You could probably replace “Good design is…” with “A Good Life is…” in the list below and retain most of the meaning and use…
The Upanishads are a set of Indian religious texts written almost 3,000 years ago. They were written so long ago that Hinduism wasn’t even really a thing. Just a bunch of idealistic truth seekers writing stuff down on parchment paper.
The Shandilya Upanishad is considered a minor text, and its focus is yoga. In this context, “yoga” doesn’t mean shavasana while wearing Lululemon, but rather the yoga philosophy of action, of doing, of engaging with the world
Within the Shandilya Upanishad is a list of 10 forebearances. You can think of them as 10 practices to build patience, or 10 sources of self control when mastered.
Religions love lists, and there are many similarities among these 10 forebearances with other great lists in religious history, from the Commandments to the Precepts. We’ll compare them in future posts. But for some reason, this list has stuck with me. So here they are.
1. Ahimsa – to not be violent to any living being, whether a human or a fire ant
2. Satya – to always express and act truthfully
3. Asteya – to not covet another’s possessions, whether a Tesla Model 3, or a happy family
4. Brahmacharya – to remain celibate while unmarried, and faithful while married
5. Daya – to act kindly toward all living beings
6. Arjava – to refuse to deceive or wrong others through any of your words, thoughts, or deeds
7. Kshama – to accept suffering while forgiving those who incur suffering upon you (“But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other also” – Jesus)
8. Dhriti – to remain calm and composed during periods of great gain or loss, whether of money or friends
9. Mitahara – to consume all things in moderation (“everything in moderation, including moderation” – attributed to Oscar Wilde, Ben Franklin, etc)
10. Saucha – to cleanse the body and the mind
It’s interesting that three of the 10 focus on truth – numbers 1, 2, and 6. Kind of like pledging in court to tell “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”. I suppose deception is a core human struggle?
It’s also interesting that number 8 encourages you to stay calm not only when you’re doing poorly, but when you’re doing well.
Which items resonate with you the most?
Aristotle’s 12 virtues are a great checklist to understand the different morals, values, and virtues that you could cultivate or restrain in your life. It’s like an ancient Greek personality test.
Moderation in all things, including moderation: Aristotle was clear that too much (excess) of any virtue is just as bad as lack (deficiency). You must find the mean, the right balance.
For example, too much courage is foolhardy and could get you killed. Too little courage and you avoid healthy risks and are seen as a coward. Too much modesty and you may be seen as shy and withdrawn. Too little modesty and you become irritating and boastful. And so on.
Aristotle’s 12 virtues:
1) Courage – bravery
2) Temperance – moderation
3) Liberality – spending
4) Magnificence – charisma, style
5) Magnanimity – generosity
6) Ambition – pride
7) Patience – temper, calm
8) Friendliness – social IQ
9) Truthfulness – honesty, candidness
10) Wit – humor, joy
11) Modesty – ego
12) Justice – sense of right / wrong, indignation
Of the twelve above, I find myself struggling the most with a deficiency of #7, patience. All of us struggle with all of the virtues, at least some of the time. But that’s Aristotle’s point: it’s a process, it’s about balance, and it’s not easy.
2020 update:
I left out an important aspect of this list: Aristotle also gave specific labels to each virtue when it was either excessive or deficient.
For example, too much courage is RASHNESS, and too little is COWARDICE.
Too much magnificence is VULGARITY, and too little is PETTINESS.
Here is a great chart below, all credit belongs to Productive Flourishing!
What are they?
1. Passion
2. Hard work
3. Get good
4. Focus
5. Push constantly
6. Serve
7. Ideas
8. Persist
Here’s my full list of TED talk notes.
And click here if you enjoy lists like these.
Whatever life takes away from you, let it go. When you surrender and let go of the past, you allow yourself to be fully alive in the moment. Letting go of the past means you can enjoy the dream that is happening right now.
*For the next list, I’ll probably create a slideshow and publish it to YouTube
In today’s edition of Nerdy Lists we have don Miguel Ruiz and The Four Agreements [Kindle].
A short simple book with intuitive wisdom on how to create a fulfilling life. If I take away one lesson it is: never ever listen to the negative voices in your head. It reminds me of what Lucy Malory said: “Every thought a person dwells upon, whether he expresses it or not, either damages or improves his life.”
The author’s life is fascinating: youngest of 13 kids, surgeon who becomes a shaman after a near death experience, born in rural Mexico and now a bestselling author fluent in English and Spanish.
1. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment…Under any circumstance, simply do your best
2. Say What You Mean. Mean What You Say
Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.
3. Never Take It Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. It is because of themselves.
4. Never Assume
Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama.
*The agreements are reordered and rephrased in a way that I prefer. For the original, check wikipedia.
(author Miguel Ruiz on Oprah’s Network: “Be impeccable with your word”. Did you know impeccable is Latin for “without sin”?)
Thanks for reading! What are your favorite lists? Here’s the collection :)
