Optimal Living - Philosopher's Notes

I was reading Brian Johnson's Philosopher's Notes. It is an amazing read.

I have made MindMap of the book's concepts.

Brian Johnson has read so many good books and has distilled the very essence of the concepts most of the books deal with and captured it into is amazing book "Philosopher's Notes".

The following are the books he is referring in this Video:

• The Obstacle is the Way
• Daring Greatly
• The Gift of Imperfection
• Power Sleep
• Take a Nap !
• The Compound Effect
• With Wining in Mind
• Your Life is your message
• Play - How it shapes the brain
• The Emotional Life of your brain
• Mindfulness
• Enough Already - Alan Cohen
• The Pleasure Trap - Lisle
• Unbeatable Mind
• The Art of Mental Training
• Non-violent Communication
• Getting Things Done
• Superman by Habit - Tynan
• Self-Compassion
• Mind Gym - Mack Casstevens
• Spartan Up
• Wealth Warrior - Steve Chandler
• MindSight
• The Tools - Phil Stutz

Muhammad bin Tughluq

Long time, no see...

Yesterday, I completed reading "Muhammad bin Tughluq" by Cho. It is the movie script, now available in print. Cho is great of the Political Satirist in Tamil. It is a really amazing reading. I'm not a reader of the Tughaq, though.

Political Satire don't comes handy for many writers. Many tried and burnt their fingers. But Cho is very good at it. I want to read more of his writings.

I have also completed reading The Gift: First book of Pellinor, I recommend it for all Fantasy Fans.

I'm currently put up in Bangalore for 6 months project.

I've started reading "Emperor's New Mind" by Roger Penrose, hope I will not switch to Terry Goodkind's Book Five: Soul of Fire, which is really tempting me. I have already completed four books in "The Sword of Truth" series.

Life and Time

Shiva sits in silent meditation on a snowy Himalayan mountain top. Suddenly there is a great sound. Nandi, Shiva’s bull, gets alarmed and asks, ‘Where is the sound coming from?’

Shiva says, ‘Ravana is born.’

After a while there is another frightening sound. Nandi asks, ‘Now, what is this sound?’

Shiva laughs and says, ‘Ravana has now been slain.’

This is surely a Zen-style story. This is the story of Life from the perspective of Time.

Epictetus: The Art of Living

Two days back, I completed reading a translation of Epictetus. Epictetus is a 3rd century Stoic philosopher. He was born as a slave and later he became a Stoic philospher. The book is very small and it's very good to read.

Jacob anna and Santo, it is a highly recommended book. I want you to enjoy it.

Here is a classic translation of "The Enchiridion"

Here is some of his quotes:(collected from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/e/epictetus.html)

First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

God has entrusted me with myself.

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

If evil be spoken of you and it be true, correct yourself, if it be a lie, laugh at it.

If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.

It is impossible to begin to learn that which one thinks one already knows.

Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.

No greater thing is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig. If you tell me that you desire a fig, I answer you that there must be time. Let it first blossom, then bear fruit, then ripen.

No man is free who is not master of himself.

Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.

Silence is safer than speech.

Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.