The modern confusion around meaning, self, and purpose is rooted in a profound western science distortion of core philosophical insights, a paradigm perfectly illustrated by the simplification of Abraham Maslow’s work. When most people think of Abraham Maslow, they imagine a bright, multicolored pyramid of the “Hierarchy of Needs” stacked neatly from survival to self-actualization….
Recently, I came across an article in a highly regarded professional journal I found quite unsettling. The author proposed the idea that the “Authentic Self” doesn’t really exist and that “there is no mysterious ‘Authentic Self’ that needs to be discovered.” Then added that the search for your Authentic Self is futile, consumes a lot…
Most people spend their lives trying to find happiness in life, chasing goals, relationships, or achievements that promise fulfillment. Yet even after reaching those milestones, many discover that happiness fades as quickly as it arrives. For years, I wondered why that was. Why do some people radiate peace and contentment while others, with all the…
Most people think their bookshelves reflect their interests. I think these objects are revealing your identity. In my case, I pulled a section at random, just one small stretch of spine-worn titles and a single antique statue. And yet, it reads like a manifesto—an autobiography in objects. What might appear as an eclectic mix at…
When I was working as a door-to-door salesman, I didn’t walk into someone’s home or office just to sell. I walked in to observe. This was when I discovered the subtle interplay of symbolic reality. While most people scanned faces and listened for objections, I looked at their surroundings: the bookshelf, the desk clutter, the art…
Phenomenology and Marilyn Monroe’s dress may seem at odds, but the controversy surrounding Kardashian’s fashion decision creates fertile ground for thought. Framed by Shakespeare’s reference, my offering is a step further: the objects in our life shape our perception of it. How does this work? Let’s start with a combination of archaeology and forensics—both useful…