I have to admit that DFW raises my hackles somewhat.
But he explains some points about mindfulness and kindness very clearly.
Although it does make me wonder whether knowing about those two antidotes to narcissism failed to save him in the end.

How could knowing about them fail to save him? I think rather that he forgot them and fell into despair. To me, remembering that "this is water," that it is all about what happens before we die and how we think about it, inspires a sense of joy and gratitude and connection with the rest of the living world.