I listened to this (unabridged) audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it (the reader did an excellent job). I’d have to put this on the short-list of one of the most fascinating books that I’ve ever read (ahem, listened to). Lehrer takes us on a journey into the psychological and neurological underpinnings of the decision-making process. He …Read More
Too Much Information (Can Lead to Worse Decisions)
Dec 20, 2009
The vast amount of information available on the Internet has changed my life in many ways. Most of them are good. For example, if I am in desperate need of a recipe for fudge, or if I want to find out why my clothes dryer is making a squealing noise, or even if I want …Read More
Happiness Through an iPhone?
Dec 18, 2009
I’ll admit it – I’ve had iPhone envy since they came out a couple of years ago. I’ve had the minimalist cell phone for what seems like forever. I’ve always liked gadgets, so that made the iPhone all the more tempting. My studies of Buddhism, mindfulness, the psychology of happiness and well-being and so on …Read More
The Paradox of Choice – Why More Is Not Better (Part 2)
Nov 12, 2009
Making the “right” choice, in the face of so many options, can be a daunting challenge. How do we decide? I think one of the answers comes from becoming more mindful. There are a number of posts on “mindfulness” within this blog. Just run a search and many will pop up. Mindfulness is the idea …Read More
The Paradox of Choice – Why More Is Not Better (Part 1)
Nov 10, 2009
There are some fundamental assumptions in just about every Western industrialized nation, Swarthmore College psychologist Dr. Barry Schwartz, argues: (1) Freedom is endemic to the human condition…that it is inherently good to have. (2) Providing more choices is a way to maximize freedom. It is a form of liberation. (3) If freedom is maximized, individuals …Read More
More Positive Mood = Better Insight
Jul 10, 2009
As I posted before, I’ve really gotten into audiobooks…and I think this is a transition for me that is here to stay. I’m going through books faster than I ever have before and feel like I’m retaining as much or more than I do when I read. I’m listening to the unabridged version (I always …Read More
Radiolab (Podcast Recommendation)
Jan 8, 2009
A client of mine told me about this wonderful podcast called “Radiolab“: www.radiolab.org. It’s now my favorite. Hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich entertainingly tackle such juicy topics as: Choice Morality Mortality Memory & Forgetting Time Space This is a podcast through an NPR affiliate in New York – WNYC. The production values are top-notch, …Read More
It Is What It Is
Sep 3, 2007
Another favorite saying that I hear and use a lot is, “It is what it is.” This seemingly obvious statement holds great power if we can learn to accept the reality of its meaning and use it strategically. It neatly captures the essence of other things about which I’ve written. Simply put, there are certain …Read More
A Clarification about Suffering: Resignation vs. Acceptance
Aug 5, 2007
In my previous post, I discussed the importance of accepting the fact that an inescapable reality of life is that we suffer. I am not endorsing that we should just throw in the towel and give up when confronted with challenges and suffering. We should not just say to ourselves, “Ah, this is my lot …Read More
On the "Noble Truth" and Suffering
Jul 25, 2007
The first of the “Four Noble Truths” of Buddhism is that “Life is Suffering.” I always thought that “life is suffering” sounded so pessimistic. Sure, part of life is suffering but part of life is joyful too. Couldn’t the Noble Truth instead be “Life is Joyful”? Again, I’m not a Buddhist, but I really like …Read More