Explore the spiritual, the physical, and the mystical
Get ready to surf the highs and lows of life.
You cannot scroll YouTube without coming across shorts from this guy’s podcast. He is a former UFC commentator, actor, and comedian. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the famous…. Joe Rogan!
Today’s unique compilation is based on the books recommended by Rogan.
It will take from the electron orbits to the spiritual plane of existence. You’ll learn to tap into your mind’s power and explore the mystery of JFK’s assassination.
Let’s go!
Source: Books Mentioned/Praised/Recommended by Joe Rogan on his Twitter/Podcast/Instagram.
Lessons from a samurai.
This book is from 1645 when it was originally handwritten on scrolls. Miyamoto Musashi, a Japanese swordsman, is the mind behind this famous piece of writing.
The author shares the tips and techniques for fighting that he has learned and mastered during his lifetime.
“The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means.”
He has divided his writing into five books: Ground, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void. This is based on the five elements that make up the universe in Buddhist tradition.
In the water book, Musashi tells us that a true warrior moves like water. Just like water takes the shape of a vessel it is poured into, the warrior adapts to whatever is in front of him.
While the focus of the book is sword fighting and other martial arts, it covers underlying philosophies and mind-body connection.
“Get beyond love and grief: exist for the good of Man.”
The author focuses on the mindset needed to win. He also talks about the importance of having a teacher and practicing.
Martial arts students can certainly benefit from this book.
Other people, regardless of their profession, can use Musashi’s wisdom to guide them in life’s challenging situations.
Buy The Book of Five Rings: A Classic Text on the Japanese Way of the Sword by Miyamoto Musashi On Amazon
Travel through time in 400 pages.
Harari takes on an enormous feat as he covers the entirety of human history in one book.
He divides our time on earth into 4 revolutions:
the cognitive revolution
the agricultural revolution
the industrial revolution
the biotechnological revolution
The writer discusses how language and the power of imagination let humans coordinate on a large scale. He also touches on the rise of religions, the creation of money, and the spread of capitalism.
Along with the above, he also explores happiness and its connection to money and development.
With powers to manipulate DNA and engineer organisms, Harari calls humans ‘irresponsible gods’.
“Is there anything more dangerous than dissatisfied and irresponsible gods who don’t know what they want?”
In the course of covering history, Harari provides us with moments to ponder and reflect. For example, he says about living a meaningful life:
“A meaningful life can be extremely satisfying even in the midst of hardship, whereas a meaningless life is a terrible ordeal no matter how comfortable it is.”
I agree.
This history book deserves a place on your bookshelf for sure.
A bond made in blood.
Junger is a renowned journalist and filmmaker. He has reported from Afghanistan during the war.
Using his experience of war zones and interaction with military personnel, he draws our attention to something very important.
Junger discusses the psychological issues that soldiers face in the aftermath of a war. He also discusses the bond that soldiers have with one another in high-stress and life-threatening situations.
“What would you risk dying for — and for whom — is perhaps the most profound question a person can ask themselves.”
The writer theorizes that when veterans return from combat, they have a problem fitting in because society is highly individualized.
The soldiers spent time where they were brothers with their fellows. In normal society, no such tribe exists.
This gives you a pause. Have we lost the social connection with fellow humans?
“Humans don’t mind hardship, in fact they thrive on it; what they mind is not feeling necessary.”
The writer tells us that will urbanization and riches entering a society, depression and suicides go up. This is as horrific as it can get.
Maybe we were meant to toil away on farms and go to sleep at sunset.
An interesting book that will make you reflect on your life and friendships.
Go with the flow or live in the flow?
In this book, Kotler and Wheal discuss deep states of consciousness and their power.
Anything apart from the conscious state of mind is an altered state of consciousness.
“The conscious mind is a potent tool, but it’s slow, and can manage only a small amount of information at once.”
The authors focus on a specific altered state called the peak state. In this state, creativity is heightened and one experiences the spiritual and mystic realm.
They call these peak states, ‘ecstasis’.
According to the authors, one of the ways to achieve ‘ecstasis’ is through psychedelic drugs.
I don’t like this particular path. But, I like the other ways that the authors suggest.
For example: meditation and extreme sports. Both require razor-sharp focus and help the mind reach its full potential.
“When free from the confines of our normal identity, we are able to look at life, and the often repetitive stories we tell about it, with fresh eyes.”
If you are interested in the concept of flow, you are going to love this book.
Get rid of mediocrity, go pro!
In this book, Pressfield divides people into two categories. Amateurs and pros.
The amateurs have high dreams and aspirations but they don’t act. The pros take practical steps toward their goals.
Pros practice discipline and commitment to achieve their dreams.
Pressfield impresses upon us the importance of becoming a pro through multiple stories. The readers are bound to see their personal struggles in the life of the protagonists.
For example, a businessman, who wasn’t a pro despite earnng a lot. Why?
Because he never pursued his real goal, writing.
For the social media-obsessed world, the following is the right analogy.
“The amateur tweets. The pro works.”
As someone who has gotten rid of social media for the most part, let me tell you, life is peaceful. Getting rid of mindless distractions sure helps you focus on what you want from life.
I can’t say I have achieved the pro level. But I’d like to think that I am on the path to doing so.
Join me in my pro journey by getting your hands on this book!
What did the historians miss?
Graham Hancock brings us the mysteries of the past and offers unlikely explanations.
He discusses advanced archeological sites such as Tiwanaku in Bolivia and the ancient civilizations of Egypt and America.
The writer argues for the existence of an ancient civilization in Antarctica which was way more advanced than us. According to him, it was destroyed by a major pole shift.
Hancock tells us that the blocks used in Egyptian pyramids can only be hoisted by modern-day industrial machines. And even those machines are pretty rare.
Hence he questions how they were lifted in the past.
“Was it not, therefore, somewhat surprising that the builders at Giza had hoisted such weights on an almost routine basis?”
Another interesting thing is Hancock’s theory for the reason of advanced knowledge of the past humans.
He theorizes that the humans of the past were on a spiritual and philosophical quest.
“the ancients … I think it is obvious that their main project was a profound spiritual quest & the dilation of the mind through the pursuit of esoteric knowledge.”
The critics argue that Hancock’s account can only be classified as pseudoscience.
Even if you disagree with the author, this book will surely make you wonder.
Buckle up for some physics!
Sean M. Carroll, a theoretical physicist, discusses quantum mechanics.
While this book is more of interest to physics students, Carroll does provide day-to-day examples. This can help a layperson understand some of the difficult concepts.
Caroll starts with the difference in 19th and 20th-century views of the nature of our universe.
From the whole universe, he takes us to the minuscule i.e. the movement of electrons.
“As far as quantum field theory is concerned, a human being or the center of a star isn’t all that different from empty space.”
The author argues for a ‘many world interpretation’ of quantum physics. This seems like a treat for sci-fi lovers.
While some of the book is easy, most of it requires a higher understanding of physics and math.
“But honest physicists admit that we don’t truly understand quantum mechanics.”
Ah! This makes me feel better. If physicists can’t understand it, how can I?
However, if you are an aspiring physicist or know someone who is, this book is a must-get. It will make a perfect gift for a mathematical mind.
8. The war of art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield
Overcome resistance or keep living a lie — your call!
We all have felt at times that we were meant to pursue something greater. Something apart from what we are doing now.
Pressfield tells us to go do it.
“Creative work is…a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.”
As to why we are not the artist, creator, or writer that we were meant to be?
The writer says that we have fallen to the ‘resistance’, the opposing force that originates from within. The more potential that our goal has, the more resistance we face.
What can we do then?
Show up and do the work. Even if you are afraid. Even if you feel everything is going wrong.
Fear is an indication that you are a real innovator.
“The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.”
This book will provide you with the right motivation to reimagine your life and get on the train to success.
Is death just another step?
Osho Rajneesh is a leader of the Rajneesh movement.
This book is based on Osho’s lectures. The compilation has been done by Maneesha James. She calls this compilation ‘the insights of a contemporary mystic’.
Osho starts with the different attitudes in East and West. In the East, people consider sex a taboo, while the same is true for death in the West.
The author invites us to accept death and not let its fear overcome us.
“Death cannot be denied by repeating that death does not exist.”
He calls death a separation of body and self, rather than an end.
This book is littered with anecdotes and stories which makes it engaging.
Safe to say that Rajneesh has been the center of quite a few controversies in his life. His conduct at times has been questionable.
Regardless, you can still benefit from his spiritual thoughts through this book.
10. Best Evidence: Disguise and Deception in the Assassination of John F. Kennedy by David S. Lifton
Who killed JFK?
This book is an investigation of the 1963 John F Kennedy assassination.
The author David S. Lifton has spent years researching, gathering evidence, and interviewing people. This book has been written in first person as the writer shares his story of digging into the JFK mystery.
In fact, Lifton became so obsessed with the JFK mystery that he dropped out of his Master’s degree, something he shares in the book as well.
The author has interviewed the morgue attendants, the security personnel, and the medical staff. He uses his research to point out the inconsistencies in the official version of events.
Lifton has taken a lot of time to pick apart the Warren Commission report and discuss the autopsy of JFK.
Most notably, he discusses an observation by FBI agents who attended the autopsy. They noted surgery on the top of the skull.
As a result of his work, Lifton concludes (spoiler alert) that Lee Harvey Oswald was not the person who killed JFK.
Some classify Lifton’s theory as another addition to the conspiracy stockpile.
Regardless, you have to acknowledge the writer’s dedication and hard work.
If you are looking for the truth in the JFK case, then it’s a shame if this book isn’t already on your shelf. You can still get it though.
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