November 15, 2023

We often mistake experience for wisdom. But today, our guest challenges this notion. Wisdom isn’t just about ourselves; it’s about the legacy we craft. How do we become good ancestors and leave the world better than the one we entered?

Join me in a conversation with Nikos Patedakis, a philosopher dedicated to unleashing wisdom and compassion. Brace yourself—the ideas exchanged in our conversation were nothing short of mind-expanding. 

Nikos, armed with multiple philosophy degrees, including a PhD, wields wisdom, love, and beauty to transform lives. Through his role as a consulting philosopher and educator, he reshapes individuals, cultures, and our world. In this episode, we explore wisdom traditions and the need to deepen one’s understanding of oneself and the mind.

We discussed:

• What it means to have a wisdom-based approach to life
• How to weave a lifetime of your experiences into wisdom
• Considering your legacy and how you would love to be remembered
• Why mindfulness makes life much more interesting as you age
• The concept of ‘training for death’ (and why you shouldn’t put it off)
• Why leaving work behind isn’t really about filling a void in your life

 

Connect with Nikos

Free resources on compassion training: https://dangerouswisdom.org/meditations

Nikos’ book recommendations on the subject of living well and dying well:

The Art of Living: Peace and Freedom in the Here and Now by Thich Nhat Hanh

Dying with Confidence: A Tibetan Buddhist Guide to Preparing for Death by Anyen Rinpoche

The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us about Living Fully by Frank Ostaseski

How We Live Is How We Die by Pema Chodron

The documentary Tukdam

Interview with Doug Tallamy about creating the world’s biggest national park in your own backyard