Religion us not really ablut deities. Religion is about interpreting the world through myth, rituals and folklore. As opposed to data, experimentation and rarionalism.Religion imposes a narrative structure to the world as opposed to the scientific approach. This also explains why the religious impulse is so universal.

Religion Is Not About Gods Necesarily

Orthodox Religions like Catholicism focus on belief and the manifestation of that belief. You have to șah the right words, pray and so forth. Orthopractic Religions like Judaism are much more focus on acting a certain way. How you act is more important than what you say. Clearly the first are much more popular than the second. Because talking is cheaper.

Orthodox vs Orthopractic Religions

Christianity is Judaism with product market fit.

In this conversation, Erik Torenberg sits down with Antonio Garcia Martinez, founder of Spindl and author of ‘Chaos Monkeys’, and Parker Thompson, partner at SAX Capital, TNT Ventures, and AngelList, to explore the influence of social media on society. They discuss media literacy and journalism, how politics change people's views of social media, and the rise of unique religious movements in social activism. This episode marks the first time Erik interviewed Antonio Garcia Martinez on Venture Stories back in 2019 and remains relevant today. If you're looking for an ERP platform, check out NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen. -- SPONSORS: NETSUITE NetSuite has 25 years of providing financial software for all your business needs. More than 36,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, gaining visibility and control over their financials, inventory, HR, eCommerce, and more. If you’re looking for an ERP platform head to NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/zen and download your own customized KPI checklist.  --  FOLLOW ON X: @antoniogm (Antonio) @pt (Parker) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @moz_podcast (Moment of Zen) @TurpentineMedia  -- BOOKS CITED: Chaos Monkeys by Antonio Garcia Martinez Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man by Marshall McLuhan  Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America by Daniel J. Boorstin The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium by Martin Gurri Seven Types of Atheism by John Gray --  TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:23) Impact of Facebook (02:41) Evolution of Media and Its Influence on Society (10:10) Journalism and Media Ethics (26:25) Effectiveness of Media Regulation (33:10) Facebook's Content Curation (34:02) Content Control (35:32) Impact of Algorithms on Society and Business (38:50) Generational Shifts in Media Consumption (45:57) Exploring the Ideology of Silicon Valley (49:44) Secular Religions and the Quest for Community (58:39) Future of Religion and Community in the Digital Age (01:03:36) Wrap  This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

philosophy

Philosophy

religionandspirituality

Religion & Spirituality

history

History

motivationandinspiration

Motivation & Inspiration

podcasts

Podcasts

Every week, Erik Torenberg, Dan Romero, Antonio Garcia Martinez and frequent special guests discuss what's happening in technology, business, politics, and beyond. Moment of Zen is part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: turpentine.co

"Moment of Zen"

E70:  Antonio on Social Media, Journalism, and New Religions with Parker Thompson

New Religions with Antonio Garcia Martinez

"In the stillness of the present moment lies the gateway to infinite possibilities."

"To surrender to the now is to awaken to the truth of existence."

"The mind's incessant chatter fades into silence when embraced by the power of now."

"Ego dissolves in the light of presence, revealing the essence of one's true self."

"True freedom is found in the absence of past regrets and future anxieties, dwelling only in the present."

"Each breath is a reminder of the eternal dance between life and death, unfolding endlessly in the now."

"Time is but a mirage, a construct of the mind. The only reality is this moment, here and now."

"Wisdom whispers in the silence of the present, guiding us to the depths of our soul's truth."

"The journey of awakening begins with a single step into the boundless expanse of the present moment."

"In the embrace of now, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the mundane transforms into the sacred."

To make the journey into the Now we will need to leave our analytical mind and its false created self, the ego, behind. From the very first page of Eckhart Tolle's extraordinary book, we move rapidly into a significantly higher altitude where we breathe a lighter air. We become connected to the indestructible essence of our Being, “The eternal, ever present One Life beyond the myriad forms of life that are subject to birth and death.” Although the journey is challenging, Eckhart Tolle uses simple language and an easy question and answer format to guide us. A word of mouth phenomenon since its first publication, The Power of Now is one of those rare books with the power to create an experience in readers, one that can radically change their lives for the better.

mindfulness

Mindfulness

books

Books

meditation

Meditation

Eckhart Tolle is a teacher, author, and entrepreneur. He is a German-born resident of Canada best known as the author of The Power of Now and A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. Tolle does not identify with any specific religion, but he has been influenced by multiple spiritual works.

Eckhart Tolle

The Power of Now

If you’ve ever played Tetris, you know that the game has a clear goal: to prevent the blocks from stacking up to the top of the screen for as long as possible.You accomplish the goal and win, or you lose and start all over again.Other games, like The Sims, don’t have a clear goal. Its sole purpose is to continue the play. You can build houses, find a job for your Sim, and even drown him at the pool…but the game per se never ends — only when you turn off the computer.

As James Carse explained in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Finite-Infinite-Games-James-Carse/dp/1476731713?geniuslink=true">his book</a>, life also has finite games, which have a clear goal and end at some point, and infinite ones, which don’t have winners or losers and are ongoing.And it’s important to differentiate them so you can “play” them correctly.For example, your health is an infinite game. You have to constantly take care of it. There is no point in your life that you can be like, “Oh, I’ve reached peak health; now I can relax and not do anything else about it for the rest of my life”.

Inside your health, however, there are many finite games. Running a marathon would be an example. It ends as soon as you cross the finish line and you can either accomplish it or not.But what happens when you treat infinite games life finite?Let’s focus, for example, on learning. Imagine Beth, a student who thought, “When I finish uni, I’ll never have to study and learn new things again. This phase will be over, and I’ll focus only on working”.

But as soon as Beth got a job, she had to learn how to use specific software, and later, she had to attend seminars and watch online courses to perfect her skills.Beth’s approach to learning was wrong. She treated it as a finite game when learning is an infinite one. Whatever you do for a living, you’ll always have to keep learning.Finishing your bachelor’s or master’s degree is just a finite game inside the infinite game that is learning.

The truth is that infinite games never end. You reach a goal just to realize that there are more things to improve and work on in that area of your life. Problems don’t disappear but rather evolve. The game continues.And the best way to “play” it is by making it enjoyable

Life is a game, and it’s much more fun if you play it as your own game, so stay light and loose and relaxed.

personaldevelopment

Personal Development

habits

Habits

entertainment

Entertainment

How To Play The Game Of Life

“Waste no time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”

“The boy who is going to make a great man must not make up his mind merely to overcome a thousand obstacles, but to win in spite of a thousand repulses and defeats.”

“In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves... self-discipline with all of them came first.”

“Nothing great will ever be achieved without great men, and men are great only if they are determined to be so.”

“The price of greatness is responsibility.”

Real good men lead by their actions, not by what others say what they should do to be a good man.

Understand yourself and those around you.

psychology

Psychology

loveandrelationships

Love & Relationships

Being a good man.

They are playing a game. They are playing at not playing a game. If I show them I see they are, I shall break the rules and they will punish me. I must play their game, of not seeing I see the game.

Il y en a qui contestent, qui revendiquent et qui protestent. Moi je ne fais qu'un seul geste, je retourne ma veste. Je retourne ma veste toujours du bon cote.There are those who contest, who demand and who protest. I only make one move, I turn my jacket inside out. I always turn my jacket the right side out.

Everybody's playing the game, but nobody's rules are the same.Never make a promise or plan. Take a little love where you can.Never stay too long in your bed. Never lose your heart, use your head.Never take a stranger's advice. Never let a friend fool you twice.Never be the first to believe. Never be the last to deceive.Never leave a moment too soon. Never waste a hot afternoon.Never stay a minute too long. Don't forget the best will go wrong.Better learn to go it alone. Recognise you're out on your own.Nobody's on nobody's side.

Sometimes schizophrenics and opportunists make more sense than bigots.

politics

Politics

artsandculture

Society, Arts & Culture

“Everybody’s Playing A Game. Nobody's On Nobody's Side.”

Happiness doesn’t appear out of nowhere. Real happiness sprouts from a chain of struggles and feels more meaningful when worked hard for. So the more interesting question you can ask yourself is, “What are you willing to struggle for?”, “What pain can you sustain in your life?”

You can’t live a pain-free life

Choose one and set your Values and Metrics wisely. Core values we believe or set to ourselves is what defines us on how we perceive what makes us feel good, what is our metrics to say that we are successful with something. Not reaching that metric makes us feel like a failure.

Core Values are our Metrics

SHTTY VALUES

While it is a good thing to have, only prioritizing pleasure in an unhealthy dosage can be really bad.

Pleasure

Do not over fixate measuring your success with the material things you have, like for example luxury items and grand travels.

Material success

A value that prevents one from learning from their mistakes. You’re just going to have a hard time covering up your bullshit.

Always being right

Positivity is good. However, sometimes this may lead you to avoidance of negativity rather than accepting it in a healthy way.

Emotions are merely how we respond to things or situations.

Emotions are only feedback

Life is a continuous progress of learning, and growing. If you don’t find yourself making mistakes a few times, or from time to time, you’re not growing. It doesn’t mean you can’t be right, but along the way as you learn, you become less wrong, but not perfectly right.

You’re wrong about everything

Don’t try. The more we pursue and chase something, the more disappointed we feel if we don’t achieve it. The world or life is never meant to be linear or go through a linear progress. Ever wonder why the less we care about doing something the more we do better at it?

The Backwards Law

Most people have this identity created from the values they have set themselves. For example, a woman wants to discuss to be more adventurous in the bedroom, but she is afraid to do so because it goes against her identity of being a “reserved, quiet, woman.” Kill that identify. Do not be afraid to be reborn with another identity if that’s what you wish for.

Law of Conversion

A man once said, “I think the brain is the best organ in my body” and then he remembers who told him that.

Our brains are wired to be biased over what we believe in.

Stop trying to be unique, stop trying too hard to be the main character. redefine your metrics in a mundane way.

There is nothing unique or special about your problems

Acknowledge it, don’t avoid it. work through it until it’s gone.

Acceptance of negativity

Sometimes life is better when we have less options. Consumer culture has influenced us so much that more is better. But in reality, having a lot of options hinders our happiness, it makes us question what if we had a different choice, it provokes “the fear of missing out“ And this applies to everything in general, investing yourself in one craft, one business, one person.

Paradox of Choice

Committing yourself to one solid choice also means freedom, it makes you worry less of what else is there if you picked more choices. It also gives us the “depth of experience” you can only get when you’ve been investing in something for quite some time.

The Freedom of Commitment

The savior does not keep trying to save the victim, nor does the victim expect to be saved. To simply put it, you, the Savior, is not responsible for solving someone else’s problems, and the victim, is responsible for their own problems. It is about supporting one another, giving suggestions but not entirely controlling it, being there regardless of how they deal with their own problems.

Healthy relationship is not acting as the savior nor the victim

Death is inevitable. Confronting this sheer reality of our mortality enables us to cut the crap and choose what we will give a f*k with.To choose what truly matters, to be not afraid, to seek adventures we want. It gives us permission to live boldly, love deeply, grow, and just be yourself.

Acceptance of Death

Key Takeaways - The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

#1 New York Times BestsellerOver 10 million copies soldIn this generation-defining self-help guide, a superstar blogger cuts through the crap to show us how to stop trying to be "positive" all the time so that we can truly become better, happier people.For decades, we’ve been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. "F**k positivity," Mark Manson says. "Let’s be honest, shit is f**ked and we have to live with it." In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn’t sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is—a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is his antidote to the coddling, let’s-all-feel-good mindset that has infected American society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.Manson makes the argument, backed both by academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited—"not everybody can be extraordinary, there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault." Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek.There are only so many things we can give a f**k about so we need to figure out which ones really matter, Manson makes clear. While money is nice, caring about what you do with your life is better, because true wealth is about experience. A much-needed grab-you-by-the-shoulders-and-look-you-in-the-eye moment of real-talk, filled with entertaining stories and profane, ruthless humor, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k is a refreshing slap for a generation to help them lead contented, grounded lives.

Mark Manson (born 1984) is a professional blogger, entrepreneur, and former dating coach. Since 2007, he's been helping people with their emotional and relationship problems. He has worked with thousands of people from over 30 different countries. He regularly writes and updates his blog at: www.markmanson.net

Mark Manson

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Studies have shown that spiritual people tend to lead happier and healthier lives. Spiritual people cope better with stress, have healthier marriages, and may live longer. But what does it mean to be spiritual? Spirituality means connecting with something greater, like religion, nature, or having a purpose.

Contemplate the heavens

To grow spiritually, we must accept that death is certain. Medieval monks knew this well, keeping skeleton images as reminders of death. In the 16th century, artists painted still lifes to remind us life is short and death is certain. The book “Memoirs of Catastrophe” reminds us that life is fleeting and death is certain.

Read Memoirs of Catastrophe

Gratitude is a powerful tool on the path to happiness. Research shows that being grateful often makes people happier and more satisfied. By appreciating what we have, we break free from envy and desire. A gratitude notebook brings daily contentment and peace.

Keep a gratitude notebook

One of the most profound spiritual practices is imitating a spiritual master. We can learn from Thomas à Kempis or ask, “What would Jesus do?” in tough times, following spiritual leaders gives us valuable guidance. Every day, we can learn from Churchill, Lincoln, Winfrey, and Buffett. Their stories light the way to personal growth and enlightenment.

Imitate a spiritual master

Welcome, dear reader, to a journey of contemplation and self-discovery. Today, we explore spirituality and how it brings happiness and fulfilment.

Welcome, dear reader, to a journey of contemplation and self-discovery. Today, we explore spirituality and how it brings happiness and fulfilment. Contemplate the heavens Studies have shown that spiritual people tend to lead happier and healthier lives. Spiritual people cope better with stress, have healthier marriages, and may live longer. But what does it mean…

Adopting Spiritual Practices: A Route to Joy and Contentment

“When was the last time you felt grateful because nothing happened?”You don’t live in a war zone, like many others. You are not starving and suffering from famine, like many others. You didn’t have a heart attack. Nobody shot at you or robbed your home while you were gone.

1. BE GRATEFUL FOR NOTHING.

“Every circumstance, no matter how complex, challenging, and frustrating, contains a positive seed that should be nurtured.”Practice simply to give thanks for what we have received.

2. MAKE GRATITUDE YOUR CENTRAL SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Be especially grateful for having to deal with annoying people and difficult situations, because without them ... how could we practice patience, exertion, mindfulness, loving-kindness, or compassion? It is by dealing with such challenges that we grow and develop.

3. APPRECIATE IRRITATING PEOPLE.

“These two people are hard to find in the world. Which two? The one who is first to do a kindness, and the one who is grateful and thankful for a kindness done.”

4. BECOME HIGHLY RESPONSIVE TO KINDNESS RECEIVED.

Train yourself to see a positive in the presence of many negatives.Every circumstance, no matter how complex, challenging, and frustrating, contains a positive seed that should be nurtured.

5. LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING.

Take a few minutes at the end of each day to mentally note the many people who have invisibly served you by providing medicine, shelter, safety, food, and education.”

6. EXPAND YOUR MINDFULNESS.

Many Buddhist monks begin each day with this chant of gratitude: “With gratitude I remember the people, animals, plants, insects, creatures of the sky and sea, air and water, fire and earth, all whose joyful exertion blesses my life every day. With gratitude I remember the care and labor of a thousand generations of elders and ancestors who came before me…..

7. Start each day like a Buddhist monk.

Building your sense of thankfulness the Buddhist way. Not because you have to be grateful.

Gratitude is powerful. Building your sense of thankfulness the Buddhist way.

Seven Buddhist Lessons in Gratitude 

A clear mind leads to effective problem-solving. Developing unambiguous, logical thoughts is crucial for understanding and interacting with the world efficiently.

Clarity in Thought

As a stoic philosopher and Roman emperor, Aurelius mastered clear thinking, which underpinned his successful reign and philosophical writings, especially in his work "Meditations."

Marcus Aurelius' Legacy

Integrating routines like the <a href="https://d009cbdeoz0hwoa63kwk45y2wq.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=livk">Hyperbolic Stretching Program</a> can support physical health, while "<a href="https://28e11jngq10f5s3clfrl64zr11.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=deepk">The Genius Wave</a>" audio stimulates brain function, and <a href="https://freemeditationscripts.com/meditation-script/anxiety/calming-the-storm-a-free-guided-meditation-script-for-anxiety/">meditation scripts </a>from free resources enhance mental clarity, all contributing to clearer thinking and effective problem-solving.

Complementary Practices (BONUS)

Formulating thoughts into straightforward, logical statements can drive purposeful actions and yield tangible feedback, enhancing one's ability to navigate life's challenges.

Actionable Insights

By continuously refining our thought processes and understanding of the world, we improve our problem-solving capabilities, leading to personal and professional growth.

Enhanced Problem-Solving

Embracing the disciplined thinking approach of Marcus Aurelius equips us with the tools to analyze, act, and adapt more effectively in our pursuit of success and fulfillment.

Philosophical Acumen

Embark on a journey of mental clarity and strategic thinking with the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius. Learn how to enhance your cognitive processes and problem-solving skills through the art of clear thinking.

Keep exploring at https://brilliant.org/freedominthought. Get started for free, and hurry—the first 200 people get 20% off an annual premium subscription.

WISDOM WEDNESDAY. Every week, you’ll get five powerful quotes from timeless thinkers (combined with some original insight): https://freedominthought.com/newsletter

ABOUT THE VIDEO
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In this video, I talk about how to think clearly. 

The better you get at thinking, the better you get at solving problems. And good thinking begins with clarity.

And if you want to think clearly and improve your ability to solve your own problems, organize your thoughts. Reduce their ambiguity and make them clear by turning them into simple if-then statements. Clear logic leads to clear thoughts. Clear thoughts lead to clear and intentional action. Clear and intentional action leads to clear feedback. Clear feedback leads to an improved understanding of the world. And a clearer understanding of the world leads to a better ability to solve problems.

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videos

Videos

scienceandnature

Science & Nature

Freedom in Thought

How to Think Clearly | The Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

Originating with Zeno of Cyprus, Stoicism emphasizes calmness under pressure and teaches that while we can't control external events, we can control our reactions to them.

Stoic Foundations

Central to Stoicism are four virtues: practical wisdom, temperance, justice, and courage, guiding individuals to lead lives of integrity and ethical action.

Virtues of Stoicism

Stoicism has shaped great minds and leaders, from Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius to Nelson Mandela, providing strength and resilience in turbulent times.

Influence on Leaders

Integrating practices like the <a href="https://d009cbdeoz0hwoa63kwk45y2wq.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=livk">Hyperbolic Stretching Program</a> can support Stoic discipline, while "<a href="https://28e11jngq10f5s3clfrl64zr11.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=deepk">The Genius Wave</a>" audio enhances mental clarity, and <a href="https://freemeditationscripts.com/meditation-script/anxiety/calming-the-storm-a-free-guided-meditation-script-for-anxiety/">free meditation scripts</a> from resources foster the tranquility essential for Stoic reflection.

Tools for Enhancing Stoic Practice

Its principles resonate with contemporary psychology, influencing therapies that focus on changing our perceptions and reactions to life's challenges.

Modern Relevance

Stoicism’s enduring wisdom teaches us to seek internal harmony and moral purpose, proving its timeless relevance in navigating life's complexities.

Philosophical Endurance

Embark on a journey through Stoicism, an ancient philosophy that teaches virtue, tolerance, and self-control. Discover how its principles can lead to personal improvement and a more balanced life.

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-philosophy-of-stoicism-massimo-pigliucci

What is the best life we can live? How can we cope with whatever the universe throws at us and keep thriving nonetheless? The ancient Greco-Roman philosophy of Stoicism explains that while we may not always have control over the events affecting us, we can have control over how we approach things. Massimo Pigliucci describes the philosophy of Stoicism. 

Lesson by Massimo Pigliucci, animation by Compote Collective.

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TED-Ed

The philosophy of Stoicism - Massimo Pigliucci

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