Podcasts about high existence

HighExistence family, we are back! If you want to know where we've been, what we have been up to, and what we are doing now… This episode holds all the answers.  To find out about our upcoming retreat go to: https://apotheosisretreat.com/

In this episode of "Breathwork, Business, and Happiness," host Chris Erthel interviews Jordan Lejuwaan, creator of the viral "50 Life Secrets and Tips" and founder of High Existence. Jordan shares his insights on personal growth, discussing the concept of Anti-Social Media to foster meaningful connections, the use of gamification for motivation, and the potential of Universal Basic Income (UBI) in addressing societal challenges. He also touches on strategies for overcoming depression and finding purpose in the modern world, offering listeners valuable takeaways for a more balanced and fulfilling life. Jordan Lejuwaan is the founder of the museum Zerospace, the blog High Existence, the app Slash, the company Futurism, the fashion startup Rave Nectar, and the company Internet Game. Most importantly he is a truly amazing and inspiring human being. Enjoy this episode a lot! 50 Life Secrets and Tips: https://www.highexistence.com/life-secrets-and-tips/ The Happiness Tracker App from Christoph that we talked about: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lighthouse-happy-life-tracker/id6444105773 The Website of Jordan: https://lejuwaan.com/ and Earthship: https://earthshipbiotecture.com/ The Grid Exercise to set bigger goals in life: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Fpm0Tg6A65uPcX7zvN1DKa3Qkg3Cru5FKpTa83blKpk/edit#gid=1528277626

"Stoicism provides us with a kind of psychological toolbox. It's full of strategies for helping us cope with anxiety, anger, pain, and all sorts of emotional problems.""People who love Stoicism often read the Meditations over and over. You can squeeze more and more out of it the more you read it."In this episode, we're thrilled to be joined by a renowned expert in Stoicism Donald Robertson.  This episode was created a few years ago on the HighExistence podcast but has never been shared on the Stoic Handbook podcast. In my discussion with Donald, we explore the rich history of this ancient philosophy and unravel the wisdom of some of the great Stoic thinkers including Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca. As we dissect key Stoic texts, we will also discover how to effectively apply these age-old teachings to address modern-day challenges. Whether you're new to Stoicism or well-acquainted, get ready to embark on an enlightening journey that transcends time and sheds light on living a meaningful and contented life.In the episode, you'll learn... Introduction to the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and its historical background.Insight into the fundamental principles of Stoicism, including rationality, virtue, and acceptance of fate.Exploration of key Stoic texts including Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, Epictetus' Handbook, and Seneca's Letters.Discussion on the contemporary relevance of Stoicism and how it addresses modern challenges such as anxiety and depression.A guide on how to effectively study and interpret Stoic texts.Examination of Stoicism's influence on cognitive behavioral therapy and psychological practices.The importance of community and connection in Stoic philosophy.Overview of modern adaptations and interpretations of Stoicism, including books by Ryan Holiday.Personal reflections and stories of how Stoicism has profoundly impacted the expert's life.Recommendations on how to integrate Stoic principles into daily life for greater well-being and contentment.

Mike Slavin is a magician and poet telling tales from the intersection of attention, deception, and wonder. He has been a close-up magician for more than half of his life, so he understands much about how the mind works, and how easily it can be manipulated and deceived. He is a core team member at HighExistence.com where he imagines strategy and builds community. He also writes the newsletter Down The Rabbit Hole that goes out to 39,000 people every week.   Additionally, I'll be donating to and raising awareness for the charity or organization of my guest's choice with each episode now. This episode, the organization is called Unlimited Sciences. Any and all donations make a difference! You can connect with Mike on: Website Newsletter - Down The Rabbit Hole High Existence Instagram Twitter To connect with me: Interested in working with me as your coach? Book a complimentary 15 minute call here. LinkedIn Instagram Website Subscribe to my weekly newsletter YouTube Please leave a review for this podcast on Apple Podcasts!   Resources/People Mentioned: The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are - Alan Watts The Wisdom of Insecurity - Alan Watts The Way of Zen - Alan Watts The Hero's Journey - Joseph Campbell The Journey of Reenchantment Jeff Foster Craig Chalquist Good Will Hunting Pema Chodron Harry Houdini Mark Twain Alan Watts Voluntary Hardship

50 Life Secrets and Tips: https://www.highexistence.com/life-secrets-and-tips/ The Happiness Tracker App from Christoph that we talked about: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lighthouse-happy-life-tracker/id6444105773 The Website of Jordan: https://lejuwaan.com/ and Earthship: https://earthshipbiotecture.com/ The Grid Exercise to set bigger goals in life: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Fpm0Tg6A65uPcX7zvN1DKa3Qkg3Cru5FKpTa83blKpk/edit#gid=1528277626 Jordan Lejuwaan is the founder of the museum Zerospace, the blog High Existence, the app Slash, the company Futurism, the fashion startup Rave Nectar and the company Internet Game. Most importantly he is a truly amazing and inspiring human being. Enjoy this episode a lot! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/happiness-podcast/message

I sat down to do a somewhat fast-paced Anxiety Q&A with my HighExistence colleague, Mike Slavin. Hope you enjoy it!

“What if this life were the paradise we were promised, and we're just squandering it?”-Naval RavikantBeing happy and rich are learnable skills, and our guest today, Eric Jorgenson, has learned from the very best. His compilation of wisdom and winning business strategies from legendary tech innovator Naval Ravikant took the internet by storm, and his unbelievably popular book, The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, holds a prominent place on the bookshelves of rich and happy people all over the world.Even more impressively, though, he's brought these ideas and timeless insights back into the real world again to create the foundations of a legendary career for himself as well. Eric Jorgenson consistently proves the truth and value of this wisdom via his own work and positive example. During our conversation, he holds nothing back and lets us inside two fascinating minds, both his and Naval's.In this episode, we cover:- What it's like working with Naval Ravikant- How to decide which book to read next- Why it's more effective to focus on your trajectory than your current results- Why everything is getting better all the time- Using leverage to get to the point where you're only doing what you want to do- The importance of honing in on your specific knowledge- Allowing your path to unfold organically as the fast track to genuine expertiseOne of the greatest lessons you'll learn in this episode, though, is that where you start off doesn't have to be where you end up. If there's a skill you lack, you can learn it; if there's a big scary problem looming over you, you can overcome it; if you want more out of life, you can have it. About Our Guest:Eric Jorgenson is an entrepreneur, writer, and investor. He is on the founding team of Zaarly, and has been publishing online since 2014. His blog has educated and entertained over a million readers.Naval Ravikant (not present) is an Indian-American entrepreneur and investor. He is the co-founder, chairman, and former CEO of AngelList. He has invested early-stage in over 200 companies including Uber, FourSquare, Twitter, Wish.com, Poshmark, Postmates, Thumbtack, Notion, SnapLogic, Opendoor, Clubhouse, Stack Overflow, Bolt, OpenDNS, Yammer, and Clearview AI, with over 70 total exits and more than 10 Unicorn companies. He is also a podcaster who shares advice on pursuing health, wealth, and happiness.Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. You've gone Down The Rabbit Hole. Now it's time to walk up The Stairway to Wisdom.Introducing a brand new weekly newsletter from the minds at HighExistence.Over the past year, we've been publishing the wonder-inducing weekly email known as “Down The Rabbit Hole,” and now we're taking it a step further.We want our readers not only to feel a deep sense of enchantment towards the world around them but also to apply deep teachings to their daily life so they can experience the life-transforming benefits of wisdom-in-action.The Stairway to Wisdom is a premium weekly newsletter for those who are ready to dive deeper. We've partnered with independent researcher and knowledge connoisseur, Matt Karamazov, who has taken sharp, meticulous notes on over 1000 books so that he could share the most inspiring pearls of wisdom with the world.Learn more here

“It is integration that unlocks the next step, or the next stage, in that process, and if you're not integrating, you'll often find yourself looping”- Eric Brown, HEx Podcast #63If there's anyone worth listening to on the topic of integration, it's Eric Brown.Eric is the director of Apotheosis, our spiritual-psychedelic plant medicine retreat, as well as a content writer and program creator at Mindbloom, the largest provider of psychedelic medicine therapy in the world. He has designed, developed, and run thousands of people through the psychedelic integration process, in both therapeutic and shamanic settings. I have heard and read much on the topic of integration, but never before has it been presented to me so clearly and usefully as here, as if it were a chapter out of an ancient shamanic textbook, translated for modern times. “Making this new way of being so normalized that you don't even have to think about the thing, it just happens. With this, over time, second nature becomes a way of being, and this is what I would consider a complete and thorough integration of whatever the lesson, experience, insight, or feeling is. It becomes effortless and natural, and it becomes a hallmark of who you are.”- Eric Brown, HEx Podcast #63If you have a psychedelic experience coming up, or you feel you may have some not-yet-fully resolved material from a previous one, this is the episode for you. In this episode:·      Eric's experience in the psychedelic field·      What is integration?·      Why is it necessary?·      The shamanic stages of relationship with the plants·      The 7 step process of integration·      The PEMS energetics model·      The 3-day initiation model·      Integration timelines, and what usually occurs in each phase·      Can you integrate with another psychedelic experience?·      Why you might not be getting any new messages/insights·      How to know when you're done integrating·      Where to find support for this processPlease leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. Interested in working with psychedelics in a safe, reliable setting? Check out Apotheosis, our one-of-a-kind plant medicine retreat.

A special interview to mark episode 50 of The What Is Stoicism? Podcast!Today's guest is Jon Brooks, creator of The Stoic Handbook and HighExistence. As a big fan of Jon's work, it was a pleasure for me to have him on the podcast.In this episode, we discuss using Stoicism to cope with anxiety and talk about Jon's flagship course Stoic Anxiety Mastery.As I mention at the beginning of the episode, Jon is offering a $150 discount on the course for readers and listeners of What Is Stoicism? To take advantage, head to stoicanxiety.com and use the code FREEDOM at checkout. I've taken this course myself and highly recommend it!---

Anxiety Rewired goes live on Sunday, August 21st. Get a text the moment it becomes available here: https://rewired.ju.mp"The aim of Anxiety Rewired is to reframe the pursuit of working on our anxiety as a path to mastery. As something that is epic and challenging and fun, and extremely fulfilling and rewarding. That's what it's been for me and that's what I would really like it to be for you too."In this final chapter of our 3 part series on overcoming anxiety, Jon and Mike dissect the remaining parts of Jon's history with anxiety, extracting massive amounts of wisdom, tools and techniques that allowed Jon to go from being crippled with multiple forms of anxiety, to hosting workshops for thousands of people on how to overcome them all.We also flesh out our course, Anxiety Rewired, in a way that leaves no stones unturned. By the end of this video, you will have a clear idea of what the next best step is for you on your journey to overcome whatever specific strain of anxiety you're struggling with at the moment.IN THIS EPISODE:00:00 Who is Anxiety Rewired Designed for?00:30 Welcome01:50 Jon shares his deepest experience of being stuck in an anxiety rut08:40 Other manifestations of anxiety in Jon's life11:10 How to heal from panic attacks18:20 What doors opened up for Jon as he started to overcome his anxiety22:25 The story of how this course came to be25:55 What makes Anxiety Rewired unique?27:26 The 4 maps that we'll use to overcome anxiety 33:06 The magic that happens when you combine practices with insights from the leading research36:00 What's included in the course?43:39 A word from Jon for those sitting on the fencePlease leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

This episode is part 2 of a 3 part series, hosted by Mike Slavin and Jon Brooks Sign up here for the full 3-part training

The Anxiety Masterclass is HERE!

Mike Slavin is the CEO of High Existence - a curiosity provoking platform with countless mind expanding articles, podcasts, courses, and experiences. Mike is also the author of the "Down the Rabbit Hole" news letter where he delivers a weekly dose of wonder to your inbox. https://highexistence.com This episode was philosophical shoot out, assisted by the weed and the whisky.

Cris Beasley has become a profoundly influential force in my life.Her ability to go directly to the places where we are hiding, playing it small, and not owning the raw realities of our human experience is remarkable.Her path from the tech world to being CEO of an AI company, to psychedelic facilitator, medicine woman, and oracle creator is as vibrant and rich as her personality.Cris has several amazing achievements under her belt:Working with Mozilla to shape the open internet.The trials and tribulations of being a CEO.Creating the ‘Cult of Busyness' immersive workshop experiencePsychedelic facilitation and retreat workCreating the Becoming Dragon oracle deckHer new microdosing experience+ much moreCris is as emotionally attuned as she is wise. As witty as she is serious. It's been an incredible process to watch her grow, evolve, and continue to execute with a combination of quality, speed, vigour, and grace. Bridging the shamanic and the scientific, the emotional and the intellectual, Cris is a deeply strong, powerful, and loving voice in the space of emotional intelligence, personal healing, and experience design. You can find her at:Becoming DragonSubstackMicrodosing ExperienceEnjoy this episode of the HighExistence podcast with Cris Beasley!Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. DIVE DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE and get 5+ mind-blowing ideas, tools, or quotes sent to you every Wednesday. 

“You can move past these obstacles. You probably relate to them as obstacles right now, but they're actually a part of the path, right?”-Mike Slavin (HEx Podcast #61)In today's solo cast, Mike leads us down a rabbit hole of discombobulate selves, where we find the true source of our procrastinative tendencies.He reminds us that we procrastinate, not because we are cursed, but because a part of ourselves doesn't want us to go where we are trying to go. Resistance is not an external force, but rather a part of YOU that is not yet on board with the mission yet.Instead of slaying the procrastodragon, have you tried communicating with it? Listening to it, and harmonizing with it until it shrinks, or joins forces with you, so you can ride it into the ever-expanding horizon of your dreams

“Here's the funny thing: when I ask someone to tell me what his or her wildest dream is, they dilute it. Ten times out of ten, people sell themselves short”Steve Sims Our guest on the podcast today should never have been able to succeed in business or in life. Growing up as a bricklayer in London, England, all the odds were against him achieving the kind of outlandish success he's been able to claim so far, but it's clear that the universe didn't expect someone with Steve Sims' heart, ingenuity, and initiative to appear and to turn traditional forms of networking on their heads. I first came across Steve Sims in his absurdly motivating book, Bluefishing, which tells the story of his company that makes seemingly unreasonable requests come true. The company is called Bluefish, and they're who you call if you want to sing on stage with Journey, eat dinner in front of Michelangelo's David, or visit the undersea wreckage of the Titanic. He's orchestrated all of these experiences for his clients and many more besides. Steve is just an absolute magician when it comes to making the impossible possible, so listen to today's episode if you're open to receiving a ton of inspiration to get out there and make big things happen. He teaches that there is a password for every door, a weak spot in every wall, and if we would only stop selling ourselves short and start taking massive action, we might just be able to make that wall come down. Especially important to understand, moreover, is that in today's business environment, mean guys finish last. A new, longer-term, more generous form of networking is making the old, manipulative kind of networking obsolete, and Steve Sims is helping to lead the way. I hope that you finish this episode just brimming with inspiration and courage, and leave with the understanding that you can get pretty much anything you want in life, so long as you help enough other people get what they want.What We Cover: What makes an entrepreneur an entrepreneur?The most important skills for futureproofing yourselfHow to break away from the rest and make yourself memorableWhy being you is the most powerful marketing tactic there isCommunicating your message clearly, without dilutionThe importance of surrounding yourself with people who are further along than youPlease leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. You've gone Down The Rabbit Hole. Now it's time to walk up The Stairway to Wisdom.Introducing a brand new weekly newsletter from the minds at HighExistence.Over the past year, we've been publishing the wonder-inducing weekly email known as “Down The Rabbit Hole,” and now we're taking it a step further.We want our readers not only to feel a deep sense of enchantment towards the world around them but also to apply deep teachings to their daily life so they can experience the life-transforming benefits of wisdom-in-action.The Stairway to Wisdom is a premium weekly newsletter for those who are ready to dive deeper. We've partnered with independent researcher and knowledge connoisseur, Matt Karamazov, who has taken sharp, meticulous notes on over 1000 books so that he could share the most inspiring pearls of wisdom with the world.Learn more here

“Our True Desires are deeply sacred. As sacred as a river, or a volcano, or any other natural process. It's something separate from egoic desire which is, ‘I want this because I saw it in a commercial', but the exploration of those egoic desires might actually help somebody go towards those things. And so I think our desires are sacred. I think it's something to listen to as if it is the voice of God.”Jake Kobrin (HEx Podcast #59)Magick has always been a concept that I've brushed aside as another overly esoteric, new-age fad that I assumed would reveal itself to be built on faulty foundations if I ever actually decided to dig into it.After listening to this episode, I realize that those assumptions couldn't be further from the truth. Magick is thousands of years older than western psychology. Its' roots run deep and its implications far and wide.The most controversial magician of the 20th century, Aleister Crowley, defined it as “the science and art of causing change in conformity with our Will”. In other words, this is a long-standing tradition that has mastered the art of manifesting the life that is the fullest and most accurate expression of your innermost being (aka the True Will). As you'll hear in this episode, there is an endless list of techniques that can aid and accelerate this process. ”If you follow, yeah you can call it whatever you want, some divine intelligence, some deep ancestral wisdom that's just sown into your DNA, your life will be better than your dreams because man, it's going to take you on a process. Some of it might be an initiation process, some of it might be really challenging. It might confront you with a lot, but the other side of it is… mind-boggling.”Eric Brown (HEx Podcast #59)And that's only one portion of this conversation...What We Cover: What it means to be a visionary artist Practical examples of how to use language to shape your realityAn introduction to MagickThe concepts of The True Will and The Great WorkCeremonial Magick as initiatory processesSigil MagickA run through the Magickal toolbox The sacredness of desiresThe refreshing sincerity of sex dungeonsCryptocurrency, NFT's and Virtual RealityDIVE DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE and get 5+ mind-blowing ideas, tools, or quotes sent to you every Wednesday.Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

Psychedelics can cause harm. Don't get me wrong, I love psychedelics. But I also acknowledge their potential to bring about profoundly unwanted changes in the psyche.Yet, with the ever-more abundant influx of news focussing on the life-changing benefits of these substances, the very real risks that pose are getting drowned out, leaving us with only one-half of the full picture.The way that our information channels are structured these days, if we don't want to hear about something, we usually don't. We also tend to be over-eager to find The Solution to all our problems. Psychedelics, for many, are taking on this projection. It's not uncommon to hear people talking about the psychedelic renaissance as though it were the second coming. Ed Prideaux is on a mission to stop some of this psychedelic naivety in its tracks, by speaking up about his experience with hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Remember those LSD horror stories that your mum told you, about that guy who took LSD and never stopped tripping? Well, this is sort of like that (although HPPD is not the same as ‘permatripping', as you'll hear Ed clarify) except this is no horror story. The week after Ed's fourth LSD trip, he noticed that the carpets were sparkling and the walls were melting. These effects, along with a handful of others, have not totally left him, 6 years on.This phenomenon is far more common than you might think. A recent study of 2455 psychedelic users reported that a quarter of participants said that they experienced lingering perceptual changes days and weeks after a psychedelic experience and that 1 in 25 found these changes to be so distressing that they considered seeking clinical help.The conversation that Ed brings to the table goes far beyond just HPPD. It extends into an axiom-altering exploration of the narratives around ‘really bad trips', the fundamental flaws of the current mental health framework, and the fluid nature of reality itself. What We Cover: What is HPPD?Ed's personal experience with HPPDThe connection between anxiety and perceptionAdvice for someone who thinks they might have HPPDThe problem with overidentifying with a particular form of sufferingCan you use psychedelics again if you have HPPD?The gifts of neurodiversityStan Grof's controversial treatment for HPPDHow to make a psychedelic experience as well-held as possibleThe fundamental skill to have in the psychedelic experienceThe intersection of this psychedelic moment with the metaversePsychedelic narcissism DIVE DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE and get 5+ mind-blowing ideas, tools, or quotes sent to you every Wednesday.Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

“Whenever you say ‘I can't find ideas,' what you're really saying is, ‘the world is perfect and it needs nothing.'”-MJ DeMarco, HEx Podcast #57—There's a lot of terrible advice out there. Maybe you've noticed this the last time you were outside. People will say things like, “Just follow your passion!” or, “Money doesn't matter!” or, perhaps even worse, “Only 40 more years until retirement, and then you'll be a millionaire!”Some of the people that proffer this advice actually do want the best for you, and they're honestly trying to help. The problem is that they've never learned how money actually works, how wealth is actually created, and how entrepreneurs can solve the problems that are pervasive in society and reap a financial windfall by doing so. Our guest on the podcast today, author MJ DeMarco, has taken aim at all the bad advice out there and has consistently proven the truth of his principles in the process of building out his own businesses and helping tens of thousands of entrepreneurs achieve their financial goals - including me. He reveals the fallacy behind the idea that following your passion will pay your bills; he shows how, in some contexts, money can buy happiness, and how it can also remove some of the sources of unhappiness; and this whole thing about retirement? What people don't tell you is that in 40 years, you'll be 40 years older, and unable to enjoy your money to the degree that you would have been able to while you're young. As he says, wheelchairs, don't fit inside the trunks of Lamborghinis. But his wisdom goes deeper than that. Much deeper. Business can be an incredible source of personal fulfillment, and if you're willing to put your heart and soul (and brain and hands) into something for 10 years, you can win the financial game. You can have it when you're relatively young, and you'll never have to wonder, “What would have happened if I really went for it?”—What We Cover:How the level of access to knowledge is unprecedented right now, and how tapping into it can change the trajectory of your lifeMJ's “C-E-N-T-S” framework for coming up with high-velocity business ideas (featuring the Commandments of Control, Entry, Need, Time, and Scale)How to increase the magnitude of your contribution and accelerate your profitsThe timelessness of great books and podcastsNassim Taleb's concept of “antifragility” and how it can help prepare you for any external event that could threaten your safety and securityThe Great Rat Race Escape, MJ's newest book, a business book/novel hybrid that follows one couple's personal journey from financial slavery to financial freedom”Value skews” and how you can develop them in order to walk over your competition”Superior Unexpected Customer Service” (SUCS) and why it's so much easier today for your business to stand out”Expected Value” and why you should always aim for “Excellent” instead of just “Good”The latest redefinition of “financial freedom” and why it's just financial slavery in a different formWhy investing in your health will improve your life in every other areaWhen you should begin your child's financial education and how to avoid the mediocrity narrativePlease leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

This episode was recorded in 2019. It features an interview that I gave to my HighExistence teammate Mike Slavin on Stoic philosophy. If you enjoyed this episode, I recommend you subscribe to both The Highexistence Podcast and The Stoic Handbook Podcast for more. ---Most people have heard of Stoicism.It's a philosophy dense with practical wisdom.But how many Stoics do you know?I don't mean people who have read Meditations or Letters from a Stoic, I mean actual Stoics…Individuals who are comparable to the authors of these books in their tranquility, wisdom, self-discipline, and joy.This was a question I kept asking myself as I embarked on my study of Stoicism 10 years ago.One of my passions is learning, or more specifically learning through systems.I'm the guy who measures every workout at the gym, keeps detailed spreadsheets for the progress of my martial art, and has pretty much every habit tracking app available on his phone. I believe technology if harnessed correctly, can be an incredible tool for wisdom.This is why, when I first started getting into Stoicism, I was disappointed by most people's answer to “How do you ACTUALLY become a Stoic?”Most of the time the answer was something like the following:Read the original Stoic classics multiple times. Reflect on your day by journaling. Do a few visualizations throughout the day. Focus only on the things you can control.It's not a terrible answer, but it's far from great. I needed a roadmap. I needed to know that I wasn't going to be wasting my precious time focusing on the wrong things. I needed a system.When I first started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu two years ago I realized the deep value of embodied wisdom. You cannot watch technique videos and expect to beat opponents at grappling. So much of the learning comes when you are faced with challenges you must overcome.With Stoicism, many people spend time filling their heads with ideas and not putting any of it into practice. This means the time spent reading about the Stoic principles acts more like a distraction from problems than an antidote to them.So how do we get around this? How do we get actually bridge the gap and put theory into practice and stop wasting time in intellectual la-la-land??That's what we discuss on the podcast today. On this episode, I relinquished my usual role as podcast host so I could sit in the hot seat. Fellow collaborator at HighExistence, Mike Slavin wears the interviewer hat and together we explore topics such as:How I used Stoicism to overcome my social anxietyThe exercises I developed for reducing intense fearThe right and wrong ways to learn Stoicism (and anything else)My favorite technique to live with more gratitudeThe key components missing from modern StoicismMy thinking process behind my Stoic coursesAnd tons mo

In the 10th installment of the High Existence dialogues, we welcome a 4th member onto the stage, discuss the life-changing opportunities that come with finding a community of like-hearted individuals, and pull back the curtains on two soul-quenching events coming up on the HEx horizon.Register for Metamorphosis - A FREE 3-Day online transformational gathering focused on designing sacred rituals: https://highexistence.com/metamorphos... IN THIS EPISODE:• Harnessing feedback for hyper-growth • The value of being around people who actually want to hear about what's going on in your life• How finding true community changed the lives of the team members• Ritual as a portal into the sacred• What is Metamorphosis 2.0?

"If we're in a fully awakened state, trauma's not a problem. In a sense, it's not trauma. It just becomes something beloved. It becomes washed through with love and acceptance. That's the healing."Henry Shukman, HEx Podcast #55We embark on our healing journeys with intentions to remove the thorns in our sides because these thorns are problematic.Initially, it seems that the way to go about this is to grab the tweezers and squeeze them out, one by one, until we are rid of them all. This is generally the attitude that the Western mental health paradigm takes towards trauma and mental illness. Looking to the East, we see a different approach taken towards suffering. One in which those thorns become enveloped in unconditional love and acceptance, thereby draining them of their problem-ness altogether. "Awakening" and "healing" are often used synonymously even though they mean two different things.Healing is the process by which we become whole again. The word implies a fixing of that which is broken. A bettering of that which needs improvement. An integration of that which has been separated.Awakening refers to the realization of the non-dual nature of reality. The recognition that, on the deepest level, there is nothing to fix because nothing can be broken. There is nothing to improve because it is all already perfect. There is nothing to be integrated because it is, always has been, and always will be, whole.So does this mean then that all attempts at healing are a waste of time and that we should just drop everything and head straight for awakening? According to Henry Shukman, the answer is no…There is a middle way. And he has walked it.Henry is a meditation teacher who has used a combination of various meditative practices alongside psychotherapy, plant medicine, and other healing practices to synergise these two processes in his own life for maximum effect. From overwhelming eczema to profound awakening, and then into deep despair and back, Henry eventually forged a path that has led to a long-lasting sense of wholeness and peace that radiates throughout this interview. He has found a sweet spot between the paths of healing and awakening and in this episode, he sprinkles the breadcrumbs behind him so that you and me can do the same.What We Cover:Henry's spontaneous awakening experience and the darkness that ensued afterwardWhat happens to trauma when we awaken?The ultimate antidote to lonelinessWhere to start with non-duality if you have traumaHow to work with koansIs awakening possible for regular people?Henry's favorite resources on ZenHow to find the right teachers and practices for youIs it possible to make serious progress through online training?Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. JOIN HENRY AT METAMORPHOSIS, A FREE 3-Day online transformational event, to learn a powerful set of transformative practices for peace, passion, and meaning

Have you ever wished you could be the first one on the dance floor? Or the one who effortlessly jumps on the beat and freestyles without flinching? I know I have… We all know that we shouldn't care too much about what others think of us, yet we struggle to unwind the deep-rooted patterns of self-consciousness and constriction that hold us back from doing socially ‘risky' things. Part of us is afraid that if we do such things, we might make a fool of ourselves and everyone will think we're weird or somehow unacceptable. So we stay stuck in this cage that once protected us when we were young, yearning for deeper levels of freedom and authenticity.  Until eventually, we decide that we've had enough.  Enough standing on the sidelines. Enough filtering and suppressing that which wants to come through us. Enough being anything other than our messy, unadulterated selves.  If you have reached this threshold, then this episode is perfect for you. In it, Jordan Bates explains how he went from being stuck in his head to cultivating a deep sense of core confidence that lead to him becoming a professional rapper. Are you ready to stop playing small and allow yourself to be exactly what you are in each moment? If so, I present you with this step-by-step blueprint for how to let go into the life you know you are capable of living. Before you dig in, here's a little love letter that Jordan wrote for you. From Jordan: I love you, HighExistence family.  Thank you so much for everything. You all have a very special place in my Heart, and always will. I truly hope you enjoy this podcast. I had a lot of fun recording it with my soul-brother, Jon.  I also want to let you know that starting in a few days on 1/22/22, I'm leading a no-cost 1-month mentorship journey called Infinity Mentorship. This journey is intended as a gift to all beings.  If you know you are on the precipice of a great shift toward more fully embodying the Light that you truly are, join us in the Infinity Mentorship Telegram Community. For further connection, wisdom, and chillaxation, I also invite you to join us in the Ouroboros Soul Family and my personal space, both of which are communities on Telegram. You are a beautiful poem.  Perfect just as you are.  Thank you for existing. Long live this legendary mind-blowing Vortex, and cheers to a High Existence! Love, Jordan In this Episode: Jordan Bates' journey to become a professional rapper  How to unroot doubt Travelling as the ultimate skin shedder The value of taking massive aligned action in the direction of what excites you Difficult experiences as thresholds to cross that life tests us with What it means to embody core confidence, and how to cultivate it Learning how to let go on a dance floor as a metric for self-actualisation  Jordan's favourite methods for tapping into flow Freestyling as a way to give voice to what is alive in the moment  The transformational potential of freestyle rap and dance The essence of true communication Alchemizing heartbreak with creativity MUCH MORE… DIVE DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE and get 5+ mind blowing ideas, tools, or quotes sent to you every wednesday. Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

In this Stoic Handbook episode, I answer a question by my fellow HighExistence teammate Mike Slavin, who asked me about ways I implement ancient Stoicism into my life. The question prompted me discuss the best practices I've found for reading Stoic texts. ----MY FREE INSIGHT TIMER COURSES:

Read all of Matt's books breakdowns and join his weekly High Existence newsletter, Stairway to Wisdom here "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free." — Frederick Douglass Matt Karamazov has already accomplished multiple lifetime's worths of achievements. You'd think the topic of this conversation would be about his experience as a world heavyweight boxer, a natural bodybuilder, nightclub bouncer, professional writer, or successful music label owner… But no… On top of all that, Matt decided that he would take on the mammoth task of reading 1000 books!  And he doesn't just read them. He makes detailed notes on them too. Since this episode was recorded, he has accomplished this goal and extended it to 10,000. With an average of 7 hours a day spent reading, Matt has mastered the art of focusing for long periods of time in pursuit of an aim, and he has joined us on the High Existence Podcast to share key insights and tips for turning our own lofty ambitions into fully realized goals.  This conversation expands way beyond reading into the depths of a mind that has downloaded 1000 of the greatest pieces of content of all time. In this Episode: Matt's history with High Existence Why he decided to read 1000 books How to stay focused for 7 hours a day Can you be mindful while reading? The secret to retaining what you read Is optimism the privilege of someone who hasn't experienced true difficulty? The futility and utility of envy Why you should read more fiction How reading can improve your creative writing and communication skills The importance of enjoying the moment to moment process of working towards the goal How to read 5 books a month Why you should have a 100-year plan if you're under 50 MUCH MORE…

I've talked about this a number of times in the past, but, you know, it never hurts to remind ourselves of life's little truisms that help us ease our minds and boost our mental health.I know stoicism is in fashion at the moment with the likes of Ryan Holiday and Tim Ferris waxing lyrical about it, but that's not why I'm talking about it. I've been a practitioner of stoicism for a long time. It helped me through my army days and has continued to be my grounding philosophy of life, along with existentialism. I read a piece on High Existence that prompted me to talk about stoicism on the podcast today.If you're into audio, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter where I share curated and created audio stories, personal narratives, found sounds, and social radio.Peace and love to you.Support independent podcasting.Clay

"…the loss of the original self, that happens to actually the majority of us. It changes who we are and we kinda go through life managing, and it's natural and appropriate for us to devise different schemes or organizing principles to survive when we're little because you know, what do we know?" — Chris Becker, HEx Podcast #52 Interested in what psychedelic therapy is actually like from the inside?  Chris Becker has been through it all — and he's written a book about it.  He is also a veteran meditator and expert physicist.  What is the connection between psychedelic experiences and meditation? How does mediation heal? And how do we ensure that we don't get addicted to mystical experiences? This episode is an exploration through all of these questions and much more, as well as an opportunity learn from a man who has been using psychedelics for over 40 years, all the while figuring out what it means to use these sacred substances responsibly. What we cover: Chris' transformation from alcohol abuse to effortless abstinence using psychedelic therapy Why so many scientists become Buddhists Zen vs Vipassana The main reason why so many people stop meditating and how to overcome it The relationship between psychedelics and meditation Ontological addiction: getting hooked on God Trauma as the loss of the original self The role of the guide in the psychedelic experience  Psychedelics in your 60's vs psychedelics in your 20's Should we legalize psychedelics? MUCH MORE… Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

"It has to start first and foremost with a real desire and fascination… I think that the best conversations are born from that burning desire." - Jonny Miller, HEx Podcast #51 If you want to see an example of what happens to those who single-mindedly follow that sense of burning curiosity, then check out Jonny Miller. Jonny, creator of the Curious Humans podcast, is someone who clearly leads by example. His mind is a treasure trove of embodied wisdom, covering a wide range of topics that have the power to make our lives more joyous for those who share his love of learning. Jonny is the founder of the Curious Humans podcast and monthly newsletter as well as a breathwork facilitator, meditation teacher, startup and emotional resilience coach and the creator of nervous system mastery. What we cover: Grief as the gateway to the inner Hero's Journey [17:31] How Jonny became a successful digital nomad [20:11] Advice for anyone wanting to start a podcast [29:01] How to heal the root of trauma [36:06] Breathwork for emotional resilience [39:11] Jonny's critique of stoicism [44:35] How to remain energized and calm throughout the entire day [56:11] Finding the right mentor [1:06:56] MUCH MORE Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

"For me the Ascent is about that. It's about: wow there are so many areas of this map of my life and reality that I thought were not feasible, not possible, and now I see that if I choose to, I can go there." — Jon Brooks, HEx Dialogues #9 Imagine if Harry never went to Hogwarts… He had the occasional experience of magic, but before he joined a community of witches and wizards, he didn't even know that he was one.  Having just finished the first round of The Ascent, I can truly say that it is a school of witchcraft and wizardry.  Getting a project off the ground is a messy and sensitive process. You need room to fail and some form of guidance that lets you know which roads lead to a dead end and which ones lead to gold. Things are also a whole lot easier if you have a tribe to watch your back and lift you up when you fall. As someone who personally took part in The Ascent, I can say without hesitation that it was the most transformative 8 weeks of my life.  "Having that initial fertile ground in people, in places that are safe to fail, in community that will lift you back up and in the resources and how to's of people who have scraped their knees doing this stuff before and have some ideas - that is just a perfect concoction to take you exactly where you want to go or places you couldn't even imagine you wanted to go." — Eric Brown, HEx Dialogues #9 Learn more about The Ascent here. This episode is packed with key lessons that were taught and learned throughout the first expedition, such as: Failure being the primary ingredient for success  Why creativity is painful The necessity of community The inner - outer work feedback loop Highlights from the first round The importance of honest feedback Our take on the law of attraction Details on The Ascent The cultivation of spontaneity MUCH MORE... Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

Is it possible to bring the level of reverence and integrity that we see in traditional plant medicine ceremonies into our own homes? Koen and Sebastian, the team over at Portier Supplies have created a product that is doing exactly this. "Psychedelics deserve a beautiful place in people's lives, not shoved in a closet, hidden away somewhere'" — Sebastian from Portier Supplies, HEx Podcast #50 There is a lot of shame that many well-intentioned psychedelic users carry around due to misinformed stigma and misplaced projections.  Initiatives such as Portier Supplies are putting that to an end. This conversation is a dive into psychedelic healing and the exciting realms beyond, as well as a front row seat to the tricky business of psychedelic entrepreneurship.  What We Cover: 2:40 - The journey that led to the creation of Portier 11:35 - What the Portal Box is 17:00 - The true meaning of luxury 20:05 - What comes after healing with psychedelics? 24:00 - Maintaining integrity when combining business and spirituality 43:25 - Growth as the accumulation of responsibility 44:25 - Practices that support psychedelic use 53:55 - Bufo vs Ayahuasca MUCH MORE... Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

Building a psychedelic company is a lot like creating a healing container. It starts with really understand your own role as Martijn Schirp, founder of Synthesis — a psilocybin retreat center and institute in the Netherlands — discovered. On the show we discuss Martijn's initial roles as facilitator and then CEO of Synthesis and the value of having a comprehensive team. We compare ketamine and psilocybin and the efficacy of a communal setting for healing. We explore creating a safe healing container from medical screening all the way to evidence-based integration. Finally we discuss the stewardship model as the future of psychedelic business. Synthesis is a legal, professionally guided truffle retreat center for professionals to experience personal growth, emotional breakthroughs, and spiritual development. Their expert team of facilitators and meditation and breathwork instructors, create an experience that blends the best of ancient wisdom, with cutting edge science. First as CEO and now as Chief Visionary Officer Martijn has driven the vision of Synthesis Institute since he co-founded the company in 2018. He previously co-founded HighExistence and Apotheosis. His work and identity as an entrepreneur is strongly influenced by eco-phenomenological thought, and by his decade-long personal practice with Buddhism and Shamanism. He is currently focused on scaling opportunities for flourishing, well-being, and transformation through the synthesis of contemplative practices, immersive technology, and psychedelics. Links: Synthesis: https://www.synthesisretreat.com/ Martijn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martijnschirp Synthesis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synthesisinstitute Timestamps: :05 - Martijn's style of leadership :14 - The value of having a comprehensive, integrated team at Synthesis :19 - Ketamine vs psilocybin and the value of a communal setting for healing :23 - How Synthesis creates a healing “container” :30 - Integration, evidence-based care, and post retreat risks :38 - Comprehensive medical screening protocols :46 - The stewardship model as the future of psychedelic business 1:00 - Advice to psychedelic therapists

If you identify as spiritual but not religious, then this one is for you. In our second interview with John Vervaeke, he urges those who have been traversing the spiritual path on their own up until now to come together and join forces: “We need the best wisdom we can come up with. The chances that you're going to get that on your own are very small.” — John Vervaeke, HEx Podcast #49 What forms as we come together is what John calls, ‘the religion that is not a religion'.  If you extracted everything that was valuable from traditional religions and left behind what was constricting and harmful, this is what you would get. “We need to reach deeply into the roots of our traditions in order to grow up into the novelty of the sunlight, if we're going to grow what we need here.” Why do we need something like this? And how do we begin to build it?  Eric and John dive deep into these questions and surface with a stash of nuggets pointing the way to a world of wisdom. What We Cover: Why we need a religion that is not a religion  The problems that arise from being ‘spiritual but not religious' Why it's not a religion Untangling the supernatural from the spiritual How to build up your own community  Metapsychotechnologies for curating ecologies of practice Yoga's 4 paths to Union as an example of pluralism Western traditions as equally viable paths to wisdom MUCH MORE… Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

“We need to have a deep dialogue between science and spirituality.” John Vervaeke, HEx Podcast #48 It's easy to say that science and spirituality are being summoned to sit down together for a deep conversation — but much harder to actually make this happen without things devolving quickly.   John Vervaeke has taken it upon himself to come in and, not only translate, but provide an entire vocabulary and grammar for both parties to use to allow for deeper understanding and more nuanced agreements. This is a mammoth task. For this reason, John has an entire 50 episode YouTube series called The Meaning Crisis exploring the past, present, and future of this dynamic between science and spirituality. It is one of the most significant series I've seen in a while. If you don't have 50 hours to spare, fear not, for we have an exhaustive summary of it all for you right here. Originally posted on John's Youtube channel under the title ‘Best Synoptic Overview of The Meaning Crisis & my Work', this interview is an action-packed call to arms against the spiritual challenges we are facing today, featuring misunderstood vampires and re-spawning Hydra heads. By giving us a strong foundation to stand on and bringing spirituality back down to earth, John is creating a platform for this crucial merging to take place.  “We can go from these being terms that are wrapped in mystique and obscurity to being a realizable continuum that we can start engaging in right now right here.” — John Vervaeke With the groundwork in place, please enjoy this deep dive into the meaning crisis, stealing the culture, and redesigning religion. WHAT WE COVER: An exhaustive summary of The Meaning Crisis John's own personal meaning crisis and how meaning began to emerge in his life The deep mechanisms underlying downward spirals/addiction Perennial Problems: the eternal spiritual problems of man Jordan Peterson's role in the reawakening Hamlet as an example of over-self-consciousness The pros and cons of the scientific mindset The 4 ways of knowing Psychotechnologies Strengths and weaknesses of Eastern and Western approaches Ecologies of practices: responses to the Perennial Problems An introduction to the Religion that is not a Religion Serious play as the bridge between two worlds MUCH MORE… Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

BONUS EPISODE: This was our guinea pig episode when we decided to bring HT to the world before the world completely changed due to the pandemic. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains emotionally sensitive and challenging material about death. It was recorded before the pandemic in January of 2020. We're getting high with our good friend Courtney LeBlanc and discussing the impact death has had on our lives and mental health. The three of us delve into different coping mechanisms and how loss has molded our understanding of our mortality. It's not all heavy though, there's still plenty of laughs as we debate the death of one of our favorite villains-Lord Voldemort. We're smoking Forbidden Fuel by Deep Creek and invite you to spark up and listen to one of our favorite episodes from the archives!

Have you been struggling to keep a consistent meditation practice? Switching around between different types, trying to find the right one for so long that you eventually forgot why you were even doing it in the first place? This is a common complaint many aspiring meditators face. Without a clear understanding of why we are doing what we are doing and a way to know that we are doing it right, we are destined to fall off track. In comes The Mind Illuminated by Culadasa (John Yates, PhD). The Mind Illuminated is the result of 50,000 hours of meditation and decades of neuroscience study. This book is arguably the clearest, most systematic, and well-researched meditation manual ever written. In this episode of the HighExistence podcast, Jon Brooks and Eric Brown discuss the 6 steps Culadasa recommends in the book to prepare the mind for practice. But these 6 steps, as you'll see, have far reaching applications beyond just meditation. “This stuff is not separate. The lessons you learn in mediation are lessons that apply to life. The stuff going on in your life will carry on into your mediation practice.” — Eric Brown, HEx Podcast #47 IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: Why you should meditate Culadasa’s 6 steps for preparation for meditation How TMI has impacted not only Eric’s meditation practice, but his life Is enlightenment actually possible? What does it take to get there? Meditation as a tool for tragedy How to find and renew the motivation to do anything The first 3 stages of the meditation journey Meditation as a microcosm for life The importance of posture How showing up is all you need to do The value of taking a moment to clarify intent before starting anything MUCH MORE… (Please remember to leave a review because it helps us improve the podcast!)

Learn more about The Ascent here. ~ In the first podcast I did with Justin, we discussed the secret strategies of super-learners. In the follow up YouTube video we dissected the best ways to get the most from the books that you read. In today's episode, my main question was to find out Justin's origin story. I knew that he had suffered from depression as a teen, and also grew up in South Africa, and was curious how he transformed himself from this state to being a nuero-resilience coach and learning expert living out of LA. My hope is that anyone who is struggling with their current living situation or feels burdened with an overactive mind can find great inspiration in Justin's story, and of course... we will learn a lot along the way. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: Justin's origins and childhood The issues with the traditional school system Science proven learning strategies The value of learning to think for yourself Justin's experience with life-threatening depression The power of stillness practices How to get over an emotional slump Justin's method for interpreting "negative" feedback MUCH MORE… Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast.  Bonus: Justin's Top 3 Recommended Blog Posts The Human OS: Part 1 Introduction to the Principles Weakness is Strength Models of perception: the light switch, the dimmer switch, and the lighting board

It’s not every day you sit down with a shaman to explore their life, beliefs, practices, and opinions. But today, we’re doing just that. We have the pleasure of sitting down to talk to our friend Marie Lou of Infinity Retreats. We have worked with Marie Lou and her partner Anke at our Apotheosis Retreats, and it was Marie Lou and Anke who ran the diet that Jon and I discussed in Episode 28. Marie Lou is a true example of where ‘doing the work’ can take you. Through extensive study, diets, and work with the plants, she moves gracefully through the world with the poise and power of someone who walked the path for a long time. But this isn’t just an exploration of her work, we get the opportunity to go into much more with her. And much more ground is covered. This is an up close and intimate look at how one moves down the path from just interested to awakened, what work is required to hold space and conduct ceremonies, and why anyone would do this and what results they can see. It is an exploration into the world of the plants, the nature of reality, and the purpose of the here and now. We are so honoured to bring this to you, and hope that this will be the start of many more conversations to come. If you liked this and want to hear more from Marie Lou + Anke, send us an email or give us a comment to let us know. IN THIS EPISODE: How has the past year with COVID been for you? How do you describe what you do? Exploring Bufo and how to diet the medicine. Understanding diets and how to do the work. How did you get started doing this work? What’s your definition of a shaman? German New Medicine and the nature of illness. Does a shaman still feel fear?  Infinity Retreats and the path forward. MUCH MORE… Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

The Ascent is the new 8-week online meaningful work mastermind brought to you by HighExistence. The experience is designed for those who have already some understanding of self-improvement and spirituality, and now want to turn their passion into an opportunity to do what they love, get paid for it, and make a dent in the universe. We are bringing together a team of online entrepreneurs and facilitators to walk you through every stage of your own project so you can have the freedom to work from anywhere in the world, doing what makes you feel most alive. It doesn't matter if you want to do online coaching, run a successful blog, start a podcast, or become an artist... This will be your chance to take bold action and radically change your situation with support from the HighExistence team and a small tribe of individuals who will help hold you accountable. Learn more about The Ascent here. In today's Dialogues, I chat with Mike Slavin and Eric Brown about the reason we set out to create The Ascent. We noticed that when we asked people who attended our Apotheosis retreats what they really wanted to do with their lives, almost nobody was actually pursuing their biggest ambitions. Instead, many were settling for local, small self-improvement changes. This approach is definitely useful for some things, like building small habits, but for lifestyle changes and following your bliss, a more nuclear option must be taken.  In this episode, we look at some of the traps of thinking small in life, as well as... Why people struggle to do what they love for work The WHY that must come before the HOW Classic self-sabotaging strategies The value of changing your container, not it's contents Downsides of incremental changes How we can live our own Hero's journey What The Ascent involves Way more hidden gems... ;) Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast. 

"Are you the same with your best friend as you are with your boss and your mother and the stranger in the bus stop? Are you the same person in all those scenarios? Because if not, you are dishonest. And that's okay. Because, you wanna know who's definitely a dishonest person? Anyone who says that they're an honest person." — Dan Munro "Losing your job is nothing compared to losing your Self." — Dan Munro Today I sit down and chat with Dan Munro about his new book, The Naked Truth.  Dan has been on the podcast before where we went deep into Dan's own story with honesty and authenticity and the tactics he uses as a coach to turn people from socially anxious into socially bulletproof.  In this episode, we focus specifically on the toxic effects of being dishonest, and the blueprint you need to turn your life around and start being boldly... YOU.  In this discussion, we cover: Essentialism and shiny object syndrome Self deception and bias The mixed messages from society on honesty Dan's own story of how dishonesty hurt him The various hidden types of lies The link between shame and dishonesty How to express authentically without harming people The validation addiction detox Why it's good to be disliked Was murderer Chris Watts spurred by dishonesty? Please leave a review if you enjoy The HighExistence podcast.   

Down the Rabbit Hole is your weekly injection of wisdom, wonder, and well being sent straight to your inbox from HighExistence. Each email explores ancient and emerging tools, techniques, and teachers to help you live a more meaningful, adventurous, and ecstatic existence. Sign up here.  --- In today's episode, Jon Brooks, Eric Brown, and Mike Slavin discuss how to see through your own blindspots so you can achieve meaningful transformation in areas you were previously avoiding.  Those of us interested in personal development, sometimes use it as a form of productive procrastination.  We meditate, journal, read, exercise, etc., as a way to avoid doing the thing we REALLY know we need to do...  Cleaning our room, having that conversation, paying our bills, working on that project, asking that person out on a date, writing that novel...  Real growth lies more in failure and adventure than in the safety of self-care habits.  That is what this conversation is all about... We share our deepest insights on personal development after a combined 30 years studying and practicing on the spiritual path.  If you enjoyed this episode, why not share it with a friend? 

"Craft over status; art over praise." Mike Slavin, HEx Dialogues #6 The core HighExistence team members, Mike Slavin, Eric Brown, and Jon Brooks are back with another roundtable discussion. Lockdown restrictions are easing and it's time to reflect on all the craziness that's been happening in the months prior. Four topics that seemed to interlinked during this prolonged period of social isolation are placed, flow, social skills, and depression. Play is a vital form of expression that helps one keep their sanity, enter into flow state, ward off depression, and bond with others. Social skills are just that, "skills" and the worsen when we are not practicing them. When we are out of practice we struggle to flow and we lack a childlike playfulness. Flow is when the challenge perfectly matches the skill level, and this state is vital for good mental health. Depression has many causes, one of the most common being a build up of stress that overwhelms the system. Such stress can be relieved by play, flow, and social relationships. In this discussion, the team explores the intersection of these topics to spark new ideas and provide guidance on how to make sense of the world. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: The impact of coming out of the Covid lockdown The idea of the upward vs. downward spiral The medicinal power of video games How to use emotional reward to increase productivity How competition can increase bonding The fact that being alive is worth a celebration The Stoic approach to being successful The secret to being a great friend How to handle neediness and rejection TONS MORE...

We're releasing an Accelerated Learning course shortly. If you want to learn more, head over to: https://highexistence.com/learnfast/ — — — After going through the traditional medical paradigm, looking for a solution to treat his debilitating OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) – both medications and therapy were failing him. Left with no viable options, he turned to an unexpected ally — magic mushrooms. Adam's citizen science work with psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) gave him space and the breathing room necessary to make some impressive strides in managing his mental space. The results of his experiments here became the foundation for The Mushroom Cure — a dramatic monologue series that Adam created and performed himself, launching him directly into the psychedelic world and into the public stage here. This is a raw, vulnerable, and real conversation – nothing was left off of the table for discussion. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: The value of humor in deep transformation The harsh reality of living life with mental illness The promise and pitfalls of modern psychotherapy How mushrooms transformed Adams OCD Where do psychedelics fit in modern society? Psychedelic integration and the growth process Understanding identity during times of flux MUCH MORE...

Sign up here to get early access to The Accelerated Learning Experience with Justin Noppe: https://highexistence.com/learnfast/ To watch the video version of this interview visit: https://youtu.be/Mggo7ayRIdY -- In my first conversation with learning expert Justin Noppé we spent a couple hours going over the ultimate skill... learning. Learning how to learn gives you a meta skill that can be applied to any activity you want to master, from cooking to web development and design to martial arts to music to writing to... well everything else you can think of. Most of the high-level people I've met in my life have a certain confidence that comes from knowing they can do anything they put their mind to. The world becomes you oyster when you can confidently look at any obstacle and confidently proclaim... "I can learn to overcome this challenge." After the podcast aired, I wanted to learn more about Justin's learning process, so I asked him to become my Brazilian JuJitsu learning coach. This may sound a bit crazy since Justin doesn't actually practice this martial art, but if his process worked it should work regardless of the topic being studied. After just a few weeks of working with Justin I started seeing the results, and other people started noticing at the gym too. "How are you getting good so quickly? Last week I was smashing, you and now you're smashing me..." It was at this point I knew we had to share Justin's 5-step learning process with the the HighExistence readers. If you want to learn more about this, watch this two-minute video: https://highexistence.com/learnfast/ In the initial podcast I did with Justin, we talked a little bit about reading books, but I wanted to go much deeper on the topic. So in this episode, Justin and I speak specifically all about optimizing book reading. If you enjoy books or want to get more from the books you're reading, the next 35 minutes could change your life. Okay, so what's inside? WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: How to pre-read books The uses and limits of speed-reading  The best ways to read for maximum absorption Justin's number one tip when it comes to learning from books When you should read super slow  The wisdom of book lists  The right way to take notes Vanity metrics when it comes to reading  Tons more...

We're opening the doors to our accelerated learning course with Justin soon. Add yourself to the early access list here. What does living in alignment really look like? How do you define the goals, virtues, and morals that will guide your life? And how do you act them out in your daily life? This is just one of the many topics we explore today on the latest HighExistence Dialogues – with learning expert Justin Noppé with us. We explore the systems and techniques of unlocking yourself, living up to the potential you have inside of you, and explore how your culture shapes a lot of this early on and what you can do about it now. Whether it's new skill acquisition, changing your personality and disposition, or getting a deeper understanding of how to connect with others — this conversation goes into all of that and a lot more. Justin is already the creator of our Accelerated Learning course, so you can dive in behind-the-scenes as we riff on these topics. To learn more about the course, check out the link at the top of this description. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: Overcoming agreeableness and cultural divisions Navigating interpersonal dynamics with expertise What an 'aligned human' looks like Become anything and anybody you want Building a sturdy foundation for the rest of your life Hard skills vs. soft skills Becoming an interesting person and owning it Deconstructing yourself with real-world results MUCH MORE...

What would life be like if we could transcend the ordinary? Now this journey isn’t for the faint of heart. This is a Hero’s Journey of cataclysmic proportions. Undoing, overriding, and re-learning decades of distilled and conditioned socio-cultural programming is no small feat. But on the other side awaits beauty, wonder, and experiences far beyond our present imagining. This is why HighExistence came into being. To serve as a portal, through which the initiates pass, into a world of wisdom and wonder. As we take an evolutionary step forward with HighExistence, we riff on what it means to transcend the ordinary and become the creators of our own reality. Won’t you come along with us? WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: What it means to transcend the ordinary The next evolutionary step for HighExistence How to modify and amplify the lenses of perception The mythological meaning of I.M M.Y.T.H. Seeking Truth as the ultimate Hero's Journey Courage and wonder in the face of the mundane What does it really mean to create your own reality? Myth-busting common cultural constructs The awe-inspiring wonder of inter-subjective existence MUCH MORE...

East Forest is a man of many talents. Composer, explorer, facilitator, innovator, digital shaman — the list goes on. Many of us know him through the music he produces, the experiences he’s crafted, or for the meditations and retreats that he hosts. He recently burst back into the spotlight with his latest album release ‘Ram Dass’ — a collaboration project he did with the renowned spiritual teacher himself. It was one of the last public projects that Ram Dass undertook before his passing. We sat down with East Forest to go into the woods on everything with him: his creative process, his views on spirituality and metaphysics, the value of inner work and exploration, and a whole lot more. East Forest has the makings of a wise elder — reserved and focused in his speech, but able to convey a level of wisdom and reverence that is truly stunning. We hope you enjoy this conversation with East Forest, as well as a few samples of songs that appear on the Ram Dass album. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: What East Forest thinks of music and meaning The production of music as the birthing of the new Navigating uncertainty as a creator The metaphysics of meaning and human life Collaborating with Ram Dass Spontaneous emergence through courageous leaps Digital shamanism and the future of psychedelic experiences Slow down and tuning in with yourself, for yourself MUCH MORE...

Important note: The HighExistence dialogues are where the three creators Jon Brooks, Eric Brown, and Mike Slavin come together to discuss life, the universe, and everything in between. But if you'd like to follow up with us individually, be sure to subscribe to our new YouTube channels. Here are some places you can find out more... Mike Slavin's beautiful video on how to navigate loss Jon Brooks's practical video on Stoic strategies for overcoming anxiety Eric Brown in conversation shares his masterful insights on how to be productive When’s the last time you learned something for the first time? It might have been a while. For many, education stops the moment school is finished. Should it continue to be this way? How we can learn new skills so that we can stay sovereignty and adaptable to a future that is constantly in flux? Learning is the ultimate meta-skill. It is the foundation of acquiring any other skill. It is the foundation that resilient humans are built upon. To this end, there are a number of techniques, mindsets, and teachers that can be instrumental in helping us move towards mastery. In the latest instalment of the HEx Dialogues, we dive into the nuance and opportunity present in learning, bending reality, and picking up the pace of skills acquisition. If you find yourself wanting to become more adaptable, to level up quickly and consistently, this is a blueprint to doing exactly that. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: The great teachers and allies along the path A massive list of recommended readings and resources Jon, Mike, and Eric's take on what we're learning right now The fundamentals of skills acquisition and learning Is accelerated learning real? The potential and pitfalls The shortcomings of the current educational matrix How to bend reality and the journey to being superhuman The long and short road to mastery MUCH MORE... See the Full Show Notes and Recommendations Here

The world is currently experiencing an unprecedented historical experience. Many of us find ourselves somewhere amidst the confusion and seeming chaos, looking for a way to orient ourselves, to be of service to our families and our communities, and for the opportunity hidden somewhere within the fog of emergent confusion. If you have been doing the work in your life, now is a chance to put this all into practice. To maintain your composure, to rise up in the face of adversity, to become a beacon of light in the dark. But where do we go? What will we do? How do we make sense of what is happening to us? These are the questions that we explore in our first HighExistence Groupcast. Come and join the core HighExistence team as we sit and discuss what's been happening and what we can do about it. We'll be releasing a number of these informal Groupcasts together exploring anything and everything that's coming up for us. Right now, we feel a strong call to show up, to be of service to our community, to you. We dig into the what, why, and how of rising up, of how to be the Hero in this time, how to walk towards the Dragon of Chaos and rise up as the world wants to push you back down. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: Discovery of the Presence of God by David Hawkins Nondualism and 'lesser emotions' Fear and social contagion The presence and prevalence of COVID-19 Practical and tactical steps to take for yourself and others The mythological significance of this time How Stoics respond to adversity and uncertainty Reclaiming play and peace during isolation MUCH MORE...

I get faced with the question, "Why would you do more than one plant medicine retreat or ceremony? What is the value?" And really, fundamentally, after doing one, you're a different person. Really. Completely. Particularly if you dive super deep into process, you can fundamentally transform. And with that brings a whole different life; a whole different set of goals; a whole different personality structure; a whole different set of problems and challenges that you face. So for all the same reasons that enabled you to go into one, you can go into more. — Eric Brown, HEx Podcast #32 Using psychedelics is a fantastic way to see what your ordinary mind is like and how it works. For many of us, psychedelics can reveal patterns that are going on all the time, but under the intense spotlight of plant medicine we see it less as a background murmuring and more of a strong soul-punch that makes us writhe around in agonising self-reflection. There is so much advice out there on set and setting and how to navigate a difficult psychedelic experience, but one of the few people whose advice I would take seriously on this subject is Eric Brown. Eric is the type of psychonaut that can dive very deep into process and yet still remember his training—breathing, mindfulness, cognitive distancing, trust, surrender. Whenever I talk to him after an experience of his, I am amazed at how lucid his recollection is and how he navigated the difficult moments with Jedi-level calm. So it was my pleasure to spend 3.5 hours (longest interview ever) going very deep into Eric's recent 3-week trip to Peru where he partook in a very strict plant diet, which included copious amount of sacred tea drinking, ayahuasca, kambo, and fasting from modern distraction and pleasure. This episode of the podcast will show you in vivid detail how plant medicine works, how it can transform you, how to prepare, integrate, and generally think about working with ancient plant technologies. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: Eric's retreat and psychedelic experience. The trap of viewing retreats as the next spiritual high. The difference between lying and bullshitting. Eric's view on meditation and how he practices mindfulness. How to prepare for a psychedelic experience. What do do when a "bad trip" happens. Eric's story of the 3-week dieta in Peru. How to "communicate" with the medicine. The right and wrong way to integrate mystical experiences. WAY MORE... WHERE TO FIND ERIC BROWN Hangout with him at an Apotheosis Retreat Read Eric's work here. Say hi on... Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

“Here’s the thing. You are not responsible for other people’s feelings. They’re not incompetent children. They’re adults who can handle their own feelings. They can work through disappointment, hurt, anger, sadness, and upset. In fact, doing so will make them stronger and healthier in the long run. You cannot stop others from feeling all discomfort, or all pain. It is an impossible task, a fool’s errand.”  ― Aziz Gazipura, Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, & Feeling Guilty... And Start Speaking Up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, And Unapologetically Being Yourself There are four main models of how anxiety is caused. The first three are fairly obvious: Exposure — we get anxious about the things we avoid Cognitive — our irrational thoughts can make us more anxious Biological — changes in our biochemistry can make us more anxious The fourth however, is a little harder to grasp: "The hidden emotion model." This model stipulates that we can get anxious because there are very obvious things in our life that we are not addressing. The hidden emotion model, is really just another way of saying "niceness." When we are "nice" we let things slide, we don't speak up, we suppress our emotions, we make sacrifices we wish we hadn't... All of this can lead to suppressed feelings, and ultimately anxiety and depression. This used to be me, until I started consuming information by Dr. Aziz Gazipura. At its core, being nice is about being liked by others by making everything smooth. No waves, no friction. It’s based on this (woefully inaccurate) theory: If I please others, give them everything they want, keep a low profile, and don’t ruffle feathers or create any discomfort, then others will like me, love me, and shower me with approval and anything else I want.  ― Aziz Gazipura, Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, & Feeling Guilty... And Start Speaking Up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, And Unapologetically Being Yourself Dr. Aziz is someone who has all the charisma of someone like Tony Robbins (who he trained with), but has a PhD in clinical psychology. What does this mean? His work is both entertaining and scientifically sound. Dr. Aziz has many profound insights about life, psychology, and transformation, but he specialises in social confidence. In this episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Aziz. Here’s what we discuss in the episode of the HighExistence Podcast: Why he focuses so much on "niceness" in his work. The role of trauma healing vs. self-optimisation. The importance of Shadow work, and how to do it. Finding balance between being assertive and compassionate. Dr. Aziz's transformation out of shyness. How to express yourself unapologetically. And much, much more... LEARN MORE ABOUT DR. AZIZ Read his book Not Nice (highly recommended) Podcast: Shrink for the Shy Guy Website Youtube channel

In today’s episode of the HighExistence podcast I sit down for a wild and wide-ranging discussion with Eric James. Eric is a serial entrepreneur, award-winning photographer, magician, app developer, and all-around polymath who has discovered principles that help him engineer his own luck. It just so happens that I met Eric in a stroke of luck 5 years ago at a dinner party. He walked in and I instantly recognized him but not as a person I had met before. He looked like a celebrity to me but couldn’t quite place it. As I started talking to him suddenly it clicked. Eric had started one of the first online magic shops. It just so happened was watching his video when I was in 8th grade trying to become a magician myself. And now here he was standing in front of me 10 years later. We hit it off so well that we ended up becoming roommates for 2 years. And this little anecdote is just scratching the surface of Eric’s stories of surfing serendipity (wait until you hear about Elon Musk and Richard Branson). Here’s what we discuss in the episode of the HighExistence Podcast: White Swans: How positive plot twists and happy curveballs in our lives can change everything (and why it’s important to hold the faith in the face of adversity) How a bed bugs, a breakup, and 200K in tax debt lead to an important encounter with Elon Musk Eric’s path to meeting Richard Branson in an attempt to become a space photographer (see his photography here) The counter-intuitive truth on goal setting: Why big bold goals are easier to accomplish than small ones Living laterally, portal jumping and leaving traditional career paths behind How Red Light Therapy can be used to boost energy Mentioned in the podcast: Eric’s Photography: https://jamesazure.com The Dear Moon Project: https://dearmoon.earth/ The Overview Effect: https://vimeo.com/55073825 Excellence vs. Genius: https://www.edge.org/response-detail/23879 Red Therapy: https://redtherapy.co/ (use code “highexistence” for $25 off)

Jordan Bates is a co-owner of the very successful website, High Existence. I recommend you check it out. He's also the creator of Escaping the Rat Race, which is a toolkit on escaping the 9 to 5, following your bliss, and living free. He also runs the popular newsletter at Refine the Mind. Refine the Mind: https://www.refinethemind.com/ High Existence: https://highexistence.com/ Bonus Feed (My thought process and support with duh monies): https://www.patreon.com/thephilosophyguy Podcast: https://thephilosophyguy.fireside.fm/ Youtube: https://bit.ly/2Z0rAjA Social Links: Discord Squad: https://discord.gg/tH5Fydn Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendenweber_ Email List: https://bit.ly/2rKz8Zn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thephilosophyguy/ Email: thephilosophyguy2@gmail.com Help Support the Show Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thephilosophyguy Venmo: @brenden-weber Paypal: https://paypal.me/BrendenWeber?locale.x=en_US Merch: https://teespring.com/stores/the-philosophy-guy-store Special Guest: Jordan Bates.

Mike Gilliland and Euvie Ivanova sort of remind me of a Sagacious Power Couple from another dimension. Their Future Thinkers Podcast—focused on evolving technology, society, and consciousness—has garnered 3.5 million downloads since its genesis in 2014. They've interviewed Titans of Insight such as Daniel Schmachtenberger, Ken Wilber, Jordan Peterson, Charles Eisenstein, Jordan Hall, and Nora Bateson. They've spent years traveling the world, earning a living as digital nomads, and have spoken at myriad events on multiple continents. I was fortunate to befriend Mike and Euvie some years ago and first met them while traveling in Bulgaria. From our original meeting, I've been impressed by their humility, groundedness, centeredness, penetrating insight, and no-nonsense approach to life and spirituality. I think of them as two of the most actualized humans I've had the honor to know in this lifetime. As such, I was supremely delighted to have the opportunity to interview them for the HighExistence Podcast. Naturally, I wanted to ask them about all the juiciest stuff: Enlightenment... God... No Self... The human shadow... The future of Earth... Their relationship... Their impending parenthood... And their most profound transformational experiences... So I did, and we traversed some truly rich and expansive territory. I hope you enjoy this Kaleidoscopic Journey as much as I did.

“Epigenetics can be passed down inter-generationally. Indigenous traditions have the idea that what you do in your lifetime will impact 7 generations down from you. There’s actually good scientific backing for this idea now.” — David Krantz, HEx Podcast #29 It took me nearly an hour to pick my jaw up off the floor after speaking with David. He's just THAT GUY. Charismatic and approachable. Able to dig deep into the fundamentals of epigenetics and gene editing, and then play you a song from one of his 5 full musical albums at the end of it. David is someone who walks the walk. A polymathic mad scientist designing the minds and mental states for the future of humanity. When I think of someone on the bleeding edge of science and performance, David definitely fits the bill. Currently, David works as an Epigenetic Performance Coach and the Director of Psychoacoustics at the Apeiron Center. He came into his work through a series of synchronicities, something we dive into more in the conversation — but seems to be right at home consulting for some major players in the business, athletic, and artistic spaces. “Your natural bias is to think ‘this is the answer, this is how everyone should do it!’ In terms of navigating that, I find there’s a certain ethos or mentality that I look for, and if I don’t find it I instantly become wary. That ethos is acknowledging ‘Hey, I don’t know everything, and this is just one idea’. When I see people who can say ‘hey, here’s one study, and there’s another that contradicts it, and I’m not trying to hide it.’ And to the best of my ability, I try to do that.’” — David Krantz, HEx Podcast #29 There was nothing off the table for this conversation, and David has a remarkable ability to distill complex scientific concepts into something easily digestible and understandable, for beginners and experts alike. Whether you're a seasoned biohacker wanting to dive into the nuances of genetic testing, or someone just starting out in the self-optimization space, there's something here for you. David embodies the archetype of someone living a HighExistence, doing their best work in a way that is sustainable and pushes the edge of what is possible forward. I think you're going to love this conversation, Jon and I certainly enjoyed being a part of it. “If you’re just going to try to change one variable, just change diet and nothing else, maybe that is worthwhile for someone who just wants reductionistic data, but that’s not how things work in the world. So let’s look at everything as holistically and fully as we can.” — David Krantz, HEx Podcast #29 WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: What does an ‘epigenetic health coach’ do? What bio-markers you should focus on for performance, longevity, and mood Davids revealing experience testing his own genome What David thinks about sleep and health tracking tools How do you transition from making music to epigenetic coaching? Noticing the synchronicities in your life and following the path How do you separate fact from fiction in the health and bio-hacking space? How to break free of the ‘healthy normal’ bias in the standard medical paradigm The difference between being healthy and having optimal health What does DNA do in our body? The impact of epigenetics on your genomic expression Exploring the concept of ‘clock genes’ The science behind transgenerational epigenetic inheritance David’s personal story of epigenetic inheritance and healing wounds from the Holocaust How your physiology is shaped while in the womb Where the notion of ‘past lives’ might come from… Trauma work and it’s overlap with epigenetics and genetic expression The importance of understanding your family’s past and history What David thinks about artificial light and quick biohacking tips Melatonin and optimizing the sleep/wake cycle Sleep is the cornerstone of maintaining healthy functioning Much, much more… WHERE TO FIND DAVID KRANTZ: Visit his website Check out the Apeiron Center Find him on Instagram

It has to be sustainable. You could have a productivity system of working 72 hours straight at the beginning of the week and get everything done. Cool, you can do that but you're probably going to last two weeks, tops. This is a long marathon. I think the best way to conceptualize it is as a marathon of sprints. So you sprint—you work really hard on something—you stop, you rest, you reassess, you analyze, you improve, and then you sprint again. Fundamentally if that whole arc is not sustainable in the long run, you're just going to crash and burn. — Eric Brown, HEx Podcast #28 At HighExistence we've had many interns start working with us all excited and eager. Many told us they had been fans of the blog for years. They would work hard and do anything it takes. They would seize this opportunity with both hands. Then it came time to WORK. Crunch time. Effort. Dedication. Good communication. Innovative contributions. Self-discipline. Let me be clear, many of the interns who worked for us did a stellar job. I'm still friends with many to this day. But there has only ever been one intern who went from a small unpaid position to a fully fledged HighExistence team member who is not just useful to have on the team, but is indispensable. Meet Eric Brown: Director of Operations at Apotheosis Retreats, Leader of the Apotheosis Integration Experience, Manager of Social Media, Editor at HighExistence, and all around productivity ninja... Eric has an amazing ability to practice what he preaches. He's the guy that follows up on his recommendations. Works hard. Meditates. Reads. Organizes. And lives a "HighExistence." He is someone who is always striving to improve without any of that frantic, frustrated stress most of us have. To Eric, self-improvement is not about running away from a person he doesn't like, but about skipping toward a reality he prefers. What you're about to listen to is a 3-hour conversation between Eric and I, and as you might imagine, we cover a lot of topics! There is more that is real than what you can touch. When you touch money, you're touching cotton or paper. Money is an idea; a country is an idea; a government is an idea, so there are things that we consider real that we can't touch. Once I accepted that... that was a big catalyst. Because then you get into exploring emotion, exploring subtle energy in the body, and so on. — Eric Brown, HEx Podcast #28 WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: How does one balance spirituality with powerful work ethic? The systems-based productivity approach Eric learned from startup culture. Why everyone needs to start a blog, and how to do it. The fear we all have of putting our our creative work and what to do about it. How everyone wants to be successful but nobody wants to start at the beginning. The comfortable good is holding you back from the difficult great. The incredible but forgotten value of apprenticeship. Erics step-by-step approach that made him indispensable at HighExistence. How to design your own optimal productivity system. The way Eric prioritizes his tasks to get a lot done while remaining happy. How quick fix culture is preventing us from practicing deep spirituality. Mindfulness of the present moment is the foundation Eric's life. Jon and Eric make public productivity commitments. Eric explains how we can manage our time to get that mysterious "work/life balance." The value of psychedelics for both work and contentment. Analogue vs. digital productivity tools. Why no system will work without the right intention setting ritual. Eric's view on the pomodoro technique, with pro tips. Why we need to focus on THAT ONE THING each day, instead of multitasking. Jon and Eric's favorite mobile and desktop apps. How to get rid of bad habits and replace them with good routines that stick. How we run Apotheosis retreats and what they're all about. WAY MORE...

Synthesis offers legal, medically supervised, and scientific based psychedelic retreats in Amsterdam. They make the psychedelic experience accessible for curious individuals who want to utilize moderate-to-high doses of psilocybin truffles to catalyze creative breakthroughs, explore consciousness, find meaning, improve confidence, and search for a mystical experience. Martijn is the Co-Founder of Synthesis as well as HighExistence and Apotheosis; he has a background in interdisciplinary science and philosophy, and with a strong foundation in coaching and entrepreneurship, he aims to make psychedelic tools accessible in a safe, legal, and modern context. Martijn has been writing and speaking about psychedelics, interviewing experts in this field, and helped organize The Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelics Research 2016 in Amsterdam. He first reached out to psychedelics when he was in search of new perspectives and clarity to reorient his way of being. Today it is his mission to lower the barrier for deep transformation. synthesisretreat.comeastforest.org

"A lot of people talk about art and creativity being as being a spontaneous thing. I don't have those views. For me art is a developed practice as well. You can be truly artistic but have zero developed skill. And you can be not artistic and have a developed skill. There are multiple examples if you go and research it of whoever you think is the most creative painter you can imagine, you'll find that they did hundreds of hours developing a skill." — Justin Noppé, HEx Podcast #27 Justin from a young age knew he was smart but struggled with learning. He later found out that it wasn't actually learning that he struggled with, but rather poor learning systems that were being used in his school. He set out on a life's journey to learn... how to learn and share his findings with the world. After graduating Justin went on to teach languages to people for 15 years, further decoding the patterns that take someone from fumbling in the dark with foreign grammar to entirely fluent in the shortest amount of time. "The very simple thing to ask is when you are reading, what do you want? A lot of people are seduced by this idea of being the most efficient reader and speed-reading techniques. But speed reading techniques don't guarantee comprehension. As many people who I've met who say, "I can read a thousand words a minute" I can show you just as many studies that show that after 450 or 500 words a minute there is no more comprehension. So that person was only comprehending 50% of what they were reading any way." — Justin Noppé, HEx Podcast #27 Justin has an encyclopedic knowledge on learnings systems, memory, the brain, and information processing that makes him able to chunk and complex skillset down into learning curve that is not only fast but extremely effective. I learned a ton just from speaking to Justin, and I know you will too. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: Deep vs. shallow learning How to turn raw data into a developed skill The best ways to read for maximum absorption How knowledge of self is the first step for good learning The role of raw talent in creative pursuits How to "download" a martial art into your mind like in The Matrix The science of drilling and repetition The way to use coffee in combination with napping Justin's personal morning routine categorization process How to use video recordings to cement knowledge in you mind Justin's favorite books of all time How to actually become wiser not just more knowledgeable Tons more... LEARN MORE ABOUT JUSTIN NOPPE Justin's Facebook Justin's Website If you like this podcast, please remember to subscribe and leave a review!

Mike drops some magical life wisdom about how to find what's real: On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSlavin  

"To me a visionary is someone who really knows that we create our reality from the inside out and has the courage and the willingness to actually go within and create a vision, an image, from within the inner realms of our own mind that we can really hold to and picture on a daily basis and really connect to that vision. And literally from a neuroscience perspective, our mind doesn't know the difference between what we hold in the inner realm of our mind and what we see out there in reality." — Laura Dawn, HEx Podcast #26 Laura Dawn is a true visionary. The child of two entrepreneurs, Laura learned from an early age that it is indeed possible to manifest the realities you envision, no matter how "crazy" they sound to others. At just fifteen, Laura took her first high-dose of psilocybin, which changed everything for her and opened up previously unaccessible dimensions of reality. Today, Laura is a published author, speaker, and sacred plant medicine expert who runs visionary retreats. Her business accolades include growing her first online brand to 1.5M people on Facebook, and building a volcanic hot spring retreat center from scratch, all using the visionary techniques she practices and teaches. "It's been a huge teaching for me understanding the subtlety between trying versus aligning. Trying to make something happen, pushing and striving versus aligning and allowing and really opening to divine alignments and what wants to unfold synchronistically without really me having to make any effort at all." — Laura Dawn, HEx Podcast #26 I was first introduced to Laura through HighExistence co-founder Martijn Schirp, who worked with Laura at Synthesis retreat, and in this episode you will get to hear Laura and my first ever conversation. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: What is a visionary? Are visionaries born or made? Laura's upbringing and what she learned from her parents. Why we have lost faith in our own inner visionary. How do we visualize properly? The nuances of embodying the visionary archetype. What are the psychological mechanisms behind visualization? The difference between trying vs. aligning. How Laura manifested her vision for a retreat center. How one might use sacred plant medicines like Ayahuasca. The power in paying attention to the voice of our intuition. Laura's early experiments in micro-dosing. Why wee need to check ourselves for spiritual narcissism. The problem with viewing psychedelics as a "magic pill." Laura's favorite books and thinkers. The path of the bodhisattva. Laura's advanced visionary retreat training program. How might one integrate their psychedelic experiences. The ways Laura balances outward productivity and inner work. LEARN MORE ABOUT LAURA DAWN AyaVisionary.com — Laura's retreat website LiveFreeLauraD.com — Laura's personal website @LiveFreeLauraD — Laura's instagram LAURA RECOMMENDS: Getting Unstuck by Pema Chödrön Noble Heart by Pema Chödrön Bodhisattva Mind by Pema Chödrön The Places that Scare You by Pema Chödrön From Fear to Fearlessness by Pema Chödrön If you like this podcast, please remember to subscribe and leave a review!

“The Stoics can teach you how to find a sense of purpose in life, how to face adversity, how to conquer anger within yourself, moderate your desires, experience healthy sources of joy, endure pain and illness patiently and with dignity, exhibit courage in the face of your anxieties, cope with loss, and perhaps even confront your own mortality while remaining as unperturbed as Socrates.” ― Donald J. Robertson, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius Donald Robertson is one of the world's leading experts on Stoicism, especially how it relates to cognitive science and therapy. Donald has spent decades as a clinical psychologist and has been studying the great Stoic classics for just as long. Recently, Donald released a book, part biography, part self-improvement, about the life and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. It's a truly amazing read, as practical as it is enjoyable. “When we reason well about life and live rationally, we exhibit the virtue of wisdom. Living in agreement with Nature, in part, means fulfilling our natural potential for wisdom; that’s what it means for us to flourish as human beings.” ― Donald J. Robertson, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius In my first interview with Donald, we covered a lot of general Stoic principles, but in this episode we look specifically at decoding the mind of Marcus Aurelius so we can start living more like this philosopher king. “According to Stoic philosophy, when we assign intrinsic values like “good” or “bad” to external events, we’re behaving irrationally and even exhibiting a form of self-deception. When we call something a “catastrophe,” for instance, we go beyond the bare facts and start distorting events and deceiving ourselves. Moreover, the Stoics consider lying a form of impiety—when a man lies, he alienates himself from Nature.” ― Donald J. Robertson, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: The Stoic training of Marcus Aurelius The role of compassion in Marcus' life The battle between Stoicism and sophism The biggest influences on Marcus' development How Marcus journaled and reflected on his day The biggest mistakes and misconceptions when practicing Stoicism The Stoic view of pornography and other temptations Donald answers, do Stoics ever see themselves as victims of life The incredible emphasis and techniques Marcus used to manage his anger The hardships that beset Marcus' life The level of plagiarism found in Stoic texts Western philosophy and psychedelics The role of mysticism and psychedelics Much, much more! If you like this podcast, please remember to subscribe and leave a review!

Most people have heard of Stoicism. It's a philosophy dense with practical wisdom. But how many Stoics do you know? I don’t mean people who have read Meditations or Letters from a Stoic, I mean actual Stoics… Individuals who are comparable to the authors of these books in their tranquility, wisdom, self-discipline, and joy. This was a question I kept asking myself as I embarked on my study of Stoicism 10 years ago. One of my passions is learning, or more specifically learning through systems. I’m the guy who measures every workout at the gym, keeps detailed spreadsheets for my martial arts progress, and has pretty much every habit tracking app available on his phone. I believe technology, if harnessed correctly, can be an incredible tool for wisdom. This is why, when I first started getting into Stoicism, I was disappointed by most peoples answer to “How do you ACTUALLY become a Stoic?” Most of the time the answer was something like the following: Read the original Stoic classics multiple times. Reflect on your day by journalling. Do a few visualizations throughout the day. Focus only on the things you can control. It’s not a terrible answer, but it’s far from great. I needed a roadmap. I needed to know that I wasn’t going to be wasting my precious time focusing on the wrong things. I needed a system. Since there weren't any available, I set out to create one (this would go one to become The Stoic Quest). When I first started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu two years ago I realized the deep value of embodied wisdom. You cannot watch technique videos and expect to beat opponents at grappling. So much of the learning comes when you are faced with challenges you must overcome. With Stoicism, many people spend time filling their heads with ideas and not putting any of it into practice. This means the time spent reading about the Stoic principles acts more like a distraction from problems than an antidote to them. So how do we get around this? How do we get actually bridge the gap and put theory into practice and stop wasting time in intellectual lala-land?? That's what we discuss on the podcast today. On this episode, I relinquished my usual role as podcast host so I could sit in the hot seat. Fellow collaborator at HighExistence, Mike Slavin wears the interviewer hat and together we explore topics such as: How I used Stoicism to overcome my social anxiety The exercises I developed for reducing intense fear The right and wrong ways to learn Stoicism (and anything else) My favorite technique to live with more gratitude The key components missing from modern Stoicism My thinking process behind the Stoic Quest And tons more Visit highexistence.com/stoicquest to learn more about the Stoic obstacle course.  

"In the last couple years there's seemed to be a... decided shift [in my mind] in the direction of dethroning rationality as... the primary tool that I use to parse reality, and putting it in its proper place... And through deep listening and deep internal experiences and even mystical experiences, arriving at a sense of a felt at-home-ness in reality and in the present moment, in which you're trusting and surrendering to the flow of reality..." — Jordan Bates, HEx Podcast #23 Today I'm excited to share one of the best conversations I've ever had.  In sunny Costa Rica just before our recent Apotheosis retreat, I sat down with my brilliant colleague Mike Slavin to talk about transcending rationality.  Especially in recent centuries, Western culture has placed rationality on a lofty pedestal, increasingly glorifying it as the most powerful tool for parsing / understanding reality. This misguided over-valuing of rationality has resulted in untold misery. Rationality is a wonderful servant but a dreadful master. Employing it as one's primary tool for parsing reality tends to result in nihilism, disenchantment, existential aridity, and a paranoid sense of being a stranger in a hostile, alien universe.  "And that's where mystical experiences or psychedelic experiences can temporarily melt away those linguistic filters so that you come into raw, unadulterated contact with the all-enfolding Ocean of Reality, and you see that you are a wave on that Ocean, just as the tree is a wave on that Ocean. And when you have that direct experience there can be a direct apprehension of this Sacred Sigh of Relief: 'Oh, wow, I don't have to think this rationally, but I just know this in my heart: Everything is Okay.' Everything is deeply, truly Okay, and it's where it needs to be, and I'm where I need to be, and I see now that the neurotic rabbit holes and spirals of my rational mind have functioned as a nihilism-producing trap that was preventing and blocking me from having this direct apprehension of the gloriousness of Reality because I was attempting to use the rational mind for a function for which it is not well-suited." — Jordan Bates, HEx Podcast #23 Humanity is presently being summoned to transcend obsolete and unsustainable modes of being, and one aspect of this level-up is dethroning rationality, becoming trans-rational, and rediscovering deeper, wiser, intuitive levels of human intelligence that re-enchant / reconnect self and Nature.  Intrigued yet? I hope so. Mr. Slavin and I undertook a mission to spelunk the rabbit hole of trans-rationality, attempting to illuminate the failure modes of rationality, its appropriate function, and to map out a blueprint for transcending rationality to attain a more expansive sense of at-home-ness in Nature.  This was a tall order, but I must say that I think we did a pretty damn good job... You can decide for yourself. Without further ado, here is my extra-ordinary conversation with the luminous legend, Mike Slavin. WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE: What may truly be deserving of the word "God" Dethroning rationality as one's primary tool for parsing reality Realizing rationality is a wonderful servant and dreadful master Embracing, trusting, and flowing with the Mysterious River of Being How to feel at home in the universe The false security of being over-attached to one's models of reality Why the map can never be the Territory Why rationality can never quench one's existential thirst Why dogmatically clinging to castles of concepts has plagued mankind for aeons How Western culture has misguidedly glorified rationality as the ultimate tool for parsing reality The immense power and value of mystical experiences How mystical / psychedelic experiences melt away linguistic filters, allowing one to come into raw, unadulterated contact with the all-enfolding Ocean of Reality The Sacred Sigh of Relief: Directly perceiving that everything is deeply, completely Okay in all moments and everything is where it needs to be Much more...

In May 2019, Jordan Bates and I (Jon Brooks) met up in London to attend the Rebel Wisdom summit. Having not seen each other in the flesh for 6 months, we thought we'd celebrate our reunion by recording our first ever podcast together. Jordan and I have always had incredible, dizzying, profound conversations about topics that frequently come up on HighExistence, and we've been intending to start recording them and releasing them as podcasts for quite a while. There is this segment of the spiritual or psychedelic or new age community that seems to be participating in these things more from a place of ego and kind of trying to really wear the costume and have this kind of spiritual chic clothing and have all the markers of spirituality. It's kind of like spirituality and psychedelia are a fashion trend for some people, and it's kind of all about what's on your spiritual resumé, how many ayahuasca ceremonies have you had, etc. There's this kind of misguidedness around what spirituality actually means. And some people don't even realize the extent to which they're using spirituality as a persona and another game of appearances and status and virtue signaling rather than being deeply invested in the inner journey which is largely a thing that no-one sees.  — Jordan Bates, HEx Podcast #22 Personally, some of my favorite podcasts are not strict interviews but more of the "hanging out" genre, were I get to see individuals I'm interested in riff on topics I'm curious about. If you're a regular HighExistence reader, or anyone interested in spirituality for that matter, I encourage you to hang out with Jordan and me in this episode and leave a comment with your thoughts and questions. Let's keep the conversation going! Here are some of the themes we delve into on this episode: The toxic elements of modern spirituality The psychological need to create personas and identities The benefits and traps of "not caring what people think" Spiritual narcissism and the shadow The hidden danger of rebellion and non-conformity The beauty and magnificence of ordinary folk The limits of mass psychedelic healing in society Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a spiritual practice The art of letting go  And tons more... If you enjoy this podcast, please subscribe and leave a review! 

Transformational Breath is a type of conscious connected breathing. It's a breathing awareness practice, and it's also a breath control practice. Essentially we breathe in what I'd describe as a conscious, rhythmic way where we don't pause between the inhale and the exhale. So we breathe in one continuous loop. And this type of breathing can help us tap into altered states. So we can use different types of breath to induce a trance-like state. — Philippa Wilkin, HEx Podcast #21 Philippa Wilkin is a radiant, beaming healer and facilitator who uses the transformational power of the breath to help people let go of blocked emotions and live a flourishing and free existence.  I first met Philippa at the first HighExistence Apotheosis retreat—she agreed to facilitate in a last minute change to the itinerary. When I attended her breathwork workshop I was expecting good things, but what actually happened I could never have expected. It was totally mind blowing and changed my opinion on the breath forever. The breath is a profound healing tool, and if you're not using it you are missing a very important area for transformation. HERE ARE SOME OF THE TOPICS WE DISCUSSED... What is transformational breath and how it links up with other self-improvement tools. Philippa's involvement in Apotheosis retreats. Jon's own experiences doing breathwork sessions with Philippa. The amazing benefits practicing transformational breath. Philippa's unlikely journey as a facilitator. The approach Philippa takes with self-improvement and spirituality that differs from the mainstream. How we can be better at practicing self-care. Philippa's view on having prophetic visions and how they fit in with her understanding of the world. Tons more!  WHERE TO FIND PHILIPPA WILKIN Website Instragram

In the 100th episode of the BROJO Online podcast, I interview HighExistence.com's creative director Jon Brooks on fatherhood, self-development, Pick Up, social anxiety, insecurities and the true recipe of success. KEY MOMENTS Start: Fatherhood and lessons in productivity 11:00 - What is HighExistence? 19:50 - Jon's clever approach to career development and purpose 23:00 - How Jon made the most of debilitating surgery and setbacks 26:30 - Jon's secret to becoming a massive online influencer 32:30 - The recipe for a great life 39:50 - Developing social skills from patience and endurance 46:10 - Our history with the Pick Up Artist movement 51:20 - Travelling by yourself in Thailand 55:40 - The philosophy of success 1:01:00 - How to Kill your gurus Check out more on Jon and HEx here: https://www.highexistence.com Jon and Dan's interview for HEx podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3jeBrxcNQ4

Akira is something of a musical-philosophical wizard. He's been called the DJ of the Intellectual Dark Web and is the innovator of a new genre of music called Meaningwave. He samples Terence McKenna, Alan Watts, Jordan Peterson, Hunter S. Thompson, David Foster Wallace, Elon Musk, Jock Willink, David Goggins, and a variety of other philosophers, thinkers, artists, and inspiring figures. And he synchronizes these samples in delicious ways with a wide array of gorgeous beats he conjures to create a uniquely enchanting and mind-expanding listening experience. His album 'The Path' with Jocko Willink has been particularly influential for me lately; it's a ridiculously motivational album and I highly recommend it, along with the rest of his work. We'll be interluding some of his music throughout this episode so you can get a taste of his art. Akira is an extraordinarily insightful and entertaining individual, and we had a lot of fun in this episode exploring a truly vast expanse of territory. We discuss everything from space migration and the Jungian shadow to transcendental experiences and the wonders of being alive in 2019. Without further ado, let's get into it; I hope you enjoy this technicolor journey as much as we did.

You may be having the most extraordinary psychedelic experiences. You may be communicating with DMT-entities. Mamma Ayahuasca might be visiting you nightly. But if it's not making you a kinder person. Then it's just a holiday. It's just a thrill. You might as well just be watching a movie. You might as well be watching Disney's Fantasia because it's not making you kinder person. It's not making you a more loving person. It might even be making you a worse person because you're becoming a self-regarding, vein dick. — Jules Evans, HEx Podcast #19 If you look at the literature on ecstatic experiences, it often just focuses on psychedelic experiences, and it says this is the type of experience you can have when you're on LSD or magic mushrooms or MDMA and so on. That's a rather narrow way of looking at it. In fact, people have similar kinds of ecstatic experiences in lots of different domains, in lots of different fields of human activity. I'm a big admirer of Aldous Huxley, because I think he more than anyone else had this kind of bird's eye view of all the different ways in which people get out of their heads and go beyond their ordinary egos. — Jules Evans, HEx Podcast #19 Jules Evans is a practical philosopher, writer, helps run the largest philosophy club in the world, and played a key role in the modern resurgence of Stoic philosophy. Jules' first book Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations, explores how ancient Greek and Roman philosophies (particularly Stoicism) can help us flourish today. His second book, The Art of Losing Control, explores how people find ecstatic experiences in modern western culture.   In this episode, we discuss: The wonders and limits of Stoic philosophy Near death experiences Why Aldous Huxley was so great The value of ecstatic experiences Ayahuasca retreats stories The dark side of psychedelics Jules' most recommended books And tons more... NOTABLE MOMENTS What to you is the point of philosophy? [02:54] How Jules became interested in Stoicism and Greek philosophy. [04:10] Was your PTSD triggered by a bad LSD experience? [07:27] What Jules could have done differently to manage the fallout from his difficult LSD trip. [10:06] Jon discusses how he believes his levels of neuroticism has declined as he's gotten older. [11:36] Jon shares his interest in Stoicism. [12:36] Jon explains how he used Stoic techniques to help him cope with the fear of jaw surgery. [13:21] How Jules used Stoicism to help him cope with social anxiety. [14:09] Was simply learning about CBT and Stoicism enough for you to reduce your social anxiety, or was there a practical element too? [16:46] Jules explains how cognitive bias, perfectionism, and poor coping strategies prevented hindered hindered his recovery from anxiety. [19:35] Jules explains what happened in his near death experience (NDE). [22:02] How Jules' epiphany from his near death experience led him to CBT. [30:54] Stoicism is about being true to the god within you. [32:28] How Jules connected his mystical experience with Stoicism, CBT, and eventually Buddhism. [32:54] Jules explains his role in the modern resurgence of Stoicism. [34:17] Some of the areas of human nature Stoicism doesn't address. [37:01] Why did you call your second book The Art of Losing Control? [39:34] Jules explains the wide-ranging states of ecstatic experiences. [41:04] What are the main paths to losing control that you discovered in your research? [43:54] Alcohol as a means to escape ordinary consciousness. [45:44] Jules explains what he calls "The Festival of Ecstasy." [46:59] Jules discusses how war, violence, and crowd rallying can be seen as ecstatic experiences. [52:12] The worship of technology as a substitute for religion. [55:34] The 1960s as the antidote to the Enlightenment's pathologizing of mystical experiences. [57:04] Why is it normal for many of us fear going beyond our ego and have ecstatic experiences? [58:59] What is a spiritual emergency? [01:05:46] Jules explains how any route to transcendence can become unhealthy if it isn't approached wisely. [01:09:26] How ecstatic experiences and psychedelics can lead to ego inflation. [01:13:44] Jules discusses his first ayahuasca ceremony. [01:14:18] The easy and the hard path to becoming a shaman. [01:16:34] The dark side of psychedelics. [01:17:39] What can we do to prevent ourselves from falling into the trap of ego-inflation when having ecstatic experiences? [01:19:11] The only value of ecstatic experiences. [01:23:42] Jules explains how after finishing his two books he then saw the limit of them. [01:25:03] The mature Buddhist view of ecstatic experiences. [01:27:11] How do you live your life both on a daily basis and in a more general sense different after doing the research for these two books? [01:29:03] Jules discusses his post-Ayahuasca dissociated experience. [01:31:46] The importance of understanding spiritual emergencies: a spiritual awakening which has temporary psychotic features. [01:34:27] The things that can help people through spiritual emergencies. [01:37:04] Jon shares a story about a friend's spiritual emergency. [01:40:11] The danger of seeing your experience as unique and special. [01:42:37] The rise in reporting of mystical experiences. [01:45:46] Why we need a mature, nuanced terminology for ecstatic experiences. [01:46:54] What are your favorite books on the topics you write about? [01:48:06] Pema Chodron's personal crisis. [01:53:06] Closing remarks and where to find out more about Jules. [01:54:18] RECOMMENDED BOOKS FROM PODCAST: By Jules Evans: Philosophy for Life and Other Dangerous Situations The Art of Losing Control On Stoicism: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Discourses and Selected Writings by Epictetus On Ecstatic Experiences: The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James Moksha: Aldous Huxley's Classic Writings on Psychedelics and the Visionary Experience by Aldous Huxley Spirituality: The Places That Scare You by Pema Chodron Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chögyam Trungpa Ram Dass' Podcast Other Books Mentioned: The Making of a Counter Culture by Theodore Roszak Spiritual Emergency by Stanislav Grof KEEP UPDATED WITH JULES EVANS: Jules' Official Website: http://www.philosophyforlife.org/

"Most people are in a constant state of falling for whatever the most interesting thing is. Falling for whatever the most popular person is doing . . . This introduces the endless cycle of constantly ‘shopping’ for experiences. An endless search for novelty, hedonism, and just a dash of escapism. Because they do not conduct the orchestra of their own lives, they search out the best possible maestro to do it for them." —Eric Brown, High Existence blog, article "Conquer FOMO Forever: Embracing the Joy of Missing Out" The simple creation of an acronym such as FOMO (the fear of missing out) creates exclusivity. Consequently, creating yet another acronym to combat it is hypocritical as it too requires one to know the meaning without being told, but it was the apprecation for pushback on the former social media acronym that I applauded as while it may have been designed to speak about the current moment one is posting about, it is a celebration of living one's life with courage, thoughtfulness and clarity. The quote above speaks to social influence of a mass population: If we don't know what to do, at least we know if we follow along, we will not be left out or behind. As I mentioned in the introduction of my first book, the only maestro that will create a fulfilling life for each of us is the one we see in the mirror. But taking on the job of being the maestro is frightening, intimidating and brimming with uncertainty if our journey doesn't emulate the crowd's. But it also opens the only door that will lead to joy and thus true contentment. When we make decisions from a place of fear, we are not in the driver's seat. And in order to remain in the car, so to speak, we don't have our hands on the wheel and must go along with with the journey someone else is navigating. We don't have the opportunity to respond to our curiosities, something we see out the window that grabs our attention unexpectedly or even stop at the rest stop when our body needs a break. When we give fear the driver's seat, we may live, but we have given up the opportunity to live well. Because only we know what is inside of us, consciously or unconsciously, that wishes to be realized and shared with the world. And if the form that it takes is at odds with society's "approval", then there will be great pressure to conform. But by living a life ascribing to FOMO dictates, we lose the opportunity to experience true joy. The Benefits of Choosing JOMO (the joy of missing out) When we understand how to cultivate joy in our lives, we come to realize as Eckhart Tolle teaches, that joy is found within us, whereas, pleasure is found outside of ourselves. Therefore, when we choose to live a life of joy, we can experience said emotion which is equivalent to contentment, every single day whether we are doing what the masses are doing or not. ~Read a detailed post on The Difference between Pleasure and Joy We can be happy for others when they do what they enjoy doing and all the while not feel envy or jealousy as we have discovered how to cultivate our own joy in our lives. The key, as with everything when it comes to living a fulfiling life, is to begin with getting to know yourself (discover how in TSLL's 1st book and captialize on what you learn with tools shared in TSLL's 2nd book). Such knowledge remedies what the quote above shares in the reason so many people gravitate and fall into following due to the FOMO: We don't exactly know what to do, so we do what others are doing. So much of historical trends, societal expectations and norms are fertilized with the constant sprinkling of FOMO. However, if you choose to live a life inspired by the JOMO, your journey will be like no one else's even if it has similarities at times to others living now or in the past. Reading a recent post of Garance Doré's (which has since been removed, as to why, I am not sure) , in which she speaks about the limiting clichés that American society attempts to place on women, and men as well, based on their age, relationship status or whether or not she or he is a parent, she offered inspiration for celebrating as demonstrated by where she finds herself along her journey - being single, something she has stated is the first time since she was 13, and being child-free at 43, - advocating for society to embrace the variety of ways women and men can live, and live well, while being themselves sincerely, relinquishing the games, the disingenuousness and instead, liberate ourselves. When we let go of the societal clichés and refuse to let the culture berate us emotionally for not cowering and acquiescing, we cast off the doubt society would have us put on ourselves and the life journey we have discovered to be aligned with our unique strengths and cultivated skills. Such assumed clichés of desperation if one hasn't chosen to be married or is no longer married at a certain age or has chosen to live child-free or is without children at a certain age, is the tool society attempts to use to limit people, confine them and attempt to guilt them into being what it wants and supposedly understands. In other words, it wants you to be less if for some reason you have elected not to follow what society applauds collectively. Modern men as well as modern women perhaps are going through a struggle of consciously letting go of society restraints, and upon doing so, are setting themselves free to be who they fully are and can be, thus strengthening society as a whole if all people recognize the vise grip that unconsciously wanted them to stay within the confines of societal expectation. It appears to me that a movement is strengthening as more modern women and men are exemplifying lives of being content within themselves and bringing calm and acceptance to those around them without tossing aside their boundaries when society pushes back. When we refuse to follow because it doesn't align with our sense of well-being, we begin to lead ourselves along a more authentic path that aligns instead with the person we enjoy being and we begin to build a life we are enthusiastic about living each day. And it is in such a moment that we reach the state of JOMO. Funny enough, it is by sort of an accident, that we do lead, but it is not a leadership by force, but instead with organic inspiration. The world will always change, evolve and continue to try to suggest what is better or preferred or "right", but it is with an open mind and curious attitude dedicated to continuing to learn that we can recognize what is an aha moment and what is a "thanks, but not for me" idea. When we understand ourselves, but also how the world moves, gets along, and how it has done so in the past, including the knowledge of social, psychological and economical motivators, we can observe, contemplate and feel confident in how we will move with or speak out (either with our actions or our voice) against or suggest or model a new or adjusted ideas that has not yet been introduced. Such is the case with JOMO. A simple concept, but a 180-degree shift in perspective of what had been put forth as the motivation for leading one's life. Specific examples of living a life inspired by the JOMO: A modern woman or man embracing JOMO understands . . . . . . there will be pressure from society to conform, but when we recognize it for what it is — ignornace, fear of the unknown, a want of power or control over another — we can say no confidently, liberating ourselves and others. . . . romantic love is not the only rich, nurturing, kind, respectful, enriching love that is available to welcome into our daily lives. . . . respecting others, no matter how little or significantly they play a role in our lives, is an exercise in respecting ourselves as well. This understanding requires us to communicate clearly and without falsehood or insincerity. And it also recognizes we may have to correct ourselves as bad habits and defaults take time to change, especially if society has rewarded us for behaving disrespectfully (either in subtle or not so subtle ways). . . . loaded language is a common way for societies to nudge (or guilt) individuals into ascribing to a particular way of living (i.e. "childless", "unmarried" - both include a negative connotation in either the suffix or prefix to suggest something is lacking). It is when we live more consciously, welcome more knowledge into our lives about the constructs of society, why they were put into place, we can recognize the defaults others may fall into unknowingly when they use such diction in conversation. . . . meeting, engaging and conversing with people - men or women - during our everyday lives can be a bright moment. Simply being friendly and sincerely engaged in the exchange is a reflection of who we are as a person and not of a wanting something more than the current moment which offers friendly human connection and kindness. . . . the potential the future holds upon recognizing and refusing to be limited by the confines of societal expectations and savors the present moment in which they find themselves as they, by simply living a life of joy, can model and inspire others to feel comfortable to do the same. Enjoying the journey moving forward A modern woman need not be defined by their romantic relationship status or parental status (neither should a modern man, but fewer stigmas are attached to men as opposed to women in our current culture). Welcoming love into our lives, good, real love, is available in so many forms and for each of us will follow its own timeline. It begins with a love for the life we find ourselves in at this very moment — not wishing for something more or fearing we are missing out if certain events or outside opportunities don't present themselves "on time". Love, and thus a discovery of joy, is available via a multitude of avenues and communities. Explore, embrace and nurture where the love is in the journey you are on at this moment because it is uniquely yours and most certainly worth celebrating. Petit Plaisir —Queer Eye, Season 3 premiere, Netflix https://youtu.be/8SZbVV6eVFk ~The Simple Sophisticate, episode #251 ~Subscribe to The Simple Sophisticate: iTunes | Stitcher | iHeartRadio | YouTube | Spotify

"If someone says, “I’m a fucking loser,” that’s a form of dishonesty. What you actually are is a collection of atoms talking to each other. To say that you’re a loser isn’t accurately describing yourself. To say, “right now I’m having a thought that I’m a loser and engaging in some self-pity around that,” that’s more accurate." — Dan Munro, from HEx Podcast “When I say I was working with criminal offenders, really I was just coaching people, and now I’m still coaching people it’s just they’re less likely to be in a gang these days.” — Dan Munro, from HEx Podcast I heard about Dan Munro from a friend who had received coaching from him. My friend was telling me how amazing this coach was and that he was even going to receive more coaching from him in the future. I wanted to talk to Dan about coaching, so I arranged a call with him to pick his brains about this topic as well as connect in general. I was blown away by Dan's groundedness and willingness to share his ideas with me. As the call progressed, it turned out that Dan and I were already connected. Dan told me that Donald Robertson, the Stoicism writer, was writing the foreword for Dan's new book on honesty. Quite the synchronicity considering I had recorded a podcast with Donald a few days prior. Who is Dan Munro? Dan Munro is a Confidence Coach based out of Auckland, New Zealand who now lives in the Czech Republic with his fiancé. Dan created the Brojo men's mastermind group which is growing every day, and is the author of The Legendary Life and Nothing to Lose. Dan also worked for many years as a probation officer where he learned how to make lasting change with the worst coaching clients you could wish to have—people who didn't want coaching. Dan used to really struggle with authenticity, honesty, and making "real" connections. And as we know, it's usually the people who suffer in a particular area that go on to master it and become the best teachers. There is nothing quite like hearing Dan's ideas straight from the man himself, however, so If you'd like to live a more authentic life, and walk through the world with more ease and confidence, give this episode a listen: In the podcast, we discuss: The role of honesty in confidence The difference between good and bad coaching How to deal with manipulators The dark side of the pick up industry What it means to "be yourself" Dan's confidence boosting 30-day challenge (Please remember to leave a review because it helps us to improve the podcast!) NOTABLE MOMENTS What who Dan? [04:25] Why do you focus so heavily on "confidence"? [05:27] What is confidence? what does the word mean to Dan? [08:15] The power of having core values. [11:55] What did you used to be like and how'd you end up here? [14:15] Dan's time studying pick up artistry and how it relates to authenticity? [20:25] What kind of effects does "honesty" have on your coaching clients’ dating life? {25:25] Jon Brooks talking about his experience with authenticity and dating. [30:25] Should a self-hating person “be themselves”? [32:25] The power of focusing on accuracy when trying to be honest. [36:15] Do you ever lie or tell white lies, what is your relationship with the truth on a day to day basis. What would it take for you to tell a lie? [39:25] How would you deal with coaching clients who are caught up in pathological relationships that are founded on lies? [44:25] You mentioned that you worked with criminal offenders? How did that experience inform your understanding of psychology? [52:10] How was your fear of confrontation obliterated when you were a probation officer? [57:42] What is gaslighting? [63:35] Who do you deal with invalidators or manipulators? [1:07:25] How did you transition from being a probation officer to being a confidence coach? [1:12:10] What is the difference between a good coach and someone who’s a bad coach? [1:15:17] People who are avid readers, practicing good self-care, etc., might think, “I don’t need a coach.” Do you still think there would be value in coaching for this type of individual? [1:22:22] Can coaches actually change their clients or is something else going on? [1:28:20] Dan's thoughts on improving clients vs. revealing them to themselves. [1:33:39] The power of human connection in successful coaching. [1:37:40] What challenge would you give someone listening to improve their confidence? [1:43:55] Where can people learn more about you? [1:47:22] LEARN MORE ABOUT DAN MUNRO Dan's Website Dan's Online Community

Martijn went through a profound personal transformation that made him quit poker, after winning a considerable amount of money, to focus on co-founding High Existence and Synthesis, the first legal psilocybin retreat in Amsterdam. An interesting story of personal development, that has lead to an exciting opportunity to explore the therapeutic use of psychedelics within a legal framework.

Paul Austin (@PaulAustin3W) is the founder of The Third Wave, a website designed to improve psychedelic literacy so these powerful tools with great potential can be used in a safe, structured, and responsible way. Paul is also co-founder of Synthesis, the world’s first legal psilocybin truffle retreat in Amsterdam. This interview was conducted fresh after Paul returned from Burning Man, so he is in a state of new beginnings and processing what I gathered was an extraordinary journey. In the episode we discuss Paul’s path from socially awkward teen to charismatic speaker and entrepreneur, the uses of microdosing, his thoughts on leadership, his current passion projects, favorite books, and much more. This podcast is brought to you by Synthesis, the world's first safe, professional, legal psilocybin retreat. Paul Austin and HighExistence's own Martijn Schirp co-founded this revolutionary psychological program. The retreat is based in Amsterdam and is primarily focused for healthy individuals to get a mystical experience or a breakthrough in a personal or professional problem. If you would like to experience psychedelics with expert supervision and carefully designed integration procedures, check out Synthesis and tell them you came from HighExistence. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Paul Austin: PaulAustin.co | Twitter | TheThirdWave | Synthesis Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization by Dave Logan Paul Austin on Microdosing: Psychedelics for Leadership Development | TNW Conference 2017 Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work by Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated: Expanded and Updated, With Over 100 New Pages of Cutting-Edge Content by Timothy Ferriss The Perennial Philosophy: An Interpretation of the Great Mystics, East and West by Aldous Huxley Walden by Henry David Thoreau  How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan  True Hallucinations: Being an Account of the Author's Extraordinary Adventures in the Devil's Paradise by Terence McKenna Food of the Gods: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge A Radical History of Plants, Drugs, and Human Evolution by Terence McKenna War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy The Kingdom of God is Within You by Leo Tolstoy Other People Mentioned as Influences Carl Jung Alan Watts Paul Theroux Bruce Chatwin V. S. Naipaul Pico Iyer Ian Frazier

I’d like to use me as living proof that nobody was worse than me that I’ve ever met, and nobody was darker or closer to death or more sad. And to have this thing happen... if it happened to me, it can happen to anyone. So just give it a chance and give yourself a chance. — Gerry Powell, The HighExistence Podcast Gerry Powell, according to his website, “was the personification of the American businessman: rich, powerful, and unhappy.” In fact Gerry was one of the most miserable people on the planet. Even though he sold his cosmetic surgery company for $94 million dollars, had 5 houses, 20+ cars, and 2 planes, he was suicidal and addicted to drugs and sex. But if you met him now, you would not see an unhappy man. Instead, you’d see a beaming, glowing, radiant, compassionate guy who is truly addicted to living a tranquil life and seeing others thrive and grow. So what happened? Gerry took Plant Medicine: I realized something was very wrong because the more I acquired the more I suffered. I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and travelled the world on my journey to heal myself through every self-help and healing modality I could find. A friend introduced me to Plant Medicine and in one night I had an experience that transformed my existence and liberated me from a lifetime of suffering. That was 2 years ago and my life continues to unfold in an extraordinary way. When Gerry was experiencing his transformation through Plant Medicine, he received instructions in a vision to start a new company: As a result of my experience I decided to open a center in Costa Rica that would offer all of the modalities that had the greatest impact on my life, enabling me to share them with as many people as possible at a price they could afford. I modeled it after the Club Med philosophy of an all-inclusive resort experience offering modalities, accommodations, organic meals, and first class amenities. The center that Gerry opened in Costa Rica is called Rythmia. The HighExistence team went here to interview Gerry and experience the Plant Medicine ceremonies firsthand. Gerry is an amazing, charismatic, hilarious speaker. This is one of our most entertaining podcasts to date. In our interview, we cover such topics as: Gerry’s transformation after drinking Plant Medicine The reason Gerry created Rythmia The HighExistence team’s experience at Rythmia How you can introduce a close one to Plant Medicine Gerry’s vision for the future of Rythmia And much more. If you are interested in plant medicine … Visit Rythmia If you were inspired by the podcast and want to visit Rythmia, you can book your place on their website here. 

Plant medicines such as Ayahuasca are big news. More and more shamans are popping up offering their services to create inner-change and healing for those who are willing to drink from the magic cup. But are there any real shamans left? Are the true masters of plant medicine anywhere to be found? And what negative consequences are coming from trying to heal the world at large with psychedelics?  To truly consider these questions with an open mind is too painful for those who blindly follow, and likely too unorthodox for those who blindly reject. But for those somewhere in the middle, this podcast is for you. Jonathon Weisberger was born in California but raised from a very young age in Ecuador. For over 15 years, he has been leading avid adventurers into remote regions of Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica to rediscover Nature's beauty and intelligence. For over 10 years (1990-2000), Jonathon lived and collaborated with 5 distinct indigenous tribes in the Upper Amazon, including the Secoya tribe where he learned to cook the sacred plant medicine Yagé. This plant shares many similarities to Ayahuasca. In the following mind-bending episode, we ask Jonathon how we deal with life if we're feeling lost, how we can learn to experience the world in an animistic way, and what "real" shamanism is all about. This discussion is electric. You may feel overwhelmed by the speed at which Jonathon is able to connect raw knowledge with his poetic perspective on life, but it's one hell of a ride. “Shamanism explores an area that contemporary Western science knows little about- the mind.” ― Jonathon Weisberger A shaman is someone who can choose the moment of their own death. The shamans are few. People who practice shamanic practices are many. ― Jonathon Weisberger Jonathon challenges the conventional wisdom on ayahuasca drinking and the new culture that surrounds it as well as how phenomenological truths hold a sacred space in our world of objects and scientific facts. “If science is defined or understood as a mode of seeking knowledge, a means of interpreting nature in a way that can be demonstrated to others, then the plant-medicine traditions of the Amazon as they have been practiced constitute an authentic scientific discipline.” ― Jonathon Miller Weisberger Jonathon also talks about his time spent with the Secoya Tribe, explaining their philosophy and warrior way of life. Yagé is for more than just healing, it can make you stronger. “Among the Secoya, clear guidelines regulate preparation of the medicine. They are adamant about this preparation method and insist that the guidelines be followed. I've already discussed some fundamentals of harvesting the plants. When respected, all the elements and subtle factors combine to make a potent and efficacious medicine, necessary for a positive and healing ceremony.” ― Jonathon Miller Weisberger We also explore in the discussion with Jonathon: The role of a "bad trip" when drinking plant medicine What a "dieta" is and how following one may benefit us The amazing character traits of Jonathon's Secoya mentor How we can improve our spiritual position What it means to "sin" and alternatively live a sin-free life Recommended Products: Apotheosis: The Ultimate Spiritual Retreat Jonathon helped facilitate the Yagé ceremony at our first ever HighExistence retreat. To come to one of our upcoming retreats, apply here.  Jonathon's Projects: Jonathon's Website: https://rainforestmedicine.net/ Jonathon's Book: Rainforest Medicine: Preserving Indigenous Science and Biodiversity in the Upper Amazon 

Martijn Schirp, founder of High Existence and the psychedelic retreats ‘Synthesis’ and ‘Apotheosis,’ joins us to talk about psychedelic ceremony and personal development. Martijn explains why he decided to set up his own style of psychedelic ceremony, and how they differ from more traditional, ritualistic frameworks. He shares with us his hopes for the future of psychedelics and their integration into mainstream society. For show links, go here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-52-martijn-schirp/ Sign up to the Synthesis psychedelic retreat in Amsterdam: https://synthesisretreat.com

Can psychedelics cure Autism? It's a question researchers are only beginning to ask, but Andrea Domenichini has already run the experiments – on himself. Over the past few years, he's taken MDMA and LSD to help connect the parts of his brain that allow most people to understand others, feel their emotions, and make lasting connections. But before we get to that, what even is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Probably not what you think it is. Most people on the Autism spectrum aren't Rain Man or maths geniuses. They're people whose brains function differently, but in myriad different ways. It's called a spectrum for a reason, and that spectrum involves dozens of symptoms (each highly variable) which are then bundled together under the 'Autism' label. Dre shares his personal journey from alienation to deep human connection, beginning at a point in his life where jobs and relationships just weren't working out. He stopped, took stock, and asked himself the question that most of us are too scared to ask: Am I the problem? For me, Autism was being a featureless white room, without windows or doors. MDMA opened a door in that room. Suddenly I could see outside to where "real people" lived. LSD allowed me to leave that room. These experiences were revelatory: until MDMA, he'd never felt music before. Until LSD, he'd never felt a true sense of peace in himself. Using his biomedical background, Dre explains how these substances can do such incredible things, what they meant for his own development, and why it's essential that more research is done to help people with Autism. But do people with Autism even want to be 'cured'?  And is 'cured' the right word to use? For many people, there's immediate resistance: Autism is a part of their identity and sense of self. And Autism is simply a different way of thinking, not some kind of disease. For Dre, he wanted to change – he wanted to understand other people and to be able to grow as a person and pursue his dreams in a world that simply isn't set up to accommodate or understand Autistic people. With such potent psychedelic tools available to make that change, at the very least, more Autistic people should be made aware of the possibility of change, if they want to experience it for themselves. More From Dre: Hear more about Dre's experiences with Autism and psychedelics HERE Dre's podcast, Voices in the Dark [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.

Talking to Daniel Schmachtenberger is like having an audience with a prophet. His vast knowledge extends across health, economics, technology, strategy and philosophy. More importantly, he’s a brilliant communicator dedicated to bringing those often disparate fields into dialogue, in order to make powerful, genuine change for the betterment of our individual and collective lives. Last time I met Daniel, we spoke about the collective future of humanity in the face of imminent ecological and economic disaster. This time, we bring the focus back to you and me: the individual life and how we can become the best, most fulfilled and conscious versions of ourselves. This is a conversation about unlocking our individual potential through empowered responsibility. What steps can and should we make to create the foundations for a truly high existence? Crucially, the aim here is not to feel responsibility as a burden to be shouldered, but as the wellspring of personal power and agency. [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.

How to deal with and handle fear; how to find balance between accepting death and embracing life; and how to make fear your mentor. This week we take a look at Letter 24 – 'On Despising Death'. But it's not another go-round of telling yourself that death is OK and we should accept it. No – this time our focus is on how to live well now, and recognise how our fears (conscious or otherwise) can destroy our lives well before the Grim Reaper comes a knocking. Seneca invites us to get practical: What if we imagine the worst – imagine it fully, in detail. Turn and confront it, not just look at the huge shadow it casts on the wall of our minds. When we do that, 90% of the time, it turns out to be far less terrifying. Then we go a step further and ask how can we turn fear into a source of inspiration. Do we just need new words to understand the difference between rational and irrational fears? Or can we sit in the space of fear and learn from it? Fear is a tool and, like all tools, it shouldn't be used for every occasion. Don't try to screwdriver your lunch or your girlfriend – use screwdrivers for screws! So this week we discuss when and how to use fear to our best advantage. Along the way, we debate whether suicide should be illegal; whether we abandon our belief in personal sovereignty when it's someone we love who's thinking of offing themselves; and if giving our problems names only serves to give us an easy way out of taking responsibility for our lives. We pick a bone with Seneca over this one – the 'good life' and the joys of living it seem conspicuously absent in this letter, and rolling with the punches isn't the same as thinking it's good to be punched in the face Dre also initiates a monkey-bar challenge from hell, and decides to take his brain out, massively increase its size, and place it at the centre of a planet. Of course. We'd love to know your thoughts, so if you are keen drop us a line here in our facebook chat, you will also get a free e-copy of our book on 'The 48 laws of Power' if you accept the prompt.   Also Including: Why don't we belong to the state? The social and personal morality of suicide How to make fear your mentor Identities vs conditions Find Out More: Hit us up on our brand new Instagram! The full text for free on WikiSource Jon's interview for HighExistence with Geoff Thompson – How to Make Fear Your Mentor Ryan Holiday's superb and accessible book on Stoicism: The Obstacle is the Way Be Silly. Be Kind. Be Weird.

Geoff Thompson is a charismatic enigma. A nightclub doorman and martial artist turned award-winning playwright, author, and spiritual teacher – he defies easy description and confounds all expectations. Geoff grew up with few prospects, under the shadow of his own fears. Inside, he yearned to be a writer, but with no obvious mentors or opportunities in sight, he slid repeatedly into depression and began to reconcile himself to working factory jobs and capitulating in the face of all conflict. But then Geoff did something incredible: he made fear his mentor. He constructed a Fear Pyramid. Taking pen to paper, he listed in ascending order of magnitude everything that scared him, from spiders right up to physical violence. And then he began to systematically confront them, one after another. In this incredible interview, he shares his story and the simple yet life-changing tools which you can employ to discover your hidden strengths and discover the life that's waiting for you. [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.

Baba Brinkman is the only peer-reviewed rapper in the world. From evolution to climate change, medicine to religion, he spits rhymes reverberating with provocative questions, hard truths, and an irresistible humor which educate as much as they entertain. At his core, Baba is a communicator, breaking down the barriers between academic science and psychology to bring the latest research insights and theories to a wider audience. Listening to his work is like taking Human Nature 101, but with a lot more fun and memorability than any class you'll ever take. The Rap Guide to Consciousness is a mind-blowing tour de force, ranging from the mind-body problem to whether his young child can actually be considered conscious; and from machine intelligence to psychedelic states (including an unforgettable story of meeting an octopus in an aquarium while tripping balls on mushrooms). [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.

This episode examines the subtle madness of crowds; why 'upgrading your peer-group' is a recipe for disaster if you don't understand what it really means; how to help others without them becoming dependent on you; setting strong personal boundaries; and how to avoid the chill embrace of the Success Vampires of this world. Seneca was appalled at the blood-sports of Rome, but not because of the violence itself. He warned that if we join the crowd and lose ourselves in its midst, we subtly but continuously poison ourselves. Substitute reality TV, political rallies and social justice warrior stand-offs for the Colosseum, and the same drip-drip-drip of poison continues to infect us today. So are we consuming mental junk-food? Or can we study 'the crowd' to learn something more fundamental and useful about the human condition? We think the latter, and in this episode we explain how we can and why we should. Seneca tells us that we can hardly cloister ourselves away from society, but that we must be very selective about the company we chose. How careful are you being today? Going out into the world inevitably means meeting people who can seem so much more confident, smart, and successful than us – and so the slippery slope of comparison begins... if we let it. We set out the strategies we need to have in place to stop that happening, by building a strong sense of self which isn't reliant on others for validation. It's not easy, but it's absolutely essential. This isn't about 'upgrading your peer-group', as entrepreneurs and business coaches like to call it. They advocate becoming a Success Vampire and feeding off the blood of those who've actually achieved something. No – this is about true mentorship, which means including people in your life that you can help; teaching as well as learning. It's when we help others that we truly learn about ourselves; and it's when we teach something that we really, deeply learn it. We improve ourselves as we strive to help improve others. On top of all that, Jon and Dre ponder whether they've lost or found themselves in the crowd, in which we find both the best and the worst of human nature; Dre explains how porn taught him to be dynamite in the sack; and Jon comes up with a graphic analogy about all this philosophy that will probably haunt him into an early grave. Also Including: Do crowds unleash our inner savage? Why social life might as well be '10 Reasons To Become Autistic' How to avoid feeling awkward and defensive when challenged Does watching violence poison our minds? Double-blind Jesus studies Success Vampires and how to spot them Does art exist if there's no one around to see it? Find Out More: Like us on Facebook to ask for the Audible download code for Seneca's letters The full text for free on WikiSource Ryan Holiday's superb and accessible book on Stoicism: The Obstacle is the Way Tim Ferriss's brilliant TED talk on 'fear setting' and Stoicism Jon Ronson's book, So You've Been Publicly Shamed Jon's article for High Existence on self-harm Be Silly. Be Kind. Be Weird.

This is one of the best interviews we've ever done. We sat down with Erick Godsey to talk metaprogramming: the science and art of changing your fundamental habits to become the best version of yourself. Metaprogramming means becoming aware of the stories you've been telling yourself about yourself, mostly unconsciously, and often with negative consequences... And then going a step further to consciously create a new, better, and more authentic one. Erick has spent years dissecting how we can make genuine, lasting change to our lives, and how to avoid the pitfalls which claim 99% of everyone's shiny new resolutions. And for Erick, this has been a deeply personal journey. From living in a state of fear, working in a fast food chain wondering if his life would ever become what he knew it could be, Erick dedicated himself to reading psychology, psychoanalysis and philosophy, but all with the aim of making practical, real-life changes. So how can we map our consciousness – to understand the basic building blocks that are the foundations on which our ego, identity, and everything else we consider to be 'me' is built? We head into some dark places to find the gold that hides inside – turning shit into sugar, or, as Carl Jung put it, 'in the filth, it will be found'. Erick's podcast is a laboratory in which he draws out the guests' fundamental habits and programming. But in this interview we use a powerful psychological exercise to turn the tables and delve into Erick's own unconscious. You can play along too and discover how your own parents or parental figures have each programmed you one way or another – inflecting you with their own coping mechanisms, hang-ups, and also indirectly nurturing in you your own coping mechanisms whenever you feel your fundamental needs are unmet. We can go through our whole lives unconsciously acting out these patterns, but the Card 3 Exercise brings them directly, bracingly into focus and allows us to begin the acknowledging, healing and then metaprogramming process to move forwards and to grow as more conscious, self-aware human beings. Erick then turns the tables right back on us and starts digging into the stories we both tell ourselves! We get into psychedelic emergencies, the traps of Autism and depression, and how we've each learnt to tell ourselves better stories. Take The Test: DOWNLOAD the Card 3 Exercise and discover the stories you're telling yourself without even realising it: Card 3 Exercise Also In This Episode: Psychedelics and how they can help make, break and remake the habits that define us How to help the people who don't want to be helped The emotional healing powers of MDMA Where intuition comes from The curious difference between feelings and thoughts Creating and understanding your own emotional Pantheon Why we spend so much time generating fears for ourselves Find Erick: The Metaprogramming Podcast – website, on iTunes, and on Facebook Make friends with Erick on Facebook Find Out More: Robert Anton Wilson's epic book, Prometheus Rising Tim Ferriss's legendary The 4-Hour Work Week Our original, exclusive interview with the Enlightened Entrepreneur, Peter Sage Jon's article for High Existence on self-harm Erick's pick for self-reflection and understanding, The Artist's Way, which includes the Morning Pages exercise

Daniel Schmachtenberger is truly a modern Renaissance Man. He's a thought leader who crosses disciplinary boundaries with incredible ease. He's an Evolutionary Philosopher, a Systems Designer, a Strategist, and he’s a founder at Neurohacker Collective – a movement dedicated to upgrading our individual and collective capacities and to safeguarding the wellbeing of all. We sat down with Daniel to discuss the future of humanity, from how to combat looming ecological and economic disaster, to the practical steps we can take in our own lives to be the best versions of ourselves – to (re)open our minds to each other and to think so far out of the box that we forget that it ever existed. [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.

At Breaking Convention 2017 we had the chance to sit down with a modern-day philosophical powerhouse. Peter Sjöstedt-H is a leading voice in the emerging world of psychedelic phenomenology; he's the inspiration for Karnak, Marvel's new, cerebrally-charged superhero; and he's the author behind one of HighExistence's most popular articles ever. We talk psychedelics and philosophy; Peter's mission to form a bridge between the scientific disciplines; whether our consciousness exists outside our meat-bodies; and if more knowledge really leads to more happiness. [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.

Our guest this episode is Dennis McKenna, ethnobotanist, pharmacognosist, brother of the famed bard Terence McKenna, a lecturer, and one of the elders of the psychedelic movement. We talk with Dennis about human evolution, the psychedelic influence on consciousness, tripping with your parents, and the current state of the world. [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.

In our fourth episode of the HighExistence podcast we talk with Tim Urban, author/illustrator of Wait But Why and one of the Internet's most popular writers. We talk with Tim about the secret to Elon Musk's success, world travel, what entrepreneurs do wrong, cryonic preservation, and the dangers posed by superintelligent AI. [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.

Jordan Lejuwaan is the founder of HighExistence.com, the founder of the Valhalla Movement, the founder of Rave Nectar, and last but definitely not least, the co-founder and current CTO of Futurism.com. Back in January, Jordan found himself listed as one of Forbe’s 30 under 30 for up and coming in the media category, and he just never seems to stop. So today in this episode, Jordan enlightened me on a few of his visions for the future, what he sees to have potential to solve some of our biggest problems. And these range from artificial intelligence to cryptocurrencies to meditation to universal basic income to virtual reality in refugee camps, to name a few. A very special thank you to HÄANA (Violinist, vocalist and producer) for allowing me to use her beautiful music for the intro and outro, and throughout the podcast. She is one of my favorite artists and I'm super happy to be able to share her music with you all. You can find HÄANA on SoundCloud, on Facebook, and on iTunes.

It's been a whole month. A month of 2-3 hours of meditation every day, no internet or phone calls, 5am starts, amazing people from around the world, and no caffeine... So who is Jon after all that? Is he a Buddhist? Did he find what he was looking for? What's next for Voices in the Dark? Time to find out. Recorded the day after he arrived back from Kathmandu, Jon answers Dre's questions about what he's learnt and how he's adapting to life outside the walls of the monastery. This is Part II of our Before & After piece, so check out Part I first if you haven't already! Earlier this year, Jon interviewed Martijn Schirp (editor of the excellent High Existence website) for Talking the Walk. Martijn used to be a professional poker player, but was looking for a lot more from his life. With a bag of money and no sense of direction, he happened to hear about a month-long meditation course at a Buddhist monastery in Nepal. The experience would prove transformational – which is why he's now the editor of a site dedicated to self-development, challenging everything you think you know, and generally opening our minds beyond our cultural programming. Something about that conversation stuck in Jon's mind, and just a few months later he'd booked himself a place on the same course at Kopan Monastery. Check This Out: Jon's Ayahuasca vlogs, chronicling his experiences in the Am Check out Jon's popular recent piece for High Existence, 10 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Drinking Ayahuasca

Jon's heading off to Buddhist monastery in Nepal for a whole month of meditation, reflection, and keeping silent most of the day. No internet. No phone. No caffeine. No 'sexual conduct'. Lots of Buddhism. This is the non-hallucinogenic sequel to Jon's experiences with Ayahuasca in the Amazon just over a year ago, so we decided to create a Before & After interview, with Dre asking the questions: Why's he going? What does he expect to gain from it? Who's he going to be on the other side? And what's the difference between a few doses of psychedelics and 30 days of focused meditation and discussion?   Earlier this year, Jon interviewed Martijn Schirp (editor of the excellent High Existence website) for Talking the Walk. Martijn used to be a professional poker player, but was looking for a lot more from his life. With a bag of money and no sense of direction, he happened to hear about a month-long meditation course at a Buddhist monastery in Nepal. The experience would prove transformational – which is why he's now the editor of a site dedicated to self-development, challenging everything you think you know, and generally opening our minds beyond our cultural programming. Something about that conversation stuck in Jon's mind, and just a few months later he'd booked himself a place on the same course at Kopan Monastery. Check This Out:   Jon's Ayahuasca vlogs, chronicling his experiences in the Am Check out Jon's popular recent piece for High Existence, 10 Things I Wish I'd Known Before Drinking Ayahuasca

In our third episode of the HighExistence podcast we talk with Vinay Gupta, global resilience guru, futurist, systems theorist, and technologist. We talk with Vinay about his invention, the hexayurt; ending global poverty; conducting dangerous research on Mars; and addressing/averting existential risks.  [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.

Martijn Schirp is the co-founder of HighExistence.com, a website dedicated to exploring spirituality, self-development, philosophy, cultural critiques, futuristic angles, and interpersonal dynamics – all aimed at improving the quality of life. In between attending a major conference on psychedelics research in Amsterdam, Martijn and I took a walk to a nearby park and recorded a raw, honest and wide-ranging conversation.   This is the first episode of 'Talking the Walk', the show that brings you conversations with interesting people doing cool and unusual things. We'll talk about life, people, philosophy, music, politics... Quality pub conversations with a microphone, in short. ALL LINKS: http://voicesinthedark.world/2016/07/14/talking-the-walk-01-seeking-a-high-existence-with-martijn-schirp   What we get into: The psychedelics research conference we were attending in Amsterdam Martijn's journey from professional poker player, via a breakdown and a Buddhist retreat, to becoming the editor of High Existence The damage of hiding from the shadows in our past; how can we escape damaging, repetitive patterns in our behaviour and the prejudices of our cultural conditioning? The limits of  freedom when you have to live in society alongside other people Spiritual Bypassing – using spiritual lingo to avoid actually dealing with your issues Why it’s best not to talk about psychedelic experiences Why you can’t just wish for success, but working super hard doesn’t guarantee it, either Finding yourself in philosophy books – the real insights into the self we can find there (especially when accompanied by a joint!) What poker teaches you about life and other people How to bring back the parts of yourself you disown as you grow up in order to become a truly integrated version of yourself Ayahuasca and reconnecting with your suffering inner child The benefits of giving yourself time to appreciate the small things How reading philosophy is like upgrading your personal operating system That you can only really understand Hegel while on drugs Society’s schizophrenic attitudes to self-understanding and exploration The dangers of ironing The dark side of the self-help industry Mentioned in the episode: Martijn's profile and contact details Find Martijn's articles on High Existence here High Existence on Facebook The ICPR psychedelics conference The talk on Dionysus and psychedelics in Ancient Greece and Rome Chris Ryan's wonderful podcast, Tangentially Speaking The Spiritual Bypassing article Jon's Ayahuasca vlogs Alain de Botton'sThe Consolations of Philosophy Pema Chödrön's The Places that Scare You and her teacher Chogyam Trungpa's book, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism The film Seven Years in Tibet The work of Alan Watts Nassim Nicholas Taleb's Fooled by Randomness For Michel Foucault on schools being as bad as prisons, see, but don't read the opening pages on a full stomach Peter Sjöstedt-H's talk isn't online as yet, but you can read more about him here Hermann Hesse's The Glass Bead Game Peter Sloterdijk's You Must Change Your Life Martijn's '5 Mind-Blowing Books that are Worth the Struggle to Read' The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies: MAPS The talk on MDMA and how it's reported in the press The remarkable documentaries The Union and The Culture High Martijn's most-gifted book, André van der Braak, Nietzsche and Zen The drunken Taoist, Daniele Bolelli Richard Doyle's Darwin's Pharmacy Dan Brown's ever-selling The Da Vinci Code   FULL SHOW NOTES    

Jordan Lejuwaan is the creator of the popular website highexistence.com. In this podcast, hear what inspired Jordan to start the rapidly growing hub of consciousness expansive content that is High Existence. He also shares his thoughts on many interesting topics such as psychedelics, sustainable communities, and he even shares a fascinating personal story of past life recollection.

In our second episode of the HighExistence podcast we talk with Tom Shroder, author of the book Acid Test: LSD, Ecstasy and the Power to Heal, and Nicholas Blackstone, a former marine who suffered from PTSD and how MDMA assisted therapy enabled him to go deep inside and confront the demons that haunted him after heavy combat in Iraq.  [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.

In our first episode of the HighExistence podcast we talk with Rick Doblin who is the founder of the non-profit organization MAPS, a true pioneering group of people researching the healing effects of Psilocybin, MDMA and LSD. We discuss the new wave of research about the healing power of psychedelics, spiritual experiences and what he thinks of the famous quote by Alan Watts, "If you got the message, hang up the phone." [EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR PODCAST SUBSCRIBERS] Take the ultimate life experiment, our 30 Challenges to Enlightenment Course, a complete spiritual path to help you overcome the limitations of your mind and to embody the highest philosophical realizations. Use the code ‘WISDOM’ at checkout to get a huge 25% off the course, available only to podcast subscribers at store.highexistence.com.