The hottest Eastern philosophy Substack posts right now

Xunzi believed in the importance of hierarchy and meritocracy. He thought that the best people should lead, regardless of their birth or wealth, and that learning and self-improvement are key to being a good person.
He argued that society needs clear distinctions and roles to function well. When everyone is equal in authority, it can cause chaos, so having a system with recognized roles helps maintain order.
Xunzi felt that the government should help enrich its people, not just take resources from them. A successful state should create conditions for abundance, making the population better off overall.

Fear can prevent us from taking action, making us feel stuck. It's important to recognize that running from fear might be what we truly fear.
Finding purpose in life isn't about reaching a destination but about walking a path. Every moment is an opportunity to choose faith over fear.
Being present and expressing gratitude can help us connect with others and find meaning. Each day is a new chance to share and make a difference.

Your time is limited, so it's important to spend it wisely instead of wasting it on distractions like social media.
Philosophy can mean different things to different people, from self-help to deep religious texts, but it encourages reflection and understanding.
Many great philosophers, like Socrates and Confucius, aimed to explore fundamental truths and offer insights that still resonate today.

Ram Dass was a major spiritual teacher who introduced many people to Eastern philosophies and meditation. His journey started in Harvard and took him to India, where he met his guru.
A personal encounter with Ram Dass felt like meeting an old friend. It showed that connection and love can have a strong impact, even in brief moments.
His legacy continues through his teachings, reminding us that sometimes the way we make people feel is more important than what we say or do.

Byung-Chul Han is a Korean-German philosopher known for his critical engagement with contemporary culture, including the concept of burnout culture.
Han's work focuses on critiquing inauthentic forms of selfhood and the loss of negation and conflict dynamics in culture.
Han advocates for seeking authenticity through a genuine re-engagement with the multitudinous shape of existence, emphasizing the power of saying no and achieving pure negativity.

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The author embarked on a journey seeking the 'miraculous' and believed the East held the key to a new reality.
The concept of 'schools' or learning communities for self-development evolved from fantastical to more concrete during the author's travels.
Encountering individuals and ideas related to psychology, chemistry, and mystical practices in the East shifted the author's perspectives on magic and the extraordinary.