#007 Ancient Wisdom For Modern Anxiety with Jules Evans
“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”
How can philosophy help us navigate social anxiety? In this interview with Jules Evans, you’ll learn about Stoicism, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the problem of “peak experience addicts”, and Evans’ current research into “ecstatic experiences” and “spiritual emergencies.” This off-the-cuff Happier Ever After Hours bonus episode is part of a weekly series highlighting how philosophy can help us be a lil' happier. #TheHappierHour
RESOURCES:
The Happier Hour Episode #003 Seneca with Massimo Pigliucci
After The Ecstasy, the Laundry by Jack Kornfield
Two Methods for "I am not my thoughts”
Socratic Method
Buddhist Method (awareness)
Loving Kindness meditation:
1) wish yourself happiness (and freedom from suffering, and joy and equanimity)
2) wish someone you love happiness
3) wish someone neutral happiness
4) wish someone you have difficulties with happiness
5) wish all beings happiness
Books By Jules Evan
QUESTION OF THE EPISODE:
“Think of something you’ve been wanting to do or accomplish, but have been too scared or intimidated by others to do. What is your “why” to help you overcome the “how”?”
ABOUT JULES EVANS
Jules Evans' first book, Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations, explored how people are rediscovering ancient Greek and Roman philosophies and how Greek philosophy (particularly Stoicism) inspired Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It’s since been published in 19 countries and was a Times book of the year. His second book, The Art of Losing Control, explored how people find ecstatic experiences in modern western culture. It was published in the UK in May 2017. Jules helps to run the London Philosophy Club, which is the biggest philosophy club in the world, with 10,000 members (as of May 2018). He has written for publications including the Financial Times, The Times, the Guardian, the Spectator and WIRED. Jules is currently a research fellow at a Wellcome Trust funded project called Living with Feeling, at the Centre for the History of Emotions, Queen Mary University of London.
