Ethan Babbage

Extremely Important Bit of Forgotten History

Revisado: 06-11-22

This book was impeccably researched and provides convincing evidence for the pagan continuity hypothesis with a psychedelic twist, suggesting that such compounds are inextricably linked with the evolution of our species and culture. This evidence has long been repressed and hidden by the church as part of the original war on drugs, substances which the beaurocrats of Christianity saw as direct competition to the eucharist. Brian spent the better part of two decades unearthing this hidden history and lays it out beautifully here. He did a wonderful job narrating and crafting a compelling story, which can at times seem to drag on a bit. However, such is the nature of this material and was necessary to convey the full picture in detail. I found it more easily digestible in small chunks. Overall, this a phenomenal piece that will certainly change your understanding of history, psychedelics, and religion.

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Captivating

Revisado: 05-10-22

These teaching are vital in today's world. This book was recorded lecture-style and really keeps the reader engaged. Marc is passionate and has a knack for breaking down complex topics. Densely packed with ah-ha moments. I will definitely listen several more times.

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A Great Overview On Psychedelic History

Revisado: 12-20-21

Michael Pollan has done a great job, as always. His skeptical materialism creeps through a bit in this book. It annoyed me at times but I suppose that is what makes him so relatable to so many. It was nice to see his openness to the mystery that is psychedelics unfold throughout the story.

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Make TIME for this one...

Revisado: 08-12-21

There is a book on procrastination that has been sitting unfinished on my shelf for about 8 years. It mocks my as I walk past and I actively avert my gaze so that I don't have to feel that clenching in my chest that comes with avoiding tasks.

That should tell you everything you need to know about me.

I am a chronic procrastinator with escapist fantasies of being a productivity guru, of arriving at some magical point in the future when my life is perfectly balanced and systematized and I never have to worry about low motivation or indecisiveness or being late ever again... Perhaps you can relate?

Of course, this is the fantasy I go to to avoid actually taking the steps that would get me there. It simultaneously distracts me from my present and paralyzes me with its unrealistic expectations.

I spent so much time living in future anxieties and past regrets that I missed my life in as it is actually happening.

I originally purchased this book for the same reason I do every book I buy: so I don't have to start and / or finish the last one I bought.

However, I immediately felt that this one was different. This is the first time management booked that hasn't merely scratched the surface. It dove deep into the existential dilemma of the anxiety induced by life simply being to short and our feeble attempts to fix, avoid, or transcend that fact.

I deeply needed this book, not another system or self help guru or bullet point article or checklist or any other clever avoidance tactic. I needed to confront what was lurking at the bottom of my neurosis, accept it, and surrender to it.

This was a painful process that involved a considerable amount of grief as I let go of the illusion of infinite potentiality and laid to rest my meticulously constructed avatar of the perfect version of myself. Lots of emotions came up from my past: guilt, resentment, rage, regret, despair... but as I surrendered to these too and just allowed them to be without trying to "fix" them, a funny thing happened: I became lighter.

This book set me free to be the me I currently am, the one who can actually change my present circumstances, and liberated me to live life imperfectly with the knowledge that I can't do everything, be everything, fix everyone, and that I don't need to.

It gave me permission to go slow, experience deep time, and really immerse myself in moments instead of planning for the next thing. As I began to do this, the constant feeling of rush and my compulsive need to try to control time vanished, not at first, but in time. I've realized this is the state I want to spend my life in, not running around trying to do everything only to never experience any of it.

This book even helped me to accept the finitude of life and my own mortality, instead of raging against it by attempting to plan every little thing and desperately clinging to accomplishments, experiences, and possessions.

I feel so content. I am actually enjoying things now that I've stopped trying to "improve" and funnily enough, my motivation is up, my procrastinating has greatly diminished, I no longer feel so burdened by indecision now that all the pressure of choosing is gone, and I spend far less time lying awake in bed at night rehashing the past and worrying about the future.

This book will stay in my cue for times I inevitably spiral into procrastinating or rushing.
That other book on procrastination will likely remain on my bookshelf forever, unfinished, and now, I'm totally fine with that.

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Pollan

Revisado: 07-04-21

It was Michael Pollan. What more do you want? Seriously, he could talk about pencil shavings for 2 hours and you'd love it. Plus, it's already included in your Audible subscription. Why are you still reading reviews? Just listen to it.

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Important Reading For Everyone

Revisado: 04-02-21

Brene is a true researcher, not a self help guru. She states important truths in this book and lays out the real recipe for self confidence and self compassion.

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Alright Alright Alright

Revisado: 11-15-20

McConaughey can write. This book is witty and engaging. He's got some great life stories and the lessons are never preachy. Do yourself a favor and get the audiobook as he does an incredible job reading it. Play it in double time to make him sound like his coked up character from Wolf Of Wallstreet or slow it down and blast it while you cruise around town in your Lincoln smoking the devil's lettuce if you want to feel extra cool. Of course you don't have to do that... but it'd be a lot cooler if you did😎

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Short, but worth every second

Revisado: 04-18-20

I found Boyd through Aubrey Marcus’ podcast. If you’re on the fence about this book, go check out that podcast. For me, his story stirred something deep inside myself, a part I have been seeking but unable to access. Something wild.

Now, I’m not one for stories, but the way Boyd tells it is engaging and never bores you. His vivid descriptions come alive and make you feel as if you’re in the African bush tracking lions. His performance is awesome.

As for the the pragmatic piece of this book; I’ve listened to books thrice as long with not even a quarter of value contained in these three short hours. It’s not your typical self help fluff, it offers a whole new paradigm though which to view making decisions and planning your life. I’m a huge fan of Carl Jung and Jordan Peterson’s work and I loved this book. It has a similar message, presented from a fresh perspective which makes it infinitely more accessible and immediately actionable.

I never listen to audiobooks again but I will come back to this one at least one more time, preferably when I can walk in nature as that’s the inclination I had throughout the story. Get this book, it just might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

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