Philosophy: first you walk, then you think for yourself

2025-09-21

Raw link: YouTube OR Internet Archive

In this 27-minute video, I elaborate on the most important quality of the philosopher: patience. I use the example of walking as one of the best ways each of us can practice the skill of being patient. Walking is nice because it is a commitment we cannot renege on midway: we simply have to finish it properly. It also gives us the chance to get used to our natural pace and to not rush things to a conclusion. In essence, we learn not to finish off early. Moreover, we start developing situational awareness by observing the little things all around us. This makes us have presence in our present: a quality that is essential to all tasks we do if we want to do them right by giving them our undivided attention. In this sense, I explain why other gimmicks and aspirational tasks do not work. Finally, I discuss how we are an embodies mind, meaning that the training we subject the body to is benign for our thinking. We have tranquillity when our body gets used to the rigours we subject it to, so it does not panic and get all needy for no good reason.