In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos welcomes journalist and philosopher Eric Weiner to discuss Henry David Thoreau’s lessons on attention and happiness. They explore Thoreau’s concept of "seeing" as a collaborative, mindful practice rather than passive observation, using his time at Walden Pond as a backdrop. Weiner shares his personal journey from dismissing Thoreau in high school to appreciating his wisdom on finding beauty in the ordinary, such as a shattered phone or a Starbucks. The conversation offers practical strategies for slowing down, dropping expectations, and cultivating wonder …
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