Practical wisdom was, for Aristotle, the primary ambition of philosophy. Exploring questions of relevance, of crucial importance for a life well-lived, was the task of philosophy and the practical wisdom at which it aimed enabled individuals-and societies-to live well and flourish.Lucid and rich, Essential Reverie returns philosophy to its original and most pressing task of exploring in earnest-yet with a spirit of genuine wonder-questions that matter: What does it mean for a life to be grounded? What roles do gratitude, adventure, and passion play in our lives? How do fear and faith each direct us, and how is it that we can go from one to the other in an instant? What might it mean to salvage a squandered blessing?Beyond its insights into these questions and others, Essential Reverie thoroughly acquaints readers with what it is to do philosophy.