Book Review: The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday

[gwendally]

I heard a productivity guru I listen to mention that he rereads this book from time to time. Intrigued at what he found so inspiring, I bought it to bring with me camping, thinking I might give it to my older brother if it fit. The full title is "The Obstacle Is The Way: The Ancient ARt of Turning Adversity to Advantage" and the ancient art

Comments

[daphnep]

I’m not convinced by this description that No-Safety-Locks fits the stoic description. Wouldn’t putting safety locks fall under “act correctly?” And listening to the story of your niece’s death would be “see clearly.” And is there no element in that for compassion? Because all the other wisdom traditions include that bit, too.

I mean, I haven’t read the book (though I have read Marcus Aurelius) so maybe it does put all this in there:

“Don't let the needs of others get in your way. Do you own thing. Defend yourself and your goals. Change the world to be more convenient to you. Be independent.”

...but that seems very at odds to the book as you described it. I do like your wheat field analogy quite a bit, I must say.

[elenbarathi]

The Bible doesn't mention 'independence' because the Scriptural word for what you're talking about is 'selfishness':

Proverbs 18:1
He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.