Three ways to become a deeper thinker

The many mysteries of life—the meaning of existence, why we love certain people, how to calibrate our moral compass—don’t have a simple answer. And that’s what makes these questions the most important ones to ask, Arthur C. Brooks writes. But taking on existential debates is no small feat; becoming a deep thinker, like all skills, requires practice and repetition. Brooks recommends three steps: Choose a period of time each day to think through spiritual or challenging questions, go for a long walk and reconnect with nature, and do not fear boredom—idle hands can produce great minds.

Following a regimen may seem strange, but making time to probe some of life’s unknowables can bring people closer to understanding their own purpose and motivations. “As a society, we have become spiritually flabby and psychically out of shape,” Brooks explains. “We haven’t been getting in the reps.”

Today’s newsletter brings you stories about how to tackle challenging questions:

• “Three Ways to Become a Deeper Thinker,” by Arthur C. Brooks. You don’t have to become a Buddhist monk to realize the value of contemplating hard questions without clear answers.
• “Stop Trying to Ask ‘Smart Questions,’” by Derek Thompson. “Can you just explain this to me like I barely know anything about this subject?”
• “The Virtues of Boredom,” by Julie Beck. What’s going on under the surface when people feel bored? (From 2017)
• “Changing Your Mind Can Make You Less Anxious,” by Arthur C. Brooks. Humans are programmed to think we’re right at all costs. Fighting that instinct will set you free. (From 2021)
• “This Is No Way to Be Human,” by Alan Lightman. We now occupy a nearly natureless world. (From 2022)

—  Stephanie Bai, associate editor