<ul><li>The body-mind complex is an imagination of the mind just like the bodies seen in a dream. All the activities done by the body are categorised as virtuous or sinful by the mind based on its conditioning. </li><li>The virtuous acts or sinful acts are supposed to result in joy or sorrow. When once we realise that we are not the doers, we cannot also experience the results of the acts. </li><li>Thus, as the results of the actions cannot bind us, the Infinite Reality, we are always free and ever liberated.</li></ul>

#1) YOU ARE NEITHER A DOER NOR AN EXPERIENCER OF RESULTS

<ul><li>Both love and hate are attributes of the mind. The mind never belongs to you. You are of the form of pure consciousness and you do not differentiate between objects. </li><li>When all objects look the same, you remain blissful and changeless as there cannot be different reactions. It is the mind which, because of its prior conditioning, hates some objects and loves some objects.</li></ul>

#2) LEAVE OFF BOTH LOVE AND HATE

<ul><li>A liberated soul has neither attachment nor hatred towards worldly objects. He has no likes or dislikes. </li><li>He does not say “Do not bring this object to me. I dislike it thoroughly.” Nor does he say - “Please give me a little more of this object. I like it very much.” </li><li>He accepts whatever comes to him through fate and is not bothered if he does not get some object. </li><li>As he has no doership because of his disinterestedness, the merit or sin of the action does not affect him.</li></ul>

#3) ACCEPT WHAT ALL COMES AND REJECT NOTHING


A seeker of liberation always clings with his intellect to some support like a mantra (a sacred syllable), Pooja (ritualistic worship), dhyana (meditation) etc., as his desire for liberation still remains even if all other desires have been eliminated.

#4) LET NOT THE MIND CLING TO SOME SUPPORT

Self Improvement

Ashtavakra Gita

‘Living in agreement with nature’ is about behaving rationally like a human instead of randomly (and out of passion) like a beast. In other words, we should always apply our natural ability ‘reason’ in all of our actions. If we apply reason we live in agreement with nature, because we act like humans are meant to act.

#1 LIVE IN AGREEMENT WITH NATURE – THE STOIC GOAL OF LIFE

Always apply reason and try to do the right thing. Act according to the virtues (practical) wisdom, justice, courage, and self-discipline. The results of your virtuous actions are not entirely up to you and therefore should not be the motive for the actions in the first place. Focus on what you can control, which is to act excellently in terms of your character.

#2 LIVE BY VIRTUE – IT IS THE HIGHEST OF ALL GOODS

The most appealing aspect of Stoicism is that we are responsible for our flourishing because all that truly matters in life is up to us. So the key lesson to take away here is to focus our attention and efforts where we have the most power and then let the universe take care of the rest.

#3 FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL, ACCEPT WHAT YOU CAN’T

The good things include the cardinal virtues wisdom, justice, courage, and self-discipline. The bad things include the opposites of these virtues, namely the four vices folly, injustice, cowardice, and indulgence.Indifferent things include all the rest, but mainly life and death, fame and bad reputation, pleasure and pain, wealth and poverty, and health and sickness. Indifferent things can be summed up as health, wealth, and reputation.

#4 DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GOOD, BAD, AND (‘PREFERRED’) INDIFFERENT THINGS

For the Stoics it’s not enough to think about how to live one’s own life, but to actually go out in the world and practice its ideas. You must earn the Good Life by taking the right actions.You should not be satisfied with learning of abstract ideas about how to live one’s life, but you must vigorously apply those ideas. Talk and knowledge are cheap and useless if not applied.

#5 TAKE ACTION – THE TRUE PHILOSOPHER IS A WARRIOR OF THE MIND

Expose yourself to difficult situations through imagination and you’ll be stronger and less vulnerable in real life situations. our anticipation of bad stuff to happen does not magically make everything easy-peasy to endure. But it helps us not to go to pieces when shit happens. We can face adversity much calmer, analyze it rationally, and decide to take smart action.

#6 PRACTICE MISFORTUNE – ASK “WHAT COULD GO WRONG?”

You have a plan and try everything to <a href="https://www.njlifehacks.com/intrinsic-goals-vs-extrinsic-goals/">achieve your goal</a>, but at the same time you should know that something may intervene and prevent you from achieving your goal. Accept that and adapt your plan to the new circumstances and again try to make the best you can. You can call it "The Process"

#7 ADD A RESERVE CLAUSE TO YOUR PLANNED ACTIONS

Let’s say something happened we wish had not. Now, which is easier to change: our opinion or the event itself? The answer is obvious. The event lies in the past and cannot be changed. But our opinion can. We can accept what happened and change our wish that it had not happened. <a href="https://www.njlifehacks.com/what-is-stoicism-overview-definition-10-stoic-principles/">Stoicism</a> calls this the “art of acquiescence” – to accept rather than fight every little thing.

#8 AMOR FATI – LOVE EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS

Our <a href="https://www.cwilsonmeloncelli.com/perception-reality-epigenetics-affects-sports-performance/">perceptions</a> can be like a lead ball chained to our feet, holding us back and making us weak, or they can be a great source of strength like a magic potion. How we see the world around us, how we interpret what happens to us, makes a massive difference in how we get to live our lives. What we already learned from the Stoics, is, that they see external events not as good or bad but as indifferent.

#9 TURN OBSTACLES INTO OPPORTUNITIES – PERCEPTION IS KEY

Take Stoicism, if you want to live according to virtue, you know, applying reason (wisdom), courage, justice, and temperance, then you necessarily need to be mindful of what you’re doing. You are mindful when you self-monitor and observe your thoughts and actions, as they happen, in the here and now. So that you are fully aware of what you are doing at each instant.

#10 BE MINDFUL – STOIC MINDFULNESS IS WHERE IT ALL BEGINS

What is Stoicism? Here's a clear and easy to understand overview of the Stoic Philosophy and its main priniciples with helpful illustrations.

What is Stoicism? A Definition & 10 Stoic Key Principles

You cannot win, until you identify who your enemies are. Spot your enemies by sign and patterns. And when you find them, inwardly declare war. Enemies can give you with purpose and direction for growth.

#1 THE POLARITY STRATEGY

Most of the time your past weighs you down and bring misery. So, force yourself to react to the present. Wage a guerilla war on your mind, and allow no static lines of defense.

#2 THE GUERRILA WAR OF THE MIND STRATEGY

Never lose your presence of mind. It is vital for maintaining mental powers. Train your mind to be tougher by exposing it to adversity. Detach yourself from chaos.

#3 THE COUNTER BALANCE STRATEGY

You are your own worst enemy! You waste your time by dreaming about future. Instead, engage with present, and enter an unknown territory. Place yourself on "death ground", where your back is against the wall and you have to fight like hell to get out alive.

#4 THE DEATH GROUND STRATEGY

When you lead a group, the people in it have their own agendas. You have to maintain a chain of command where they don't feel left out by your influence. So, to counter this, create a sense of participation but don't fall into groupthink.

#5 THE COMMAND & CONTROL STRATEGY

33 War Strategies That Will Help You Win Everything In Life

Devote significant time in planning for any project. And more importantly, use deception. Many people get over excited on starting a new project and fail to fool-proof it, ultimately giving your rival an advantage. Your buisness should be seen as struggling to your rivals until you reach a point where you're outperforming them. "When you're near, you must make the enemy belive, you're far away."

#1. LET YOUR PLANS BE DARK AND IMPENETRABLE AS NIGHT, AND WHEN YOU MOVE, FALL LIKE A THUNDERBOLT

Sun Tzu says, it is extremely important to choose the timing of when to engage the enemy. Having a good strategy is must, but appropriate timing of it's implementation is essential for it's success. Like in marketing, it is important to pay attention to what is happening in a market before entering it, and to stay on top of trends, responding to them in real-time.

#2. THE QUALITY OF DECISION IS LIKE THE WELL-TIMED SWOOP OF A FALCON WHICH ENABLES IT TO STRIKE AND DESTROY ITS VICTIM

Every conflict creates an oppurtunity. Warren Buffet says, the best time to invest is when everyone sells out of fear & prices hit the floor, maximizing the value of your investment. So, as a leader continue to make strongly informed, rational decisions and not decisions based on emotions. Sun Tzu suggests that, remain calm and clear minded during chaos.

#3. IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS, THERE IS OPPORTUNITY

Sun Tzu always had to be prepared for the worst, no matter how trained his soldiers were. While going for battle, you have to counter serveal variables and tactics, so it's better to always be prepared for worst case scenario. Similarly, when you're working on a project, there can be several instances, when your plan can go wrong, so anticipating this in advance can help you come out with solutions quickly.

#4. EXPECT THE BEST, BUT PREPARE FOR THE WORST

"Boats" mean the excuses. If you've provided yourself a goal, a dream, then burn every friggin boats! Destroy every possible excuse which blocks your way. Commit entirely to the goal, but again, be prepared for the worst.

#5. IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THE ISLAND, BURN THE BOATS!

"There's not a dated maxim or vague prescription in it." — Newsweek Regarded as the world's oldest military treatise, this compact volume has instructed officers and tacticians for more than 2,000 years. From its origins in China, The Art of War traveled the world to inform the strategies of Napoleon and World War II generals. More recently, it has taken on a new life as a guide to competing successfully in business, law, and sports. All of The Art of War's concepts retain their value to modern readers, from the prudence of circumventing a strong opponent and taking advantage of a weak one to the wisdom of preparedness and flexibility. Other topics include strategy, tactics, maneuvering, communications, the treatment of soldiers, and the worth of well-trained officers. History enthusiasts, business thought leaders, and anyone intrigued by competition and rivalry will appreciate this elegant edition of the classic work.

The Art of War

Machiavelli asserts that the "main foundations" of every state are "good laws and good arms," meaning that a ruler must anchor his state to sound legal and military codes if he wishes to maintain his power. But the emphasis should be more on martial strength as one cannot have "good laws without good arms" and that "good laws inevitably follow" from good arms. Machiavelli advises a ruler to study warfare in times of peace, so that he may "reap the profit" when war inevitably comes.

#1 LAWS AND ARMS

With the term "fortune," Machiavelli refers to the unpredictability of fate, meaning the ways in which chance, opportunity, and pure luck often influence the course of life. In opposition to fortune, Machiavelli places the idea of "prowess," referencing the skills and abilities that men possess and use to exert control over their circumstances. A leader cannot maintain his hold on a state without a certain degree of skill and prowess. We must take precautions!

#2 FORTUNE AND PROWESS

According to Machiavelli, a wise prince may be better served by focusing on the distinction between goodwill and hatred. Above all else, a ruler "must only endeavor to escape being hated," for the "best fortress that exists is to avoid being hated by the people." Of only slightly lesser importance, the prince must cultivate the goodwill and respect of the people. But some situations demand cruelty, such as disciplining the army to instill order which can result in the people's fear and respect.

#3 GOODWILL AND HATRED

Machiavelli blurs the line between virtue and vice, arguing that, for a leader, the value of an action rests solely on the context and end result of its performance. Virtue and vice are not fixed terms, they must change according to the goal. The leaders "must be prepared not to be virtuous," since the performance of certain vices is "necessary for safeguarding the state." A leader must know "how to do evil, if that is necessary," but must also strive to maintain the appearance of virtue.

#4 VIRTUE v/s VICE

A theoretical and practical guide to the acquisition and maintenance of power within a state

The Prince

In other words, live up to your image, especially when it is a beneficial one. If people look at you and think that you look like a hard worker, live up to it even if you disagree with them! Never disclose your weaknesses to people in your professional setting. People can use it against you. "IMAGE IS EVERYTHING!"

IF A SNAKE IS NON-POISONOUS, THEN ALSO IT MUST PRETEND LIKE ONE WITH AN ABILITY TO TAKE LIFE

<h3>Growth is a painful process and so is learning. Seeking comfort can mean being stagnant and leading a repetitive lifestyle.</h3>

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR KNOWLEDGE, THEN GIVE UP THE HOPE OF FINDING COMFORT

When we make mistakes, especially in a professional setting, it is seen as a blow to one’s ego. This leads to people either treading too carefully or avoiding risks. But a thick skin is required to succeed in business. Make mistakes, learn and grow is the key.

YOU SHOULD BE SHAMELESS WHEN IT COMES ABOUT LEARNING SOMETHING OR DEALING IN BUSINESS

This is a point of definite relevance. In a world where competition is high, there is no dearth of ideas. It is all about who executes their ideas first and the last thing you need is someone copy your ideas.

DO NOT REVEAL YOUR PLANS BEFORE OTHERS AS OTHERS WILL TRY TO HINDER YOUR REGIME

Nobody likes to surround themselves with negative energy especially in the workplace. And being foul-mouthed means saying things that are hard for people to forgive and are often words that you can never take back. In a professional setting, always use professional language.

PEOPLE WHO USE FOUL LANGUAGE MEET QUICK DESTRUCTION

Honestly, staying away from negative elements is the best way to help yourself. Revenge is tempting, but often, not worth it.

THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO DEAL WITH WICKED PEOPLE. ONE IS TO CRUSH THEM AND THE OTHER IS TO STAY AWAY FROM THEM

Have you ever been in the presence of an individual who just seems to take up so much of your energy? Evaluate whether you are counseling a ‘fool’ or are constantly pandering to a resolutely unhappy person.

IT IS SILLY TO COUNSEL THE FOOL AND TO BE IN THE COMPANY OF AN UNHAPPY PERSON

Voluntary Discomfort is almost certainly the path to success as you challenge yourself while anticipating failure and giving yourself the mental strength to face it.

ONE WHO PLANS AND PREPARES HIMSELF TO FACE CHALLENGES IS MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED AGAINST THEM

Life is meant to be lived to its fullest. In your youthful prime is when a man can slog in order to grow the fastest. Make sure to use your youth to grow and learn so that you can be comfortable in your later stages.

ONE MUST MAKE WORTHY USE OF HIS LIFE. IT IS SHORT AND YOUTH IS EVEN SHORTER.

Your job title is not everything when it comes to success. There are many other aspects of life. A CEO may not have good work-life balance, or your Manager may not be the best at what they do. There are many layers to success.

A MAN MIGHT ATTEND BIG POSITION AFTER DOING SOMETHING BUT THAT IS NOT ALL

Chanakya Neeti' is a treatise on the ideal way of life and shows Chanakya's deep study of the Indian way of life. Chanakya is regarded as a great thinker and diplomat in India. The book portrays about his ideologies and ideas in diverse situations, which are pertinent even to today's times. The topics discussed in this book are morality, ethics, governance and several others. Chanakya, traditionally known as Kautilya or Vishnu Gupta, was an Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist and royal advisor. He wrote the 'Arthashastra', an ancient Indian political treatise. Considered a pioneer in the field of Political Science and Economics in India, his works, lost towards the end of the Gupta Empire, were fortunately rediscovered in 1915. He played a crucial role in the establishment and expansion of the Mauryan Empire.

Career

Chanakya Neeti

<ul><li>When you force the other person to act, you are the one in control. It is always better to make your opponent come to you, abandoning his own plans in the process. Lure him with fabulous gains - then attack. You hold the cards.</li></ul>

MAKE OTHER PEOPLE COME TO YOU - USE BAIT IF NECESSARY

<ul><li>All great leaders since Moses have known that a feared enemy must be crushed completely. (Sometimes they have learned this the hard way.) If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it smolders, a fire will eventually break out. More is lost through stopping halfway than through total annihilation: the enemy will recover, and will seek revenge. Crush him, not only in body but in spirit.</li></ul>

CRUSH YOUR ENEMY TOTALLY

<ul><li>You must seem a paragon of civility and efficiency: your hands are never soiled by mistakes and nasty deeds. Maintain such a spotless appearance by using others as unwitting pawns and screens to disguise your involvement.</li></ul>

KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAN

Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this multi-million-copy New York Times bestseller is the definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control – from the author of The Laws of Human Nature. In the book that People magazine proclaimed “beguiling” and “fascinating,” Robert Greene and Joost Elffers have distilled three thousand years of the history of power into 48 essential laws by drawing from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz and also from the lives of figures ranging from Henry Kissinger to P.T. Barnum. Some laws teach the need for prudence (“Law 1: Never Outshine the Master”), others teach the value of confidence (“Law 28: Enter Action with Boldness”), and many recommend absolute self-preservation (“Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally”). Every law, though, has one thing in common: an interest in total domination. In a bold and arresting two-color package, The 48 Laws of Power is ideal whether your aim is conquest, self-defense, or simply to understand the rules of the game.

Ashtavakra Gita

What is Stoicism? A Definition & 10 Stoic Key Principles

33 War Strategies That Will Help You Win Everything In Life

The Art of War

The Prince

Raj Tilak Bhowmick