Episode
#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
1:46:03
Published: Tue Mar 16 2021
Description
Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination | Brought to you by Tonal smart home gym, Laird Superfood clean, plant-based creamers, and Allform premium, modular furniture. More on all three below. Elizabeth Lesser (@ElizabethLesser) is a bestselling author and the co-founder of Omega Institute, the renowned conference and retreat center located in Rhinebeck, New York. Elizabeth’s first book, The Seeker’s Guide, chronicles her years at Omega and distills lessons learned into a potent guide for growth and healing. Her New York Times bestselling book, Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow, has sold almost 500,000 copies and has been translated into 20 languages. Her third book, Marrow, chronicles the journey Elizabeth and her younger sister went through when Elizabeth was the donor for her sister’s bone marrow transplant. Her newest book, Cassandra Speaks: When Women Are the Storytellers, the Human Story Changes, reveals how humanity has outgrown its origin tales and hero myths. Elizabeth has given two popular TED talks and is one of Oprah Winfrey’s Supersoul 100, a collection of a hundred leaders who are using their voices and talent to elevate humanity.She co-founded Omega Institute in 1977 — a time when a variety of fresh ideas were sprouting in American culture. Since then, the Institute has been at the forefront of holistic education, offering workshops and conferences in integrative medicine, meditation and yoga, cross-cultural arts and creativity, ecumenical spirituality, and social change. Each year close to 30,000 people participate in Omega’s programs on its campus, and more than a million people visit its website for online learning.Please enjoy!This episode is brought to you by Laird Superfood. Founded by big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton and volleyball champion Gabby Reece, Laird Superfood promises to deliver high-impact fuel to help you get through your busiest days. Laird Superfood offers a line of plant-based products designed to optimize your daily rituals from sunrise to sunset.My two favorite products are their Turmeric Superfood Creamer and Unsweetened Superfood Creamer. I put one of them in practically everything. Both can really optimize your daily coffee or tea ritual, and a $10 bag will last you a long time. For a limited time, Laird Superfood is offering you guys 20% off your order when you use code TIM20 at checkout. Check out lairdsuperfood.com/Tim to see my favorite products and learn more.*This episode is also brought to you by Tonal! Tonal is the world’s most intelligent home gym and personal trainer. It is precision engineered and designed to be the world’s most advanced strength studio. Tonal uses breakthrough technology—like adaptive digital weights and A.I. learning—together with the best experts in resistance training so you get stronger, faster. Every program is personalized to your body using A.I., and smart features check your form in real time, just like a personal trainer.Try Tonal, the world’s smartest home gym, for 30 days in your home, and if you don’t love it, you can return it for a full refund. Visit Tonal.com for $100 off their smart accessories when you use promo code TIM21 at checkout.* This episode is also brought to you by Allform! If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about Helix Sleep mattresses, which I’ve been using since 2017. They just launched a new company called Allform, and they’re making premium, customizable sofas and chairs shipped right to your door—at a fraction of the cost of traditional stores. You can pick your fabric (and they’re all spill, stain, and scratch resistant), the sofa color, the color of the legs, and the sofa size and shape to make sure it’s perfect for you and your home.Allform arrives in just 3–7 days, and you can assemble it yourself in a few minutes—no tools needed. To find your perfect sofa, check out Allform.com/Tim. Allform is offering 20% off all orders to you, my dear listeners, at Allform.com/Tim.*If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Chapters
Tonal is a resistance training machine that uses adaptive digital weights and artificial intelligence to offer a personalized workout experience with modes like chains, eccentric and smart flex technology.
00:00 - 02:09 (02:09)
Summary
Tonal is a resistance training machine that uses adaptive digital weights and artificial intelligence to offer a personalized workout experience with modes like chains, eccentric and smart flex technology.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker discusses how his L-sectional couch can transform into a straight couch with an ottoman, and how he encountered a group of young people chanting different names of God in a circle dance on the Columbia campus.
02:09 - 14:28 (12:19)
Summary
The speaker discusses how his L-sectional couch can transform into a straight couch with an ottoman, and how he encountered a group of young people chanting different names of God in a circle dance on the Columbia campus. He also talks about a spiritual leader who came to America during a time of heightened interest in spirituality and was interested in all world religions, health, and excellence in discipline and scholarship.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Tim discusses the influence of Eastern mysticism, particularly Sufism, on his appreciation for poetry, citing Hafez as his favorite poet.
14:28 - 20:38 (06:09)
Summary
Tim discusses the influence of Eastern mysticism, particularly Sufism, on his appreciation for poetry, citing Hafez as his favorite poet.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The founder of Omega Institute, Stephan Rechtschaffen, discusses the first year of the wellness and spirituality retreat and how it was a small gathering of people focused on testing spiritual principles and creating their own businesses and economic systems.
20:38 - 28:36 (07:57)
Summary
The founder of Omega Institute, Stephan Rechtschaffen, discusses the first year of the wellness and spirituality retreat and how it was a small gathering of people focused on testing spiritual principles and creating their own businesses and economic systems.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Pierre Valayet and a group of young scrappy individuals had to create their own financial system while running a business.
28:36 - 35:01 (06:25)
Summary
Pierre Valayet and a group of young scrappy individuals had to create their own financial system while running a business. Their early prototype was a mix of intellectual prowess with real-world problems.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The movement from “me to we” involves inviting non-profit groups to come to Omega and focus on self-care to avoid projecting their own trauma and anger onto the issues they work for, as well as breaking down the stereotype of spirituality being too "woo-woo" for social justice activists.
35:01 - 47:02 (12:01)
Summary
The movement from “me to we” involves inviting non-profit groups to come to Omega and focus on self-care to avoid projecting their own trauma and anger onto the issues they work for, as well as breaking down the stereotype of spirituality being too "woo-woo" for social justice activists.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Bone marrow transplants can save the lives of those with serious blood cancers, but can also lead to rejection or attacks from the donor's cells.
47:02 - 53:54 (06:51)
Summary
Bone marrow transplants can save the lives of those with serious blood cancers, but can also lead to rejection or attacks from the donor's cells. Siblings are the best match for stem cells found in bone marrow.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A bone marrow transplant inspired an empowering new slogan and philosophy for setting healthy boundaries: "Soul marrow transplant."
53:54 - 58:36 (04:42)
Summary
A bone marrow transplant inspired an empowering new slogan and philosophy for setting healthy boundaries: "Soul marrow transplant." This metaphorical approach reminds individuals to prioritize their own mental and emotional well-being and challenges the traditional idea of selflessness in healthcare professions.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The author discusses the value of authenticity in relationships and the ability to overcome ADD by confronting difficult topics and asking tough questions to help release "open secrets."
58:36 - 1:07:07 (08:30)
Summary
The author discusses the value of authenticity in relationships and the ability to overcome ADD by confronting difficult topics and asking tough questions to help release "open secrets." While often thought of as a buzzword, authenticity can be an important tool in unburdening oneself and building stronger connections with others.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The lack of rituals surrounding mourning in secular societies can make dealing with grief difficult, but it's important to allow oneself to fully experience and learn from the pain.
1:07:07 - 1:16:51 (09:44)
Summary
The lack of rituals surrounding mourning in secular societies can make dealing with grief difficult, but it's important to allow oneself to fully experience and learn from the pain. Recommended reading on grief includes "On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss" by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker has a yearly conference with women who are breaking the mold and asking what to do with their power.
1:16:51 - 1:22:57 (06:06)
Summary
The speaker has a yearly conference with women who are breaking the mold and asking what to do with their power. The conference grew from just a handful of women to 2000 attendees, with the conversation shifting in response to movements such as Me Too, intersectionality, and Black Lives Matter.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
In this podcast episode, author and journalist Elizabeth Lesser explores the concept of storytelling and women's empowerment, including the challenges faced by women in positions of power and the value of women's perspectives.
1:22:57 - 1:29:25 (06:27)
Summary
In this podcast episode, author and journalist Elizabeth Lesser explores the concept of storytelling and women's empowerment, including the challenges faced by women in positions of power and the value of women's perspectives.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
A call to action to create a culture that values and prioritizes caregiving and fatherhood as much as it values strength and muscle in men, and to encourage boys to develop their nurturing instincts and desire to father.
1:29:25 - 1:38:13 (08:48)
Summary
A call to action to create a culture that values and prioritizes caregiving and fatherhood as much as it values strength and muscle in men, and to encourage boys to develop their nurturing instincts and desire to father.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Learn about the versatility of L-sectional couches and how they can be easily turned into a straight couch with a separate ottoman.
1:38:14 - 1:43:51 (05:37)
Summary
Learn about the versatility of L-sectional couches and how they can be easily turned into a straight couch with a separate ottoman. Also, a recommendation for Tonal, a fitness equipment that allows for a range of exercises at home.
Episode#505: Elizabeth Lesser on Building Omega Institute, ADD (Authenticity Deficit Disorder), and Seeking The Emotion of Illumination
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Discover how Tonal's breakthrough technology and expert guidance can help you get in shape faster and more efficiently with personalized home workouts.
1:43:51 - 1:45:56 (02:05)
Summary
Discover how Tonal's breakthrough technology and expert guidance can help you get in shape faster and more efficiently with personalized home workouts.