Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

Sam Harris: Buddhism Has the Roadmap to Secular Spirituality

Which Buddhist teachings does secularist Sam Harris follow? Why? Sam Harris isn’t religious, but he’s spiritual. In his book Waking Up, he discusses how to separate spirituality from the confines of religion, and why, out of all the major faiths, Buddhism provides the most practical roadmap to having spiritual experiences without the baggage of superstition and dogma. Continue reading to understand why, for Sam Harris, Buddhism has something to offer.

Tips for Memorizing a Speech Without Sounding Scripted

How can you remember what you want to say—but avoid stiffly reciting it word-for-word? Is it possible to speak extemporaneously—but not aimlessly? Dale Carnegie says that, when you know your speech well enough, you can deliver it with conviction, feeling, and authenticity. Knowing it well enough, though, doesn’t mean memorizing every word. He shares three strategies for leveraging your memory for effective public speaking. Read more to learn his three tips for memorizing a speech in a way that allows you to speak naturally.

Why You Should Learn Zen: Benefits of an Ancient Tradition

Should you learn Zen? What impact can it have on your mind and, ultimately, your life? Alan Watts contends that expressing the principles of Zen benefits you by helping you break down the mental barriers that divide you from the rest of the world. Experiencing Zen lets you finally see the world and the present moment for what it is. Keep reading to learn why you should learn Zen, according to Watts’s classic book on the subject.

Sam Harris: The Self Is an Illusion That You Can Transcend

Are you an illusion? In what way does Sam Harris believe you are? According to Sam Harris, the self isn’t real. In his book Waking Up, Harris argues that consciousness and feelings of individual selfhood are two separate aspects of experience. While consciousness is real, your sense of self is an illusion. Read more to understand Harris’s argument and how he arrives at this belief.

Tribe of Mentors: Tim Ferriss Gets Advice From World-Class Experts

Where do you go for advice? What if you had a tribe of mentors to consult about your life and career? In Tribe of Mentors, Tim Ferriss distills advice from more than 130 world-class experts such as actor Ben Stiller, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, and media mogul Ariana Huffington. Ferriss reached out to these experts and compiled their advice when he was seeking direction in his own life. Continue reading for an overview of this book that can help you, too, find direction.

Permission Marketing by Seth Godin: Overview & Takeaways

Do you find a lot of advertising intrusive? Do you want to market your product or service without annoying prospective customers? Often, disruptive advertisements can feel more obnoxious than persuasive. In Permission Marketing, Seth Godin says there’s a better way for brands to get the attention of potential customers. Keep reading for an overview of Permission Marketing, which shows you how to create marketing that customers actually ask to see.

What to Do Before a Presentation: Dale Carnegie’s Timely Advice

What should (and shouldn’t) you eat before a presentation? How should you prepare the stage? If you have a presentation coming up, you know you must figure out what to say and how to say it. But, that’s not the only preparation you should do. Dale Carnegie suggests that, in the hours and moments leading up to your talk, you must turn your attention to several external and last-minute elements. Read more to learn what to do before a presentation, according to Carnegie’s classic book Public Speaking for Success.

How to Practice Zen Buddhism: Keys to Everyday Awakening

Have you ever experienced Zen? Where’s the place to start? How is the Zen practice of meditation different from other methods? Alan Watts says that there’s more to Zen than just a set of philosophical principles or a chronology of religious movements that you can understand on an intellectual level. Zen is also something that you can practice in your own life, at the level of your embodied experiences in the world. Continue reading to learn how to practice Zen Buddhism according to The Way of Zen.

3 Reasons Why Interruption Marketing Doesn’t Work (Seth Godin)

What do billboards and TV commercials have in common? How much are you annoyed by their intrusion? Even if you haven’t heard the specific term before, “Interruption Marketing” probably sounds familiar. You’ve had your experience disrupted by ads that you don’t expect or want. You certainly didn’t ask for them. Seth Godin explains why this type of marketing had its heyday—but it’s finally time to move on. Read more to learn three reasons why Interruption Marketing is no longer as effective as it used to be.

What Is the Goal of Meditation? Sam Harris on Enlightenment

Apotheosis—The Hero's Journey Leads to Nirvana

What is the goal of meditation? Can meditation be practiced, and its goal achieved, outside of religion? Sam Harris explains that seeking transcendental states of mind has historically been the domain of religion. But, he argues, the contemplative aspects of faith traditions can be practiced in a secular context. Thus, the contentment that results can be enjoyed by anyone. Continue reading to learn what meditation and spiritual enlightenment look like from Harris’s secular worldview.