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    Why Zen Beats Every Other Philosophy

    10 min
    |
    |
    Nov 1, 2025
    PhilosophyMindfulnessSpirituality

    Discover how Zen transcends Western thought and ancient wisdom by dissolving the illusion of the separate self that other philosophies try to fix. A revolutionary approach to ending suffering at its root.

    Why Zen Beats Every Other Philosophy

    Best quote from Why Zen Beats Every Other Philosophy

    “

    Zen says the problem isn't that the self is broken—it's that this solid, separate self we're trying to fix doesn't actually exist. When you see through that fundamental illusion, suffering doesn't get solved—it gets dissolved.

    ”

    This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

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    Why zen is best than other philosophy

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    Knowledge sources
    The Way of Zen
    Japanese Zen Buddhist Philosophy
    link
    https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/japanese-zen/
    Philosophical Issues: The Good Life - Zen Buddhism
    link
    https://sites.google.com/site/rythinkingtourspi3/zenbuddhism
    Zen and the Art of Consciousness
    Zen and Western Thought by Masao Abe | Research Starters - EBSCO
    link
    https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/literature-and-writing/zen-and-western-thought-masao-abe
    Stoicism vs (Zen) Buddhism - preliminary conclusions
    link
    https://earlyretirementextreme.com/stoicism-vs-zen-buddhism-very-preliminary.html

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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    "Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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    "Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

    @Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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    17

    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

    @djmikemoore
    platform
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    @Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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    Part of a Learning Plan

    Nothing

    Nothing

    LEARNING PLAN

    Nothing

    3 h 10 m•4 Episodes
    Deepen Knowledge & Horizontal Transcendence

    Deepen Knowledge & Horizontal Transcendence

    LEARNING PLAN

    Deepen Knowledge & Horizontal Transcendence

    3 h 16 m•4 Episodes
    nothing

    nothing

    LEARNING PLAN

    nothing

    2 h 40 m•4 Episodes
    the history and philosophy of zen

    the history and philosophy of zen

    LEARNING PLAN

    the history and philosophy of zen

    2 h 20 m•4 Episodes
    Learn about Buddhism

    Learn about Buddhism

    LEARNING PLAN

    Learn about Buddhism

    1 h 48 m•4 Episodes
    Explore Buddhism fundamentals

    Explore Buddhism fundamentals

    LEARNING PLAN

    Explore Buddhism fundamentals

    2 h 16 m•4 Episodes
    Nothing

    Nothing

    LEARNING PLAN

    Nothing

    1 h 19 m•4 Episodes
    Pillars of Zen

    Pillars of Zen

    LEARNING PLAN

    Pillars of Zen

    1 h 52 m•4 Episodes
    Become one with the force

    Become one with the force

    LEARNING PLAN

    Become one with the force

    2 h 4 m•4 Episodes

    Key Takeaways

    1

    Opening & The Quest for Ultimate Philosophy

    0:00
    0:15
    0:30
    2

    The Heart of What Makes Zen Different

    0:37
    0:48
    1:01
    1:21
    1:36
    3

    The Revolutionary Approach to Self and Suffering

    1:59
    2:07
    2:29
    2:33
    2:52
    2:56
    3:12
    3:15
    4

    Beyond Dualistic Thinking

    3:34
    1:01
    4:04
    4:07
    4:24
    4:29
    4:42
    1:01
    5

    The Practice That Transforms Everything

    5:05
    5:13
    5:26
    5:28
    5:40
    1:01
    5:57
    4:07
    6

    Why This Matters More Than Ever

    6:20
    6:30
    6:43
    1:01
    7:04
    7:06
    7:19
    1:36
    7

    Living the Zen Life

    7:46
    7:57
    8:09
    1:01
    8:27
    4:07
    8:48
    8:55
    8

    The Ultimate Freedom

    9:08
    9:20
    9:34
    9:34
    9:51
    1:01
    10:11
    10:20
    10:33
    1:36

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