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RWH029: Beyond Rich w/ Pico Iyer

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Jul 9, 2023

Guest

Pico Iyer

Pico Iyer, a celebrated author of 15 books and 4 TED Talks, shares his profound insights on living a fulfilling life shaped by simplicity and mindfulness. He discusses why he opts for a minimalistic lifestyle in Japan and forgoes technology, emphasizing the luxury of slowing down. Iyer offers advice to young people about crafting a meaningful existence, embraces the impermanence of life after losing everything in a wildfire, and reflects on valuable lessons from friendships with influential figures like the Dalai Lama and Leonard Cohen.

02:12:38

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Episode notes

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ANECDOTE

The Busy Mother

A busy young mother, frustrated by Pico Iyer's advice, highlights the challenge of finding stillness amidst obligations.
Pico Iyer suggests even short breaks can significantly improve focus and presence.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Ray Dalio's Meditation

Ray Dalio's calmness and presence are attributed to his long-term meditation practice.
This highlights the value of stillness for even high-pressure roles.

insights

INSIGHT

Meditation and High-Pressure Jobs

High-pressure jobs can motivate the need for meditation and mindfulness practices.
Leaders like Steve Jobs and Evan Williams incorporated these practices for increased well-being and productivity.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Pursuit of True Richness

03:14 • 30min

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The Power of Personal Fulfillment and Time Management

33:09 • 5min

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Mindfulness and Meaningful Living

38:11 • 26min

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Cultural Perspectives on Impermanence and Resilience

01:04:06 • 2min

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Navigating Reality and Maintaining Inner Flame

01:06:16 • 4min

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Embracing Impermanence: A Path to Inner Peace

01:10:38 • 27min

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Journey into Understanding: Lessons from Travel

01:37:58 • 27min

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The Power of Kindness and Generosity

02:04:49 • 5min

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Embracing Presence: The Joy of Mindfulness and Authenticity

02:09:34 • 3min

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Reflections on Meaningful Living and Inspired Writing

02:12:32 • 4min

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#11772

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

THE ART OF STILLNESS

ADVENTURES IN GOING NOWHERE

Pico Iyer

Pico Iyer's "The Art of Stillness" explores the transformative power of slowing down in our increasingly fast-paced world. Iyer advocates for the importance of cultivating stillness and mindfulness in our daily lives, arguing that it is essential for personal growth and well-being. He shares his personal experiences of finding stillness in various settings, from bustling cities to remote monasteries. The book encourages readers to embrace moments of quiet reflection and to find joy in the simple things. Through insightful anecdotes and reflections, Iyer provides a practical guide to incorporating stillness into our lives, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.

#1181

• Mentioned in 33 episodes

Zen mind, beginner's mind

Shunryū Suzuki

In 'Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind', Shunryu Suzuki explores the core principles of Zen Buddhism, focusing on the concept of 'shoshin' or 'beginner’s mind'. This mind is empty, free of the habits of the expert, and open to all possibilities. The book discusses various aspects of Zen practice, including zazen (sitting meditation), breathing techniques, and the importance of maintaining a non-dualistic and compassionate mindset. Suzuki uses simple language and everyday examples to illustrate how to apply Zen principles in daily life, emphasizing the need to approach each experience with freshness and openness, rather than preconceptions or a sense of achievement.

#19395

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Autumn Light

Season of Fire and Farewells

Pico Iyer

In this memoir, Pico Iyer reflects on the themes of impermanence, mortality, and grief as he navigates the death of his father-in-law in Japan. The book delves into Japanese culture and traditions, particularly during the autumn season, and explores how Iyer and his wife Hiroko cope with loss. It also touches on family dynamics, including Hiroko's estranged brother and her ailing mother, and the author's interactions with his ping-pong club, which consists of older Japanese individuals. The narrative is a moving meditation on how to hold onto the things we love despite the inevitability of loss and change.

In this episode, William Green chats with famed author Pico Iyer about how to create a life that’s truly richer, wiser, & happier. Pico has written 15 books & delivered 4 TED Talks that have received nearly 12 million views. Here, he shares profound & practical insights drawn from his vast range of personal experience: he’s spent decades as a travel writer; befriended everyone from the Dalai Lama to Leonard Cohen; lost everything he owned in a wildfire; & built a remarkably peaceful & productive life in a tiny apartment in Japan.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

00:00 - Intro

04:41 - Why Pico Iyer relishes the calm simplicity of his tiny, uncluttered home in Japan.

08:01 - Why he doesn’t use a cell phone & does most of his work without a computer.

13:45 - What advice he gives to youngsters on making a life & not just making a living.

22:37 - Why going slow has become the ultimate luxury in a world of speed.

26:34 - Why leading business executives are so receptive to his teachings on stillness.

29:55 - How he structures his day to be most productive.

43:57 - Why billionaires like Ray Dalio have embraced meditation.

52:03 - What Pico discovered when a wildfire destroyed everything he owned.

1:17:02 - How Howard Marks applies the Buddhist teaching that everything is impermanent.

1:21:56 - What Pico has learned from decades of friendship with the Dalai Lama.

1:35:55 - How travel shows Pico the limits of what we can ever truly know.

2:03:55 - What the singer & Zen monk Leonard Cohen taught him about inner riches.

Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences.

BOOKS AND RESOURCES

Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, and the other community members.
Pico Iyer’s website.
Pico Iyer’s TED talk on the Art of Stillness.
The Half Known Life by Pico Iyer.
Autumn Light by Pico Iyer.
The Man Within My Head by Pico Iyer.
The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer.
The Open Road by Pico Iyer.
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki.
Guy Spier interviews William Green.
William Green’s book, “Richer, Wiser, Happier” – read the reviews of this book.
William Green’s Twitter.

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