Wisdom from Heraclitus
Heraclitus’ philosophy has inspired a range of influential thinkers, from ancient Greeks like Plato and Marcus Aurelius to theologians like John the Disciple to modern philosophers such as Nietzsche
If you’re new around here, welcome to Wisdom Wednesdays - where I share wisdom from history’s greatest minds.
Heraclitus’ philosophy (c. 535 - c. 475 BCE) has inspired a range of influential thinkers, from ancient Greeks like Plato and Marcus Aurelius to theologians like John the Disciple to modern philosophers such as Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Jung
‘Fragments’ is a collection of quotes and passages attributed to Heraclitus. These fragments are the remnants of his original works which have been lost over time.
Lessons from Heraclitus
Everything other than the One functions with harmony between opposites. The cosmos works by harmony of tensions, like the lyre and bow.
Just because you perceive something as bad for you doesn’t mean it is bad or shouldn’t exist. The sea is both pure and tainted, healthy and good haven to the fish, to men importable and deadly.
Know thyself. Applicants for wisdom do what I have done: inquire within.
Wisdom is the oneness of action and thought—Wu Wei (effortless action). To be evenminded is the greatest virtue. Wisdom is to speak the truth and act in keeping with its nature.
The fool denies the interconnected nature of reality. Many who have learned from Hesiod the countless names of gods and monsters never understand that night and day are one.
You must climb the ladder of truth and beauty if you want to apprehend the Infinite. The oneness of all wisdom may be found, or not under the name of God.
Change is part of life. Just as the river where I step is not the same, and is, so I am as I am not.
Quick updates:
New interview
I was interviewed by
on The Inner Landscape Travel Agency podcast. Mik is doing a very different type of podcast. His mission is to create conversational portraits that capture his guests’ essence.So I was thrilled to be a part of this unique process, discussing the importance of solitude, symbolism, conviction, suffering, evil, the limits of language, Sufism and more.
Check out the episode on YouTube, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
New painting
I’m currently completing a contemplative sacred artwork, ‘Madonna and Christ’ for a church.
Below is a short timelapse of the artwork thus far. When I’ve completed the painting, I’ll write a post explaining the symbolism and motifs.
I spent over 4-5 weeks researching the history of Marian art and iconography before I even began sketching.
Here’s a list of some books I read for this project if you’re interested in Marian art and theology.
My philosophy is that great art is a vehicle through which the finite is brought into union with the infinite. So artists must immerse themselves in the lineage and tradition in which their artwork participates.
But I think sacred art is the highest form of art because it participates within a historic spiritual dimension that extends before and beyond the artist.
So sacred artworks were always placed inside a church, or chapel, or a prayer room. This inspires a fuller and deeper experience of the art because there’s a context within which it exists. Contrast this to modern art galleries where paintings hang on white walls contextless.
The tradition, whether it be Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, or Buddhism, ushers the devotees to experience the fullness of their humanity (and beyond) through language, architecture, signs and symbols, rituals, incense, and sacred art.
Till next week!
You can support this mission of reviving beauty and wisdom by leaving a like or upgrading to a paid subscription on Substack.
Thank you to all those who are supporting my work.