Category: Self-help

Robinson Crusoe and Building A Psychologically Rich Life

Post author By Jing Kang Huang
Post date August 3, 2024

Why Would You Do That, Robinson Crusoe?

“I was born in the year 1632, in the city of York, of a good family, though not of that country, my father being a foreigner of Bremen, who settled first at Hull. He got a good estate by merchandise, and leaving off his trade, lived afterwards at York, from whence he had married my mother, whose relations were named Robinson, a very good family in that country, and from whom I was called Robinson Kreutznaer; but, by the usual corruption of words in England, we are now called – nay we call ourselves and write our name – Crusoe; and so my companions always called me.”

The classical story, published in 1719 by Daniel Dafoe, begins. Robinson Crusoe was a young man. As with most things young, he was inexperienced, which led to his ultimate demise.

Crusoe was very insistent on setting sail on a ship to see what awaited him beyond the horizon. It was the thought of great romance and chivalry. All his thoughts would seem extinguished by the unwillingness of his mother to bid her young son farewell and his father being very objected to him leaving. His father was confident that the middle station was the best. Not worried about food and not burdened by the greed and pride that the high life presents. The middle station, the upper part of the low life, was best suited for happiness.

Crusoe, of course, was not convinced. After some trivial encounters in town, especially at the local pub, Crusoe heard about a ship that would set sail very soon. He got on board and left, where, after a series of already traumatising events, he would be stranded on a remote island for over a decade before finally returning to Europe.

On the remote island, Crusoe encountered all sorts of challenges. He was starving, afraid of the elements, and lonely. I would personally opine that loneliness was the biggest obstacle he faced.

If only Crusoe had known what would happen, he would have acted differently.

Or would he?

We inevitably face difficulties in life. We often sigh in the face of tragedies and failures. Yet the question is: is a life of hurdles, a life not worth living?

The Factors of the Good Life

First of all, one may ask: what makes a good life? The conventional factors for a good life were either having lived happily, called the hedonistic life, or having lived meaningfully, the eudaimonic life, which is the life advocated by Aristotle in his work The Nicomachean Ethics.

A majority of us would call these two lives a good life.

A happy life would be associated with high socioeconomic status, extraversion, well-maintained interpersonal relationships, and a stable job.

A meaningful life would mean a life with a purpose—to satisfy the human urge to serve a greater good. These are all lives well lived, no doubt. But what about the case of Robinson Crusoe?

At the end of the story, Robinson Crusoe does not specify his state of mind. Even though we can infer that he probably has had enough of life, judging by his volatile character, we could never know. The book ends with the following: “All these things, with some very surprising incidents in some new adventures of my own, for ten years more, I may perhaps give a further account of hereafter.” He does not say whether this is the final adventure. For the sake of the following argument, we will suppose that Robinson Crusoe did have the urge for future adventures. In this case, why? He knows it will not bring him happiness, as testified by his grievances on the faraway island. And he knows it will not bring him any particular sense of meaning to life, more so the opposite.

Introducing the Third Factor of the Good Life: A Psychologically Rich Life

Could there be a different kind of life that can be known as the Good Life? The psychologically rich life is one of them, proposed in this paper authored by Shigehiro Oishi and Erin C. Westgate.

What is a Psychologically Rich Life?

A psychologically rich life is a life filled with novel, refreshing experiences. Most importantly, these experiences have to be perspective-changing.

Here are two distinct examples from the paper:

Suppose this situation happens. Since young, Bob has always thought that musicals are lame and that only lame people watch musicals. Naturally, he has developed a preconceived bias toward musicals. However, his refusal only aroused more annoying effort from his friends to persuade him to watch a musical with them. In the end, he succumbed to them. The musical began, and Bob was utterly unimpressed by an actress on a flying carpet, calling it lame. As the music progressed, it emotionally pulled Bob in. He slowly starts experiencing emotions. Something felt wrong, he thought. No, he slowly realised something. From then on, musicals were no longer a cringe-worthy affair for him.
Suppose another situation. You are at the reception of a hospital, waiting for your turn. Suddenly, a shirtless man storms out of the examination room. He shouts, “Aliens are real! Aliens are real!”. Then, he proceeds to jump on the coffee table, take out a bar of pure chocolate, and inhale the whole thing.

Both situations are novel, refreshing, and potentially mind-blowing. However, only the former case will add to the psychological richness. The second situation, however novel it may be, is not psychologically enriching. The difference between the two is that Bob changed his perspective and that your being at the examination reception did nothing for your current view.

When Crusoe set foot on his first ship, it was novel. But was it psychologically enriching? Not quite. The psychological richness comes after he has been stranded on the island, when he starts to view life differently, going from being a rebellious youth to a maturing adult.

Learn more about practicing mindfulness here.

How to Know that I Am Living a Psychologically Rich Life?

How can we know that the third factor is distinct from the other two factors and that this is not just a mere play of words?

In the paper, a questionnaire was imposed upon participants from various nations to describe their ideal life to test the theory; they were to use 15 features to narrate the Good Life. Words such as happy, comfortable, and stable would be associated with a happy life; meaningful and fulfilling would be meaningful lives; and eventful and interested would correspond to a psychologically rich life.

The study shows that about 80–90 per cent of the populace split between a happy or meaningful life. Around 10 to 20 per cent of the population was inclined to a psychologically rich life.

The Effects of Pursuing Psychological Richness

Having a life that is rich in psychological-rich, perspective-changing experiences can have a few benefits:

We can effectively deal with boredom

Psychological richness is a coping mechanism for boredom. The same study showed that “maladaptive responses to boredom are thought to spur several societal problems, including gang violence.” People who feel bored are likely to venture out and seek experience, regardless of whether it is pleasant or unpleasant. Activities such as after-school curricula, including sports and the arts, play an active role in reducing violence in a community.

living an adventurous life — *Image Source: Vecteezy*

We can better face tragedies and adversities

Victims of natural disasters face significant blows to their happiness. Tragedies like these contribute to financial and livelihood losses, often making people lose hope. However, this does not mean that the victims of such tragedies will live on for the rest of their lives unmotivated. Yes, they may feel sadness and despair, but many later become activists for such causes. The psychological richness of such experiences changes them and encourages them to spread the message.

Malala miraculously survived a bullet to her face while on the school bus. Now, she dedicates her life to advocating for female education and rights. She may not necessarily have felt any happier or more meaningful. However, her experiences cajole us to say she lives a good life.

Seeking A Psychologically Rich Life in 3 Simple Steps

Psychologically rich experiences and a preference for it do not fall into our laps and are arguably also not necessarily inborn, meaning it is possible to seek psychologically rich experiences and reap the benefits of having such an outlook! Here are some suggestions:

Do more.

Involve yourself in various activities. Take up a new hobby, travel to new places, and organise or participate in more events. Each new experience offers opportunities for growth and learning.

Step out of your comfort zone. Always challenge yourself.

Most importantly, reflect. Whatever you have done, by the end of the day, sit down and think to yourself about what you have done and how you would have done what you did. Do not entrap yourself in the past. Think of it as free, do-it-yourself lessons.

Pro Tip: Don't forget to take a step back and slow down in life sometimes. Learn more about the art of slow living here.

Keep an open-minded attitude.

Stay sceptical but not judgmental. The difference between the two is that scepticality is not to be convinced of a matter due to reason; being judgmental is to reach a quick conclusion without reason. Due to our preconceived biases shaped by our environment, we reject things mindlessly without even trying to understand what they are about. A great example is the story of Bob going to a musical mentioned above.

Be curious. Ask questions, seek new information, and remain receptive to alternative perspectives.

a psychologically rich life — *Image Source: Vecteezy*

Embrace epistemic humility.

Always remember that we are limited creatures. We have come very far and hopefully still have very far to go. We will never be sure of what we know. We have been wrong countless times in countless events in history. What is stopping that from happening again? We often look back to the Medieval Age and laugh at those against the Earth being round. A few decades later, we will look back at humanity and comment on our foolishness. We are foolish. And hopefully, we will continue to know ourselves to be foolish. To know that you were once and recently a fool is one of the best feelings, for it means growth.

Final Thoughts

Note that the third factor, the psychologically rich life, is only another factor in a good life and there can be many others. What matters, at the end of the day, is keeping an open mind to view and pursue a good life in different manners, be it from a happy, meaningful as well as a psychologically rich perspective.

We will end this article with some words from the man.

I learned to look more upon the bright side of my condition, and less upon the dark side.
Robinson Crusoe

Reference(s):

https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/rev-rev0000317.pdf

Tags happiness, meaning, wellbeing

How-tos Self-help

Living on Autopilot: Milk or Cereal First?

Post author By Veda Nantakumar
Post date March 21, 2024

Subway Surfers is a popular childhood game which involves simple rules of jumping up, rolling down, swiping left or right, or choosing boosters/headstarts to advance further in the game. When you crash, you can save yourself with diamonds or watch a 30-second advertisement to keep the game going.

Okay, maybe you don’t play games. But surely you eat breakfast?

So, let’s say you have cereal for breakfast. Do you put milk into the bowl first or do you add cereal in first? Perhaps adding milk first would cause the cereal to get soggy later or maybe inedible, yet adding cereal first may make you too full. Does adding milk first make the cereal less favorable or maybe it just doesn’t matter?

Ok maybe you don’t eat cereal. But at least you do brush your teeth?

When you brush your teeth, do you pay attention to which hand you use to brush your teeth, and have you ever tried to brush your teeth with the less dominant hand? Most of us wouldn’t bother changing the hand we use to brush our teeth because first of all, it is more challenging to use your less dominant hand, simply because you’re not used to it. And… it’s early morning, why would you even care to which hand you use as long as you get the job done?

What is Living on Autopilot?

Busy streets with people walking and living life on autopilot — *Image Source: Pexels*

Our lives consist of many daily habits and routines. They shape how our days go and they fulfill our necessities – taking care of our hygiene, eating, working, exercising and so on. Yet, have you ever wondered the multitude of actions we undertake without conscious consideration in our daily lives? Do we pause to contemplate or reflect upon the reasons behind our daily routines?

Autopilot is a ‘system used to control the path of air, marine or space craft without requiring constant control by a human operator’. Similarly, for our daily activities, being on autopilot involves “zoning out” – losing focus yet being able to continue doing something without “really thinking”.

Being on autopilot isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

For instance, autopilot can be a great tool for maintaining discipline when used in the right way. Many of our New Year’s resolutions, such as weight management, overcoming addictive habits, or learning a new language, often falter due to a mixture of emotions and goals. By operating on autopilot, we can perform them without “really thinking”, and in doing so, we can focus solely on the task at hand, and we may even achieve our resolutions.

Whenever we have a thought, it typically triggers an associated emotion, and vice versa—when we experience emotions, we often contemplate what to do about them. Being on autopilot circumvents this cycle of thought-emotion interaction, minimising “overthinking” and spending more time actually doing.

Overthinking lady — Image Source: Unsplash

However, some may argue that it doesn’t truly constitute living one’s life; instead, it’s akin to mere existence. Habits and routines are inherent to the human mind; they are regular practices that evolve over time and are often triggered by other actions.

For instance, everyone has different morning routines. Some prefers showering immediately after they wake up in the morning, some may make their bed first, and some prefer heading for their first cup of coffee before starting their day. The point here is that we are predisposed to engage in certain actions—whilst most of the time this tendency serves us well, are we always aware of what it is that we are doing?

Being conscious of what you do daily is a big part of being on autopilot, because in our daily lives, we are used to the habits we take on, but may not always think why we do it or how we do it.

How to Know that I Am Autopiloting?

Here are a few ways you might be on autopilot without even you knowing and why you should try to get out of it.

1. You may be Reacting instead of Responding.

Being on autopilot would cause you to react instead of responding. It’s pretty easy to confuse these two actions as both of them are based on your individualities. But being aware of them may benefit you in order to think critically and deeply about your daily habits.

Reacting	Responding
Instinctive and reflexive	Thoughtful processing
Immediate	Takes time
Emotional, flight or fight system	Rational, reasoning faculty

Example of Reacting

When a driver in front of you cuts you, the first reaction may be to “react” angrily or honk. When you start to head home from work during the usual rush hour, your mind may immediately get into a negative mode for you to get used to the long wait of the jam. This is a reaction and it is to prepare you mentally for the upcoming situations you may not want to experience.

Example of Responding

If a driver cuts you over, you simply give it some time before you see what you should do next. Taking some time to calm down and not react immediately. Responding takes time and deliberation which breaks the autopilot mode you are in, because you’re absorbing the information that you have at the moment instead of reacting for the sake of it.

2. Your Brain is Idle

Crying idle brain — *Image Source: Pexels*

Our daily routines are based on functions. If A happens, I do B. If A doesn’t happen, I do C. And these routined functions are predictable and they keep the brain idle.

The COVID-19 pandemic created an abundance of idle and repetitive habits, as many of us transitioned to remote work and experienced limited exposure to the outside world and its unpredictable interactions. A typical day might involve waking up, having breakfast, perusing the news, completing online work tasks, and then retiring for the night.

The way to break brain idleness is by switching up minimal habits, such as trying to cook yourself breakfast or waking up an hour earlier. One small change leads to a big impact. Who knows - maybe trying to cook your own breakfast in the morning may spark an interest in culinary, and waking up an hour earlier may motivate you to get involved in a new sport or diving into a new book. Even things as small as brushing your teeth with your less dominant hand may spark new findings.

3. You are Desensitised

Desensitization occurs when constant exposure to something diminishes the impact of our emotions or feelings towards it. This leads to normalization, where we become less reactive because we’ve grown accustomed to the emotion or stimulus.

Consider this:

Whenever you watch stand-up comedy or any type of show, do you ever question why you enjoy it so much or find out what really makes you laugh at the jokes? Or are we simply mindlessly absorbing the entertainment because it makes us feel happy? One may argue that hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins are all released when we engage in activities we enjoy, causing our brain goes to autopilot to focus on the enjoyment. But perhaps we simply choose not to think as it requires too much effort. Why bother thinking when you can just laugh and have fun, right?

Kardashian Reality TV Show — Image Source: primertimer.com

Yet, overconsumption or repetitive absorption of media without questioning can lead us to normalisation. Just like when you first watch shows with violence, it may provoke a sense of pity, disgust and anger, but as you begin to watch it daily, you become indifferent because your mind is so used to it. Similarly, with comedy–where racist and sexist banters are brought up most of the time–do we ever question why we find such jokes amusing?

What Can We Do about Our Autopilot Tendencies?

1. Put Your Autopilot Tendency to Good Use

Autopilot mode is activated through repetition and consistency, similar to how habits are created. You can redirect your autopilot tendency to for goals-planning and execution.

Think about some of the goals or new year resolutions that you may or may not have achieved over the years… losing weight? Trying a new hobby? Learning a new skill?

The first step is to write them down so that you know what you want to focus on. The next step is to build consistency and repetition. Start small and let your body get used to it before increasing the difficulty.

So, for instance, your goal is to run at least 2.5km everyday for a week. As you consistently achieve this target, it gradually becomes easier and your body adapts to the routine. Once 2.5km becomes manageable, you can consider increasing the distance or incorporating different types of workouts to challenge yourself further.

Over time, your body becomes accustomed to the routine, and you may find yourself naturally yearning for a workout in the afternoon or at whichever time you’ve established as your exercise period, as your body becomes attuned to the positive sensations associated with physical activity at that specific time.

2. Stimulates Deep Work and Overcomes Procrastination with Autopilot Habits

Procrastination is a problem many of us face because we spend a lot of time think about doing the work rather than actually doing the work itself. Being on autopilot eliminates that process and can actually help with overcoming procrastination. How so?

Firstly, creating a familiar environment is essential to enter the autopilot state of mind. This could be done through establishing routines over time and by engaging our senses such as smell, taste, and location.

For instance, the next time need to get into this “deep work” state, you can light a certain scented candle or drink a cup of tea. Additionally, you can also you can dedicate an area where you only do “work” and nothing else. This helps train your brain to associate that location solely with focused productivity, eliminating distractions like watching funny cat videos or memes.

The key to entering “deep work” is to simply not think too much and “just do.” Whilst thinking is good, we don’t want to overthink our daily tasks, especially non-negotiable ones such as exercising, completing work tasks, and consuming a balanced diet.

Living Life on Autopilot vs Living Mindfully

So… does life have to always be efficient?

Contemplative life — *Image Source: Pexels*

The short answer is “nope”.

It’s important to strike a balance and not rely solely on autopilot in life. While it can be beneficial for productivity, too much reliance on autopilot may lead to a lack of spontaneity and creativity in our lives.

Try contemplating and reflecting on your actions, beliefs, and values from time to time, and question information you receive to embrace a more conscious, intentional living. Take a step back and take things slow when life gets a bit too busy and over-productive.

Efficiency itself is a social construct. Efficiency itself is a social construct. We strive to be ‘efficient’ or ‘productive’ because we have tasks to accomplish, which often leads us to sacrifice our time and energy in service to society.

However, this drive for efficiency can distance us from connecting with ourselves and developing meaningful friendships and relationships. Sometimes, we can have days where we simply just ‘blank out’ and do absolutely nothing—ahem, Sundays—and that’s perfectly acceptable.

Our minds are essential tools for navigating daily routines, and giving them a break can go a long way.

Tags how to live, mental health, mental wellbeing, mindfulness, philosophy of life

Self-help Work

Slow Is the New Cool: Why You Need to Embrace Slow Living

Post author By Zhun Yee Chew
Post date November 7, 2023

Exhausted and happy sloth lies in a deck chair on summer holiday

Addicted by Speed: The Fast Living Syndrome

Why does society detest slowness and the concept of slow living? Why is speed considered attractive, while slowness is not similarly embraced?

Let us be honest, we have all been culpable of at least one of these: getting frustrated over sluggish internet speeds or delayed deliveries from Lazada or Shopee, grumbling about the dreadful traffic during rush hours, turning to instant noodles because of a busy workday, and maybe the most outrageous of all, binge-watching Netflix at double speed because we are too busy for entertainment but refuse to compromise on leisure time.

Working adult looking at time, rushing work

These behaviours are symptoms of the “fast living syndrome”. Many of us unknowingly suffer from “time sickness”, a term coined by physician and writer Larry Dossey, which is the pervasive belief that time is constantly slipping away and perpetually insufficient.

Why do we always find ourselves in a perpetual rush? Is living at a breakneck pace the way to go? While it is undeniable that a fast-paced lifestyle can yield various advantages, such as increased efficiency, personal growth and a heightened sense of accomplishment, distressing trends are emerging.

These include children as young as 5 grappling with stress-related conditions including insomnia and eating disorders, and a drastic decline of average human attention span. Additionally, one in three Malaysians suffer from mental health issues, and over half of Malaysian workers are wrestling with burnout. These trends suggest that it is time for us to re-evaluate the significance we have attributed to living life in the fast lane.

How Did We Become Obsessed With Speed?

How did our appetite for speed and aversion to slowness evolve? This question has ties to the party in power. In ancient Greek and Roman cultures, leisure held a place of great reverence, serving as a window for the flourishing of intellectual, cultural and philosophical pursuits. The tables turned in the era of industrial capitalism. Under the rule of the bourgeoisie, we witnessed a significant shift in power dynamics. This period strongly emphasised individualism, hard work and productivity, all to the advantage of the powerful.

In contemporary society, the control and regulation that were formerly imposed by capitalist forces were internalised. As a consequence, a new form of power that operates through the mechanisms of self-control and self-optimisation came to the fore as noted by Byung-Chul Han in his book Burnout Society.

Thus, the achievement-subject gives itself over to compulsive freedom—that is, to the free constraint of maximizing achievement. Excess work and performance escalate into auto-exploitation. This is more efficient than allo-exploitation, for the feeling of freedom attends it. The exploiter is simultaneously the exploited. Perpetrator and victim can no longer be distinguished.
Byung-Chul Han, The Burnout Society

We now live in a world where we are both the master and slave to ourselves. The dichotomy that extols fast living and relentless productivity as virtues while stigmatising slow living and leisure as vices is deeply entrenched in our society that it has become synonymous with the truth.

The Consequences of Fast Living

However, as we rush through life, striving to achieve our life, career and relationship goals by a certain age, we often spread ourselves too thin, leaving little time for friends and family. We seek quick intimacy with our partners and prefer the most time-efficient forms of entertainment. Perhaps, the most ironic of all is that we desire the fastest solution to slowing down in life, as author Carl Honore described in In Praise of Slow.

What Is Slow Living? Is It Any Good?

“Slowness” frequently conjures negative images such as waiting in long queues, bureaucratic inefficiencies and unproductive work processes. It sometimes also carries the negative connotation of societal regression, suggesting a reluctance to embrace modern conveniences.

However, slowing down in life does not mean getting the short end of the stick compared with a fast-paced lifestyle. Slowing down does not entail a return to a non-technological era marked by resistance to change. It also does not require giving up on modern conveniences such as fast food, rapid transportation or instant communication, nor does it imply turning a blind eye to career opportunities.

What is Slow Living?

Slow living is an intentional and conscious choice to embrace an unhurried and reflective way of life.

It is in Honore’s words, having control of “the rhythms of your own life” or having the say of not only how but when to slow down in life.

“Being Slow means that you control the rhythms of your own life. You decide how fast you have to go in any given context. If today I want to go fast, I go fast; if tomorrow I want to go slow, I go slow. What we are fighting for is the right to determine our own tempos.”
Carl Honoré, In Praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed

In doing so, we grant ourselves the time to recharge and strike a balance in the hyper-accelerated life, consequently leading to greater productivity, improved overall well-being, more prudent decision-making, higher quality of life and relationships, and even a reduced risk of heart disease.

A good starting point is to become less neurotic about time, refraining from multitasking when it is appropriate, such as during meals, while spending quality time with loved ones or while resting, and having the courage to embrace moments of boredom and be comfortable with them.

Persuading Malaysians on the merits of slowing down is merely the start. A transition towards a mentally healthy society that sees the beauty and values of slow living will remain a challenge until we overhaul the regulations that influence nearly every aspect of life, including governance, the economy, the workplace, education, healthcare and others.

However, the movement towards a slower, more consciously paced lifestyle is gaining momentum. The Live Love Labour Festival: The Art of Bersantai, Malaysia’s first Festival of Slow Living, which was held recently is a fine example.

Final Thoughts

In a world hurtling forward at a breakneck speed, it is time for us to join the movement advocating for the value of slow living and unleash our inner sloth that has long been suppressed.

Originally published on the commentary section of The Sun Daily on October 24, 2023.

Tags mental health, mental wellbeing, philosophy, slow living, work, work-life balance

Self-help Work

30 Life-Changing Work-Life Balance Quotes for a Fulfilling Career

Post author By Zhun Yee Chew
Post date November 6, 2023

In you landed on this article, it means you are probably burnt out, stressed out or exhausted at work. Fret not, you are not alone as more than half Malaysians reported experiencing work-related stress at work according to this survey.

51.5% working Malaysians experience at least one form of work-related stress, and 12% experience high level of mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Work-life balance has become a sought after commodity in the current burnout society. In this article, we will explain what work-life balance really means, how you can practice it more effectively, as well as offer you 30 work-life balance quotes from philosophers across the centuries.

Disclaimer: While these quotes aim to assist in alleviating burnout by offering alternative perspectives on work and life, they should not be viewed as the sole remedy for burnout. If you are experiencing high level of stress and burnout, we strongly recommend you to seek professional help.

As our attempt to combat the burnout culture in Malaysia, we encouraged Malaysians to slow down their pace in life and practice a more mindful living at Live Love Labour Festival 2023.

What is Work-Life Balance?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, is “the amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy”.

Fun Fact 💡

There exists an implicit assumption that the 40-hour workweek has been the longstanding standard for centuries. We often envision medieval peasants enduring monotonous lives, working tirelessly from sunrise to sunset.

However, this is not the case. During pre-industrial times, humans work as little as 3 hours a day and work was regarded as more of an informal and casual way to kill time and sustain life. Subsequently, work-life balance is a concept that was popularised during early Industrial Revolution period when work began to occupy a disproportionately large portion of the average worker’s day, thereby becoming a concept foreign to and distinct from "life."

In contemporary society, achieving work-life balance isn’t solely about dividing time equally between work and personal life. Owing to economic pressures, achieving this kind of work-life balance often proves unfeasible. In 2016, the Department of Statistics Malaysia revealed that 83.8% of employees in Malaysia were engaged in working more than 40 hours per week. And as a result of internalising a culture emphasising constant productivity, leisure or the supposed “life” component has often been commodified and transformed into yet another form of productivity, at times relegated to just another task on the schedule rather than serving as a genuine respite from work-induced stress.

We hope the following quotes can inspire you to look beyond the pre-existing notions and practices of work-life balance and empower you to to reimagine alternatives to well-being that integrates work and life harmoniously.

30 Work-Life Balance Quotes by Philosophers Across the Centuries

“In an achievement-oriented society, freedom does not mean the absence of constraints; rather, it means choosing one’s constraints.” – Byung-Chul Han
“There is no such thing as work-life balance. Everything worth fighting for unbalances your life.” – Alain de Botton
“It is not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is: what are we busy about?” – Henry David Thoreau
“Our worth is not determined by the amount of work we accomplish.” – Wayne Muller
“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” – Buddha
“The whole life is but a point of time; let us enjoy it, therefore, while it lasts, and not spend it to no purpose.” – Plutarch
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius
“To do two things at once is to do neither.” – Publilius Syrus
“It’s an absolute necessity to recognize the value of work in making sense of life and finding satisfaction in what we do.” – Alain de Botton
“We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” – Epictetus
“We should always allow some time to elapse, for time discloses the truth.” – Seneca
“No man is free who is not a master of himself.” – Epictetus
“The person who has lived the most is not the one who has lived the most years, but the one with the richest experiences.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau
“Today, one must justify one’s existence through work. One is nothing if one does not function. Laziness is disparaged; activity is glorified.” – Byung-Chul Han
“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius
“Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” – Socrates
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu
“Lost time is never found again.” – Benjamin Franklin
“Genuine leisure is beyond the measure of work. Leisure is time that is spent for itself, for its own sake.” – Byung-Chul Han
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” – Marcus Aurelius
“The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” – Bertrand Russell
“Work-life balance is a concept that has led to a vast amount of unnecessary guilt and sense of failure. People who feel they are not working enough, or not spending enough time with their families, can often be found expressing a wish to be someone else.” – Alain de Botton
“For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Freedom is the recognition of necessity.” – Friedrich Engels
“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.” – Seneca
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” – Hermann Hesse
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the now the primary focus of your life.” – Eckhart Tolle
“We need to learn how to want what we have, not to have what we want in order to get steady and stable happiness.” – Dalai Lama
“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” – Søren Kierkegaard
“If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of.” – Bruce Lee

Final Thoughts

We hope the above work-life balance quotes can offer you fresh perspectives in finding a better balance between your personal and professional life.

As a gentle reminder to our burnt out readers, before moving on to another task on your to-do list, ask yourself: “Would it be catastrophic if I allowed myself a moment to rest?” The answer is likely a comforting no.

Tags career, mental health, mental wellbeing, philosophy wisdom, work

Self-help

A Guide to Practicing Mindfulness in Malaysia (Resources Included)

Post author By Pravin Periasamy
Post date July 25, 2023

In recent years, there has been a notable shift towards embracing mindfulness in our fast-paced and chaotic world. People are recognizing the power of being present and cultivating self-awareness. By practicing mindfulness, we foster a greater sense of inner calm, enhance our well-being, and cultivate meaningful connections with ourselves and others.

However, amidst the growing enthusiasm for mindfulness, it is crucial to question whether this trend is merely an escape from the pressures of modern life or an oversimplified solution to our complex inner struggles. Is mindfulness truly the panacea it is often portrayed to be?

In this article, I will compare mindfulness with mind-wandering, which often gets a bad rap in the realm of focus and productivity.

What Exactly is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the state of conscious awareness and intentional presence in the present moment. Rooted in ancient Eastern philosophies like Buddhism, mindfulness has transcended cultural boundaries and become a widely practiced approach to living in the modern world.

At its core, mindfulness requires one to observe thoughts without judgment or attachment, creating a space for self-reflection and gaining insight into the transient nature of our thoughts. Consequently, this leads us to recognize the value of staying in the present moment.

Benefits of Mindfulness

By being fully engaged with the present, individuals gain the following:

Stress reduction: Mindfulness helps lower stress levels and promotes relaxation, leading to improved overall well-being.
Improved focus and concentration: Regular mindfulness practice leads to better clarity in our thoughts, enhancing cognitive functions and increasing attention and concentration abilities.
Emotional regulation: Mindfulness enables individuals to become more aware of their emotions and develop better emotional regulation.
Increased self-awareness: Mindfulness fosters deep self-reflection and understanding, allowing individuals to gain greater insights into their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
And of course, perhaps the best among all, better sleep: Mindfulness practice can improve sleep quality by reducing rumination and promoting relaxation.
Better relationships: By staying present and aware, we can avoid feeling overwhelmed and incapacitated by the relentless torrent of thoughts. This ultimately transforms our relationship with negative thoughts, ourselves as well as others for the better.

Mindfulness Malaysia Resources

Practicing Mindfulness in Malaysia

Mental Health Statistics Malaysia

Mindfulness practice holds significant relevance for Malaysians, given that as much as 29.2% of adults were reported to experience mental health problems, according to a report by the Ministry of Health in 2016. It is only reasonable to assume that the current statistics are significantly higher with a series of stress that accompanies the pandemic and economic recession.

However, the good news is, there are plenty of resources for Malaysians to practice mindfulness:

Mindfulness and Wellness Centers promoting mindful living and mental wellbeing	Malaysia Mindfulness Association, MINDFULGym
Meditation Centers and Temples	Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Center, Bodhi Meditation Center, The Golden Space Malaysia, Appamada Vihari Meditation Center, Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary, Nandaka Vihara Meditation Monastery, Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Center, Bodhi Heart Sanctuary, Persatuan Brahma Kumaris.
Mindfulness Retreats	Kechara Forest Retreat, The Violent Flame
Professional Counsellors or Services	Malaysia Mental Health Association, The Help Talk, Befrienders, Pantai Hospital
Yoga Studios	Nadi Tenang, Nafas Yoga, Omsphere, Karma Yoga
Mindfulness Apps	We recommend Headspace and Calm
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Programs	Kindermind Center
Mindfulness Meetup Groups	Kuala Lumpur Meditation, Destress Yourself With Sweat and Laugh

Books and Reading Materials We Recommend:

“The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle – This book explores the concept of living in the present moment and the transformative power of mindfulness.
“Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life” by Jon Kabat-Zinn – Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer in bringing mindfulness to the West, offers practical insights on integrating mindfulness into daily life.
“Mindfulness in Plain English” by Bhante Henepola Gunaratana – This book provides a clear and straightforward introduction to mindfulness meditation from a Buddhist perspective.
“Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha” by Tara Brach – Tara Brach combines mindfulness and self-compassion in this book, offering ways to embrace life with greater acceptance and understanding.
“The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation” by Thich Nhat Hanh – Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Zen master, shares insights into mindfulness and meditation for inner peace and harmony.
Mindful.org: A website dedicated to mindfulness, offering articles, guided meditations, and resources to integrate mindfulness into various aspects of life.
UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC): Provides free mindfulness meditations and resources, including courses and podcasts, developed by leading experts in the field.
Berkeley Greater Good Science Center: Offers science-based articles and practices related to mindfulness, well-being, and compassion.

The Problems of Mindfulness

Philosopher Sahanika Ratnayake argues that by narrowing our attention to the present through practicing mindfulness, we may unintentionally detach ourselves from the broader narrative of our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This narrow focus can hinder our ability to comprehend the underlying causes and patterns of our thoughts and emotions. Consequently, it may impede our capacity to construct a comprehensive and meaningful story about ourselves and our lives.

Further problems associated with mindfulness include:

Mindless Escapism: While mindfulness encourages being present, excessive emphasis on it might tempt individuals to avoid confronting real-life issues and responsibilities by constantly seeking solace in the present moment.
Avoidance of Deep-Seated Problems: Relying solely on mindfulness might mask deeper psychological or emotional issues that require attention and professional support.
Overlooking Critical Thinking: Mindfulness can encourage acceptance and non-judgment, which are valuable qualities. However, relying solely on acceptance might prevent individuals from critically evaluating situations and making necessary changes or improvements in their lives.

The Alternative: Mind-Wandering

It is not difficult to see why mindfulness is embraced as a preferable state over uncontrolled mind-wandering.

Mind-wandering, on the other hand, offers a contrasting perspective to mindfulness, as it allows individuals to explore their thoughts and inner worlds without feeling estranged. Mind-wandering refers to the phenomenon where a person’s attention shifts away from their current task or the external environment.

In simple terms, it is a state of daydreaming or being lost in thought about the wildest fantasies, ruminating about your sentimental past, or worrying about the future (which happens very often in online meetings). This mental state does not have a focus, and can be spontaneous and involuntary, occurring without deliberate intention.

However, mind-wandering has garnered a bad reputation, often times being associated with reduced productivity, impaired attention, and decreased performance on tasks that require sustained focus. Rarely we hear people talk about the benefits of mind-wandering.

Mind wandering can restore our psychological balance by producing dream material that re-establishes, in a subtle way, the total psychic equilibrium.
Carl Jung, Man and His Symbols

Benefits of Mind-Wandering

However, contrary to popular opinions, mind-wandering can actually be beneficial.

Mind-wandering can lead to:

Enhanced Creativity: Mind-wandering allows the mind to explore various thoughts and ideas freely. This not only grant a sense of freedom and liberation to the mind, it also foster creative thinking.
Improved Self-Reflection: Mind-wandering provides an opportunity for introspection and self-reflection on our innermost desires and values, fostering a connection with our authentic selves.
Future-oriented Thinking: When the mind wanders, individuals often engage in future-oriented thoughts and goal setting, allowing us to envision our aspirations and plan steps to achieve them.
Psychological Rest: Mind-wandering can offer a break from demanding tasks or stressful situations, providing a form of mental relaxation, contributing to improved overall well-being.

Researchers have also emphasized that letting the mind wander is healthy and isn’t unguided thinking necessarily. According to Carl Jung, in his book Man and His Symbols, mind wandering can “restore our psychological balance by producing dream material that re-establishes, in a subtle way, the total psychic equilibrium.”

This is because such wandering encourages us to explore the mind without fearing that we may be pacified by our own minds, achieving greater control. In short, by embracing mind-wandering, we can navigate the intricacies of our minds while still maintaining a sense of familiarity and belonging.

Mindfulness or Mind-Wandering?

Mindfulness	Mind-Wandering
Focus on the present moment	Future-oriented
Cultivates creative exploration and processing of complex emotions	Cultivates presence, focus, and emotional regulation

The notion of a strict dichotomy between mind-wandering and mindfulness overlooks the inherent value of both. While it is true that mindfulness is the more popular way of self-introspection and reflection, mindfulness alone may not be able to help us achieve optimal wellbeing in our lives.

Hence, it is only through embracing both perspectives that allows us to navigate the spectrum of human experience. It is through the harmonious interplay of mind-wandering and mindfulness that we can lead a rich and fulfilling life.

Final Thoughts

So, take the time to deliberately focus and meditate on your thoughts. And if you find yourself wandering off course, don’t immediately beat yourself up!

Besides, what may be important, when considering our psychological well-being,

It’s not the events of our lives that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean.

Clifton Mark

Tags mental health, mental wellbeing, mindfulness

How-tos Self-help

Wisdom of Philosophy and Mental Wellbeing: How Wisdom Wards Off Mental Pests

Post author By Pravin Periasamy
Post date May 31, 2023

Wisdom of Philosophy

Introduction
1. Wisdom of Buddhist Philosophy
Takeaway
2. Wisdom of Christian Philosophy
Takeaway
3. Wisdom of Islamic Philosophy
Takeaway
4. Wisdom of Greek Philosophy
Takeaway
5. Wisdom of Hindu Philosophy
Takeaway

Introduction

“An idea.” “Resilient, highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain, it’s almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is fully formed. Fully understood, that sticks. Right in there somewhere.”
The Inception

In the opening scene of the movie “Inception”, Mr. Cobb describes the parasitic nature of ideas, emphasizing their resilience and ability to manipulate the mind. Insidious ideas, akin to Trojan horses, possess the power to exert control and lead individuals astray. Through the world of psychological espionage depicted in the film, we witness the importance of recognizing and defending against insidious and illusive ideas through observations and discernment.

Similarly, our mental health may be severely affected by unhealthy and anxiety-inducing thoughts that arise in the mind which can push us deeper into the abyss when not properly dealt with.

In this article, we will explore the practical applications of wisdom of philosophy to fortify the mind, and guard it against parasitic infestation.

Disclaimer

It must be strictly emphasized that this should not be considered as a substitute for important mental health aid and the care of medical professionals when necessary. However, the wisdom of philosophy can nevertheless guide us in our everyday lives in allowing us to develop an enhanced awareness of our mental processes to help us achieve greater mental wellbeing.

What Is Wisdom?

Wisdom can be defined as the quality of having deep understanding, insight, and good judgment, through critical thinking, reflection and the pursuit of truth. The wisdom of philosophy teaches us to deconstruct the chain of such ideas and thoughts, equips us with the knowledge necessary to detect internal inconsistencies and flaws, and brings us to question assumptions—breaking them down to their fundamental constituents. Through this, one is able to rely on reasoning and virtue to discern thoughts that are wholesome or unwholesome, desirable or undesirable and experience greater mental clarity during times of uncertainty, ambiguity, anxiety and stress.

The wisdom of various schools of philosophy play a vital role in the journey of self-development and mental wellbeing, guiding individuals towards a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them, as well as attaining personal growth and enlightenment.

Applications of Wisdom of Philosophy for Mental Wellbeing

1. Wisdom of Buddhist Philosophy

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In Buddhist philosophy, meditation is an essential practice in achieving greater insight and mental clarity—bringing one closer to a state of “Yoniso manasikāra” or “wise attention.” As Dr. Abi Ubeysekara put it, “Yoniso manasikāra” refers to directing attention to the essence of a matter to understand its true nature. It involves actively pursuing the “right view” by evaluating thoughts objectively, distancing oneself from emotions, and discerning their fundamental nature—whether wholesome or unwholesome. This process of deconstruction guides us in relying more on the exercise of reason and introspection as it strips thoughts and ideas of their intimidating and obstructing appearance, allowing us to see them as they really are.

According to Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu, renowned Buddhist monk, in a Youtube video titled “Monk Radio: How Meditation Works”, meditation and introspection in Buddhism help cultivate wisdom and mental wellbeing by replacing impulsive reactions with mindful awareness. By noting and acknowledging each passing thought without judgment, individuals can distill distracting mental activities, gain control over their minds, and avoid hasty conclusions. This process of “noting”—that is the process of replacing the mind’s mental chatter, commentary and instinctual analysis with a more analytical attitude that objectively and non-judgmentally acknowledges each thought passing by—brings objectivity and clarity, allowing individuals to navigate their thoughts and beliefs more consciously.

Takeaway

Emulate the practice of reinforcing objectivity in daily life. Cultivate a level-minded approach and observe your emotions and actions and be mindful of parasitical influences and not be immediately moved to extirpate and eliminate them, but take the time to first understand them and seek after an appropriate resolution.

2. Wisdom of Christian Philosophy

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Thomas Aquinas, an important historical figure venerated by the Catholic Church as a saint, was a prominent Christian philosopher in the medieval Christian period. In his work “Summa Theologiae,” he highlights the importance of wisdom in leading a good life. Aquinas argues that to perform good deeds, one must choose them with reason and virtuous intention, rather than acting on impulse or passion. He emphasises the need for prudence, an intellectual virtue that aligns reason with actions directed towards the proper end. Prudence, according to Aquinas, is essential for a virtuous and fulfilling life.

Aquinas underscores the significance of wisdom in making sound decisions and cultivating virtue. By reflecting on our actions and practicing discernment, we can develop the discipline to consistently pursue wisdom. This practice of exposure trains the mind to recognize what is wise and enhances our reasoning abilities, enabling us to make informed decisions and resist harmful impulses.

Aquinas’ idea of synthesizing reason and virtuous intention so as to lead a more prosperous life demonstrates that wisdom, in this regard, is significant as it better fortifies the mind from impropriety and poor judgement.

This commitment to self-improvement through wisdom allows us to avoid poor decision-making and be clouded by the machinations of the mind or the negative influences of the external world around us, as well as have the clarity necessary in discerning between the good and the bad.

Takeaway

Constantly review the motivated rationale that underlies your desires and be more cognizant of the times when we deviate from rational ways and what prompts us to do so.

3. Wisdom of Islamic Philosophy

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In the Islamic world, Al-Ghazali stands out among ancient Islamic philosophers for his significant contributions. In his book “The Revival of the Religious Sciences,” he emphasizes the importance of vigilance in one’s life.

Al-Ghazali urges individuals to be vigilant in their actions, thoughts, and choices, likening this vigilance to the careful scrutiny of measures and weights in mundane matters. By guarding against the deceit and cunning of the soul, one can avoid falling prey to harmful thoughts and behaviors.

Al-Ghazali emphasizes the importance of raising one’s guard so as to maintain a ready awareness as to when our thoughts run amok, that we are always ready to scrutinize our actions. This conditioning of the mind and body prepares us for the tendencies of the mind to beguile us, ensuring that we avoid falling prey to predatory thoughts. Conditioning ourselves so as to garner an understanding of the patterns of negative thought processes by actively recording them liberates us from self-deception and allows us to have a wider archive of our behavioural patterns; of the various ways in which our mind is susceptible to undesirable thoughts.

Takeaway

Keep a record or journal of your thoughts and establish a practice in which you can pay attention to the series of thoughts you experience. Closely examine possible linkages between them and identify the progressive formation of detrimental ideas or thoughts before they take hold of the mind and coagulate in our subconscious–inadvertently directing our actions.

4. Wisdom of Greek Philosophy

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In Greek philosophy, there are many examples of the indispensability of wisdom. Aristotle, in his book the “Nicomachean Ethics”, describes the utility of friendship in discerning such wisdom in one’s life so as to achieve a greater avoidance from error.

An important lesson of wisdom from Greek philosophical thought is that we ought to take refuge in friendship when we are experiencing weathering mental turbulence. They are able to offer us third-party, neutral perspectives–affording us greater objectivity.

There may be times that dangerous thoughts that afflict the mind are best dealt with through the guidance of a loving friend who can aid us to see through the misty fog these ideas cause us to be ensnared with. They can provide us with emotional stability and support when we are under considerable duress which is crucial in dealing with psychological disturbances. The wisdom that valuable friendship can afford us is indispensable to growth and self-development.

Takeaway

Reach out to our loved ones and share our uncertainties ensures that we distance ourselves from our thought processes momentarily in order to carry out much needed reflections and establish a greater independence from the instincts of the mind in order to analyze its thought-processes from a more broadened perspective, breaking the cycle of negative thoughts that entrap us.

5. Wisdom of Hindu Philosophy

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The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu text, similarly highlights the significance of virtue in living a good and mindful life.

Hindu philosophy teaches us to develop a heightened awareness of our inner thoughts, as well as patience, steady detachment and unwavering dedication. By cultivating wisdom with perseverance, we can make progress, mitigate the impact of dangerous thoughts, insulating the mind from parasites that seep deep into the subconscious mind, and achieve a state of mental awareness and wellbeing.

Similarly, in Jungian psychology, the concept of the “shadow” is understood to be an active force hidden in our subconscious, having the capacity to direct our behaviours. The shadow is a psychological complex comprising our suppressed emotions, bitter resentments and toxifying thoughts; the darkest aspects of human nature. If left unaddressed, the shadow–from the darkest recesses of the mind–can bleed into our conscious state and influence us dramatically; potentially altering our entire state of being for the worse. What Jung advocated as a solution to confront the influences of the shadow was awareness; by maintaining a heightened state of understanding of the forces that operate in our mind. By directly confronting dangerous ideas and developing acute awareness, we drain them of their influence and gain greater control over our minds.

Takeaway

Cultivate vigor, patience and seek refuge in the attitude of detachment. As one cultivates the virtues of wisdom, the greatest wisdom of all is in recognizing that anything we set our hearts on demands patience and steady day-by-day progress as this is important in maintaining perseverance during especially turbulent times. The virtue that is needed when one sets one’s heart on a desired destiny is patience. Through this, we can achieve authentic progress and bring ourselves closer to the ideal state of mental awareness; allowing us to mitigate the impact of dangerous thoughts and ideas.

Wisdom is Liberation

The practice of wisdom is an opportunity for psychological reorientation when we are led astray by dangerous thoughts; redirecting us to a space of objectivity when we are pushed into the tight spaces that these thoughts push us in; suffocating us.

Wisdom therefore is liberation; a path to independence from the parasitical colonizers that conspire to impose their reign on our mental thought processes which empowers us and gives us the strength necessary to reinstate our psychological sovereignty.

In an age where dangerous ideas have the capacity to inspire radical extremism, mental anguish and great suffering, we ought to make wisdom our refuge; shielding us from the wrath of psychological parasites that vie to encroach upon the mind. Through wisdom, the psychology of parasitism can be remedied and mental wellbeing can be achieved.

“Wisdom is an instrument, which protects a person from destruction; it is also an inner fortress, which could not be destroyed even by an enemy.”
Thirukkural (421)

Tags mental health, mental wellbeing, philosophy, wisdom, wisdom of philosophy

How-tos Self-help

A Concise Summary of Albert Camus: How to Live in the Face of Meaninglessness and Absurdity

Post author By Hariharan Menon
Post date May 28, 2023

Human Life is Absurd

According to Albert Camus, human life is Absurd.

Absurdity here refers to the endless and unresolved tension between humans’ search for meaning and the world’s ‘unreasonable silence’ on this matter. We pray and hope for some divine voice from the sky to proclaim a great reason for our existence on this tiny speck of floating dust, only to face meaningless and senseless tragedies such as war, illness, and suffering – ultimately leading to death.

While the realization that there is no inherent significance to existence can be upsetting and even depressing (no sh*t), in his book the Myth of Sisyphus, Camus argues that the

“acceptance of absurdity of everything around us is one step, a necessary experience: it should not become a dead end. It arouses a revolt that can become fruitful.”
Albert Camus, Myth of Sisyphus

Dealing with Absurdity in Life

Throughout his writing, Camus considers all the possible ways one could respond to the Absurd: Suicide, Religious Faith, or Acceptance.

1. To Commit Suicide

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Camus begins his essay by stating; “There is only one really serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide.”Coming to the realisation of the possible meaninglessness of our lives, he understands why it would naturally lead anyone to this question: “Is my life worth living?” Although suicide seems to be the ultimate reaction to the Absurd, Camus advises that it is a cowardly and futile response, because quitting does not solve anything. It only makes us avoid confronting reality.

2. To Hold Religious Faith

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Camus says that faith is another form of suicide – philosophical suicide. Religious faith offers a way to find meaning in the world, but he rejects it as another form of escapism. By being indoctrinated to a system and performing a leap of faith, one sidesteps the problem and suspends reason by believing in a meaning that lies outside the limits of rationality. This leads to Camus’s ‘impossibility principle’ – the notion that we can never attain truth on the ultimate meaning of life. Again, blind faith only makes us ‘run away’ from the problem, keeping us from working things out for ourselves.

This leaves us with the third response.

3. To Accept the Absurdity as It Is

Camus brings up the Greek legend about a king called Sisyphus who defied and tricked God multiple times with his cunning ways. When he was eventually captured, the Gods declared a punishment: he was chastened to push a boulder up a steep mountain. However hard he would push a rock up a mountain, upon reaching the top, the rock would roll down again, leaving Sisyphus to start over, making his punishment last for all eternity.

For the industrious Greeks, Sisyphus’s punishment was the ultimate torment, a meaningless task with no hope of completion. Similarly, humans so desperately seek meaning in this existence, just to be tormented by the universe’s inherent meaninglessness.

Sisyphus, eternal and wise, teaches us the relentless pursuit of knowledge, beyond our mortal limits, to grasp the mysterious and sublime. Alas, we too are captives of our own destiny, forever chained to the yearning for meaning, unable to break free from the chains of our own existence.

However, that is not the end of the story.

Although being burdened by this meaningless task and facing an uncaring universe, Camus claims that Sisyphus acknowledges and accepts the absurdity of his fate. This acceptance is crucial. As Camus’s Sisyphus descends the slope to retrieve his stone, he is not fraught with sorrow; instead, he finds tranquillity in his actions. Devoid of any alternatives due to his misfortune, Sisyphus rises against his circumstance by embracing its absurdity, shouldering his burden gleefully, and ascending once more. With this realization of the Absurd, he has found Joy. He is our Absurd Hero.

“I leave Sisyphus at the foot of the mountain! One always finds one’s burden again. But Sisyphus teaches the higher fidelity that negates the gods and raises rocks. He too concludes that all is well. This universe henceforth without a master seems to him neither sterile nor futile. Each atom of that stone, each mineral flake of that night filled mountain, in itself forms a world. The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”
Albert Camus, The myth of Sisyphus

Finding Meaning in A Meaningless Life

“The realization that life is absurd cannot be an end, but only a beginning.”
Albert Camus

What Camus is trying to teach us through his essay is that maybe instead of avoiding reality of the meaninglessness of life, we should come to terms with it. The understanding that this absurd life is all that we have can lead individuals to feel a sense of rebellion and fierce determination to not allow their circumstances defeat them. This pushes them to strive for a more fulfilling existence.

“One of the only coherent philosophical positions is thus revolt. It is a constant confrontation between man and his own obscurity. It is an insistence upon an impossible transparency. It challenges the world anew every second… It is not aspiration, for it is devoid of hope. That revolt is the certainty of a crushing fate, without the resignation that ought to accompany it.”
Albert Camus, The myth of Sisyphus

Now the ‘revolt’ Camus talks about isn’t radicalism. Instead, he advocates for a concept of ‘authentic rebellion’, the kind that comes with having the right spirit of acceptance, being resolute and stoic, and acknowledging that we are all in the same predicament.

To confront the absurdity of life, we must foster a sense of solidarity and appreciation for the dignity of others. As we confront the dark intimidating void with bold courage and a calm acceptance, the Revolt becomes a Revival.

Self-help

Death and Meaning of Life: How to Live in the Face of Death?

Post author By Zhun Yee Chew
Post date March 4, 2023

Death is something that we all have to face at some point in our lives. Whether it is the death of a pet or the death of a loved one, no doubt it is painful and difficult to deal with.

There is also another aspect of death that is terrifying to many, which is the death of the self. In this article, we will focus the discussion on the death of the self, mortality awareness and how it affects our life choices and its relation with the meaning of life. Even though the thought of death can be terrifying, it is not something we should avoid talking about. This is because discussing death gives us new perspectives on life and how we should live our lives.

What is Death?

Sadhguru

But first, what is death? Death is the opposite of being alive. There are a lot of controversies on the definition of death, and debates on the question of “how to pronounce death”, but for the purpose of this discussion, we will stick with the colloquial definition of death as the permanent cessation of vital biological activities in an organism.

Why is death terrifying?

Unlike other phases we go through in our lives, death has a profound impact on our perception and decisions because it is the final step in our life journey. In other words, it is irreversible. There’s no turning back once you have passed the point of death (assuming that there is no afterlife beyond death).

Awareness of Mortality and Life Choices

Instructable

Usually, the awareness of death or mortality of life only comes when we lose someone dear to us, or at a point in our lives when we realize that we have limited time left to live, or after we go through a life-and-death experience. The awareness of mortality is usually terrifying and anxiety-provoking to many.

As a result, according to the psychological theory “terror management theory”, the fear of death forces us to adapt to it in some way or another. The common responses to the fear of death range from denial and deep existential anxiety, to legacy building and taking more conscious life choices.While denial and existential anxiety are the natural reactions we inherit from our ancestors when we face potential danger, as human beings with the capacity to reason, it is vital for us to take the additional step to process our physiological reactions and take appropriate responses driven by reason.

3 Reason-Driven Approaches to Death:

Stoicism and Momento Mori “Remember You Must Die”

Momento Mori is a reminder of the inevitability of death. In Stoicism, the reminder is not to promote fear, but to inspire and motivate positive actions and choices. According to Stoicism, the awareness of mortality should be treated as a reminder to not waste any time on the trivial and vain, and to live every day to the fullest.

Camus – “Laugh Until We Die”

For Camus, it is absurd for humans to search for meaning because life has no meaning and that nothing exists that could ever be a source of meaning. Nonetheless, this should not stop us from embarking on passion projects and live a subjectively meaningful life. However, death will nullify any kind of “meaning” you attempt to create during your life. Even so, according to Camus, we should nonetheless enjoy the ride of this meaningless rollercoaster even though it will come to an end eventually.

Heidegger – Death As the Motivator to Life

For Heidegger (an existentialist), a prerequisite for living a meaningful life is to embrace the fact that some day we will all die. According to him, mortality is what gives meaning to our lives; the awareness of mortality forces us to realise that we are free to choose every action we take. One may attempt to empower themselves in the face of the inevitable, taking greater risks because one knows one will die regardless of what they do.

Does Death Really Give Life Meaning? What is the Meaning of Life, Anyway?

eastMED Pharmacy

The question about the meaning of life has been a perennial question that has been asked for centuries but has yet to be conclusively answered. It’s common for philosophers to distinguish between two (or more) meanings of life. The meaning of life is largely understood in the “cosmic” and “terrestrial” senses. A cosmic sense refers to an overall purpose with which our lives are associated. The terrestrial sense of meaning is the meaning people find in their own lives, usually perceived subjectively. (Paul, ‘The Meaning and Value of Life’, 118-9.)

In nihilism and absurdism, as briefly discussed earlier, it is believed that life has no meaning in the cosmic sense. However, the lack of ultimate meaning in human existence need not in any way negate or diminish the significance of meaning in people’s lives in non-ultimate ways.

Understood in the “terrestrial” way, death gives meaning to people’s lives because it motivates us to live fully in a finite amount of time given to us. According to Frankl, an immortal life would lead to meaninglessness because human beings would procrastinate or be unmotivated to take action. And consequently, nothing would get done and our lives would be rendered meaningless. In other words, a biological deadline motivates people to act now. As Karl Popper writes, it is “the ever-present danger of losing it [i.e., life] which helps to bring home to us the value of life.” (Popper, 1992)

So, How Do We Prepare for Death? Should We Even Prepare for Death?

We Don’t Need Death to Tell Us How to Live!

One could also say that a biological deadline is not necessary for life to have meaning. Well, we do things because we are intrinsically motivated to do so, and death is just an extrinsic motivator that perhaps gives us an additional push towards our goals in life. One could also say that it is not death itself that gives life meaning, but rather the transcendence of death that does. For instance, philosopher Nozick argues that transcending one’s temporal finitude, by leaving one’s legacy in writings, artwork, music, or in the history or memory of others, makes one’s life meaningful. (Nozick, “Philosophical Explanations”, 582-585, 594-600.)

The best way to prepare for death is perhaps to live well. Perhaps there shouldn’t be so much emphasis being put on the end at all. Think about it: Why should we give licence to death to influence us? It is perhaps up to us to dictate what’s meaningful, not death. Maybe we should just treat death as a natural phase of life and just live. It is what it is.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to encourage suicide, but rather, to get our readers to reflect on the question of mortality and take more control of their lives, in the face of uncertainty and dread.

Self-help

The Philosophy of Daoism in Modern Life

Post author By Arvin Thurairaj
Post date March 31, 2022

Modernity has brought with it significant changes to our lifestyle and value systems which in turn have impacted our mental health and identity. The increasingly fast paced and consumption oriented lives we live often give rise to dissatisfaction, competition and burn out.

The philosophy of Daoism might be one way to counteract some of these negative influences.

Taoism or Daoism is a philosophy school of thought supposedly founded by the legendary Lao Tzu during the late 4th century BCE. The Dao De Jing which is believed to be written by Lao Tzu remains a foundational text in Taoism.

Dao De Jing in Taoism

The Dao De Jing can be quite counterintuitive when it comes to some of its advice but we will focus on the main themes of simplicity, non-competition and Wu Wei (effortless action).

The Dao De Jing is structured in the format of short poems that explain topics in very short sentences. This leaves much of it free to interpretation by the reader. I will mostly be following the translation by Ursula K Leguin for this article.

Firstly on some central themes of the philosophy in the Dao De Jing. The name itself refers to two central concepts in Taoism, Dao (the Way), De (Virtue/ Power/ Essence) and Jing simply refers to a text or treatise.

The Dao (the Way) and De (Virtue/Power/Essence) in Dao De Jing

The Dao or The Way is the conception of a natural dynamic state of the universe and all the components within it.

Lao Tzu holds that by acting in accordance with the Dao we can live happy and fulfilled lives in contrast to not following the Dao which leads to conflict and disharmony.

It is interesting to note that the Dao De Jing was written during the Warring States Period in China which was an incredibly fluid and dangerous time filled with war and political machinations.

Meanwhile, De refers to a person’s moral character or weight but can also refer to qualities and strengths of an individual. A person’s De is an individualized expression of the cosmic Dao.

The Dao is considered to be the beginning and is eternal. It is always there at the lowest places and the highest.

The Dao is all-encompassing, everything is within it and it is within everything. It is difficult to perceive yet easy to find if in the right state of mind.

Lao Tzu stressed living in accordance with the Dao to be the key to harmony within and without (in wider society).

The Dao is often considered to be something beyond the limitations of language. As such, while the Dao De Jing provides useful guidance and examples, it cannot fully encompass the meaning of the Dao.

For example, Lao Tzu, in pointing at the moon, wanted to make sure that we didn’t focus on the finger.

Below is an excerpt from the Dao De Jing describing the Dao (rendered as “way” in the translation below) as well as Lao Tzu’s understanding of how the universe and its principles originated:

“The way you can go

isn’t the real way.

The name you can say

isn’t the real name.

Heaven and earth

begin in the unnamed:

name’s the mother

of the ten thousand things.

So the unwanting soul

sees what’s hidden,

and the ever-wanting soul

sees only what it wants.

Two things, one origin,

but different in name,

whose identity is mystery.

Mystery of all mysteries!

The door to the hidden.”

The Philosophy of Daoism Tip #1: Live Simply

One piece of practical philosophy advice that Lao Tzu consistently gives throughout the Dao De Jing is to live simply, which is to be in accordance with the Dao.

Lao Tzu has also expressed a consistent distaste of excessive power and wealth. He preferred instead to advocate for living a simple, quiet and fulfilling life. Lao Tzu prized simplicity as a way to unburden the soul and keep it light.

Not only does Lao Tzu prefer material simplicity but also moral simplicity; eschewing overt intellectual concepts of morality and righteousness, Lao Tzu instead advocates acting naturally and simply:

“Stop being holy, forget being prudent,

it’ll be a hundred times better for everyone.

Stop being altruistic, forget being righteous,

people will remember what family feeling is.

Stop planning, forget making a profit,

there won’t be any thieves and robbers.

But even these three rules

needn’t be followed; what works reliably

is to know the raw silk,

hold the uncut wood.

Need little,

want less.

Forget the rules.

Be untroubled.”

The Philosophy of Daoism Tip #2: Non-Competition

Additionally, Lao Tzu advocated for non-competition in all things. He noted that competition in any terms often created more evil than good:

“And so the wise soul

predominates without dominating,

and leads without misleading.

And people don’t get tired

of enjoying and praising

one who, not competing,

has in all the world

no competitor.”

To Lao Tzu, we should act naturally and do what needs to be done.

Focusing too much on riches, glory and fame (both big motivators of competition) can only give rise to dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

Competing breeds jealousy, envy and ill will, causing people to create strife where there should be none.

Lao Tzu also heavily criticized war as a cause of unnecessary death and destruction, suggesting that war victors be received with funeral rites.

By acting naturally and living simply, one fulfills his/her basic needs while living in harmony with all:

“Even the best weapon

is an unhappy tool,

hateful to living things.

So the follower of the Way

stays away from it.

Weapons are unhappy tools,

not chosen by thoughtful people,

to be used only when there is no choice,

and with a calm, still mind,

without enjoyment.

To enjoy using weapons

is to enjoy killing people,

and to enjoy killing people

is to lose your share in the common good.

It is right that the murder of many people

be mourned and lamented.

It is right that a victor in war

be received with funeral ceremonies.”

The Philosophy of Daoism Tip #3: Wu Wei (Effortless Action)

The next concept we’re going to tackle is Wu Wei. Wu Wei is referenced almost constantly in the Dao De Jing. There has been a number of interpretations of this concept, including natural action or effortless action, but how do we act effortlessly?

Some feel that action is effortless when we let go of purpose and pursue the action for its own sake.

In another view, effortless action occurs when we enter a “flow” state where we’re so focused on doing something that we ignore everything else, almost becoming one with the action and thus achieving perfection.

This entering of the “flow” can, in my opinion, be another view of how to enter and become one with the Dao or the Way.

Lao Tzu believed that effortless action leads to harmony because it would always be the right amount at the right time, ensuring perfection:

“The Way never does anything,

and everything gets done.

If those in power could hold to the Way,

the ten thousand things

would look after themselves.

If even so they tried to act,

I’d quiet them with the nameless,

the natural.

In the unnamed, in the unshapen,

is not wanting.

In not wanting is stillness.

In stillness all under heaven rests.”

Some Caveats

In contrast to all that has been said above, it is important to consider some criticisms of Taoism.

After reading the Dao De Jing, I have noticed a consistent strain of anti-intellectualism:

“So the wise soul

governing people

would empty their minds,

fill their bellies,

weaken their wishes,

strengthen their bones,

keep people unknowing,

unwanting,

keep the ones who do know

from doing anything.”

The second criticism of the Dao De Jing is that it is in many places incredibly vague.

Lao Tzu never really tells us what the Dao (the Way) is which brings into question what the Dao represented to Lao Tzu.

Was it a literally existing force of nature, a concept of mind or some sort of divinity?

Due to the vagueness of language in the Dao De Jing, this is a question to which we may never know the answer to.

Another point to note is that Taoism as expounded in the Dao De Jing is very steeped in mysticism which might not be to everyone’s taste.

This Could be the Way

In conclusion, we have discussed some of the context surrounding the Dao De Jing and its writer and three key concepts found within it. Namely, simplicity, non-competition and Wu Wei.

In our increasingly hectic and competitive world, people are finding it harder to be satisfied despite material wealth and prosperity reaching levels never before seen on a global scale.

Perhaps it is time to take a step back and realize the Dao that exists within us all. Maybe the solution is to let go and enter the flow.

Self-help

What is Imposter Syndrome and How to Deal with It

Post author By Tsui Ying Ng
Post date June 19, 2021

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Ever feel fraudulent in your job role? Waiting and feeling like your abilities and achievements are about to be called out? I do, I sense this as I write this very article, waiting for the blinking cursor to call out “imposter!” As I wait to be called out on my lack of writing ability and my dwindling knowledge of philosophers, I place the term imposter syndrome onto this feeling.

While some individuals are waiting for that fraudulent call, they hold the mentality of “I know that I know nothing” – as the Socratic saying goes. This mentality makes people feel invincible as they are overtly aware of their ignorance compared to their counterparts, and in comparison, to their colleagues who are not aware that they know nothing, they are already victorious.

Yet, there is more to play than knowing you know nothing. Instead, being aware and feeling like an imposter is a paradigm shift to knowing it as a case of self-deception. In fact, this self-deception holds high utility to succeed, even though you feel like an outcast.

Imposter Syndrome as a Case of Self-Deception

With that said, I will briefly explain Stephen Gadsby’s account of imposter syndrome being a case of self-deception. Firstly, Gadsby argues people with imposter syndrome deceives themselves by downplaying their abilities as they have a fervent desire to succeed.

For instance, someone who receives a good grade in their latest assignment would attribute their results as a simple case of an easy assignment.

Then, they take this mentality as the driving force to revise smarter and harder to out-do their current score.

Secondly, to climb the career ladder or progress in your role, considerable effort if required.

It is perfectly acceptable to sense that you are not the smartest or the most intuitive amongst the workplace but knowing you want to succeed and displaying effort will produce high rewards.

In fact, Gadsby goes one further and argues the third precondition of imposter syndrome being self-deception is that:

Effort can substitute ability.

Often many say to be optimistic and positive about your ability, that will get you where you need to be. To a degree, that is true; however, interestingly Gadsby states having a negative reference point is a motivator to success.

Your focal motivational point is the negative self-appraisal.

For example, a CEO holds that title as she is the cleverest woman in the company, but she attributes her successes to believing that her prior achievements were an instance of luck. Simply put, she was in the right place at the right time. This reasoning allows her to continue putting effort into her work and in turn causes her to succeed.

In closing,

“You can’t count on someone else to give you self-confidence.”
Michelle Obama

… but use the negative self-appraisal and your desire to succeed to amplify the efforts you put into the world.

Key takeaways for having imposter syndrome:

Imposter syndrome is not something that needs to be overcome.
Knowing imposter syndrome is self-deception.
Downplaying your abilities is the catalyst to success.
Place yourself in situations where you believe you can succeed.
Find situations where you are willing to put in considerable effort.
Set your motivational focal point to be negative self-appraisal.