Sunday Supplement #56 (June 5th, 2022)
Below is another Sunday Supplement with a quote worth sharing, a book worth reading, a movie worth watching, brainfood worth consuming, and a spiritual passage worth pondering.
I hope you take something away from these recommendations that enriches your week ahead!
Quote of the Week:
“There is virtue in work, and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.”
– Alan Cohen
Book of the Week:
Waking Up – Sam Harris
Multiple New York Times bestselling author Sam Harris explores how to live a spiritual life without religion in his book Waking Up.
In the book, Harris outlines his journey of spirituality, what he’s learned, and the science that backs up the practice.
A few chapters delve into different religions and modern practices. Harris outlines the useful common ground while highlighting the pitfalls.
Many spirituality books and practices believe their way is the only way or the best way to see the light. Waking Up provides a good litmus test to weed out the charlatans.
Harris outlines the essentials for living a spiritual life that isn’t reliant on religion and shows how mediation is a rational practice.
Waking Up is worth reading and keeping in mind when delving into other spirituality books and practices.
Movie of the Week:
John Hughes wrote and directed many classic 80s films. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is arguably one of his best.
The film follows high school senior Ferris Bueller as he fakes sick a month before graduation. He’s skipped too many times before, and if he gets caught, he won’t graduate.
Ferris’s day off includes rousing his best friend from staying home actually sick, getting his girlfriend out of school, and going on numerous adventures in the city.
While Ferris and his friends go on their adventures, the school principal attempts to catch Ferris in his lie. Ferris’s sister also attempts to track him down after seeing the support from the school about his illness.
The movie was made for $5 million and grossed over $70 million at the box office.
At the beginning and the end of the movie, Ferris Bueller states, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it.”
The film stands the test of time and is worth checking out if you’re looking for a fun watch with interesting and upbeat themes.
Brainfood of the Week:
How To Meditate For Beginners – Improvement Pill
This Improvement Pill video discusses precisely how to meditate— where to meditate, what to do with your body, what to do with your mind, and how long you should do it.
The video uses information from the highly recommended book Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana.
Improvement Pill’s video does a brilliant job of highlighting the optimal ways of meditation and also gives practical advice on making it easy to get started.
Mindfulness Breathing Mediation is the type of meditation the video uses as a guide and starting point.
The cumulative benefits show themselves at different times for different people. However, a meditation practice could be an invaluable addition to your personal care routine.
I’ve featured Improvement Pill recently in Sunday Supplement #54, but I’ve watched their videos for years. Their channel is an excellent source of knowledge on self-help subjects.
Closing Spiritual Passage:
“When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a lamp in a windless place.”
– The Bhagavad Gita
This passage from the Bhagavad Gita reminds me of the importance of steady meditation practice.
Having one or two times in the day where you sit or lay in silence is a beautiful way to recuperate and give your body and mind a break.
The Bhagavad Gita passage reminds me of the effects of meditation when practiced over time.
While I haven’t mastered meditation, some of the most productive and calm times in my life have been after adopting a morning and evening mediation routine.
The Brainfood of the Week is an excellent video to help start a meditation practice. I also provide video prompts in Sunday Supplements #31 and #41 worth checking out.
Make time for yourself to rest your mind and body, and have a blessed week ahead!
Improvement Pill is the best! Love reading these Drew, keep it up
Thanks, Michael! Really appreciate it 🙂 And yeah, Improvement Pill is awesome!