Deep Absorption Transforms Philosophy Into Instinctive Wisdom - Episode Hero Image

Deep Absorption Transforms Philosophy Into Instinctive Wisdom

The Daily Stoic · · Listen to Original Episode →
Original Title:

TL;DR

  • Absorbing philosophy through repetition and deep engagement, akin to a boxer fusing with their fist, makes wisdom instinctive and inseparable from one's identity, rather than merely intellectual knowledge.
  • Lingering with a limited number of master thinkers and digesting their works, rather than skimming, ensures their wisdom takes firm hold and becomes permanently integrated into one's understanding.
  • Returning to foundational texts like "The Daily Stoic" year after year allows for new insights to emerge as the reader's own life context evolves, demonstrating the enduring relevance of core principles.
  • The practice of "getting inside" a text, as exemplified by musicians covering songs or philosophers deeply engaging with others, transforms external material into an internalized, instinctual part of oneself.
  • The value of a text is amplified when it is read repeatedly across different life stages, yielding fresh perspectives and reinforcing its lessons, as evidenced by well-worn copies of "The Daily Stoic."

Deep Dive

The core argument is that true mastery of any philosophy, including Stoicism, requires deep absorption and internalization, not mere superficial reading. This process involves repeatedly engaging with foundational texts until their principles become instinctive, a concept illustrated by musicians covering songs and philosophers quoting extensively. The implication is that consistent, focused study is paramount for transforming intellectual understanding into lived wisdom, making these philosophies an inseparable part of one's being.

This deep engagement with foundational texts is crucial because it moves beyond intellectual appreciation to practical application. Marcus Aurelius's analogy of a boxer versus a fencer highlights this: a boxer's skill is innate and reactive, like a clenched fist, whereas a fencer must consciously wield a tool. Similarly, Seneca advises lingering with a few master thinkers to digest their works, ensuring the wisdom becomes deeply ingrained. This isn't a one-time endeavor; the Daily Stoic's design, with its daily page format, encourages year-after-year re-engagement, acknowledging that texts remain constant while the reader's life stage offers new perspectives. This repeated exposure, even to familiar passages, allows for continuous learning and adaptation of ancient wisdom to contemporary challenges, turning abstract principles into actionable, almost subconscious responses.

Beyond Stoicism, this principle of deep absorption is evident in creative fields. Musicians like Johnny Cash and Luke Combs reinterpret songs, and Phoebe Bridgers describes needing to "get inside" a song she deeply resonates with, listening repeatedly until it becomes an extension of herself. This parallels the goal with philosophical texts: to fuse with the philosophy, making it instant and instinctive. The implication is that the most profound learning occurs when external knowledge is so thoroughly integrated that it shapes one's reactions and decisions organically. This process is not about accumulating facts but about transforming one's operating system through dedicated practice and immersion, leading to a more resilient and integrated approach to life.

The practical takeaway is that effective learning and personal growth, whether in philosophy or the arts, demand dedicated, repeated engagement with core material. Superficial consumption yields limited benefit; true mastery comes from "getting inside" the subject matter until it becomes an inseparable part of one's identity and actions. This approach fosters not just knowledge but wisdom that can be instinctively applied, transforming abstract principles into fundamental aspects of one's character.

Action Items

  • Fuse philosophy with practice: Dedicate 15 minutes daily to internalize Stoic texts through repetition and absorption, aiming for instinctive application.
  • Digest master thinkers: Select 3-5 Stoic authors and deeply study their works over a 2-week period, focusing on comprehension rather than breadth.
  • Revisit core texts annually: Commit to rereading The Daily Stoic or similar foundational texts each year to uncover new insights relevant to current life stages.
  • Analyze narrative resonance: For 2-3 songs or stories that deeply resonate, deconstruct their elements to understand the underlying themes and emotional connections.

Related Episodes

Key Quotes

"Marcus Aurelius wrote about how the philosopher is one with their weapon--like a boxer, more than a swordsman. A boxer just clenches their fist. A fencer has to pick something up. Through repetition, through absorption, we're trying to fuse ourselves with our philosophy."

Ryan Holiday explains that true philosophical integration, as exemplified by Marcus Aurelius, involves making the philosophy an instinctive part of oneself, akin to a boxer's natural movements, rather than a mere external tool. This process requires consistent practice and deep immersion to fuse one's philosophy with their identity.

"Seneca urged us to linger among a limited number of master thinkers and digest their works, not skim, not sample, but digest until the wisdom takes firm hold inside you, never to be dislodged."

Ryan Holiday highlights Seneca's advice on engaging with philosophical texts, emphasizing the importance of deep study and assimilation over superficial reading. Holiday suggests that true understanding comes from digesting the wisdom of a few key thinkers until it becomes an unshakeable part of one's inner self.

"I have this thing where I listen to songs over and over again if I like them a lot, and I have to listen to that song over and over and over. Then she says, 'I just have to play this. It's an extra level. I have to get inside it.'"

Ryan Holiday uses Phoebe Bridgers' approach to music as an analogy for deep philosophical engagement, illustrating how intense repetition and immersion are necessary to truly internalize and connect with a piece of art. Bridgers' quote signifies a desire to move beyond passive listening to an active, deeply personal experience with the song.

"Some books are so good you'll have trouble believing that they're true, but they are. And they're so well written, they'll rip your face off. Literally, that's true for this one: Night of the Grizzlies, which is about a series of grizzly bear attacks that happened on one night in 1967 in Glacier National Park, the first time it had ever happened in the park."

Ryan Holiday introduces Night of the Grizzlies as an example of a non-fiction book whose compelling narrative makes its factual events seem almost unbelievable. Holiday notes that the book details a specific, shocking event in Glacier National Park, emphasizing its powerful storytelling.

"This is The Black Count, about a black general in Napoleon's army who also just happened to be the father of Alexandre Dumas, Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo. Incredible book."

Ryan Holiday recommends The Black Count, describing it as a biography of a significant historical figure. Holiday points out the subject's notable familial connection to the renowned author Alexandre Dumas, suggesting the book offers a fascinating and impactful historical narrative.

"As a bookstore owner, unfortunately, one rule about books is usually the better the title, the worse the book is. But there are some exceptions to this rule, and I'm going to give you some books with incredible titles that live up to how good the title is."

Ryan Holiday discusses the common correlation between book titles and quality, noting that exceptional titles often signal exceptional content. Holiday intends to highlight specific books that defy this trend by possessing both remarkable titles and equally impressive literary merit.

Resources

External Resources

Books

  • "Medea" by Euripides - Mentioned as a play quoted frequently by Chrysippus.
  • "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails - Mentioned as a song covered by Johnny Cash.
  • "Chinese Satellite" by Phoebe Bridgers - Mentioned as a song discussed in a Daily Stoic email.
  • "You Missed My Heart" - Mentioned as a song covered by Phoebe Bridgers on her album Stranger in the Alps.
  • "The Medea of Chrysippus" - Mentioned as a joke by Chrysippus about his frequent quoting of the play Medea.
  • "The Daily Stoic" by Ryan Holiday - Mentioned as a book offering one page a day for stoic reflection.
  • "Night of the Grizzlies" - Mentioned as a narrative non-fiction book about grizzly bear attacks in Glacier National Park.
  • "The Tiger" by John Vaillant - Mentioned as a narrative non-fiction book about animal versus man.
  • "Marriage at Sea" - Mentioned as a book about a couple whose boat is sunk by a whale while sailing from London to New Zealand.
  • "Moby Dick" - Mentioned in relation to the true story of a whale sinking a boat.
  • "The Heart of the Sea" - Mentioned in relation to the true story of a whale sinking a boat.
  • "The Stranger in the Woods" by Michael Finkel - Mentioned as a book about a person who lived in the woods for 27 years after driving into them.
  • "The Art Thief" by Michael Finkel - Mentioned as a book about a person who stole billions of dollars worth of art from European museums.
  • "The Black Count" - Mentioned as a book about a black general in Napoleon's army who was the father of Alexander Dumas.
  • "The River of Doubt" - Mentioned as a book about Theodore Roosevelt's exploration of a South American river.
  • "The Colossus of Maroussi" by Henry Miller - Mentioned as a travel book about Greece written by Henry Miller.
  • "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison - Mentioned as a great novel about a figuratively invisible man.
  • "Notes to John" - Mentioned as a book containing letters from therapy sessions reflecting on early life and a daughter's struggles with alcohol.
  • "A Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion - Mentioned as a book by Joan Didion with an amazing title.
  • "Blue Nights" by Joan Didion - Mentioned as a book by Joan Didion with an amazing title.
  • "Tunnel 29" - Mentioned as a book about people in West Germany tunneling under the wall to help East Germans escape.
  • "What Makes Sammy Run" by Bud Schulberg - Mentioned as a Hollywood novel that has been optioned for film adaptation.
  • "Fish That Ate the Whale" - Mentioned as a book about a small company or person defeating a larger one, specifically about the creator of United Fruit.
  • "Why Fish Don't Exist" by Lulu Miller - Mentioned as a book about a taxidermist and the idea that fish do not exist as a category.
  • "Forget the Alamo" - Mentioned as a book with a great title and content.
  • "40 Years a Gambler on the Mississippi" - Mentioned as a memoir of a riverboat gambler in the 1800s.
  • "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole - Mentioned as an incredible novel with an epigraph from Jonathan Swift.
  • "Oh, by Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept" - Mentioned as a book with a "crazy title" and described as a beautiful fever dream.
  • "The Baby on the Fire Escape" - Mentioned as a book about female artists.
  • "How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Assholes" - Mentioned as a book about parenting.
  • Biography of Edison by Edmund Morris - Mentioned as a biography of Edison written in reverse chronological order.
  • "Charing Cross Road" - Mentioned as a book about the correspondence between a woman in New York and a rare bookseller in the UK after World War II.
  • "Lancelot" by Walker Percy - Mentioned as a novel written in the second person about a man confessing a crime.
  • "Bright Lights, Big City" by Jay McInerney - Mentioned as a novel written in the second person.
  • "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy - Mentioned as a novel with no punctuation.
  • "Jim" - Mentioned as a novel that retells Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim.
  • "Montaigne's Essays" - Mentioned as a foundational work of essays that has been a staple for over 500 years.
  • "Clementine" by Sonia Purnell - Mentioned as a biography of Clementine Churchill.
  • Biography of Queen Victoria by Julia Baird - Mentioned as a biography of Queen Victoria.
  • Biography of Queen Elizabeth II by Anne Glenconner - Mentioned as a biography of Queen Elizabeth II used for research on Discipline is Destiny.
  • "Anne Frank: The Biography" by Melissa Muller - Mentioned as a biography of Anne Frank.

Articles & Papers

  • "Chinese Satellite" (Daily Stoic email) - Mentioned as a topic discussed in a Daily Stoic email.

People

  • Marcus Aurelius - Mentioned as a Stoic philosopher who read Epictetus extensively.
  • Epictetus - Mentioned as a Stoic philosopher whose works were read by Marcus Aurelius.
  • Chrysippus - Mentioned as a philosopher who loved the play Medea.
  • Johnny Cash - Mentioned as a musician who covered the song "Hurt."
  • Luke Combs - Mentioned as a musician who covered Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car."
  • Phoebe Bridgers - Mentioned as a musician who sings about getting inside songs and covers "You Missed My Heart."
  • Seneca - Mentioned as a Stoic philosopher who urged readers to digest the works of master thinkers.
  • Ryan Holiday - Mentioned as the author of The Daily Stoic and owner of a bookstore in Bastrop, Texas.
  • Alexander Dumas - Mentioned as the father of the general in The Black Count.
  • Theodore Roosevelt - Mentioned as a former president who explored a river in South America.
  • Henry Miller - Mentioned as a controversial novelist who wrote a travel book about Greece.
  • Ralph Ellison - Mentioned as the author of the novel Invisible Man.
  • Joan Didion - Mentioned as an author whose books, including Notes to John, A Year of Magical Thinking, and Blue Nights, are discussed.
  • Michael Finkel - Mentioned as the author of The Stranger in the Woods and The Art Thief.
  • Bud Schulberg - Mentioned as the author of What Makes Sammy Run.
  • John Kennedy Toole - Mentioned as the author of A Confederacy of Dunces.
  • Edmund Morris - Mentioned as the author of a biography of Edison.
  • Jonathan Swift - Mentioned for the epigraph used in A Confederacy of Dunces.
  • Walker Percy - Mentioned as an author of a second-person novel, Lancelot.
  • Cormac McCarthy - Mentioned as the author of The Road.
  • Jay - Mentioned as a character in Huckleberry Finn whose perspective is explored in the novel Jim.
  • Montaigne - Mentioned as the originator of the essay form.
  • Sonia Purnell - Mentioned as the author of a biography of Clementine Churchill.
  • Julia Baird - Mentioned as the author of a biography of Queen Victoria.
  • Anne Glenconner - Mentioned as the author of a biography of Queen Elizabeth II.
  • Melissa Muller - Mentioned as the author of a biography of Anne Frank.

Organizations & Institutions

  • Daily Stoic - Mentioned as a podcast and email newsletter providing Stoic-inspired meditations.
  • Nine Inch Nails - Mentioned as the original artist of the song "Hurt."
  • Tracy Chapman - Mentioned as the original artist of the song "Fast Car."
  • European dairy cows - Mentioned as the source of grass-fed whey protein for Momentous supplements.
  • Glacier National Park - Mentioned as the location of grizzly bear attacks discussed in Night of the Grizzlies.
  • United Fruit - Mentioned in relation to the book Fish That Ate the Whale.
  • Napoleon's army - Mentioned in relation to The Black Count.
  • CBS - Mentioned as a documentary crew that funded a tunnel without informing superiors.
  • Hollywood - Mentioned in relation to the film adaptation potential of What Makes Sammy Run.
  • Mississippi River - Mentioned in relation to a memoir of a riverboat gambler.
  • West Germany - Mentioned as the location where people tunneled under the wall in Tunnel 29.
  • East Germany - Mentioned as the location from which people escaped in Tunnel 29.
  • New York - Mentioned as the location of a woman searching for a book in Charing Cross Road.
  • United Kingdom - Mentioned as the location of a rare bookseller in Charing Cross Road.
  • New Orleans - Mentioned as the setting for Lancelot.

Websites & Online Resources

  • dailystoic.com - Mentioned as a website for more information on the Daily Stoic podcast.
  • store.dailystoic.com - Mentioned as a website to purchase leather editions of The Daily Stoic.
  • amazon.com - Mentioned as a place to purchase The Daily Stoic.
  • ibooks.com - Mentioned as a place to purchase The Daily Stoic.
  • fundrise.com/dailystoic - Mentioned as a website for Fundrise's venture capital product.
  • livemomentous.com - Mentioned as a website for Momentous supplements.

Other Resources

  • Stoicism - Mentioned as a 2,000-year-old philosophy guiding historical figures.
  • Stoic philosophy - Mentioned as a philosophy that should be absorbed and made instinctive.
  • Venture Capital - Mentioned as a type of investment product offered by Fundrise.
  • Tech and AI companies - Mentioned as investment opportunities through Fundrise.
  • Supplements - Mentioned as products that can be confusing to choose due to a lack of regulation and trust.
  • Whey protein - Mentioned as a supplement sourced from grass-fed European dairy cows.

  • Creatine monohydrate - Mentioned as a pure form of creatine used in supplements.

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