The World's Best Book Summaries
Is Zen Buddhism Mahayana? How did ideas from India shape a philosophy that emerged in China? Alan Watts discusses the origins of Zen Buddhism in his book The Way of Zen. He explains that Zen ideas came largely out of three different traditions. One of these is Mahayana Buddhism, and Watts outlines two concepts that the two philosophies share. Keep reading to learn how Mahayana Buddhism helped shape Zen Buddhism.
What is the Fogg Behavior Model? What role does motivation play in forming habits? In Tiny Habits, Stanford behavioral scientist BJ Fogg presents the Fogg Behavior Model. The model explains that habits form because of your motivation to perform the habit. Below we’ll take a look at the psychology and science behind the Fogg Behavior Model.
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.
Do you want your business to stand out from the rest? How can you practice differentiation in business? To gain a competitive advantage in the market, your business has to offer something unique from other businesses. Additionally, you need to target niche markets that your product specifically caters to. Let’s look at how to make your business one of a kind to draw more consumers in.
Do relationships often seem to come second in your life? How would things change if you prioritized positive relationships? The Good Life by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz argues that positive relationships are what make life worth living. But, many people tend to put their relationships on the back burner and don’t even realize the effect it has on their life. Keep reading to understand the importance of positive relationships if you want to live the good life.
How was Stardew Valley made? Did one person really create the entire farming simulator by themselves? Stardew Valley is one of the most popular farming simulators around, and it was created by one person: Eric Barone. To achieve this, Barone had to spend four years working on the game, putting in eight to 15 hours a day. Find out more about the stressful conditions of Stardew Valley‘s development.
What are the most insightful I’m Glad My Mom Died quotes? How did Jennette McCurdy’s relationship with her mother make her resentful? McCurdy is best known for her roles in the popular Nickelodeon TV show iCarly (2007-2012) and its spinoff, Sam & Cat (2013-2014). She released her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died to expose her difficult childhood and relationship with her mother Debra. Discover more with these I’m Glad My Mom Died quotes.
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.
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.
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.