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  • How Gen Z Views Steve Jobs and His Vision for Technology

    How Gen Z Views Steve Jobs and His Vision for Technology

    In my last post about The Whole Earth Catalog, I mentioned the late Steve Jobs. As fully paid-up member of Gen X, I grew up well aware of who Jobs was, and how he co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak, starting the business from the garage of the Jobs family house in Los Altos, California. It’s…

  • Using Zen to Enhance Productivity and Transform Your Work Life

    Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was deeply influenced by Zen philosophy, which he encountered during his travels to India and through his interactions with Zen masters like Shunryu Suzuki and Kobun Otogawa in the U.S. Jobs practiced meditation, a core aspect of Zen, and was particularly drawn to the Sōtō school of Japanese Zen, which emphasises sitting…

  • How to Get Unstuck by Adopting a Beginner’s Mind

    Beginner’s mind (Shoshin, 初心) is a key concept in Zen Buddhism, emphasising an open, curious, and non-judgmental approach to life and practice. It comes from the Zen teaching that we should approach everything as if we are seeing it for the first time, without preconceived notions or attachments. Shunryu Suzuki’s Definition Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki,…

  • The Whole Earth Catalog: The Paperback Internet That Changed Everything

    The Whole Earth Catalog: The Paperback Internet That Changed Everything

    The Whole Earth Catalog (WEC) really was as cool as people say – if you were into DIY culture, self-sufficiency, and an early, almost proto-internet vision of knowledge-sharing. It was a mix of a Sears catalogue for hippies and an anarchist’s manual for building a better world. Published by Stewart Brand from 1968 to 1972…

  • Feeling Stuck: A Sign That You’re Ready for Change

    Have you ever felt like you’re treading water in your own life, struggling to make meaningful progress, and wondering why you can’t seem to shake that sense of stagnation? I know I have. While it may feel frustrating, this very sensation of being stuck is actually a powerful signal that you’re on the cusp of…

  • The Mindful Art of Head Shaving

    The Mindful Art of Head Shaving

    Head shaving can be transformed from a mundane grooming task into a ritual of mindfulness and self-care. By approaching this simple act with intention and awareness, you can create a moment of peace in your busy day. Here’s how to turn your head shaving routine into a mindful practice. Creating the Setting Begin by preparing…

  • The Art of Kaizen: Small Changes for Transformative Living

    In our fast-paced world of quick fixes and instant results, the Japanese philosophy of kaizen offers a refreshing alternative. This centuries-old concept – which translates to “continuous improvement” – presents a gentler, more sustainable path to personal growth through small, consistent changes that compound over time. What is Kaizen? Kaizen emerged in Japan after World…

  • Is There Such a Thing as Fate or Destiny?

    Is There Such a Thing as Fate or Destiny?

    The concept of fate or destiny is one of the oldest and most pervasive topics in human thought and philosophy. From the ancient Greeks to modern-day thinkers, the debate has been ongoing: are our lives predestined, or do we carve our own paths through free will and choice? Understanding Fate and Destiny Fate is often…