Schopenhauer has a reputation for being pessimistic and bleak. But to me he is inspiring and calming.
He promoted independent thinking, carefulness, self-control, and alone-time. He praised celibacy, asceticism, and the arts.
In his philosophy, he strictly avoided speculating on nonphysical realities, but he admired Buddhism, Hinduism, and what he called "real Christianity."
He had good advice on how to be happy—avoid unrealistic expectations, don't seek money/fame or external validation, live with detachment (as if life were a novel that you were reading), etc.
Listened to Elm constantly while reading Leave Society by @tao_lin
Achieve heightened transportation with simultaneous novelties
https://t.co/W6HYv4t5W2