Greetings Readers!
I hope this finds everyone wise and well! I’m grateful to be back home after traveling for the last couple of weeks. Reading & the Good Life just finished exploring Awareness by Anthony de Mello. For July, we are discussing Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy by William Barrett. As a reminder, Reading & the Good Life is a casual space for connection, contemplation, and conversations on the art of living. Every Friday at Noon EST (Join here), Perennial Meditations readers are welcome to join the conversation!
Here is your Saturday Review with a short meditation & contemplation.
On Friendship
This week’s Saturday meditation comes from the Letters of Baruch de Spinoza (1632—1677). Spinoza wrote this on friendship,
Of all the things that are beyond my power, I value nothing more highly than to be allowed the honor of entering into bonds of friendship with people who sincerely love truth. For, of things beyond our power, I believe there is nothing in the world which we can love with tranquility except such people.
Similarly, Seneca wrote in a letter to Lucilius, “Nothing will ever please me, no matter how excellent or beneficial if I must keep the knowledge of it to myself… No good thing is pleasant to possess without friends to share it.”
Contemplation Questions (Pick one or create your own!):
How would investing in friendships change your life?
What does friendship actually look like in daily life?
This Week’s Meditations…
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Thank you for reading this week; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
P.S. Feel free to comment, ask questions, or make suggestions!