Perennial Meditations

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribePerennial Meditations is a newsletter (and podcast) designed to help listeners never stop learning how to live.📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---  🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribePerennial Meditations is a newsletter (and podcast) designed to help listeners never stop learning how to live.📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---  🖇️ Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---  🦉 Additional Resources: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWelcome to another edition of the Dying Every Day series, which delivers guided Stoic meditations on the art of living. This episode is available to all subscribers (although not every episode in the series is), if you enjoy it, please consider becoming a Perennial Meditations member on Substack. There, you’ll find the transcripts to these episodes along with many other benefits!---🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWelcome to another edition of the Dying Every Day series, which delivers guided Stoic meditations on the art of living. This episode is available to all subscribers (although not every episode in the series is); if you enjoy it, please consider becoming a Perennial Meditations member on Substack. There, you’ll find the transcripts of these episodes, along with many other benefits!In this week’s meditation, we’re exploring the art of conquering oneself — through a selected passage from Epictetus.---🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWelcome back to the Sundays with Seneca series on Perennial Meditations, which explores Lucius Annaeus Seneca’s writings and Stoic philosophy. Each meditation includes selected passages from one of Seneca’s letters in search of ancient lessons on the art of living. In this week’s Sundays with Seneca series, we’re exploring selected passages from a letter known today as On Discursiveness in Reading.---🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWelcome to another edition of the Dying Every Day series, which delivers guided Stoic meditations on the art of living. This episode is available to all subscribers (although not every episode in the series is); if you enjoy it, please consider becoming a Perennial Meditations member on Substack. There, you’ll find the transcripts of these episodes, along with many other benefits!---🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWelcome back to the Sundays with Seneca series on Perennial Meditations, which explores Lucius Annaeus Seneca’s writings and Stoic philosophy. Each meditation includes selected passages from one of Seneca’s letters in search of ancient lessons on the art of living. In this week’s Sundays with Seneca series, we’re exploring selected passages from a letter known today as On Saving Time.---🖇️ Stay Connected: Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perennialmeditations/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods--- 🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast: Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

Sundays with Seneca explores Lucius Annaeus Seneca's writings and Stoic philosophy. Each week, I share a selected reading from one of Seneca's letters in search of ancient lessons on the art of living.In a letter known today as Some Arguments in Favor of the Simple Life, Seneca wrote,“I was shipwrecked before I got aboard.” I shall not add how that happened, lest you may reckon this also as another of the Stoic paradoxes; and yet I shall, whenever you are willing to listen, nay, even though you be unwilling, prove to you that these words are by no means untrue, nor so surprising as one at first sight would think. Meantime, the journey showed me this: how much we possess that is unnecessary; and how easily we can make up our minds to do away with things whose loss, whenever it is necessary to part with them, we do not feel. […] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

The Dying Every Day series delivers guided meditations on the art of living. Each meditation provides a quote, a selected passage (from an original Stoic text), and a reflection prompt to consider. These meditations are designed to help you (and me) reflect on what it means to live a good life.Change is the Only Constant“The river where you set your foot just now is gone—those waters giving way to this, now this.” (often translated as “No one steps in the same river twice….”)— Heraclitus, FragmentsSelected PassageIn this week’s meditation, we explore the art of living (and dying) through a selected reading from Seneca.Infinitely swift is the flight of time, as those see more clearly who are looking backwards. When we are intent on the present, we do not notice it; so gentle is the passage of time’s headlong flight.Do you ask the reason for this?All past time is in the same place; it presents the same aspect to us; it lies together. Everything slips into the same abyss. Besides, an event that is a brief compass cannot contain long intervals. The time we spend in living is but a point, nay, even less than a point. But this point of time, tiny as it is, nature has mocked by making it seem outwardly of longer duration; she has taken one portion thereof and made it infancy, another childhood, another youth, another the gradual slope, so to speak, from youth to old age, and old age itself is still another. How many steps for how short a climb!+ Adapted from On the Shortness of LifeReflection ExerciseConsider reflecting on how you make sense of change. In his Meditations (or notes to himself), Marcus Aurelius observed that constant change is not something to fear. Why should we look anxiously at the prospect of change and dissolution? Change is in accordance with nature: “and nothing harmful is in accordance with nature.” How would your life transform if you started to embrace (and even cherish) change? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWelcome to Perennial Meditations, a podcast (and newsletter) by the Perennial Leader Project - an organization dedicated to providing tools for the art of living. To learn more and subscribe to our newsletter, visit perennial.substack.com.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected:· Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods· Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---🦉 Additional Resources:Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWelcome to Perennial Meditations, a podcast (and newsletter) by the Perennial Leader Project - an organization dedicated to providing tools for the art of living. To learn more and read the transcript from this episode, visit perennial.substack.com.For full episodes of In Search of Wisdom, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected:· Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods· Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods· Substack: https://perennial.substack.com/---🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWelcome to Perennial Meditations, a podcast and newsletter by the Perennial Leader Project - an organization dedicated to providing tools for the art of living. To learn more and subscribe to our daily newsletter, visit perennial.substack.com.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected:· Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods· Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods· Substack: https://perennial.substack.com/---🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeHere is the latest Monday Muse with an audio meditation from the Dying Every Day series, a perennial reminder, insight, reflection, and a recommendation to consider. Be wise and be well this week!For full episodes of In Search of Wisdom, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.--- 🖇️ Stay Connected:· Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods· Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods· Substack: https://perennial.substack.com/---🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📮 Want tools for the art of living? Sign up here: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribe💀 Welcome to another episode of the Dying Every Day series, part of the Monday Muse email on Perennial Meditations. This series delivers Stoic meditations on the art of living. Each meditation provides a quote, a selected passage, and a daily exercise to consider contemplating.🎧 For more tools, subscribe to The Wisdom School on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.---🖇️ Stay Connected:Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPodsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerennialPods---🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📩 Want daily meditations (and courses) on the art of living? Sign up for Perennial Meditations: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeRegarding the art of transformation, the topic of our new series is Becoming Every Day; it is essential that we are able to work with the mind skillfully. This series offers brief guided meditations (with many ideas and concepts) connected with our upcoming course — Wisdom is the Way.Previously, I asked — “What does it actually mean to self-improve?”We discussed how transformation is not as straightforward as we think. In this episode of the podcast, we are turning our attention to the role the mind plays in the art of transformation. [...]To learn more (and support the show), visit https://www.perennialleader.com/. ---🖇️ Stay Connected:· Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods· Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods· Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/· Substack: https://perennial.substack.com/---🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:- Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archive- Listen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📩 Want daily meditations (and courses) on the art of living? Sign up for Perennial Meditations: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribePardon the interruption from our regular Sundays with Seneca series. Today, I’m sharing a selected reading from what is often referred to as The Stoic Manual for Living or Enchiridion by Epictetus. It’s part of a new project I’ve been working on called Perennial Audiobooks, intended to deliver audio productions of ancient philosophical and spiritual writings. Perennial Audiobooks is a private feed exclusively for members of the Perennial Meditations newsletter.The Enchiridion by EpictetusThis short book is a distillation of Epictetus's teachings produced by his pupil Arrian, who collected and published the master's lecture notes. It’s an instruction manual for life full of practical advice for modern living. The opening passage reads as follows, "There are things which are within our power, and there are things which are beyond our power. Within our power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion, and, in one word, whatever affairs are our own. Beyond our power are body, property, reputation, office, and, in one word, whatever are not properly our own affairs." [...]Thank you for listening; I hope you found something useful.P.S. Perennial Meditations members will receive instructions on how to gain access to Perennial Audiobooks in the coming days! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Brian Russell, the author of Centering Prayer. The episode is a recent recording from our last virtual meetup on The Art (and Wisdom) of Contemplative Practices, which was part of our Perennial Habits course. Brian is a professor of biblical studies and a transformational coach for pastors and spiritually-minded professionals. You can learn more and connect with Brian at brianrussellphd.com/In the conversation, Brian and I discuss,* The benefits of stillness practices* Knowing ourselves* The challenges of sitting quietly* Centering prayer (and the four R’s)* The Art of Acceptance* Knowing what matters in life and much moreSome of you may already be familiar with Brian; he is a previous guest on In Search of Wisdom, where we’ve explored centering prayer, forgiveness, discernment, and other topics. Although the episode focuses mainly on the Christian contemplative practice of centering prayer, many of the ideas and strategies discussed are helpful across stillness practices and traditions.To learn more (and support the show), visit https://www.perennialleader.com/. ---🖇️ Stay Connected:· Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods· Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods· Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/· Substack: https://perennial.substack.com/---🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📩 Want daily meditations (and courses) on the art of living? Sign up for Perennial Meditations: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeIn a letter known today as On the Fear of Death, Seneca wrote, "I have already ceased to be anxious about you. “Whom then of the gods,” you ask, “have you found as your voucher?” A god, let me tell you, who deceives no one—a soul in love with that which is upright and good. The better part of yourself is on safe ground. Fortune can inflict injury upon you; what is more pertinent is that I have no fears lest you do injury to yourself. Proceed as you have begun, and settle yourself in this way of living, not luxuriously but calmly." […]--- 🖇️ Stay Connected:· Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPods· Instagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPods· Website: https://www.perennialleader.com/· Substack: https://perennial.substack.com/---🦉 Additional Resources Related to the Podcast:Explore the Perennial Meditations archive: https://perennial.substack.com/archiveListen to more podcasts: https://www.perennialleader.com/podcasts This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📩 Want daily wisdom? Sign up for Perennial Meditations to receive ancient lessons for modern life: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeThe late spiritual teacher Ram Dass told a story of when he asked his guru about the path to wisdom. His guru responded, “Feed people.” Ram Dass, not entirely satisfied with his answer, rephrased the question to “How does one become enlightened?” To this question, his guru said, “Serve people.”What if the path to peace is thinking less about ourselves and our outcomes? [...]STAY CONNECTED:Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPodsWebsite: https://www.perennialleader.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe

📩 Want daily wisdom? Sign up for Perennial Meditations to receive ancient lessons for modern life: https://perennial.substack.com/subscribeWhat should we do about anxiety? Does anxiety stand in the way of finding peace and tranquility? In part 1 of our series, Peace is the Project; we discussed learning to relax. And how, in truth, learning to relax is often far more challenging than it sounds.In his classic book The Meaning of Anxiety, existential psychologist Rollo May explained that we still cling to the illogical belief that “mental health is living without anxiety.” We seem unaware that the delusion of living without anxiety reveals a radical misperception of reality. May stressed that we have “anxiety because it is possible to create—creating one’s self, being willing to be one’s self, as well as creating in all the innumerable daily activities. One would have no anxiety if there were no possibility.” [...]STAY CONNECTED:Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerennialPodsInstagram: https://instagram.com/PerennialPodsWebsite: https://www.perennialleader.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit perennial.substack.com/subscribe