| Title | : | Mark Manson on Self-Knowledge |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 24 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2018 |
The pursuit of self-knowledge is at the heart of most religions and philosophical pursuits across the world. It seems that an unfortunate side effect of the brain’s marvellous ability to question everything is the brain’s ability to question itself.
“Who am I? Why do I do the things I do? Can I change?”
These are questions that inevitably plague us all in one form or another. And while I don’t believe there’s ever a permanent answer to any of them, we can become better at investigating ourselves.
(That sounded kind of dirty.)
It turns out that psychology has uncovered numerous ways in which our beliefs about ourselves affect not only our behaviours ut our successes in this world. People who believe they are smarter actually do better on tests, even though they aren’t smarter and haven’t studied any more than the average student. People who believe they are given an energy drink are able to lift more weight than normal, even though the drink they were given contained nothing special. People who believe they need less sleep actually do perform better under less sleep than those who do not.
Beliefs are powerful. And because they are powerful, we must learn to train our mind to observe them and question them.
This short ebook contains three ideas that are designed to help you do that:
1. Your Two Minds
2. Believe What’s Helpful, Not What’s True
3. The Prime Belief
Hopefully, by the end, you will find yourself much more
comfortable questioning yourself and opening to new ideas
you had never considered before.
Enjoy.
Mark Manson on Self-Knowledge Reviews
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This short ebook is a compilation of three long articles. But, since it's free to download for anyone, I won't complain about that at all (as I did about other books which you had to pay for, but still offered nothing that was not findable on the author's site).
The first article is about emotions and how to handle them. It introduced a totally new idea to me, about the thinking mind and the observing mind and defusing them. If you sometimes have troubles with emotions (and who doesn't!), this will prove really helpful, I think.
The second article is titled: belief what's helpful, not what's true. I do not agree with the overall relativistic message of the article. I do not think Hitler was right in keeping false beliefs about Jews because they were helpful to him, bringing and keeping him in power in Nazi-Germany. However, I think it's still important that Manson points out that beliefs are choices, and I agree that you should belief what's helpful in more subjective areas, such as your appearance.
The third article is about taking total responsibility. Although I already knew about this idea, and I've been applying it ever since I read about it (on Steve Pavlina's blog), I think this idea cannot be emphasized enough. -
The author of Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck, transits 3 clear ideas in this short book without any subtleness:
#1. We all have Two minds:
-The thinking brain & Observing Brain (this concept is taken from Buddhism as well as ALT: acceptance & commitment therapy )
-We shouldn't diffuse ourselves with negative emotions when they arise (Better to say I feel anger than saying I was angry.)
-Emotions aren't a choice, Behavior is.
-Emotions are temporary. They aren't anyone's fault, they just are.
#2 Believe not what's true but what is helpful:
-Confirmation bias a human need to only notice & observe phenomena that support our prior beliefs.
-Truth is up for endless debate in most circumstances. So why not debate on a side that helps you?
#3 The Prime Belief :
-You are responsible for everything you do in your life, no matter external circumstances. (The idea was taken from William James, Father of American Psychology, Book "Will to Believe")
-Simple choice to take responsibility for ourselves and our values allows us to feel in control of everything that happens to us. -
كتيب صغير ومفيد، أنصح بقراءته. أحب كتابات مارك مانسون بالمجمل وهو أفضل من قرأت له في مجال تعليم الناس كيفية التعاطي النفسي مع المشاكل الحياتية اليومية. يعطي مارك مانسون في هذا الكتيب للقارئ طرقا تمكنه من التعامل مع ضغوطات الحياة أو الصعوبات التي يواجهها بدون أن يستسلم تماما كي لا يصل لدرجة من الإحباط والعجز تجعله يتوقف عن فعل كل شيء.
يستطيع أي إنسان من خلال فهم الآلية التي يتعامل بها الدماغ مع ضغوطات الحياة أن يقوم بإحداث تغييرات واعية تعاكس أفكاره اللاواعية السلبية وبذلك تساعده على تجاوز الصعوبات بسرعة أكبر وعلى عدم الوقوع بفخ الاستسلام أو العجز التام الذي يوقفه عن أن يؤدي في حياته بشكل طبيعي لدى وقوع المشاكل أو الصعوبات. -
It is not exactly a book but 3 articles put together.
If you feel that you have a good knowledge of Zen, then this book wouldn't provide much value. But other than that it is a good read.
Summary
Part1: The two minds:
You have 2 minds the thinking mind & the observing mind. You can not control the thinking mind, it will think & feel various things, good and bad. It is what you do with the observing mind that makes you live the consequences of the thinking mind.
Part2: Believe not what's true but what's helpful:
You have the option to believe the glass is half full or half empty. If what you believe is harming you in anyway you have the option to change what you believe. If you believe you are ugly you will act in such a way and make it's results come true, if you believe you are beautiful you will act in such a way and make it's results true.
Part3: The prime belief
What ever happens to you, you are the reason it happened. This is about taking responsibility of not what you do but also what is happening to you as well. -
I'm blown away by Manson's ability to convey in a readable, understandable style how to deal with my often unhelpful thoughts and emotions. He is not a trained therapist, but he employs many scientific and ancient techniques to apply to one's daily life in the hopes of, gradually, re-training the mind to its healthiest self.
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“I deal with fear and worry by dealing with fear and worry.”-Mark.M. This has got to be my favourite quote from this short read. 3 short articles put together that clearly conveyed his messages on how to make peace with your own negative self thoughts. Do take 30 mins off your day and read this. You won’t regret.
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"Emotions are not a choice. Behavior is."
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“Who am I? Why do I do the things I do? Can I change?” are the questions we have everyday. This book explored these questions, in a way that made me understand WHY I have these questions, and HOW I can have a better answer. “Our beliefs about ourselves affect not only our behaviors but our successes in this world. People who believe they are smarter, actually do better on tests, even though they aren’t smarter or haven’t studied anymore. People who believe they need less sleep, actually do perform better under less sleep than those who do not.”
Because beliefs are powerful, this book explored these three ideas to train our mind:
1. The two minds
We can easily observe that “mind chatter” never stops. But the real question is: “If your mind is thinking, then who Is observing the mind thinking?”. This concept divides our mind into “Thinking Mind” and the “Observing Mind”; it’s a common concept in Buddhism and the core of ACT Therapy (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy).
- The problem with “Thinking Mind” is that we don’t completely control it. Also for emotions, we’re helpless from getting sucked into negative emotions.
- Most of our psychological stress happens because our “Thinking Mind” and “Observing Mind” are FUSED; and we don’t recognize the difference. Solution:
a) Disidentify it, and take possession of it. For example: “I am not lonely and depressed. I am FEELING loneliness and depression.
b) Thank your “Thinking Mind” for negative thoughts and emotions.
c) If you find yourself in the heat of the moment, make your thought look ridiculous in your mind!
For me, knowing this concept is revolutionary. It gives me a space between impulse and my reaction; and in that space, I can think clearly, and accept my “Thinking Mind” with no judgement.
2. Believe what’s helpful, not what’s true
The main point is there’s no consensus in almost everything in life. Just a lot of data; and data is always debated. “Even when it comes to our experiences, our perceptions of our own experiences are often unreliable!” this book argued.
Through “confirmation bias”, human tends to only notice and observe things that support our prior beliefs. For example: “A person who believes they’re ugly will only notice people who reach negatively to their appearance and not notice people who react positively.” What matters is: whether the belief is helpful.
Understanding this, the next time I feel stupid or insecure, I always ask myself if that’s a useful belief! It doesn’t matter what’s true or what’s not.
3. The prime belief
“You are RESPONSIBLE for everything you do in your life, no matter the external circumstances!” that’s the prime belief. This book added, “Our responsibility for ourselves unleashes a deeper fulfilment by allowing us to CONSTRUE whatever we confront into a value that fulfils our needs.”
We don’t always have control over what happens to us. But this book proved two main points;
we ALWAYS control:
a) how we INTERPRET what happens to us,
b) how we RESPOND to what happens to us. -
Mark Manson is one of my favorite self help book author, his actually the only one. His like that uncle who shares life lessons with you but curses a lot too.
What I liked about this tiny little book is the fact that its.. well so damn tiny unlike other self help books that stretch a point more than Mr Fantastic him self. This one is straight to the point no bullshit. You can finish it in just one sitting but I advice against that, hear me out. Even though its 24 pages its split into 3 main ideas.
IDEA #1: THE TWO MINDS (the thinking mind and the observant mind)
"Most of our psychological and emotional stress happens because our Thinking Mind and Observing Mind are “fused” and we don’t recognize the difference."
IDEA #2: BELIEVE NOT WHAT'S TRUE, BUT WHAT'S HELPFUL"The problem is that not every belief helps us. And some beliefs hurt us."
IDEA #3: THE PRIME BELIEF"There is a realization from which all potential personal growth emerges. This is the realization that you are responsible for everything you do in your life, no matter the external circumstances."
I suggest taking time to really soak in these 3 points. They're not revolutionary nor life changing yes that is true but they force you to pause and have little moments of introspection. -
I did not expect my first book finished in 2019 to be an e-book but here we are. It was a nice reintroduction to the concept of the thinker and the observer. I've read about "becoming the observer" in relation to mindfulness meditation but the emphasis Manson places on the need for separating the thinking and observing mind is something that previously never clicked for me and this e-book really helped clarify that.
"Most of our psychological and emotional stress happens because our Thinking Mind and Observing Mind are 'fused' and we don't recognize the difference." -
A short e-book on how we can change by taking responsibility of our circumstances and what happen to us. You can control your actions when you feel anger, anxiety, fear, etc by consciously changing some rather simple ways of thinking. This quick read can really be motivational and change your life if you take action; it is quite worth the read. The author is the same one who wrote "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" and his other self-help books. I read it once, and will read it multiple more times till I can internalize it for myself; I really needed this.
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It's like a long article detailing three concepts:
1. You have an observing mind and a thinking mind. This is an idea very explored in Buddhism and more recently in ACT and CBT.
2. Believe what is helpful and not what is true or seems true. Why have beliefs that stop you from enjoying life or that bring sadness?
3. Take full responsibility of your beliefs and all that happens to you, good or bad. This makes you practical when choosing beliefs and you change them according to life experience. -
Non è un vero libro. Difatto sono 3 lunghi Post di un Blog collegati insieme. Interessante. Con affermazioni controintuitive. Ma forse troppo breve. Le affermazioni sono buttate li, senza i necessari studi od esempi utili a convincere.
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I'm a big fan of Mark's writing since I've read his book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*uck.
Without subtleness, he clearly transmits his messages. This short ebook is a great way to start reading about self-knowledge. -
“Separating your Observing Mind from your Thinking Mind is a habit that takes practice. But once you begin to do it, you’ll feel yourself becoming less and less of a slave to your thoughts and your emotions. You’ll take more control of your internal daily life and feel better about it.”
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I'm not normally a reader of books like this one. They're just not my thing. This one, however, came highly recommended by my good friend, so I read it and I'm so glad I did.
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This was helpful
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Make split brain theory work for you.
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Very short book with three ideas that will make you think deifferently. It won't take very much time but could significantly affect your life.
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pretty good thing
recommend it)) -
Emotions are not a choice. Behavior is.
https://myhighlightz.blogspot.com/201... -
A quick read on how to control your thought patterns and not get effected by everything around you.
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The best guide for me
Mark manson is now my favorite writer -
As far as short books go, this one's a gem
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I like the idea of two minds.
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This short read was a great primer to
Mark Manson and what I hope to gain from
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life.
