics and decision-making, but in the complex world of human well-being. Best known for…
-
Building Physical and Mental Fitness for Meditation and Nididhyāsana
In the world today, physical fitness is often about achieving external goals—whether it’s gaining social media followers, sporting six-pack abs, or setting new personal records in sports. However, in Vedānta or the pursuit of moksha (liberation) and jīvanmukti (freedom while living), the purpose of physical health is entirely different. The body is simply a tool,…
-
The Subtle Signs of Aging: What It Feels Like and How We Experience It
Aging is one of life’s most natural processes, but when does it really start? And how do we experience it? Most of us don’t notice it immediately—it’s a slow, subtle shift that begins in our late 20s or 30s. Let’s take a closer look at how aging unfolds for both men and women, and what…
-
The Dance of Order and Disorder: Consciousness, Evolution, and Creativity
Have you ever thought about how life balances the chaos of randomness with the order of design? Dennis Noble, an acclaimed scientist, believes this balance is the key to understanding life, creativity, and even consciousness itself. In a recent interview, he explored how the interplay of order and disorder shapes evolution, biology, and our understanding of the…
-
The Secret to Happiness: A Journey Beyond Wants
For Harvard Professor, Arthur Brooks, what does it mean to be a “professor of happiness”? It’s not about teaching people to chase fleeting feelings or superficial joys. It’s about understanding happiness as a profound, multidimensional experience. At its core, happiness is not just a feeling. It’s a combination of three essential elements: enjoyment, purpose, and satisfaction. Let’s dive…
-
The Secret to a Good Life: Lessons from the Harvard Study on Happiness
What truly keeps us healthy and happy as we go through life? Imagine you’re investing in your future best self—where would you focus your time and energy? For many, the instinct might be to chase wealth and fame. A recent survey of Millennials found that over 80% had the goal of getting rich, and 50%…
-
Finding the Present Moment – Insights from Sam Harris
In a profound reflection, Sam Harris sheds light on a universal paradox of human life: we often regret the things we cared about when life was “normal.” It’s not just about how we spent our time but about how our attention was bound to trivial concerns. This realization, though inevitable, rarely transforms the way we…
-
How to Get Ahead of 99% of People
Everyone wants to succeed, but Naval Ravikant’s advice is refreshingly simple: instead of following someone else’s roadmap, build your own. Here are his thoughts on getting ahead by focusing on what truly matters: 1. Follow Your Own Obsession Naval believes life is a journey of “personal obsession and curiosity.” He argues that “you cannot follow…
-
Navigating Life with Naval Ravikant: Truth, Growth, and the Power of Self-Discovery
In a captivating episode of the “BeerBiceps” podcast, host Ranveer Alahbadia sat down with Naval Ravikant, the renowned entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of AngelList. This conversation delved deep into topics ranging from personal growth and self-understanding to love, relationships, and the meaning of life. Naval’s profound insights offer a fresh perspective on how we navigate…
-

The Illusion of Self: A Meditation Insight
In our daily lives, we often experience a sense of aiming our attention, as if there is a “self” or a center of consciousness directing our focus. This perception can feel like a tangible, central entity that governs our awareness. However, through the practice of meditation, this perceived center can be revealed as an illusion.…
-
Beyond the Ladder: Expanding Your Self, not Your Ego, in Work and Life
We’re constantly bombarded with messages to “climb the ladder,” “hustle harder,” and “achieve more.” While striving for goals and self-improvement is valuable, the relentless pursuit of external validation can lead down a treacherous path: the inflation of the ego. But what if there was another way? What if, instead of expanding our ego, we focused…