Things that Can Coexist

Non-dual thinking can change your life

The things that work, work great—until they get in the way. So much of life is not this or that but this and that. It’s called non-dual thinking. It describes when two truths can exist at once. Here are some of the most important examples.

Intensity and Joy

There’s a misconception that you need to suffer for greatness. But having fun is one of the greatest competitive advantages there is. You can work hard with a smile on your face. Intensity and joy can coexist, and in the best performers, they almost always do.

Confidence and Humility

Confidence comes from giving yourself the evidence that you belong. It allows you to trust your training, own your seat, and let it rip. Confidence also leads to humility, because in the process of amassing evidence, you confront your limits over and over again. There’s always more to learn, always room to grow.

Process and Outcome

Anyone who says results don’t matter is selling you a lie. Results absolutely matter. It’s normal to want to succeed. However, it’s also true that all the internal satisfaction and fulfillment comes in the pursuit, not the attainment of a goal. The top of the mountain matters—but it’s narrow, and all the life is on the sides.

Self-Discipline and Self-Kindness

Doing hard things is hard. It takes guts to put yourself out there and step into the arena. You need discipline. You also need to be able to get back up after you fall, which is inevitable for all of us. It’s easier when you have your own back.

Hard Work and Rest

Hustle culture is shallow, gimmicky, and obsessed with performative grinding. It burns bright and then burns out. Genuine high performers work extremely hard but they also make time to rest and recover. They understand that lasting growth emerges from a cycle of stress and rest, experience and reflection.

Head and Heart

There are massive benefits to logical thinking. Feeling aren’t facts. The ability to step back, evaluate situations rationally, and respond not react are crucial skills. There are also massive benefits to developing intuition and feeling your way forward. After all, the states we long for most—flow, joy, love—are feelings. In Eastern philosophy there is a Sanskrit word citta which translates to “heart-mind,” or the unification of logic and emotion. leads to our wisest actions and our richest lives.

Consistency and Adaptability

Your ability to be relentlessly consistent over the long-haul depends upon your ability to be adaptable day-to-day. This doesn’t mean go wherever the current takes you. But it does mean that you can’t be rigid. Strength without flexibility is rigidity. Flexibility without strength is instability.

Success and Failure

Not a single person in the history of the universe who has accomplished anything great has avoided failure. Failure sucks. Failure hurts. Failure is inevitable. You don’t have to like it, but you have to be willing to put yourself out there and risk it. If you want to succeed you need the guts to fail.

Caring Deeply and Non-Attachment

A full and textured life requires caring deeply, stepping into the arena, and giving it your all. But it also requires embracing a next-play mentality. Whatever happened is in the past. Move on. Play the game in front of you. Care deeply... and be willing to let go.