A Modern, Attainable Definition of Nirvana - Stephen Batchelor episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 18, 2026 · 1H 4M

A Modern, Attainable Definition of Nirvana - Stephen Batchelor

from The Overexamined Life

What if Nirvana isn't a mountaintop, monastery thing, but something available to you right now wherever you are. Stephen Batchelor spent ten years as a monk chasing exactly that, including three-month stretches sitting in silence asking "what is this?" He came out the other side as a controversial figure with his own brand of secular Buddhism that requires no mythical beliefs - essentially, we've been overcomplicating the whole path. Today on The Overexamined Life Podcast: a modern attainable definition of Nirvana, what "embracing suffering" really means, and how to get there without leaving your house. Sick of being ruled by your emotions?Join our Patreon for AD-FREE listening, Free Gratitude Club, bonus episodes, and mindfulness exercises that are actually fun: patreon.com/TOLclub Want to learn how to meditate? Get 30 days of the Waking Up App FREE: wakingup.com/primo WATCH THE PODCAST on YoutubeFollow Jonah Primo on Instagram or Letterboxd visit his WebsiteJonah writes on SubstackYou can contact The Overexamined Life at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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A Modern, Attainable Definition of Nirvana - Stephen Batchelor

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