End-of-Life Decisions: How Would You Like to Meet Your End?

End-of-Life Decisions: How Would You Like to Meet Your End?

What matters most at the end of life? How can end-of-life institutions help their patients prepare to die with dignity and peace? The dying should have the chance to wrap up their affairs, share their deepest thoughts, encourage their loved ones, and establish their legacies. However, modern-day end-of-life institutions tend to deprive their patients of the opportunity to decide how they want to spend their final days. Here’s why we should make our end-of-life decisions before they are made for us.

Atul Gawande: How to Help the Dying in Their Final Days

Atul Gawande: How to Help the Dying in Their Final Days

What’s most important to people who are close to death? How can we infuse the final days of the dying with meaning and dignity? According to Atul Gawande, the author of Being Mortal, we can improve our care for the dying by giving them autonomy, or the ability to direct their lives as they wish. This freedom is crucial for those facing death, as it allows them to live according to their values and retain meaning in spite of limitations.  Here’s how to help the dying retain their autonomy so they can die with peace and dignity.

The #1 Rule of Thumb for Making Hard Decisions

The #1 Rule of Thumb for Making Hard Decisions

Are you facing a difficult decision? How do you make a decision when neither option is appealing? When making hard decisions in life, first and foremost, consult your values. If you make a decision that contradicts your values, you’ll likely regret it down the road. Your core values are the guiding compass that will lead you in the right direction even when you don’t know your final destination. Keep reading to learn about the importance of values in decision-making.

Using Buddhism and Mindfulness to Manage Emotions

Using Buddhism and Mindfulness to Manage Emotions

What is mindfulness, according to Buddhism? How can using Buddhism and the concept of mindfulness help to manage your emotions? The Buddhist concept of mindfulness has gained popularity recently thanks to its healing effects on your body and mind. In her book, How Emotions Are Made, psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett explains why learning to use mindfulness in your daily life helps to relieve stress and balance your mood. Keep reading to learn about Buddhism and mindfulness, according to Barrett’s findings.

The Purpose of Religion in Society: Cementing Social Norms

The Purpose of Religion in Society: Cementing Social Norms

Why do most religions have rules about marriage and sex? What difference does it make when religions have norms related to appearance? In The Elephant in the Brain, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that human behavior is driven by selfish motives hidden behind altruistic pretexts. The authors say that religion, too, is shaped by ulterior motives, and they share their theories about what they think religion is really about. Continue reading to find out more about the purpose of religion in society, according to Simler and Hanson.

Seeking Wisdom by Julia Cameron: Overview

Seeking Wisdom by Julia Cameron: Overview

What is Julia Cameron’s Seeking Wisdom about? What are the main takeaways of the book? In Seeking Wisdom, Julia Cameron explains that spirituality is the key to creativity. Throughout the book, Cameron walks you through each step of your spiritual journey, using anecdotes from her own life and interviews with those close to her to illustrate her recommendations. Read below for a brief overview of Seeking Wisdom by Julia Cameron.

Discovering God With Julia Cameron’s Advice

Discovering God With Julia Cameron’s Advice

Do you want a relationship with God? How can Julia Cameron’s book Seeking Wisdom help you discover God? In Seeking Wisdom, Julia Cameron teaches you how to unblock and maximize your creativity through spirituality. Cameron explains that to maximize your creative potential, you must first get in touch with divinity through prayer. Read Cameron’s advice on discovering God from Seeking Wisdom.

Human Limitations: How We’re Between Animals and Gods

Human Limitations: How We’re Between Animals and Gods

How are we limited in our pursuit of happiness? Can we still be happy? We can reason, so we’re above the animals. But, we can’t eternally contemplate, so we’re below the gods. In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle addresses human limitations and discusses how we still can strive for happiness, even within constraints. Keep reading for Aristotle’s views on human limitations.