🖼️ Monday Muse
The Monday Muse is a weekly collection of reminders, insights, and maxims on the art of living. The term “muse” has two meanings: (1) a state of deep thought; and (2) a source of inspiration. May the following (in a small way) be a source of contemplation and wisdom to live your highest good.
📌 Perennial Reminder(s)
The British philosopher and biographer Clare Carlisle on the restless life of Søren Kierkegaard:
For centuries theologians have struggled to explain how a loving God could have created this world, with its all-too-evident sufferings and injustices; despite every ingenious argument to resolve the contradiction between the goodness of God and the evils of his creation, this contradiction remains for many people the biggest stumbling-block to faith. Yet Kierkegaard knows as well as anyone that suffering is not merely a philosophical problem – for the task of faith is not to explain suffering, but to live with it.
Our most urgent existential questions ask not Why do we suffer? but How should we suffer? Like many religious people, Kierkegaard might wonder, in times of crisis, about the reasons for his suffering, but meanwhile, he has to find a way to live daily with the contradictions between his expectations and his experience, between his belief in God and his dispiriting knowledge of the world. […]
Source: Philosopher of the Heart
📜 Perennial Maxim(s)
The Japanese Zen Buddhist monk Dōgen (1200—1253) on hitting the target:
Follow us: Instagram | Youtube
💡 Perennial Insight(s)
The psychiatrist and author Dr. Dilip Jeste on the connection between wisdom and compassion:
You can be wise without being funny or with varying degrees of decisiveness. You cannot be wise if you lack empathy and compassion—for others and for yourself. … Among the more popular ways to boost compassion and empathy for yourself and others is a form of meditation called lovingkindness meditation, originally taught by Buddha. It’s intended to open and sweeten the mind, and thus life itself.
In essence, lovingkindness meditation involves finding a quiet time and space, clearing your mind of contemporary thoughts and stresses, and replacing them with warm, caring, and grateful thoughts about others, whether a respected and beloved family member, mentor, someone you barely know, or an erstwhile enemy. By focusing entirely on positive thoughts and repeating mantras like ‘May you live with ease. May you be happy. May you be free of pain,’ your own sense of well-being is lifted and strengthened. […]
Source: Wiser
💀 Dying Every Day
On a recent episode of Dying Every Day with James Romm, we discussed the art of acceptance:
Listen to Dying Every Day on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube
—
Thank you for reading; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
J.W. Bertolotti
P.S. If you’re interested in becoming a member but cannot afford it, feel free to request a complimentary membership or use this discount link.
