COURSE

Daily Contemplations For Living An Examined Life

This course is designed to be used as a daily ritual of self-discovery. Over the next 21 days you will be introduced to an eclectic mix of wisdom and teachings from different cultures, contexts, religions, spiritual practices, and historical times, that will have you contemplating life, the universe, and your place within it. Each session begins with a prompt, designed to relax your body, and prime your mind to be ready to sit in contemplation. From this place of openness, you will be given a quote and invited to allow your response to unfold, welcoming in wisdom, guidance, and insight. We will then elaborate upon the quote, discussing its implications and the impact of embracing its teachings. Each session ends with another opportunity to sit in contemplation, followed by an invitation to share our findings with the community and learn from one another. This course draws upon the wisdom of a collection of great classical and contemporary minds, including: Papaji, Adyashanti, Jay Shetty, Carl Sagan, Chris Do, Cory Allen, Kahil Gibran, Thich Nhat Hanh, Mark Manson, Mother Teresa, Sam Harris, Nancy Willard, Alan Watts, Saint Francis of Assisi, Czeslaw Milosz, John Astin, Marianne Williamson, Gary Vaynerchuk, Gabor Maté, Rumi, and Marpheen Chann. Each quote will serve as a stepping stone toward a more examined life, encouraging us to reflect, question, and evolve. Welcome to the course!

Abundance Presence Wisdom Spirituality Insight Meditation Happiness Health & Happiness Spirituality Mindfulness

Meet your Teacher

Zachary Phillips

Melbourne, Australia

Zachary Phillips is a poet, author, meditation instructor, and mindset coach. He is also a qualified teacher, Reiki master, and is currently studying a Master of Counselling. In these roles he helps people identify and release the limiting beliefs that no longer serve them, guiding them from surviving to passionately thriving using tips, tools, and techniques that enable them to process the past, accept the present, and embrace the future with positivity and purpose.

22 Days

3.2k students

4.8 stars

13 min / day

Abundance

English

Lesson 1

Introduction - How To Get The Most From This Course

In this session you are introduced to the course, guided through its features, and shown how to get the most out of it. Each session will begin with a brief guided priming section designed to open you up to the contemplation of a quote. From there you will be offered instruction relating to the quote. This will consist of practical advice, significant teachings, theoretical insights, and guidance on how you can apply the quote to help you live an examined life. You are encouraged to pause the audio and take notes at any time as well as to continue in contemplation after the session if you are called to do so.

Lesson 2

Manifestation, Metta, & The Mind With Papaji

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘If there is peace in your mind you will find peace with everybody. If your mind is agitated, you will find agitation everywhere. So first find peace within and you will see this inner peace reflected everywhere else. You are this peace.’ – From H. W. L. Poonja a.k.a. Papaji, an Indian sage.

Lesson 3

Dropping Attachment To Thought With Adyashanti

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘All thought craves to be believed, and even that is okay. So, by accepting everything, nothing can strain you.’ From Adyashanti, an American Spiritual teacher and author.

Lesson 4

Reframing The Concepts Of Time & Wealth With Jay Shetty

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘Time, is another form of wealth’, reconceptualising what is truly valuable. From Jay Shetty, an English Indian writer, monk, and coach.

Lesson 5

Discovering Our Deepest Nature With Alan Watts

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘You are under no obligation to be who you were 5 minutes ago.’ From Alan Watts, an American Spiritualist, Author, and Philosopher.

Lesson 6

Beginning Again With Sam Harris

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘A willingness to begin again, is the key to freedom.’ From Sam Harris, an American philosopher, neuroscientist, and meditation instructor.

Lesson 7

Why A Good Question Is Worth More Than A Great Answer With Nancy Willard

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘Sometimes questions are more important than answers.’ From Nancy Willard, an American writer, novelist, and poet.

Lesson 8

On Letting Go Of Love With Kahil Gibran

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘If you love somebody, let them go. For if they return, they were always yours, if they don’t, they never were.’ From Kahil Gibran, a Lebanese American writer and poet.

Lesson 9

Kiss The Earth With Your Feet With Thich Nhat Hanh

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘All is a miracle, so smile, breathe and go slowly. Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.’ From Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monastic and peace activist.

Lesson 10

Embracing The Quality Of Your Negative Experiences With Mark Manson

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘The quality of your life is not determined by the quality of your positive experiences, but by the quality of your negative experiences. To get good at dealing with negative experiences, is to get good at life.’ From Mark Manson, an American Author.

Lesson 11

The Power Of Prayer With Mother Teresa

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things.’ From Mother Teresa, an Armenian, Indian nun.

Lesson 12

Leaning Into Identity Change With Chris Do

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘If someone presents a solution that you are not ready to hear, it is a threat to your identity. You have to let go of the things you found comfort and safety in, if you want to grow. The question is, what have you done to let go of your old identity, so that you can adopt a new one that is more aligned with who you want to become?’ From Chris Do, an American designer, director, speaker and CEO.

Lesson 13

Recognising The Story Of Our Mind And Stopping Suffering With Cory Allen

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘Meditation pauses the story of your mind long enough for you to remember that your mind is always telling a story.’ From Cory Allen, an American author, meditation instructor and coach.

Lesson 14

Time, Life, & Transformation With Carl Sagan

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘We are like butterflies, who flutter for a day and think it’s forever.’ From Carl Sagan, an American astronomer and scientific communicator.

Lesson 15

Embodying The Words You Preach With Saint Francis Of Assisi

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.’ From Saint Francis of Assisi, an Italian mystic and friar.

Lesson 16

Finding Solace In Oblivion With Czeslaw Milosz

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘Calm down, both your sins and good deeds will be lost in oblivion.’ From Czeslaw Milosz, a Polish American poet and writer.

Lesson 17

Drinking Deeply From The Present Moment With John Astin

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘See how you are literally free of the future, for the simple reason that it hasn’t and will never arise. There can be no other moment. Feel how that is so. How it is impossible to get ourselves into some other moment, for there is no other moment, and no other reality but, than what is presently here, this instant...’ From John Astin, an American based researcher, meditator, and practitioner.

Lesson 18

How Our Shadow Makes Us Fear Our Potential With Marianne Williamson

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.’ From Marianne Williamson, an American author, speaker, and politician.

Lesson 19

Health, Gratitude, & The Problem Of Comparison With Gary Vaynerchuk

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘If you wake up, and everyone you care about is healthy, it is a great day.’ From Gary Vaynerchuk, an American Entrepreneur, speaker, and author.

Lesson 20

Opting For Guilt Over Resentment With Gabor Maté

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘If refusal saddles you with guilt, while consent leaves resentment in its wake, opt for guilt...’ From Gabor Maté, a Canadian physician and author.

Lesson 21

Stop Acting So Small With Rumi

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘Do not feel lonely, the entire universe is inside you. Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion. Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.’ From Rumi, a 13th century poet, scholar, & mystic.

Lesson 22

Letting Go of Everything That Is Not Truly You With Mapheen Chann

In today’s session we contemplate the quote, ‘Lay it down. All of it. The weight of all the words that don’t belong to you, but to someone else. And listen once more to that voice deep down who tells you who you are, because it belongs to you.’ – From Marpheen Chann, an Asian-American writer and speaker.

Ask your teacher

This course includes 189 community questions and 163 audio replies from Zachary Phillips. The community classroom and teacher audio replies are only available via the app.

189

4.8 (128)

Recent Reviews

Diane

January 25, 2026

Thought provoking quotes. The format was optimal and provided time for self reflection before commentary and discussion

Jamila

December 30, 2025

I LOVED THIS

Mobey

December 1, 2025

This is an excellent course; the interesting quotes, time for contemplation, and guided discovery were fantastic. Very much appreciated!

Karen

October 28, 2025

Life changing. Absolutely perfect content that is so relatable. Easy to understand and process too. Thank you so much for helping to change my Outlook on life xx

Donna

October 24, 2025

Well done and inspiring. Thank you!

Marta

September 13, 2025

Thank you for this course and opportunity to go deeper within.

Kathi

July 8, 2025

Insightful, thought provoking, & profound. Each day I came away with new ways of looking at how to approach life, others, & myself.

Don

June 5, 2025

I really got a lot out of this course. It will help me as I move forward in contemplation.

Mary

June 2, 2025

This was a great course. My only suggestion would be to move the content at the end of each lesson to the beginning but only because it interrupted my meditation. I used the quotes the facilitate my meditation.

Matthew

May 15, 2025

This course was amazing and often was very applicable to what I needed in the moment when I heard it... would definitely recommend to anyone search for personal happiness...

Donna

May 15, 2025

Thank you!

Kimberly

May 15, 2025

Excellent course feel more truth than when I started 21 days ago. Love the quotes the discussion and my input into my own experience of this wonderful life. Thank you. Kim

Myra

May 13, 2025

Thought provoking

John

May 9, 2025

Amazing! I will be listening to this again!

Julie

May 4, 2025

I didn’t expect such a diverse list of quotes. It made for some interesting insights. I’ll definitely revisit some of these. Thank you for this course, it is very worthwhile.

April 27, 2025

A wonderful course, one with so many rich quotes, great material to use as guidance and solace through our journey through life. I will be returning to this course, and exploring other courses by this teacher.

Ros

April 25, 2025

Very thought provoking. Thankyou🙏🙏🙏

Alfred

April 7, 2025

Wonderful Course! I will listen again and again . Thank you!

Carolyn

March 31, 2025

by Zachary Phillips

7 min

4.8

• GUIDED

Box Breathing For Anxiety Relief

Zachary Phillips

4 min

4.6

• GUIDED

Guided Stomach Breathing For Total Relaxation

Zachary Phillips

1 min

4.7

• GUIDED

A Simple Trick To Still A Troubled Mind

Zachary Phillips

5 min

4.8

• TALKS

Every Moment Is An Opportunity For Freedom

Zachary Phillips

5 min

4.7

• GUIDED

Relax With 4-7-8 Breathing

Zachary Phillips

1 min

4.6

• TALKS

All That Matters Is This One Moment

Zachary Phillips

4 min

4.7

• GUIDED

Enjoy A Mindful Morning Coffee Together!

Zachary Phillips

2 min

4.7

• GUIDED

10 Slow & Relaxing Breaths

Zachary Phillips

10 min

4.8

• TALKS

Why Acceptance Is The Key To Happiness

Zachary Phillips

3 min

4.8

• TALKS

Seeing Beauty Through Struggle & Stress

Zachary Phillips

Trusted by 35 million people. It's free.

Get the app

Retreat categories

Top Retreats

Find Your Perfect Retreat

Blog categories

Top Articles

How to Meditate

Meditation Timer

Daily Contemplations For Living An Examined Life

Recent Reviews

More from Zachary Phillips

Discover Your Divine Purpose

Creative Writing For Healing

Using Meditation To Enhance Lucid Dreaming

Awaken To Your Highest Calling

Your Mindfulness Toolbox For Daily Living

Questions To Heal Your Soul

Develop Effective Study Habits

Cultivate A Daily Meditation Practice

Mindfulness For Absolute Beginners