Timeless Philosophy for Modern Times

For thousands of years, psychology and philosophy worked hand in hand. People couldn’t imagine trying to understand the human mind without simultaneously considering our unique role in the universe as free-thinking beings. In modern times, however, therapists are required to separate the two, stripping the healing process of its potentially deeper existential meaning. The standard diagnostic manual for therapy (the DSM-5), for example, focuses entirely on increasing productivity, minimizing stress, and helping individuals integrate into society. These are important goals, but why is there is no mention of personal values or integrity—especially when those are exactly the considerations that make us human beings and not animals? As a former monk, I believe that clear values and integrity are the foundation for mental health. For this reason, I reunite psychology and philosophy in the tradition way, blending timeless wisdom with practical tools to help you navigate a confusing world and find real fulfillment.

Let me invite you into a new way of seeing the world—one that challenges you to grow into a person you truly admire.

Integrity is the Foundation of Mental Health

As human beings, we cannot escape the responsibility of making choices. At every moment, the universe is asking us, “What will you focus on? “How will you interpret this event? What will you do next?” and we answer with the choices we make. Ultimately, the choices we make serve as a philosophical statement about what we believe our lives are truly about.

If you look at different people in history, you’ll see that some of them had lives that reflected beautiful, coherent beliefs like bravery or compassion for others. You naturally admire and respect such people and feel inspired by their stories. On the other hand, there are also people who acted on selfish whims, causing harm to themselves and others. You naturally disapprove of them. These feelings you have about different people’s lives reflect your personal beliefs about good and bad ways to live.

The problem we all face is that, while we can easily say how others should live their lives, it’s easier said than done in our own lives. We might admire courage or discipline in someone else, for example, but we avoid developing these same traits in our own lives because they require discomfort and effort. This creates a conflict in our minds and hearts that disturbs us and weighs us down. On one hand, we want to feel good about the choices we make. But on the other hand, we want to do whatever we feel like, even when it causes us to neglect or go against our values and beliefs.

There are two ways we try to resolve the pain that comes from not acting on our values:

1. Vice: We distort our ideas of right and wrong to justify what we want to do and avoid what we don’t want to do.

2. Virtue: We clarify our values and develop greater strength and wisdom that enable us to act according to those values.

These two paths are universally recognized. In the ancient world, Greek philosophers called them kakia and aretē and Indian philosophers called them preyas and śreyas. Today we call them vice and virtue. But whether you live in the East or the West, this understanding of the two paths in life are just as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago. Every single human being on Earth is making choices at this very moment that align with either vice or virtue.

The goals of modern therapy are to make you a productive member of society who is not too stressed out. This is an important start, but true happiness and self-confidence come from consciously reflecting on your values and building the strength of character to align your choices with those values. While it’s hard sometimes, you will gain an unconditional sense of accomplishment, peace of mind, and pride in who you are. Ultimately, integrity is the foundation for mental health. And until we find this deeper meaning in life, the superficial goals of modern therapy—restoring functionality, reducing distress, and harmonizing with society—will not be enough to satisfy us.

So the question still stands: which path will you choose today—vice or virtue?

Your Mission in Life

“Both virtue and vice approach a human being. The wise, having examined them both, discerns the difference between the two. Indeed, the wise person chooses virtue over the more immediately pleasing path of vice. But the foolish person blindly chooses vice for the sake of material comfort and security.” — Katha Upaniṣad 1.2.2

Your mission in life is to become a wise person, and not a foolish person. Let me call this status of the wise person you’re meant to become a Fit Philosopher—someone who navigates the complexities of modern life with clarity, strength, and dignity.

You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t need to come up with a systematic philosophy or grand theory of everything. You just have to:

• Know what’s important to you

• Develop strength of character by embracing challenges and giving up all sorts of addictions

• Develop healthy relationships based on trust and respect

You can at least start with the obvious stuff—correcting areas of your life where your complacency is blatant and unnecessary. Clean up your daily habits, limit distractions, and take control of your time and attention. These small, intentional changes will begin to shift the trajectory of your life and reinforce your commitment to your mission.

From there, expand your focus to include the deeper work: clarifying your values, seeking out supportive relationships, and processing heavy emotions. This is not an overnight transformation, but an ultimate goal to guide the direction of your life.

Think of these goals as the tip of a mountain that you want to reach. You might be at the base preparing for the trip ahead, learning the ropes on less challenging slopes, or strategizing how to conquer an elusive pass. But the important thing is that you’re simply trying your best, no matter where you are in the journey. Because it is the journey itself which will transform your character, and not simply reaching the top as quickly as possible. So don’t forget to encourage yourself along the way.

Trying your best is enough to feel good about the choices you make.

The Blind Leading the Blind

Now that you know your mission in life, take a moment to consider the society you live in: Are the strongest influences in your life pushing you towards virtue, growth. and integrity, or vice, complacency, and distraction? While the universe is designed to help us learn and grow, most of society is more concerned with immediate gratification or profit. It’s hard to find a coherent philosophy or support system for these changes we want to make in our lives.

Recognizing this, you might find that your attitude towards many things has changed. Influences you previously accepted without question now seem like distractions. It’s just that you didn’t realize this until you clearly identified what is actually worth focusing on.

The following are some influences you might begin to see as enemies:

Moral Ambiguity — It’s a good thing when people are not forced to believe anything. But in free countries, the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction. Rather than using freedom of speech to define ourselves, we conform or rebel to popular beliefs. But we hardly take our thoughts in a direction of our own proactive choice.

Your mission calls on you to stand out sometimes—not by being eccentric or crazy, but by standing for what you believe in.

Isolation — Family traditions, as imperfect as they were, have largely been disintegrated. Generational betrayals and trauma have deprived people of the healthy role models and support systems they need to thrive, or even survive. There is widespread cynicism about marriage, parenthood, family roles, and responsibility. In this climate, people feel confused how they should live their lives.

Your mission calls on you to find trustworthy people who share, or at least support, your values.

Consumerism — We’re constantly bombarded with products, videos, and messages. These things are easy to consume and make us feel good. But when you look at who stands to profit from keeping us hooked, distracted, and perpetually dissatisfied, your feelings will change. Always remember that corporations have scientifically studied the primitive, instinctual part of our brains to figure out how to make their products addictive. When you recognize that the alluring products or images you encounter are mostly bait, and that the hunter’s intention is to exploit you for money, you will be careful how you navigate the internet and shopping venues.

Propaganda — Rather than addressing the spiritual root of our dissatisfaction, our culture fuels the fire of blame and resentment. We create divisive narratives that label others as oppressors, radicals, or narcissists, while elevating superficial differences and group identity as the defining features of who we are. These us-vs-them narratives provide an easy way to externalize our struggles, gain a sense of belonging, and claim moral high ground, but they often lack depth and rarely translate into meaningful action for those who are genuinely in need of help.

The world will always be full of distractions, shortcuts, and influences that tempt you away from your purpose. But by taking responsibility for what you can control—your habits, your focus, and your values—you become the kind of person who leads with clarity and integrity. In a society often lost in the dark, your deliberate actions can serve as a light for others to follow.

How I Will Help You

As a young man, I was searching for deeper meaning—something more fulfilling than chasing money, status, or approval. That search led me to become a monk in the Hare Krishna movement, a 500-year-old branch of Hinduism. Immersing myself in ancient wisdom and spiritual practices, I learned so much and developed a lot of discipline. But I didn’t realize just how much of my own confusion and struggles I had brought with me. I was still struggling with shame, resentment, and addiction.

It wasn’t until I left the ashram and faced the world that I really had to apply these ancient teachings to life in the modern world. I took greater responsibility for my life, processed difficult emotions, and overcame all sorts of addictions.

Now, I’m here as an imperfect but experienced guide to help you create a meaningful transformation in your life without needing to retreat from the world or become a monk yourself. Together, we will clarify your values, face challenges with courage, and build a life that’s truly worth living.