Playing The Infinite Game

According to A.H. Almaas, Holy Ideas are universal truths or divine principles that reflect the fundamental nature of reality. Each Enneagram point has a corresponding Holy Idea that represents a unique aspect of this deeper truth. These ideas provide insight into the essential nature of existence, guiding individuals toward a more authentic and unified experience of themselves and the world. This is a reading of the chapter on Holy Origin, the Holy Idea for Enneagram Four. Losing sight of Holy Origin, which includes our egoic sense of a separate identity, can leadi to feelings of disconnection and a compulsion to control. Reconnecting with Holy Origin involves recognizing our inherent unity with Being and relinquishing the ego's false sense of independence, a path requiring profound self-reflection and a commitment to perceiving reality as it truly is.

Paul Auster

Susan Cain

Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche, through its exploration of existential and moral questions, holds profound relevance for individuals navigating the complexities and existential uncertainties of the Anthropocene—the current geological epoch marked by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems. Here are several reasons why this text might be essential for those feeling lonely, lost, and despairing in this era: - Confrontation with Nihilism: In an age where traditional narratives, be they religious, social, or political, are increasingly questioned, many find themselves confronting nihilism—the sense that life lacks inherent meaning or value. Nietzsche directly addresses this condition, proposing that the recognition of life's inherent meaninglessness is not an end but a beginning. It offers an opportunity for individuals to create their own values and meanings, thereby transforming despair into a creative act. - Emphasis on Individualism: Nietzsche's concept of the Übermensch is a call to personal excellence and self-overcoming. For those feeling lost in the face of the Anthropocene's vast challenges, Zarathustra's journey symbolizes the potential for individual transformation and the creation of a life that transcends given norms and expectations. This message can be particularly empowering for those feeling alienated by the impersonal forces shaping the Anthropocene. - Critique of Mass Culture and Mediocrity: The Anthropocene is characterized by mass consumption, environmental degradation, and often, a sense of powerlessness among individuals. Nietzsche's critique of the "Last Man," who embodies the mediocrity and complacency of mass culture, serves as a warning against settling for comfort and safety at the expense of vitality and ambition. For the lonely and despairing, this critique can be a call to reject passive acceptance and instead strive for a life of purpose and distinction. - Affirmation of Life and Joy: Despite its challenges, Nietzsche's work is fundamentally an affirmation of life, with Zarathustra teaching the importance of embracing life with all its pain, suffering, and uncertainty. This perspective encourages individuals to find joy and meaning in their experiences, rather than succumbing to despair. In the context of the Anthropocene, with its environmental crises and existential threats, such an affirmation encourages resilience and a positive engagement with the world. - Reevaluation of Humanity's Place in Nature: The Anthropocene forces a reevaluation of humanity's relationship with the natural world, often highlighting a disconnection from nature that contributes to environmental degradation and personal alienation. Nietzsche's philosophical ideas invite readers to reconsider their own place within the larger web of life, promoting a sense of interconnectedness and responsibility that can be both humbling and inspiring. - The Will to Power as a Creative Force: The concept of the "will to power" can be interpreted not just as a struggle for dominance but as a fundamental creative force within all life. This idea encourages individuals to harness their inner drives and passions in constructive ways, potentially offering a pathway out of despair and towards engagement with the world's challenges in creative and life-affirming ways. In essence, Thus Spoke Zarathustra presents a philosophical framework that champions the creation of individual meaning, resilience in the face of existential dread, and the potential for transformation and renewal. For those grappling with the loneliness, loss, and despair characteristic of our age, Nietzsche's work offers not just solace but a call to action—a reminder that in the midst of crisis lies the opportunity for profound personal and collective rebirth. Dig in!

Hollis

DFW

Instructions for Dialling Down Distress: a technique designed to navigate suffering, be it physical, emotional, or mental, ushering us towards a serene state of presence. By aligning each finger with distinct stages, it endeavours to assist us in recognising and managing our feelings and stress-responses, culminating in a sense of calm and optimal well-being. Article about this technique: http://stevewasserman.co.uk/dialling-down-distress-a-manual-approach-to-presence/

This technique is designed to navigate suffering, be it physical, emotional, or mental, ushering us towards a more serene state of presence. By aligning each finger with distinct stages, it endeavours to assist us in recognising and managing our feelings and stress-responses, culminating in a sense of calm and optimal well-being. Article about this technique: ⁠http://stevewasserman.co.uk/dialling-down-distress-a-manual-approach-to-presence/

Guided Wim Hof Method Breathing

Hume

Plato

Ligotti

Nietzche

In the fourth book of "The World as Will and Idea," Schopenhauer delves into the ethical implications arising from his metaphysical exposition of the Will and Representation. Here are key takeaways from each section: 1. The Affirmation and Negation of the Will to Live: - Schopenhauer introduces the concepts of affirmation and negation of the Will to live, which serve as the basis for his ethical considerations. 2. The Ascetic Attitude: - He explores the ascetic attitude as a way of negating the Will to live, thereby escaping the inherent suffering of existence. 3. Denial of the Will: - He further expounds on the denial of the Will as a path to attain a state of desirelessness and hence, a release from suffering. 4. The Concept of Nirvana: - Schopenhauer introduces the concept of Nirvana, drawing parallels between his philosophy and Eastern thought, particularly Buddhism. 5. The Insatiability of Will: - He discusses the insatiable nature of the Will, which perpetually strives and desires, leading to a cycle of suffering. 6. The Suffering Inherent in Existence: - Schopenhauer elaborates on the suffering inherent in existence due to the ceaseless striving of the Will. 7. The Transcendence of Suffering: - He discusses how suffering can be transcended through the negation of the Will, leading to a state of liberation. 8. The Ethical Implications of the Will: - Schopenhauer explores the ethical implications arising from the nature of the Will and how its negation leads to a higher ethical stance. 9. Compassion as the Basis of Morality: - He posits compassion as the basis of morality, deriving ethical actions from the recognition of the unity of all beings. 10. Justice and Loving-Kindness: - Schopenhauer discusses the virtues of justice and loving-kindness as manifestations of compassion and negation of the Will. 11. The Aesthetic Experience and the Sublime: - He revisits the concept of aesthetic experience, particularly the feeling of the sublime as a way to momentarily escape the Will. 12. The Experience of the Beautiful and the Sublime: - Schopenhauer elaborates on the experience of the beautiful and the sublime as means to attain a transient relief from the desires of the Will. 13. Art as a Path to Liberation: - He discusses art as a path to liberation from the Will, providing a respite from the suffering inherent in existence. 14. The Redemption from the Will: - Schopenhauer posits the negation of the Will as a form of redemption, leading to a state of liberation from suffering. 15. The Doctrine of Emancipation: - He discusses various doctrines of emancipation, comparing his ideas with other philosophical and religious traditions. 16. Conclusion and Recapitulation: - Schopenhauer concludes by recapitulating the central ideas discussed in the book, summarising the journey from understanding the world as Will and Representation to the ethical considerations and the possibility of liberation from the Will. In this final book, Schopenhauer ties together the strands of thought from the previous books, directing his philosophical inquiry towards the ethical dimensions and the human endeavour to transcend the suffering engendered by the Will. Through a profound exploration of ethics, aesthetics, and the potential for liberation, Schopenhauer provides a contemplative reflection on the human condition and the quest for a respite from the inherent suffering of existence.

Our culture is obsessed with the brain—how it perceives; how it remembers; how it determines our intelligence, our morality, our likes and our dislikes. It's widely believed that consciousness itself, that Holy Grail of science and philosophy, will soon be given a neural explanation. And yet, after decades of research, only one proposition about how the brain makes us conscious—how it gives rise to sensation, feeling, and subjectivity—has emerged unchallenged: we don't have a clue.

Illuminations contains the most celebrated work of Walter Benjamin, one of the most original and influential thinkers of the 20th Century: 'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction', ‘The Task of the Translator’ and 'Theses on the Philosophy of History', as well as essays on Kafka, storytelling, Baudelaire, Brecht's epic theatre, Proust and an anatomy of his own obsession, book collecting.

In the third book of "The World as Will and Idea," Schopenhauer explores the aesthetic experience and its relationship to the Will. He delves into how art and beauty offer a respite from the ceaseless striving of the Will. 1. The Idea and the Platonic Form: - Schopenhauer elaborates on the concept of the Idea as akin to the Platonic Forms, representing a higher level of cognition that transcends individual instances. 2. Art as the Way to Access the Idea: - He posits art as a means to access the Ideas, providing a gateway to a more profound understanding of existence beyond mere representation. 3. Aesthetic Experience: - Schopenhauer explores the nature of aesthetic experience, describing it as a state where one is lost in contemplation of the object, free from the demands of the Will. 4. Beauty and Sublimity: - He discusses the notions of beauty and sublimity, elaborating on how they evoke a transcendent aesthetic experience. 5. Art and Liberation from the Will: - He describes how engaging with art can provide a momentary liberation from the incessant demands of the Will. 6. The Hierarchies of Art: - Schopenhauer introduces a hierarchy of art forms, with music being the highest as it directly communicates the essence of the Will. 7. Music as the Expression of Will: - He elaborates on his unique conception of music as a direct expression of the Will, unlike other arts that represent the Ideas. 8. Art as a Means to Truth: - Schopenhauer posits art as a means to truth, capable of providing insights into the nature of reality and the human condition. 9. The Artist and the Genius: - He discusses the concept of the genius, the individual endowed with the ability to transcend ordinary perception and access the Ideas through artistic creation. 10. The Role of Art in Society: - Schopenhauer reflects on the role of art in society, its ability to provide solace, insight, and a higher form of knowledge. 11. Aesthetic Contemplation and Will-less Perception: - He elaborates on aesthetic contemplation as a form of will-less perception, allowing individuals to transcend their individual desires and attain a state of serene reflection. 12. The Moral Dimension of Aesthetic Engagement: - Schopenhauer discusses the moral dimension of aesthetic engagement, hinting at how it can foster a sense of connectedness and compassion. 13. The Tragic in Art: - He explores the concept of the tragic in art, reflecting on how it illuminates the inherent suffering of human existence. 14. Comedy and Tragedy: - Schopenhauer contrasts comedy and tragedy, analyzing how they represent different aspects of human experience. 15. The Ethical Implications of Aesthetic Experience: - He revisits the ethical implications of aesthetic experience, hinting at how it can foster a deeper understanding of the human condition. 16. Transition to the Fourth Book: - This section serves as a bridge to the fourth book, summarising the discussion on aesthetics and hinting at further exploration of the ethical implications of the Will. In this book, Schopenhauer deepens the exploration of the aesthetic experience as a means to transcend the striving of the Will. Through a contemplative examination of art, beauty, and the sublime, he unfolds the potential of aesthetics to provide insight into the nature of reality, offer a respite from the suffering inherent in existence, and foster a deeper understanding of the ethical dimensions of life.

In its adventurous happenings, its abductions, duels, and sexual intrigues, A Hero of Our Time looks backward to the tales of Sir Walter Scott and Lord Byron, so beloved by Russian society in the 1820s and '30s. In the character of its protagonist, Pechorin, the archetypal Russian antihero, Lermontov's novel looks forward to the subsequent glories and passion of Russian literature that it helped, in great measure, to make possible.

In the second book of "The World as Will and Idea," Schopenhauer delves deeper into the concept of the Will, which he introduces as the innermost essence, the kernel, of every particular thing and also of the whole. 1. Concept of Will: - Schopenhauer elaborates on the notion of Will, which he identifies as the underlying force or essence behind everything in existence. 2. Will as Thing-in-Itself: - He discusses the Will as the Kantian thing-in-itself, arguing it's the only aspect of the thing-in-itself that we can know. 3. Will and Representation: - He explores the relationship between Will and representation, elucidating how the Will manifests in the phenomenal world as representation. 4. Individual Will and Universal Will: - Schopenhauer differentiates between the individual will of a person and the universal Will that underlies all things. 5. Character and the Individual Will: - He discusses the concept of character as a manifestation of the individual will, which determines a person's actions and reactions. 6. Phenomenal Appearances of Will: - The various forms in which the Will manifests in the phenomenal world are explored, from inorganic matter to human action. 7. Will in Nature: - Schopenhauer discusses how the Will is embodied in natural forces and phenomena. 8. Will and The Human Body: - He explores the idea that the human body is a manifestation of the Will, with each part corresponding to a desire or drive. 9. Will and Consciousness: - The discussion extends to how consciousness arises from the Will, and how it forms our perception of the world. 10. Will and Desire: - Schopenhauer elaborates on how the Will manifests as endless striving and desire in human beings. 11. Suffering and the Will: - He discusses the notion that suffering arises from the ceaseless desires driven by the Will. 12. Negation of the Will: - The concept of negating the Will to escape suffering is introduced, setting the stage for later discussions on asceticism. 13. Freedom and the Will: - Schopenhauer explores the idea of freedom in relation to the Will, delving into questions of free will and determinism. 14. Will and Ethics: - The relationship between the Will and ethical behavior is discussed, leading to a reflection on moral responsibility. 15. Will and Aesthetics: - Schopenhauer returns to the notion of aesthetic experience as a way to momentarily escape the striving of the Will. 16. Transition to the Third Book: - This section serves as a bridge to the third book, summarising the discussion on the Will and hinting at further exploration of aesthetics and the idea of the sublime. The second book fortifies the understanding of the Will, showing its manifold manifestations in the phenomenal world. Schopenhauer intricately ties the Will to various aspects of human experience, including suffering, desire, and the quest for liberation through negation of the Will, while also revisiting the realm of aesthetics as a potential respite from the ceaseless striving of the Will. Through a careful analysis, Schopenhauer progressively unveils the profound implications of the Will on human existence, moral deliberations, and the pursuit of meaning.

1. Introduction to Representation: - Schopenhauer introduces the foundational premise that the world is our representation, stressing that our experience of reality is mediated through our cognitive faculties. 2. Subject and Object: - He delves into the essential dualism of subject (the perceiver) and object (the perceived), stating that our understanding of the world is constituted by this relationship. 3. The Idea of Perception: - Schopenhauer explores the process of perception, elucidating how we engage with the objects of our experience and form a representation of the world. 4. The Principle of Sufficient Reason: - He introduces the principle of sufficient reason, which governs the relationships among objects in terms of causality, space, time, and logic, aiding in understanding the structured order of the world. 5. The Speculative Nature of Perception: - He discusses the speculative nature of perception, suggesting that our understanding of the world is formed through a priori concepts. 6. The Role of Understanding: - Schopenhauer elaborates on the role of understanding in structuring our perception and enabling us to discern causal relationships among objects. 7. The Phenomenal World and Causality: - He delves deeper into how causality operates within the phenomenal world, illuminating the lawful order that governs our experience. 8. Intuition and Abstract Understanding: - Differentiates between direct intuition and abstract understanding, stating that while intuition gives us immediate access to objects, abstract understanding operates through concepts. 9. Empirical Reality and Transcendental Ideality: - Schopenhauer discusses the empirical reality of objects and the transcendental ideality of our representation of them, hinting at the limit of our knowledge. 10. Explanation of the Speculative Nature of Perception: - Further elaborates on the speculative nature of perception, reinforcing the idea that our perception is formed through a priori concepts. 11. Transcendental Aesthetic: - Reflects on Kant’s transcendental aesthetic, endorsing the idea of space and time as a priori forms of intuition, crucial for understanding the structure of our experience. 12. The Doctrine of Abstract Understanding: - Explores abstract understanding as a way of knowing that operates through concepts and judgements, facilitating our ability to engage with the world. 13. Reason and Will: - Introduces the Will as a fundamental force and relates it to reason, indicating that while reason operates in the domain of representation, Will is an underlying force that drives our actions. 14. Transition to the Doctrine of the Idea: - Transitions from discussing the world as representation to introducing the world as Idea, serving as a bridge to a higher level of understanding. 15. The Platonic Idea: - Discusses the Platonic idea of Forms, suggesting that they represent a higher level of knowing, transcending the individual and providing insight into universal truths. 16. Transition to the Doctrine of the Will: - Serves as a segue to the doctrine of the Will, linking the discussions of representation and Idea to that of Will, paving the way for the exposition of the world as Will in the subsequent parts of the work. Through these sections, Schopenhauer meticulously constructs a philosophical framework, starting from the basic premise of the world as representation, moving through the intricacies of perception, understanding, and reason, and finally transitioning to the higher concepts of the Idea and the Will. Each section builds upon the previous, creating a coherent narrative that sets the stage for Schopenhauer's further discussions on the world as Will and its implications for human existence.