Self-Improvement Archives

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.

How to Be a Better Partner in a Relationship: 3 Simple Tips

Do you have a “secure base” relationship? Do you share everything with your partner? Even if a relationship is going well, there’s always room for improvement. Rather than pointing the finger outward, consider what you can do. Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz share some practical tips in their book The Good Life. Keep reading to learn their advice on how to be a better partner in a relationship that you can put into practice starting today.

How to Improve Cognitive Skills: The 4 Best Activities

A diagram of a brain that shows cognitive bias examples

Why are you so susceptible to interference and distractions? What are activities that help improve cognitive skills? Technology and information overload cause interference in the brain because of cognitive control limitations. The Distracted Mind by Adam Gazzaley and Larry D. Rosen claims that this interference can be improved with certain activities that help brain function. Keep reading to learn how to improve cognitive skills.

How to Go Easy on Yourself on the Difficult Path to Success

Where’s that sweet spot between pushing yourself to achieve and being too hard on yourself? How might you bring more lightheartedness into your self-discipline? In Tribe of Mentors, Tim Ferriss shares advice from scores of experts in various fields on how to identify what matters most to you, how to navigate non-traditional career paths, how to appreciate failure, and more. Some of the counsel is about being kind to yourself in the process of pursuing your goals. Read more for advice on how to go easy on yourself and stop worrying that you’re not smashing all expectations perfectly.

The Meditation Journey: Why Distractedness Is Progress

Are you fairly new to meditation, or are you considering getting started? Do you get discouraged and wonder whether you should be experiencing more results sooner? If you’ve started on your meditation journey or you’re thinking of taking the first step, Sam Harris has some advice for you. In Waking Up, he shares some insights that will help you know what to expect from this spiritual practice. Read more to find encouragement for your meditation journey.

Should You Trust Your Intuition? How to Vet Your Unconscious Self

Should you trust your intuition? How well has it worked for you in the past? Tim Ferriss’s Tribe of Mentors contains life advice from experts in a wide variety of fields. The book also presents an alternative to taking others’ advice: trusting your intuition. But, even that choice comes with considerations, as some say that it’s vital to continually challenge your intuitive assumptions. Read on to explore the universally relevant matter of trusting your intuition.

The Top 5 Memory Improvement Tips to Keep Your Mind Sharp

Do you need help retaining or recalling information? What are the best memory improvement tips that will keep your mind as sharp as ever? If you’re always using the excuse, “My memory isn’t what it used to be,” just know that it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of tips and tricks to keep your memory in tip-top shape. Whether you want to memorize your credit card information or remember your doctor’s appointment, these memory improvement tips will help you out.

How to Not Get Distracted: 2 Strategies to Stay Focused

Do you get distracted easily? How can you become more resistant to interference? The Distracted Mind by Adam Gazzaley and Larry D. Rosen has potential remedies for the detrimental effects of interference. Although there are no foolproof cures, Gazzaley and Rosen contend that we can minimize our susceptibility to interference by taking steps to improve our cognitive control and minimize potential sources of interference. Check out how to not get distracted and stay on track.

How to Take Advice From Others & Your Own Intuition

Do you blindly adopt or reject advice? What’s the best way to make the most of counsel? When Tim Ferriss wanted some advice, he sent the same list of 11 questions to scores of experts, promising to put his favorite responses into a book. The result is Tribe of Mentors. The book starts with a topic that might influence how you read the rest of it: how to take advice from others and even yourself. Keep reading for some insights on how to interpret and apply advice.

Toxic vs. Healthy Masculinity: Subverting Damaging Views

What’s the difference between toxic masculinity and healthy masculinity? What are ways men can emotionally express themselves without feeling emasculated? Toxic masculinity describes men who believe domination, aggression, and homophobia are the standard definition of “manliness.” On the other hand, a more positive and healthy definition of masculinity prioritizes self-growth and high emotional intelligence. Below we’ll look at three ideas followers of toxic masculinity believe in, and combat it with healthy masculinity advice that men should support.