My favourite philosopher, Peter Singer, has, like many in today’s world, ventured into the realm of podcasting with Live Well Lived, alongside his collaborator, Kasia de Lazari Radek. Together, they have engaged in conversations with experts from diverse fields. For instance, they spoke with psychiatrist Murali Doraiswamy about tackling global mental health challenges. I found the following exchange both succinct and remarkably pertinent to the podcast’s theme —
Kasia de Lazari Radek: Okay, so now I should ask you, do you believe that we can train our brain to be happier on its own without any drugs, any psychedelics and any psychiatric drugs?
Murali Doraiswamy: I think so, a hundred per cent. I think Eastern wisdom, again, the yin and the yang and other similar philosophies are good. You want to accept both the positives and the negatives, the good and the bad, the sad and the happy, you know, they go together. They are part of one whole and they are what unite to make you. I think meditation helps, being in nature helps, kindness helps, gratitude helps. I believe really focusing on collective happiness is the source of lasting happiness. I see patients who are very wealthy dying alone in the hospital. I see poor illegal immigrants surrounded by 30 family members who are clutching them and praying for them. And they are far more happy in their last moments of life than the super wealthy billionaire who has built his whole wing.
The secret to living a well-lived life, it would seem, lies in these simple practices:
- Accept what is
- Meditate
- Go to nature
- Be kind
- Be grateful
- And focus on the greater good
If one embraces these actions, one might feel they have truly lived a well-lived life.