EPISODE · May 7, 2026 · 1H 38M
#86 A.A. Kostas and his WayMarkers (including Chris McCandless, C.S. Lewis, Robert Pirsig, Thomas Merton, D.T. Suzuki, & Christian mystics)
from Love & Philosophy · host Beyond Dichotomy | Andrea Hiott
Send a love messageWhat Marks our Movement through life?Andrea Hiott interviews A.A. Kostas, a Singapore-based lawyer and writer who runs the Substack Way Markers, blending poetry, fiction, and essays. They discuss how moving through different places shaped his writing and his interest in avoiding simplistic binaries through discernment—first identifying what kind of decision is in front of you—using hiking metaphors of many paths versus a narrow ridge. Alex cites Into the Wild as a cautionary way marker about seeking truth without rejecting human connection, and describes a Cradle Mountain hike where his wife had to find her own route. They explore how technology reinforces binary thinking, why poetry and music hold meanings beneath prose, and the value of humility from engaging Western and Eastern traditions (including Merton and Suzuki). They examine care as uncomfortable attention, the importance of embodied presence, and Alex’s experience of fatherhood as immediate responsibility and obligation where love grows.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro02:21 Becoming a Writer03:51 Growing Up Everywhere05:15 What Is Way Markers07:12 Pilgrimage and Substack10:29 Into the Wild Lessons14:29 Beyond Binary Thinking18:49 Cradle Mountain Metaphor22:36 Discernment and Ridge Lines25:20 Tech Shapes Our Minds27:00 Why Braid Genres31:04 Music and Poetry Under Language34:12 Law as Applied Philosophy37:41 Zen Meets Catholic Mysticism43:00 Humility and Unknowing46:48 Craving Oneness Safely48:19 Mystical Moments Explained50:20 Flow State With Meaning51:00 Desire Points to God52:25 You Cant Conjure Awe56:14 Care In Writing58:36 Audience Capture Trap59:27 Pamphlets Off The Internet01:02:40 Love Is Uncomfortable01:17:58 Fellow Travelers And Faith01:24:28 Humor Holds Paradox01:28:34 Fatherhood And Obligation01:32:18 Closing ReflectionsSee the Substack for links to the books mentioned.Support the showBuy Holding Paradox: The Navigational Approach to Mind and Consciousness by Andrea HiottSign up for Making Ways newsletter and projects.Please rate and review with love. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Substack.
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Send a love message What Marks our Movement through life? Andrea Hiott interviews A.A. Kostas, a Singapore-based lawyer and writer who runs the Substack Way Markers, blending poetry, fiction, and essays. They discuss how moving through different places shaped his writing and his interest in avoiding simplistic binaries through discernment—first identifying what kind of decision is in front of you—using hiking metaphors of many paths versus a narrow ridge. Alex cites Into the Wild as a caution...
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#86 A.A. Kostas and his WayMarkers (including Chris McCandless, C.S. Lewis, Robert Pirsig, Thomas Merton, D.T. Suzuki, & Christian mystics)
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