#367: Robert Greene – On Meditation, Success & Death

The Danny Miranda Podcast

Key Takeaways The purpose of meditation for Robert Greene was not to renounce worldly ambitions but to find self-awareness and connect ambitions to his true selfLessons from 12+ years of meditation:Robert’s meditation practice involves daily sessions of Zen meditation, sitting for 35-45 minutes in complete silenceMeditation is a source of creativity as it taps into his unconscious and brings forth new and unexplored ideasThe mind becomes like an empty, blue sky—free from hindrances and fixed ideas—through meditationHe emphasizes the importance of connecting ambition to something deep within oneself, rather than pursuing empty or external goalsThose who constantly seek distractions instead of facing boredom weaken their ability to handle resistanceWriters in their 20s often make the following mistakes:Poor punctuation, spelling, and grammar skillsUnderestimating the importance of writing as a skillAssuming that writing doesn’t require effort or practiceFocusing on their ego rather than effective communicationUsing clever phrases and puns without conveying meaningful contentWriting is not about self-expression but about communicating effectively with othersDeveloping empathy involves redirecting narcissism and self-love toward others and being genuinely interested in understanding their perspectivesReading people’s emotions and moods, rather than trying to read their minds, is crucial in understanding and connecting with themThose who have a clear sense of their unique destiny from an early age tend to have more success and power in lifeSuccess, for Robert, is the feeling of freedom where he doesn’t have bosses, people pressuring him, or limitations on what he can write aboutThe experience of being in a coma, waking up, and realizing how close he came to death made death more than just an intellectual idea—it became a physical presenceHe always prioritized gaining life experiences and finding things interesting over monetary considerations“The 48 Laws of Power” continues to sell well because it transcends specific periods and remains applicable to the current power dynamics, especially with the rise of social media and the internetHe does not aim to create sequels or repeat past successes for the sake of making money but instead focuses on exploring new areas and ideasRobert is currently working on a book about the sublime, which builds upon the final chapter of “The Laws of Human Nature” and “The 50th Law” (co-authored with 50 Cent) that touched on the subjectRobert suggests a challenge for listeners to spend five minutes every day questioning thoughts, feelings, desires, and motivations instead of assuming that everything is known

Read the full notes @ podcastnotes.org

Robert Greene is a writer. His books have sold millions of copies (including The 48 Laws of Power).

In this conversation, we spoke about what new writers get wrong, valuing experiences over money, why his ideas have stuck for 25+ years, developing empathy, and the role of meditation in his own life.

(0:00) Intro

(1:58) Ancient Greece & 17th Century France

(6:55) Avoiding Yes Men

(10:53) Following Up On Success

(13:10) Lessons From 12+ Years of Meditation

(27:58) Importance Of Boredom

(36:00) What Do Most Writers In 20s Get Wrong?

(40:21) Developing Empathy

(46:38) The Voice

(52:28) Do People’s Problems Stick To Robert?

(54:12) Success = Freedom

(56:08) Death

(1:06:00) Ryan Holiday

(1:10:01) Valuing Experiences Over Money

(1:14:45) Longevity Of Ideas

(1:17:54) Robert’s Next Project

(1:20:04) Challenge

Robert’s Links

Website: https://powerseductionandwar.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/robertgreene

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertgreeneofficial

My Links

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