What's in mind?

The concept of a “superior man” comes from various philosophical, cultural, and historical contexts. Each offering a different perspective on what it means to embody excellence or virtue. In Confucianism, the term “superior man” (or junzi in Chinese) refers to an ideal person who embodies moral excellence, wisdom, and virtue. In the Analects, Confucius describes the junzi as someone who “cultivates themselves to bring peace to others” (Analects 14.42). The superior man is not born superior but becomes so through effort, discipline, and a commitment to virtue. In Stoic philosophy, particularly in the works of Marcus Aurelius or Seneca, the ideal person lives according to reason and virtue, mastering their emotions and focusing on what they can control. Traits like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance align closely with the junzi, emphasizing self-discipline and ethical living. In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, the “great-souled man” is someone of exceptional virtue who achieves...

Love is often described as a feeling. But love is more than an emotion. It’s an art form. Like a painter with a blank canvas or a poet wrestling with words, those who master the art of love approach it with creativity, vulnerability, and a willingness to evolve. Love is not a monolith. It wears countless unique interconnected faces. Romantic love often takes center stage in our cultural narratives. But love extends far beyond romance. Love is also the quiet devotion of a parent cradling a child and the unspoken loyalty between friends who weather life’s storms together. Philosopher Alain de Botton suggests that love is “a skill, not just an enthusiasm.” It’s not enough to feel love; we must learn to sustain it. This means cultivating empathy, practicing forgiveness, and embracing the imperfections of others. Romantic Love: A Dance of Intimacy and Independence Romantic love is immortalized in poetry, music, and art. It thrives on closeness but requires space; it demands vulnerabil...

The Backwards Law is the idea that the more you pursue or cling to something, the less likely you are to get it. Whether it’s happiness, love, success, or even sleep, the act of striving can feel like chasing a mirage. Conversely, when you let go of your desperate need for it, you often create the conditions for it to come to you naturally. It’s a counterintuitive principle rooted in the interplay of desire, resistance, and acceptance. We live in a world that constantly tells us to strive, to push harder, and to never give up on our goals. We are taught that success, happiness, and love are things to be pursued with relentless effort. What if the very act of chasing something is what pushes it further out of reach? It’s the counterintuitive idea that when you desperately want something, you are subconsciously signaling to yourself that you don’t have it, thus reinforcing a feeling of lack. This feeling of lack often leads to behaviors that are counterproductive to achieving your des...

Discipline is the ability to control your actions, emotions, and behaviors to align with your goals, even when you don’t feel like it. Discipline is the quiet, relentless force that turns dreams into realities, goals into accomplishments, and potential into action. In a world that glorifies instant gratification and quick fixes, discipline stands as a timeless virtue, demanding consistency, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the long game. Discipline is often the unsung hero in the stories of great achievements. It’s not as glamorous as talent, not as fleeting as motivation, and not as celebrated as luck. Discipline is not about perfection; it’s about persistence. It’s the choice to show up, day after day, regardless of external circumstances or internal moods. Motivation might spark the desire to start, but discipline is what keeps you going when the spark fades. Discipline is the bridge between where you are and where you want to be. Without it, even the most brilliant ide...

The Pause Principle is the practice of intentionally stopping and reflecting before acting. Pausing is a deliberate and strategic act that enables clarity, awareness, and better choices. It is a simple concept with profound implications for leadership, learning, and life. In a world addicted to speed, the idea of slowing down can feel like a failure. We praise hustle. We reward reaction. We glorify multitasking and speed as if they were synonymous with effectiveness. But the best decisions, the most powerful conversations, and the most transformative moments don’t come from speeding up. The term was coined by Kevin Cashman, a leadership coach and author of The Pause Principle: Step Back to Lead Forward. The term captures the essence of a powerful paradox: slowing down can speed up your effectiveness. When we pause, we engage the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for complex thinking, empathy, and decision-making. In contrast, reacting impulsively often activates t...

The Enneagram is a personality framework that identifies nine core personality types, each with its worldview, patterns of thinking, emotional drivers, and habitual behaviors. Unlike many personality systems that focus solely on traits, the Enneagram offers a map to the deeper motivations, fears, and desires that shape how we think, feel, and behave. It reveals patterns of conditioning you’ve picked up over a lifetime and offers a pathway toward greater freedom and authenticity. The Nine Enneagram Types The Reformer (Type One) – Principled, purposeful, and self-controlled, with a deep drive for improvement and integrity. The Helper (Type Two) – Caring, empathetic, and generous, often motivated by a desire to be needed and appreciated. The Achiever (Type Three) – Success-oriented, adaptable, and image-conscious, thriving on accomplishment and recognition. The Individualist (Type Four) – Sensitive, expressive, and introspective, driven by a search for authenticity and identity....

Nyaya is one of the classical schools of Indian philosophy. At its core, Nyaya is a system of rational inquiry that explores things like: What is valid knowledge? How do we know what we know? How can we argue effectively, without falling into fallacies or confusion? Nyaya is a practical philosophy for clear thinking, careful dialogue, and living a life grounded in truth. The Foundations: Four Means of Knowledge Nyaya identifies four valid sources of knowledge (pramanas), a concept that sets it apart from many Western traditions. Perception (Pratyaksha) : What we directly observe with our senses. Inference (Anumana) : Logical reasoning from observation. Comparison/Analogy (Upamana) : Learning something by comparing it to something familiar. Verbal testimony (Shabda) : Trustworthy knowledge from a reliable authority, including scripture or an expert. These four pillars help define how Nyaya separates true knowledge from illusion, error, or blind belief. Logi...

Yoga is very popular in the Western world. You’ll be able to find a yoga studio in most cities. Classes are packed. Instagram is flooded with yoga influencers in impossible poses. Yoga pants are a multi-billion-dollar industry. But how many of them understand the roots of yoga? How many of them heard about the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, or the philosophical roots of yoga? Yoga, in its traditional Indian form, is not merely a set of physical postures (asanas). It is a holistic system of personal and spiritual development. Classical texts like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali outline a comprehensive eightfold path (Ashtanga Yoga), which includes: Yama – ethical restraints Niyama – self-discipline Asana – physical posture Pranayama – breath control Pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses Dharana – concentration Dhyana – meditation Samadhi – spiritual liberation These practices are deeply embedded in Indian philosophical systems, which explore questions of consciousness, self, re...

In a world obsessed with ownership, boundaries, and individuality, it's easy to forget that life itself only exists because of sharing. Beneath every living cell, within every breath, and throughout every relationship in nature, sharing is not just an act of kindness. Sharing is a biological and spiritual necessity. The electrons in an atom to a vast interconnected web of ecosystems, nature teaches us one clear truth. Nothing exists in isolation. At every level of life, sharing is not optional. It is essential. Atoms are the building blocks of everything in the universe, including stars, rivers, skin, bones, and breath. But a single atom, on its own, is limited. When atoms share electrons through chemical bonds to form molecules. Water (H₂O), which sustains all life, exists because hydrogen and oxygen share electrons. DNA, the molecule that stores life’s genetic code, is a complex result of countless atoms sharing electrons in intricate patterns. Every structure in your body, fr...

The Eastern perspective on living well is gentle yet powerful. These teachings prioritize inner peace, balance, and alignment with the natural rhythms of existence. It’s an approach that shifts the focus from external achievements to internal balance. The paths of Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Confucianism have their distinct characteristics. Let us explore key principles from these traditions for living well. Embrace Impermanence In Buddhist philosophy, the concept of “anicca” or impermanence is a cornerstone of understanding suffering. We cling to pleasure, youth, and success. We resist pain, loss, and change. Our emotions, relationships, possessions, and even our lives are transient. Clinging to things as if they are permanent leads to suffering (dukkha). We must accept the change to live well. Think of a river. It is constantly moving, changing course, and evolving. Trying and holding onto a single drop of water is futile. Similarly, our lives are a continuous flow of experi...

Western thinkers, from ancient Greek philosophers to modern psychologists, offer insights into leading a meaningful life. In a world full of distractions, conflicting priorities, and existential uncertainties, having guiding principles can help us navigate life with purpose, resilience, and joy. They are not strict commandments but flexible principles, meant to be adapted to your unique circumstances. Examine Life with Curiosity and Intention Living an examined life helps you avoid drifting aimlessly through existence, reacting to circumstances without purpose. It promotes clarity and intention, enabling you to align your actions with your core values. The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates famously declared, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” This principle, echoed by Plato and later thinkers, emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and intellectual curiosity. To live well, engage with life deliberately—question your assumptions, seek truth, and pursue knowledge. This...

Asymmetry describes situations where elements, information, power, or resources are unequally distributed. The beauty of asymmetry lies in its universality. Whether you're examining biological systems, economic markets, or personal relationships, you'll find the same underlying patterns of unequal distribution creating both opportunities and challenges. We live in a world obsessed with balance. We seek work-life balance, balanced diets, and balanced perspectives. But the most powerful principle governing our reality is unbalanced. Asymmetry is the invisible hand shaping your daily experiences. Asymmetry creates imbalance, and this imbalance allows complex systems to function effectively. The heart isn't exactly centered in your chest, the brain's hemispheres are specialized for different functions, and in any negotiation, one party usually has more information than the other. These aren't flaws in design. They are features that promote efficiency, specialization,...

The art of knowing is a philosophical metaphor for the human pursuit of understanding. How do we come to know? What counts as knowledge? What does it mean to know something? The art of knowing requires patience, humility, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. It is a human endeavor, shaped by our minds, our senses, and the stories we tell ourselves about the world. Knowledge is defined as justified true belief. To truly know something, we must believe it, it must be true, and we must have good reasons for that belief. How do we verify the truth? And what happens if our beliefs are later proven wrong? The art of knowing involves balancing the contradictions of certainty and doubt, reason and intuition, and individual insight and collective wisdom. Human beings are curious creatures. We are driven by a fundamental desire to understand the world. This pursuit of knowledge, which we call inquiry, is not a singular act but a set of methods, each shaped by philosophical assumptions abo...

Intelligent journalism is a practice characterized by intellectual rigor, critical thinking, ethical integrity, and a dedication to delivering accurate, nuanced, and impactful information to the public. It goes beyond just reporting facts, focusing on depth, context, and the ability to navigate complex issues in ways that inform, engage, and empower audiences. In an age of information overload, polarization, and misinformation, intelligent journalism acts as a vital tool for fostering a well-informed society and strengthening democratic processes. Journalism plays a vital role in democracy by holding power accountable, informing the public, and revealing truths that might otherwise stay hidden. Ideally, a well-functioning press provides citizens with accurate, timely, and detailed information to help them make informed decisions about their lives. However, this ideal can only be achieved if journalists possess the intelligence, curiosity, and ethical principles needed to handle comple...

In psychology and neuroscience, a belief is a mental representation of how we think the world works. It’s our internal model of reality, formed through experience, learning, culture, and biology. Belief is a powerful force that shapes our thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions of the world. From religious convictions to scientific paradigms, beliefs influence how we interpret reality and make decisions. Belief is more than just passive acceptance of an idea. It’s a psychological and neurological process that guides behavior, influences decision-making, and even alters our physical and emotional health. Understanding the science behind belief helps us appreciate not only how it works, but also why it's such a central part of being human. At its core, a belief is a mental state in which a person accepts something as true, often without needing conclusive proof. They are formed by a complex mix of mental processes, feelings, and outside influences like culture, upbringing, and person...

Fatalism is the philosophical doctrine that all events are inevitable and that human beings are powerless to change the future. It suggests that everything that happens is predetermined, and efforts to alter or resist outcomes are ultimately futile. According to fatalism, the future is fixed, and no amount of effort, choice, or action can change what is destined to happen. This contrasts with philosophies that emphasize free will, where individuals are seen as active agents capable of shaping their paths. Fatalism often carries a sense of resignation or acceptance. However, fatalism is not necessarily synonymous with pessimism. Some fatalists find comfort in the idea that life’s events are part of a larger, inevitable plan, which can alleviate the pressure of decision-making or the fear of uncertainty. The term "fatalism" derives from the Latin fatum, meaning "fate" or "destiny," and is closely tied to the idea of an unchangeable course of events. While...

Self-love is the practice of valuing, accepting, and caring for oneself with kindness, compassion, and respect. It involves recognizing your inherent worth, prioritizing your well-being, and fostering a positive relationship with yourself. Self-love is the practice of valuing and caring for yourself. Self-love includes emotional, mental, and physical aspects, including Self-acceptance : Embracing your strengths, flaws, and unique qualities without judgment. Self-care : Engaging in activities that nurture your physical, mental, and emotional health. Self-compassion : Treating yourself with kindness during challenges or failures, rather than harsh self-criticism. Self-respect : Setting boundaries, honoring your needs, and making choices aligned with your values. Self-love is not narcissism or selfishness. It's about cultivating a healthy, balanced relationship with yourself that enables you to live authentically and support others effectively. Self-love is foundati...

Decision-making is the process of identifying a situation, evaluating options, and selecting a course of action to achieve a desired outcome. It’s a cognitive process influenced by logic, emotions, beliefs, and external factors. It is used in personal, professional, and organizational contexts. Decision-making is the process of choosing between two or more alternatives to achieve a desired outcome. It involves identifying a problem or opportunity, evaluating possible courses of action, and selecting the most appropriate option based on available information, goals, and values. Decision-making is a fundamental aspect of human life. At the core of each decision lies a tension between two powerful forces: emotion and reason. Emotion is expressed through desire and fear. It motivates us and adds urgency to our choices. Reason is operating through logic and rational thought. It offers a structured approach to navigating complexity and uncertainty. The interplay between these forces define...