7 Secrets of the Goddess by Devdutt Pattanaik explores the feminine divine in Hindu mythology, examining how goddess figures evolved, their symbolism, and their cultural significance. The book delves into the deeper meanings behind popular goddess myths, comparing them with historical and sociological perspectives. Pattanaik presents these insights through seven key themes, each revealing a different aspect of the goddess tradition in Hinduism.

Introduction

The goddess represents nature (Prakriti), which exists in contrast to the male principle, Purusha (consciousness). Adi Parashakti is the supreme cosmic power, beyond form and gender, embodying the cycle of creation and destruction. Ancient societies worshipped nature, and goddess figures were central to early fertility and agrarian cults. The shift from nature worship to structured patriarchy altered the role and perception of goddesses.

1. Goddess as Nature: Adi Parashakti and Prakriti

Lakshmi symbolizes material and spiritual wealth, highlighting the balance between abundance and detachment. Her mythology contrasts two types of wealth—Sattvic (earned ethically) and Tamasik (acquired through greed). In a patriarchal society, Lakshmi is often seen as submissive, but older traditions portray her as independent and powerful. The book discusses how economic prosperity and morality were linked to the goddess in different time periods.

2. Goddess as Wealth: Lakshmi and the Duality of Prosperity

Kali represents raw, uncontrollable power and the destruction of ego and ignorance. She is both feared and revered, symbolizing the need to accept chaos and transformation in life. Societal discomfort with strong female figures is reflected in Kali’s portrayal—either as a fierce destroyer or a benevolent mother. The book explores how patriarchal structures have tried to contain feminine power throughout history.

3. Goddess as Power: Kali and the Fear of the Feminine

Saraswati embodies wisdom, creativity, and independence, contrasting Lakshmi’s association with material wealth. She is often depicted alone, signifying intellectual autonomy and the power of knowledge over worldly possessions. The book discusses how societies that value knowledge over wealth empower Saraswati, while consumerist cultures prioritize Lakshmi. Saraswati’s role in Hindu mythology shows the evolution of thought, language, and education.

4. Goddess as Knowledge: Saraswati and the Role of Wisdom

Durga represents strength, justice, and the power to restore balance in the world. She is an independent warrior goddess who defeats demons, symbolizing the victory of righteousness over tyranny. Unlike Lakshmi or Saraswati, Durga does not seek validation from male figures, emphasizing female autonomy. The book examines how Durga’s mythology reflects societal struggles against oppression and injustice.

5. Goddess as Justice: Durga and the Battle Against Oppression

Pattanaik’s 7 Secrets of the Goddess provides a thought-provoking analysis of how goddess myths shape and reflect human society. The book challenges patriarchal interpretations of divine femininity and encourages readers to see the goddess as a representation of power, knowledge, justice, and nature. By exploring these seven aspects, the author reintroduces the feminine divine in a way that is both historically insightful and relevant to contemporary gender discourse.

Conclusion

As a pro-patriarchy individual, it is important to clarify that I am not against feminism. I honor and revere Hindu goddesses just as much as male deities. However, I strongly condemn the suppression of female power in male-dominated spirituality and wisdom. We must embrace diverse perspectives to enrich our understanding.
<ul>
<li>Gender is a complex topic that shouldn't be viewed through a black and white lens.</li>
<li>Both feminine and masculine energies are vital in achieving balance and harmony.</li>
<li>Respect and support for diverse views is necessary in evolving as individuals and as a society.</li>
</ul>

The Role of Gender in Spirituality and Wisdom

About the BookA CLASSIC GUIDE TO THE LIVES AND LEGENDS OF THE MANY GODDESSES WHO INHABIT THE HINDU IMAGINATIONLakshmi massages Vishnu’s feet. Is this male domination? Kali stands on Shiva’s chest. Is this female domination? Shiva is half a woman. Is this gender quality? Why then is Shakti never half a man? Taken literally, stories, symbols and rituals of Hindu mythology have much to say about gender relationships. Taken symbolically, they reveal many more things about humanity and nature. Which is the correct reading?The third title in the bestselling ‘Hindu Trinity’ series focuses on the Goddess and respected mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik tries to unravel the secrets locked within her stories, symbols and rituals.

philosophy

Philosophy

religionandspirituality

Religion & Spirituality

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

books

Books

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

Devdutt Pattanaik

7 Secrets Of The Goddess

”The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, left behind a treasure trove of timeless wisdom in his personal writings, known as Meditations. He believed that our thoughts shape the very essence of our lives, urging us to cultivate discipline, resilience, and a clear perspective on what truly matters. By embracing a Stoic mindset, he found strength and clarity amidst the immense pressures of ruling an empire, and he encouraged others to turn inward, master their minds, and live virtuously.

Marcus Aurelius

“You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”Marcus believed that the mind holds the ultimate power. He argued that external events are beyond our control, but our reactions and judgments are entirely within our grasp. By mastering our mind, we find resilience and inner peace, regardless of circumstances.

Acceptance:

“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”He taught that suffering comes not from events themselves but from the way we interpret them. If we shift our perspective, we can transform distress into an opportunity for growth. This was central to his stoic practice—focusing on what can be controlled and letting go of the rest.

Resilience:

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”For Marcus, virtue wasn’t something to debate endlessly—it was something to live by. He encouraged direct action over theoretical discussions, urging himself and others to embody the qualities of a good person through their daily conduct.

Self-Discipline:

“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”Marcus frequently reminded himself that life is fragile. By keeping death in mind, he believed one could maintain a sense of urgency and purpose, ensuring that every action and thought was meaningful.

Mindfulness:

“Dig inside yourself. There is a fountain of good within you, and it will keep bubbling up if you just continue to dig.”He viewed life as a communal effort, where each person contributes to the greater whole. His decisions as a leader were guided by the belief that his actions should benefit others and leave a lasting positive impact.

Service to Others:

“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.”Marcus trusted reason and rational thinking to guide him through uncertainty. He believed that no matter how difficult a situation seemed, he had the inner resources—reason, discipline, and wisdom—to face it.

Inner Strength:

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”Simple living was a cornerstone of Marcus’s philosophy. He believed that true happiness came from appreciating what you already have, rather than constantly craving more. Contentment came from valuing one’s own character and inner life over external pleasures.

Controlling Desires:

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”Marcus often started his day by reminding himself of the preciousness of life. He believed that gratitude for being alive, for the ability to think and love, kept him grounded and appreciative of the present moment.

Perspective

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”Marcus held that human understanding was limited and subjective. By recognizing that our views are not absolute truths, we can maintain humility, learn from others, and approach life with open-mindedness.

Humility

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”Obstacles, he believed, were opportunities in disguise. When faced with difficulties, Marcus saw them as challenges that strengthened character and helped one become more resourceful and virtuous.

Adaptability

“Don’t indulge in dreams of having what you don’t have, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave them if they weren’t yours.”Marcus valued gratitude and moderation. He found it wiser to appreciate the blessings he had rather than dwell on what he lacked. This approach fostered contentment and reduced unnecessary suffering.

Moderation

“If it is not right, do not do it. If it is not true, do not say it.”Stoic ethics were straightforward for Marcus: if an action wasn’t virtuous or necessary, it shouldn’t be done. Honesty and integrity guided his decisions, and he tried to align his words and deeds with his values.

Simplicity

“Confine yourself to the present.”The present moment was Marcus’s anchor. He believed that fretting over the past or worrying about the future distracted from living well now. Concentrating on the present allowed him to act with clarity and purpose.

Focus on the Present

“Dig inside yourself. There is a fountain of good within you, and it will keep bubbling up if you just continue to dig.”Marcus believed that goodness came from within. By turning inward, examining one’s thoughts and actions, and tapping into inner wisdom, a person could maintain their virtue and find enduring strength.

Self-Reliance

“A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it.”He compared the soul to a fire that consumes whatever is thrown into it, turning hardship into fuel for growth. This metaphor illustrated his belief that adversity can refine character and make us stronger.

Calmness in Adversity

“To bear trials with a calm mind robs misfortune of its strength and burden.”For Marcus, patience was a form of strength. Facing trials with calm acceptance reduced their power and allowed one to respond more thoughtfully. He saw patience as a tool to endure and overcome.

Patience

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”A tranquil mind was central to his philosophy. Marcus believed that the quality of one’s thoughts—when guided by virtue and reason—determined one’s happiness. External events couldn’t disturb a well-ordered mind.

Inner Peace

“Live in agreement with nature.”Living “in agreement with nature” meant embracing the natural order of the world, including its challenges. By aligning one’s actions with reason and virtue, and accepting life’s ups and downs, one could achieve harmony and peace.

Contentment

“Stop wishing for something to happen or complaining about what has happened. Instead, commit to becoming better.”Marcus believed in a daily commitment to becoming a better person. Instead of wishing for an ideal future or lamenting the past, he urged himself to focus on practical self-improvement in the present.

Continuous Improvement

Thank you to all who read this post!Marcus Aurelius’ wisdom offers us practical tools for facing life’s challenges. By reflecting on these principles, we can take small steps toward greater clarity, resilience, and peace. I hope these insights resonate with you and encourage you, as they have with me, to see the world—and ourselves—in a more thoughtful, balanced light. I personally have a long way to go to master any one of these!

Thank You

Timeless Marcus Aurelius Quotes to Inspire Inner Strength

mentalhealth

Mental Health

meditation

Meditation

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

“This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”﻿

To begin our journey through The Untethered Soul, Michael Singer first introduces us to understanding that we are not the voice we constantly hear inside our head, we (Self) are the one that hears that voice. This voice is used to recreate the world in our minds because we have the ability to control our mind, whereas we can’t control the world around us. Since we can’t control it, we internally verbalize it, complain about it and then decide what to do about it, making us feel more empowered. Learn to know who’s watching that voice and you’ll be well on your way to true personal growth.

The Voice Inside Your Head

“Who am I”

The inner roommate constantly narrating your life, also known as your psyche, is not consciousness. Becoming aware of that voice and understanding that you can have control over that voice is what brings us to awareness. And consciousness is pure awareness. Awareness not only of the outer world, but of your thoughts, feelings and emotions as well. If you were sitting in a room filled with objects and one by one those objects disappeared and everything is now gone, you are the one noticing that everything is gone. That center is the true self that can set you free.

The Idea Of Consciousness

Energy is the basic building block of all matter. Everything from the movements we make to reading this message requires it. Just as everything that happens in the physical world requires it. At any moment you’re able to tap into that energy if you open yourself to it and allow it to flow through you. Most of us restrict that flow by blocking our hearts and minds based on our past experiences; I.e. We smell something we don’t like and we close off the experience of that moment. It’s that simple. If we learn to stay open that energy is allowed to flow through us and keep us in a higher state.

The Energy Within

Two types of experiences can cause blockages in the heart, 1. Pushing it away because it bothers you. 2. Clinging to it because you don’t want it to go away. Either way, you’re not allowing the energy to flow through and a blockage occurs. These are called Samskaras and will control your life if you let them. Every time a Samskara is triggered, it opens and releases the energy that is trapped, causing flashes of what you experienced, good or bad, when the original event took place. The way to rid yourself of this happening is to allow it to come to your consciousness, and then Let It Go!

Let It Go

Change is constant and we can look at it as a chance for personal growth or we can fear what that change will bring. Keeping that fear inside forces you to try and keep it protected from stimulation. And the more you resist the changes happening all around you the more you feel like you’re struggling with life. That is the cause of all the dialogues in your head. You’re either trying to determine how to prevent life from happening around you, or figuring out what to do about it because life did happen. Singer states; “fear is the cause of every problem… anger jealousy and possessiveness.”

BECOMING FREE

The alternative to living a life of fear is accepting that you can’t control it. In order to fully live your life, you must release these fear blockages from your body to allow that energy the release it so desperately desires. The way you do this is just to Let It Go. When it rears its ugly head, your conscious self notices the disturbance appear and instead of focusing on it…you release it and let it go! Every time! If you don’t, it will act as a magnet and suck you back to its debilitating energy. Causing you anxiety or fear and preventing you from living the life you deserve. LET IT GO

Becoming Free (continued)

Imagine a thorn has embedded itself in your arm. Your choice is to protect that arm from harm and don’t allow anything to touch it or disturb it, or accept the temporary pain and remove it. If you decide on choice A your life now revolves around that decision. Every choice you make is dependent on how your arm will feel. How you sleep, where you go, who can touch you etc… Now imagine that thorn is a fear locked inside you. You can spend your life trying to protect it and keep it from being agitated, or you can release it and move on! The choice is yours. Just Let it Go

Remove Your Body’s Thorn

Pain is how your body tells you something is wrong externally and fear is how the psyche tells you something is wrong internally. Anxiety, jealousy, self-consciousness, insecurity…all fears causing internal pain. To combat this we try to mask these fears by making external changes. If we’re lonely, we try to find a relationship. If we’re insecure, we make changes to the way we look. These help in the moment but don’t fix what’s truly causing the pain inside. To truly be free of pain and fear we must fix internally what causes the issues so you no longer have to devote your life to your psyche.

Is The Pain Worth It

We have trained our mind to try and perform the impossible task of constantly changing the external environment to suit the needs of our psyche so we feel safe. We can’t control the weather. We can’t control traffic patterns. We can’t control other peoples reactions or moods or temperaments. But we can control our own reactions to these stimuli. To have a healthy psyche, you need to stop asking it to change the world for you. Stop asking your mind to make the world around you “safe”. Singer states, “The truth is, everything will be okay as soon as you’re okay with everything!”

The Impossible Task

Earlier we spoke about fear being the psyche telling us something is wrong. Its foundation is built upon our fears and determines our behaviors to help avoid the pain these fears bring. If we are doing anything to avoid the pain, then like the thorn in our arm, we are letting pain run our lives. To be free we must view this pain as a temporary shift in our energy flow, nothing to be scared of, but it must be confronted and released. We must determine individually that this pain we have stored is no longer able to control our lives. It is just a feeling, and that feeling will pass. Let It Go

Pain = Freedom

Wise beings do not want to remain a slave to the fear of pain. They permit the world to be what it is instead of being afraid of it…Let go and give room for the pain to pass through you. It’s just energy. Just see it as energy and let it go.”

All of our past experiences gets formed into a wall surrounding our psyche and creates the boundaries of our “safe place”. If something tests those boundaries we do our best to move away from them and get back to our comfort zone. Essentially these act as a prison to our awareness and since we try to avoid them, we have no clue what is outside of them. The secret to tearing down these walls is to stop defending them when life tries to penetrate them. Our walls are decorated with memories from the past and dreams of the future. True freedom is on the other side of the walls. Tear them down!

Removing The Walls

The universe we live in is infinite just as our soul is infinite. The only reason it seems finite is because of the walls we construct in our minds. But if we allow it to expand everywhere, we allow ourselves the freedom to experience all that life has to offer. If we continually push those boundaries it’s how we free ourselves from our self-imposed limitations and escape the psyches influence. Our choices are simple… continue the struggle of keeping our lives “safe” or decide that we’re done decorating our walls and tear them down to freedom.

Beyond The Walls

At a very young age, our psyche is built upon mental images of what we deem right and wrong. It then clings to these things and creates a foundation that follows us through life. When an external stimuli comes into our consciousness we use that foundation as protection from pain or as acceptance of love. This controls who we are and what we show the outside world as “Me”. True Self is none of that. Self is the one that observes all these things and can be free if we allow this foundation to crack and release the preconceived notions of how the world SHOULD be and accept it for how it IS.

Clinging: A False Solidity

Happiness is a choice we must make every day regardless of what influences us in this world. Easier said than done of course but in order to truly be happy we must make the decision that nothing will have the power to take our happiness away! Lost your job….be happy! Someone close to you passed…be happy! Life is going to happen regardless of how we feel about it, and we have the choice to make those feelings happy ones. “You gain nothing by being bothered by life’s events. It doesn’t change the world; you just suffer. There’s always going to be something that can bother you, if you let it.”

Don’t Worry Be Happy

Our spiritual journey should be one that is based off eliminating stress, problems and fears. These occur when we resist life as it’s presented to us. If we allow it to flow, we are simply present. We must learn to control our willpower. This power can be directed towards the physical, mental or emotional realms and it’s how we try to manipulate the world to please our psyche. Our willpower is typically used to either resist our past, or events in the future…and what a waste of energy both are! The past can’t be changed and the future hasn’t happened yet! So why waste energy on either?

The Path Of Least Resistance

It is not life’s events that are causing problems or stress. It is your resistance to life’s events that is causing this experience

The time between birth and when we die should be viewed as a truly wonderful gift. For that short time in relativity, why waste it in stress and worry? There are good times and bad throughout that journey and many events that will take place. We can harp on them and let them control our lives. Or we can allow the events to unfold, allow our hearts and minds to stay open to all that life has to offer, and really appreciate this gift we have been given! And we all know death is inevitable, but “the beauty of embracing deep truths is that you don’t have to change your life..just how you live it!”

The Gift Of Life And Embracing Death

The chapters of this book are nothing but mirrors for seeing your "self" from different angles. And though the journey we are about to embark on is an inner one, it will draw upon every aspect of your life. The only requirement asked of you is the willingness to honestly look at yourself in the most natural, intuitive manner. Remember, if we are seeking the root of "self," what we are actually seeking is you. As you read through these pages, you will find that you know much more than you thought you did about some very deep subjects. The fact is, you already know how to find yourself; you have just gotten distracted and disoriented. Once refocused, you will realize that you not only have the ability to find yourself, you have the ability to free yourself. Whether you choose to do so or not is entirely up to you. But upon completion of your journey through these chapters, there will be no more confusion, no more lack of empowerment, and no more blaming others. You will know exactly what must be done. And should you choose to devote yourself to the ongoing journey of self-realization, you will develop a tremendous sense of respect for who you really are. It is only then that you will come to appreciate the full depth of meaning in the advice: "This above all: to thine own self be true." ---- Introduction

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

mindfulness

Mindfulness

Michael A. Singer is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Michael A. Singer has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Michael A. Singer's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.

Michael A. Singer

The Untethered Soul

Defining pseudoscience is difficult. Popper introduced the Falsifiability Criterion, which states that a statement can be considered pseudoscientific if it does not make falsifiable predictions that can be proven false, ultimately refuting the theory.A common example of pseudoscience is astrology, which attempts to predict one's life using vague descriptions that could apply to almost anyone in any circumstance.

What Is Pseudoscience?

<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Many things considered to be pseudoscientific are not included in Popper's definition.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Sometimes scientists reject the falsification of a theory for good reasons, as was the case with Newtonian mechanics and the discovery of Uranus.</li></ul>

Problems With Popper's Definition

"It seems the problem isn't necessarily that the statements are unfalsifiable but how people react to the statement's falsification. Do they accept it or do they unjustifiably reject it?"

The philosophers John Dupré and Mimo Puchi argue that pseudoscience can be thought of as a cluster concept, in which different pseudosciences fulfill different criteria to a greater or lesser extent.Martin Manner has proposed a set of criteria for determining whether something is a pseudoscience, such as whether the results of experiments can be independently reproduced, whether the theories make specific predictions, and whether they use valid argumentative structures.

The Cluster Concept

Epistemically closed groups ignore or invalidate alternative perspectives or evidence that contradict their beliefs.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">They favor people that share their ideas and show low tolerance of dissenting opinions.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Statements or ideas are less critically scrutinized within the group and they have many taboo subjects. They cling to their beliefs despite new evidence refuting them.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">They follow authorities.</li></ul>

Closed Epistemic Groups

"The point is not that epistemic closeness is undesirable, but rather the reasons why it is closed to certain things and certain ideas is important."

A parasocial relationship is a one-sided bond with a person you regularly see online, such as an influencer.<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">They can alleviate loneliness, but can also become inappropriate.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Influencers use authenticity and self-revelation to build trust. Trust can lead followers to view the influencer's advice as reliable, even in areas without expertise.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The emotional connection can lead to loyalty and defence of the influencer against criticism, which can contribute to the epistemic cohesion of the community.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Parasocial relationships can foster strong loyalties that suppress potentially dissenting opinions.</li></ul>

Parasocial Relationships

Cults represent an extreme example of epistemic closure. In cults, believers are encouraged to cut off friends and family who do not join and preemptively discredit evidence that contradicts the cult's beliefs.Influencers and social media can unintentionally promote epistemically closed systems through the formation of parasocial relationships.The isolation of dissenters in the digital space can lead to a strengthening of extreme opinions. A strong sense of belonging in online groups, including conspiracy groups, can also contribute to epistemic closure.

Cults & Social Media

Efforts are needed to open up epistemically closed groups. Important strategies are:<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Strict scrutiny of ideas for precision, logic and reasoning.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Willingness to revise old ideas in the light of new findings.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Promoting a free and open exchange of ideas without fear of consequences.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Avoidance of political motivation in hypotheses.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Unbiased evaluation of research findings.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Questioning the reasons for trusting authorities.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Examination of taboo subjects and their reasons.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Active engagement with dissenters.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Strengthening awareness of peer pressure.</li></ul>

How To Open Up Closed Epistemic Groups

"It is not enough to dismiss pseudo scientists or cultists as fools, some extremely clever people have fallen into one or both of these camps. I think it is more fruitful to look at how these unreliable beliefs are proposed and maintained despite consistent evidence to the contrary and to avoid these social structures both in our own lives and in our societies."

‘Unsolicited Advice’ talks about pseudoscience, cults and the role social media plays in this.

Go to https://ground.news/unsolicited to understand how different perspectives shape our worldview. Save 40% on the Ground News unlimited access Vantage plan with my link.

Pseudoscience, Cults, and misinformation go hand in hand. But how do these communities come to be, and how are they so effective at spreading nonsense? Well, today let's find out. And let's discover the worrying way these dynamics are mirrored on social media and our everyday lives.

Support me on Patreon here (you lovely person): https://patreon.com/UnsolicitedAdvice701?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Subscribe to my Substack here for more of my writings (and my scripts): https://josephfolley.substack.com/

Wisecrack Video: https://youtu.be/7LJyvmRn864?si=ukmTKVNo-4MmW3ss

Some sources on the disputes around echo chambers:
https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.06631
https://arxiv.org/abs/2004.09603
https://www.rcommunicationr.org/index.php/rcr/article/view/16
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10388309

00:00 Pseudoscience and Misinformation
03:30 Pseudoscience: A Brief Introduction
12:45 Cults and Epistemology
20:15 Influencers and Social Media
30:19 Knowledge, Truth, and Communities

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Learning & Education

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Communication

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Videos

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Science & Nature

My aim is to provide philosophy that people may find helpful. Take what works for you, and leave the rest.

Unsolicited advice

Pseudoscience, Cults, and Social Media: Misinformation in the Modern Age

What hard thing have you been avoiding that could actually make you stronger?

What part of yourself do you hide that you wish people knew?

If today were your last day, what would you regret not doing?Why aren’t you doing it now?

What story do you tell about your life? Is it really yours, or what others want? For only self improvement enthusiasts If you are on Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/161CcrdUCV/">CLICK </a>to follow! Free self improvement blogs link is in my bio🎯🖤

When did you last feel awe—a moment so vast it made your personal worries seem insignificant?What keeps you from seeking more of those moments?

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away—so ask yourself: When was the last time you truly let yourself feel alive?"

Have you ever thought of asking questions to yourself and finding answers. This is how great people are born. Let's start?

Questions to ask yourself once in lifetime?

Avoid making superiors feel inferior

1. Never Outshine the Master

Use Enemies: Keep allies close, but rivals closer—they’re more motivated.

Never Trust Friends Overly

Keep others guessing to avoid resistance.

Conceal Your Intentions

Silence = power; vagueness creates mystery.

Always Say Less Than Necessary

Guard Reputation Relentlessly

Be bold and visible to dominate narratives.

Court Attention

Manipulate others’ labor for your gain.

Let Others Do the Work, Take Credit

Make Others Come to You

Win Through Actions, Not Arguments

Avoid the Unhappy/Unlucky

Keep People Dependent

Disarm targets with calculated kindness.

Use Selective Honesty/Generosity

Appeal to Self-Interest

Pose as a Friend, Spy as a Foe

Crush Enemies Totally

Use Absence to Boost Respect

Keep Others in Suspense

Fortresses breed paranoia; stay connected

Don’t Isolate Yourself

Know Who You’re Dealing With

Don’t Commit to Sides

1.Never Outshine the Master  Avoid making superiors feel inferior.

Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this multi-million-copy New York Times bestseller is the definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control – from the author of The Laws of Human Nature. In the book that People magazine proclaimed “beguiling” and “fascinating,” Robert Greene and Joost Elffers have distilled three thousand years of the history of power into 48 essential laws by drawing from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz and also from the lives of figures ranging from Henry Kissinger to P.T. Barnum.   Some laws teach the need for prudence (“Law 1: Never Outshine the Master”), others teach the value of confidence (“Law 28: Enter Action with Boldness”), and many recommend absolute self-preservation (“Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally”). Every law, though, has one thing in common: an interest in total domination. In a bold and arresting two-color package, The 48 Laws of Power is ideal whether your aim is conquest, self-defense, or simply to understand the rules of the game.

habits

Habits

Robert Greene is an American author of books on strategy, power, and seduction. He has written six international bestsellers, including The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law, Mastery, and The Laws of Human Nature.

Robert Greene

The 48 Laws of Power

Meursault, a man detached from conventional emotional responses, receives news of his mother's death. He travels to the old people's home, observes the rituals of mourning with indifference, and returns to Algiers the very next day. He begins a relationship with Marie Cardona and gets entangled in the affairs of his neighbor, Raymond Sintès, who has a violent altercation with his mistress's brother. This culminates in Meursault's impulsive act of shooting and killing the man on the beach.

Part One Summary:

Meursault is imprisoned and faces trial. The legal proceedings focus less on the specific act of the murder and more on Meursault's character, particularly his perceived lack of remorse for his mother's death and his general detachment from societal norms. His lawyer attempts to build a defense, but Meursault's honesty and refusal to fabricate emotions undermine his case. He is ultimately convicted and sentenced to death. In the final chapters, he confronts the absurdity of his situation and the inevitability of death, engaging in a climactic confrontation with a chaplain .

Part Two Summary:

"Mother died today. Or maybe yesterday, I don't know." (This opening line immediately establishes Meursault's detachment.) I had the impression that had always been looking for this absurd life." (Meursault reflects on his acceptance of the meaninglessness of existence.) "It didn't matter to me that I was going to die." (This statement highlights Meursault's acceptance of his fate.) "As if that blind rage had washed me clean, emptied me of hope, and in that darkness now, like a star, felt the presence of something I could never have imagined, and which yet was allT had left." (Meursault

Memorable Quotes: To

The stranger is a very short novel of less than 160 pages, it's a philosophical thriller that provokes one's mind. I will attempt to make a summary then some memorable quotes and later questions for one to think about.

With the intrigue of a psychological thriller, The Stranger—Camus's masterpiece—gives us the story of an ordinary man unwittingly drawn into a senseless murder on an Algerian beach. With an Introduction by Peter Dunwoodie; translated by Matthew Ward. Behind the subterfuge, Camus explores what he termed "the nakedness of man faced with the absurd" and describes the condition of reckless alienation and spiritual exhaustion that characterized so much of twentieth-century life.  “The Stranger is a strikingly modern text and Matthew Ward’s translation will enable readers to appreciate why Camus’s stoical anti-hero and ­devious narrator remains one of the key expressions of a postwar Western malaise, and one of the cleverest exponents of a literature of ambiguity.” –from the Introduction by Peter Dunwoodie First published in 1946; now in translation by Matthew Ward.

The Stranger

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