Our Cup Must Be Empty to Receive
A Zen lesson on the courage to slow down, look inward, and embrace the magic of life There is a famous Zen parable, usually known as “A Cup of Tea,” about Nan-in, a Japanese master from the Meiji era. A university professor went to visit him, drawn by a longing for guidance, peace, and wisdom. […]
Thales of Miletus: The First Philosopher, and The First Financier
We often think of economics as beginning with Xenophon (c. 430–354 BCE) and Aristotle (384–322 BCE), with their reflections on oikonomike—the art of managing a household or city-state. These early philosophers saw economic life as embedded in ethics and politics, concerned not merely with wealth, but with the good life. Yet centuries before formal economic […]
Rethinking Finance Through da Vinci’s Lens
“Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses, especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” — Leonardo da Vinci (commonly attributed) Leonardo da Vinci saw the interconnectedness of all things. He approached the world with boundless curiosity, blending disciplines that others kept apart. For him, […]
Contemplation in the Age of Dopamine
Where Ancient Wisdom and Modern Neuroscience Converge Never in history have we been surrounded by so much comfort, stimulation, and possibility, and never have we felt so persistently restless. We move from goal to goal with the conviction that happiness is waiting just ahead of us, in the next achievement, the next recognition, the next […]
A rainy weekend in Bilbao with Einstein’s Theory of Relativity
December 22, 2025 | Bilbao I spent the weekend in my dearest city, Bilbao. Or better, rainy Bilbao. The grey sky did not invite long walks, which turned out to be perfect, as I had to complete the compulsory compliance courses I had been postponing for months. They are important, I know, but I find […]
