Funny how small things stick.
During an investment roadshow some years ago, top SA money manager and my regular radio guest Wayne McCurrie called me a philosopher. Considering it was in the context of contrasting views on where markets were heading, it probably wasn’t meant as a compliment. But it was interpreted that way all the same.
Because, at its core, philosophy is the endless search for truth. A quest which requires curiosity. Something which is itself the most solid of launchpads for the discipline of lifelong learning – a critical ingredient for coping in today’s warp-speed world.
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My guide to this world of the mind is the greatest of all Roman emperors, the philosopher/general Marcus Aurelius. A compilation of notes written to himself almost two millennia ago – published as “Meditations” – has been like a treasure chest for me. A reminder, too, that there is much to be learnt from dead guys.
Aurelius reckons we are a compilation of three parts – our body; our breath; and our mind. Taking care of the first two requires physical regimens like proper diet and exercise. It’s not so easy with the mind, which is where the real challenge lies. Here it is discipline of thought, what Aurelius calls possession of “the directing mind”, that makes all the difference.
Someone who seems to have mastered this challenge is Richard Bandler, co-creator in the 1970s of a global phenomenon called Neuro-Linguistic Programming, or NLP.
On Monday, I watched Bandler, now 67, give a rare presentation. The venue, St James’s Church on Piccadilly in central London, was an unusual venue for a man who likes to colour his language with expletives. But there was nothing irreverent about his message: Like Aurelius, he believes a successful life starts by taking control of your thoughts.
NLP provides its students with many tools, the most important of which seem to be cleaning up residue from past experiences. As an outsider looking in, it certainly looks like they work. Bandler got one guy in our audience to repackage and then dispense of a thought which had troubled him for years. He got another over a phobia for public speaking.
This is not intended to open a debate on benefits or deficiencies of NLP. It is, rather, a reminder of a consistent, ancient theme. One given a modern day package by Bandler or other hugely popular proponents who operate in this this field like Dr Joe Dispenza, Gregg Braden and Bruce Lipton.
In short – We are what we think. And we have the power to change our thoughts. To do so all we need to do is invest the time to become fully aware of them.
PS Please diarise our next Global Investment portfolio update for tomorrow at 12:30 SA time. Book your seat by registering here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3042318269855638019
