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Showing posts with the label Trilogy Stoicism

Stillness is the Key

Stillness is the Key, the book that completes the trilogy that began with "The Obstacle is The Way" and "Ego is the Enemy", Ryan Holiday argues that stillness is the key to being better at anything you do. The book is divided into three parts Mind, Spirit and Body, a trinity in which each part depends on the other.

Obstacle is the WAY

Obstacle is the Way, yet another simple yet powerful book by Ryan, taking inspiration from the life of Marcus Aurilius. I have summarized the book in about 1100 words and laid down some key takeaways. Starts with the words of Marcus – “What comes in the way becomes the way.” The idea of the book is to help you overcome those obstacles - mental, physical, emotional or perceived and turn them to the way. Objective judgement now at this very moment Willing acceptance now at this very moment Unselfish Action now at this very moment of all external events and that is all you need. Ryan distributes the idea in 3 - Perception, action and will. PART 1 Perception Discipline of perception - Rockefeller's case and financial markets - only discipline and objectivity can make you successful. Struggled for 3.5 years to controlling 90% of oil markets. Economic crash or personal tragedies are bound to happen - see the good and revert to present. "Oh How blessed the young men are w...

Ego is the Enemy

Ryan introduces himself and lays down his legitimacy to write the book. Getting inspired from stoic philosophy and his own life to explain EGO is the ENEMY. INTRO - You are most easy to be fooled and ego drags you in the whirl. Ryan gives an overview and introduces some famous personalities, who using there awareness and giving up ego to grow while some who perished. He advices to be "Humble in your aspirations,  resilient in your failure, gracious in your success." The book has 3 parts, each part resonating to your life where either you aspire, you are failing or you are successful - Look at EGO and destroy that enemy. PART I ASPIRE Every great journey begins here yet most fail to execute. To whatever you aspire- Ego is the enemy. What is rare is humility, diligence and self awareness.  He throws light on-Importance of silence, to be or not to be, being student for whole life - Ego makes us hostile to feedback. Don't be passionate - Invasion of Russia to underi...