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March 15, 2022
92. Dancing with Ambition: Eric Zimmer [reads] ‘The Heart of Understanding’
Eric Zimmer reading from Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Heart of Understanding and discussing triumphing over inner psychological wars.
Michael’s new book How to Begin: Start Doing Something that Matters is now available at www.HowToBegin.com.
You might know this fable: Inside us, two wolves, fighting; two conflicting desires. Which one wins? The one you feed. I’m curious to know if you’re attuned to your two wolves right now. Who, or what, is the battle between? Obedience or rebellion, self-care or service, courage or safety, conflict or comfort? I’m Michael Bungay Stanier, and those are my wolves.
Eric Zimmer hosts a wonderful podcast - one that I’ve had the pleasure of being on, twice, - called The One You Feed, where he brings a stillness and a wise curiosity to work and stories that are often rooted in this sort of inner conflict. Get book links and resources at https://www.mbs.works/2-pages-podcast/
Eric reads two pages from ‘The Heart of Understanding’ by Thich Nhat Hanh. [reading begins at 17:30]
Hear us discuss:
“Emptiness is better described as everything all at once.” [22:39] | The understanding of ‘non-self’: “The more I see it, the less afraid I am.” [23:32] | “Sometimes mood drives action, but action can often drive mood.” [26:30] | How to dance with ambition. [27:37] | Drawing wisdom and support from external sources. [35:10]