The Philosopher's Field Guide: 52 Psychotechnologies for Wisdom, Willpower, and Well-Being

This is Ryan's most important book yet! I've never read a book that approaches teaching practical wisdom in such an easy-to-digest and memorable way.The term 'psychotechnologies' meant nothing to me before reading this, and truthfully the term sounded to me like the contents of this book would be something deeply academic and abstract, but I WAS RELIEVED to be incorrect!The tools that make up this book's contents are rooted in deep ancient truths from cultures all across space and time, and Ryan does a phenomenal job making the wisdom so sticky. It's easy to understand, and it gives you the space to integrate what you've learned into your real life.All of Ryan's work has been original, inspired, and thoughtful-- and this is no exception! THIS IS MY FAVORITE book from his body of work.

I experience The Philosopher’s Field Guide as a system aimed at helping one learn and integrate new mental/mind tools in an organized and structured way.It contains 52 different psychotechnologies (mind tools), with information about each tool, ways to practice them in daily life, an area to write notes or thoughts, and an integration tracker to show progress in integrating them. It’s like having an easy-to-understand, all-in-one identification guide, instruction manual, and map to more effectively achieve self-mastery.The book is great for individual or group reading, and offers interesting topics to think about and discuss with others. (No more boring small talk at parties and dinners!)If you are ready to upgrade your mental tool box, The Philosopher’s Field Guide is the journey companion you need!

mostly for people looking for quick answers. who are trying to fix themselves.

I plan to carry the book with me throughout 2025. I LOVE the layout. It fits in my purse and on my bedside table beautifully! The weekly format makes it possible for me to really apply the principles in a steady, slow way. The paper is perfect to write on. The lined space for notes is exactly what I needed to jot down my thoughts each week. Spelling out expectations in a daily format M-S helps me step through the actions to apply what I'm learning. Ryan selected wonderful quotes from so many sources. He is an inspiring guide.

I have to admit that though this book has 52 “Psychotechnologies”, one for each week of the year, I am reading it through like a book! Each section has real life application, along with foundational quotes from the great philosophers. Tremendous well illustrated content, tightly packed, and applicable to my every day life! I get why it is designed to take a year to absorb and internalize. I just can’t resist reading ahead!

This book serves as a powerful guide for navigating and overcoming the challenges of everyday life, whether they are positive, negative, or somewhere in between. There are practical tools and insights to transition from simply existing to truly thriving in personal and professional lives. For those who are already flourishing, this book reinforces key principles and introduces fresh perspectives to elevate mindset even further.What sets this book apart is the mental model presented by the author. This model provides a framework that is accessible and valuable to readers from all walks of life. It's not just a resource but a transformative companion for anyone seeking to embrace life with greater intention and fulfillment.

Exceptional book. It explains how you can use these tools to have a much better life. I read out of this book several times a day, the information is invaluable. I would recommend this book highly for anyone.

This book makes it easy to understand the theory + apply the tools!