#18: Oliver Seligman – Life as a Monk, Mindfulness & Bipolar Disorder

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Today, Josh talks with Oliver Seligman about the struggle of mental illness, mindfulness, and stability.

Oliver is a monk, author, and inspirational speaker. He has spent twenty years traveling the world, helping people to find peace through meditation. In doing so, he has developed insight into the workings of the mind and what makes us happy or unhappy.

Oliver has written three books, his first being “The Broker Who Broke Free,” about his life change from being a successful Sales Trader at Merrill Lynch to an Ishaya monk.

His most recent book, “Befriending Bipolar,” covers his lifelong battle with bipolar disorder, suicidal depression, psychotic episodes, his complicated relationship with psychiatric medication, and how he ultimately learned to cope with it.

Some of the topics we dive into are:

• Our shared experiences with bipolar disorder.
• Burnout, stress, and optimizing for happiness.
• Social media, propaganda, and psychedelics.
• Misconceptions about mindfulness and mental illness.
• Neuroplasticity, hallucinations, and psychotic episodes.
• Stoicism, wisdom, and reincarnation.
• The experience of living as a monk in the modern world.
• Ice baths, cold showers, and sauna for anxiety.
• The optimistic future ahead.
• And much more.

Connect with Oliver:

• BefriendingBipolar.co.uk
• LinkedIn
• @befriending_bipolar on Instagram

Music by Kirby Johnston – check out his band Aldaraia on Spotify