By Andrés Muñoz

Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself how many hours a day you dedicate to scrolling endlessly through Instagram reels, TikTok videos or other social media. Instagram has me averaging a little under 2 hours a day (!). In comparison, my students average about 4 hours a day on TikTok alone. 

Is this it? Society is now a mass of humans glued to their screens? I sure as heck hope not! What do social media companies genuinely want? It’s not a like, a share, or a comment per se, but something much more valuable: your time. The more time you spend on these apps, the stronger the app’s network effect will be. The longer you stay on the app, the more money they make. But are all those hours genuinely beneficial to you? 

Unless you’re an influencer that regularly feeds videos into the content creation pipeline with hopes that something goes viral, chances are you could be dedicating your time to much more meaningful activities. For instance: exploring the real world around you, exercising, and learning about mental well-being. 

I’ll expand on a couple of previous articles I’ve written, this time into the audio world. I’m not limiting myself to audiobooks, as podcasts will join us in the mix too. Here are a few audio-based narratives to help your personal growth journey. 

The Friendship Onion

We’re starting with something very, very, very far away from what we might consider in the self-awareness and mindfulness genre. This has been one of my favourite podcasts for a while, as it shows how true friendships stand the test of time. 

It is led by Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd, the actors who played Merry and Pippin from the Lord of the Rings franchise. Within it, they talk about their experiences during their acting careers, usually interview people from all walks of life (whether it is a theoretical physicist, mead maker, a former LOTR cast member, or anything in between), and dedicate a segment to try new food from different places from around the world. 

While it is definitely not the first thing you would consider in the realm of mindfulness, it has worked for me. I’ve always been a huge Lord of the Rings fan, and to see how that movie created friendships that still remain to this day makes me feel hopeful about the world. In the words of Samwise Gamgee: That there’s some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for. 

‘The Miracle Of Mindfulness’ By Thích Nhất Hạnh

This work pivots towards a more traditional approach to mindfulness and mental well-being. Written by Buddhist monk and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Thích Nhất Hạnh, The Miracle of Mindfulness focuses on the benefits of meditation. 

The critical element is to slow down to such a point that meditation can be found in our everyday tasks. Whether while washing the dishes or having a cup of tea, the practical exercises at the end of the book give you valuable tips on measuring your breaths, focusing your brain, dealing with life’s surprises, and more.

48 Laws Of Power, By Robert Greene

Being self-aware is not just about the bells, beads, and mantras but is taking a hard and pragmatic stance towards who we are and what we’re meant to achieve. Robert Greene’s book takes a no-nonsense approach to how we play life’s game. 

Taking examples from key influential figures throughout history, like Niccolo Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and more, the 48 Laws offer a candid yet controversial exploration of how power dynamics are held in this world. Give it a listen, take what you find interesting, and move along. 

The Diamond Sutra, The Heart Sutra, The Sutra Of Hui Neng

Thích Nhất Hạnh and his Miracle of Mindfulness was inspired by Mahāyāna Buddhism. These three sutras—or ancient mediaeval texts—are, for some, the cornerstone of what most people in the West know as “mindfulness”. The Diamond Sutra is one of the oldest printed books in history, dated 11 May 868 AD; the other two are just as important. 

Listening to them will help you review teachings by Buddha on how to attain enlightenment, learn the Four Noble Truths and other key tenets. Hear meditations on how other Buddhist patriarchs have related to Buddha’s teachings. This, for me, would be the most valid way to learn about mindfulness. Set aside the other titles in the self-help content pipeline and dig deep into thousands of years of actual human wisdom.

I hope these audio narratives will help you while you exercise, do your daily commute, or simply relax in your home. I also hope you minimise your screen time numbers and can enjoy life in the real world. Do you have other audio titles to recommend? Let us know in the comments section!