In a world governed by men who are naked and ashamed, success is measured by material prosperity, physical prowess, and the size of one’s tribe. Rather than valuing that which distinguishes him in the natural world – his ability to perfect reason and embody virtue – his highest aim is to accumulate the trappings of …
We view the world through filters: the filter of our upbringing, the filter of our family patterns, the filter of our societal norms, the filter of our religious backgrounds, etc. These filters bring certain things into focus and filter other things out. Our filters shape our perception of reality. Some of my friends, for instance, …
Roman philosopher Musonius Rufus made a number of astute observations on the condition of man some 2,000 years ago. One that strikes me as timely is this: To share the common notion that we shall be despised by others if in every way we do not strive to harm the first enemies we meet is …
A few thoughts for you on the matter of enlightenment that will hopefully give you starting points for reflection... Enlightenment liberates us from the tyranny of petty things. It frees us from binding opinion, false judgments, and the confines of the material world. Enlightenment is the direct result of connection with truth, of personal communion …
“And if you choose to hold fast to what is right, do not be irked by difficult circumstances, but reflect on how many things have already happened to you in life in ways that you did not wish, and yet they have turned out for the best.” — Musonius Rufus 1st Century A.D. The compulsion …
The lecture below was given nearly 2,000 years ago by Roman philosopher, Musonius Rufus. How much of the last 2,000 years of human history and how many of the great institutions we have built for ourselves could be chalked up to fighting for with fire versus taking the high road? What ground have we taken …
The human crisis described so poignantly by Albert Camus in his 1946 speech delivered at Columbia University continues to this day. We live in a time of monstrous hypocrisy and unprecedented opportunity. Indulgence towards others and rigor towards ourselves is required now more than ever. Please listen to this speech, read by Viggo Mortensen from …
Most people on earth these days have had a chance to spend more time at home, at arm's length from the world of achieving. The busy lives they led just weeks ago are now simpler, more confined, and through that simplicity and confinement, a creative void appeared. The void at first was disorienting. It felt …
What spirit will you bring to this day? Will it be fear, dread and weakness or joy, determination and strength? Are you going to wait for external cues, say the news, your spouse’s mood, or the temperature of your coffee? Or, will you wake up and own this day? Most, sadly, will succumb to external …
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” – Benjamin FranklinA democratic republic thrives when its citizens are virtuous, informed, and engaged; the same disintegrates under the influence of corruption, vice, and selfishness. A republic is not self-sustaining, rather, it is nourished by …
Gregory Hake 