Hey brothers, I want to dive deep into a concept that might sound counterintuitive at first: the idea that depression is actually an upgrade for the human species. I know it sounds crazy, but stick with me here. When we start to move from our conditioned beta state towards neutrality and beyond, we begin to pierce the shell of our ego, our "I-ness." This initial breakthrough can feel like entering a dark, cloudy, and rainy world where nothing matters, much like the downtrodden side of the meme where a person is slumped over and unhappy.

When you first confront the realization that nothing matters, it often leads to a state of depression. This isn't a bad thing. In fact, it's an important step in our evolution. Depression signals that our crisis monitoring system is lowering, helping us recognize that nothing, indeed, matters. This realization aligns with what mystics, saints, and sages have always known: everything is empty, a hologram, a dream state. We start to understand that our ego, our attachments, our possessions, and even our relationships don't really matter.

Many people are uncomfortable with this idea because it contrasts sharply with our conditioning, which tells us that our lives and identities are supremely important. But the truth is, nothing matters. And that's liberating. It's the beginning of moving from ignorance to knowledge, from ego to true self.

I know some coaches will tell you to strengthen your ego, to build a strong persona. And that's okay; it's not wrong. But if you want to move beyond the ego, to break through to the other side, you must let go of the idea that your ego matters. When you do, you’ll experience what’s on the other side of the meme: bliss, harmony, and love.

Moving from ignorance to knowledge is like returning to the Garden of Eden. The story goes that we lost our true knowledge when we ate from the Tree of Knowledge and became aware of our ego. But when we regain this knowledge, we understand that nothing matters, and we can embrace this truth joyfully. This understanding leads to liberation and, ultimately, to a state of nirvana or heaven on earth.

To know you’ve moved from ignorance to knowledge, look for that sense of bliss that isn’t tied to circumstances. It’s a bliss that comes from ego death, from truly understanding that nothing matters. This state can be reached through meditation, breathwork, plant medicine, or even listening to this podcast. When you get there, everything around you – the colors, the sounds, the mundane things – becomes vibrant, magical, and awe-inspiring. You merge with the world, experiencing its perfection and realizing that you are one with it.

Doctors and scientists know so little about the body, just as we know so little about the universe. The arrogance of claiming we fully understand either is a product of our ego. But when we let go of the "I," we see the body and the world as the magical, vibrant entities they truly are.

Brothers, if this resonates with you, come to the academy. It's one path among many, but it’s a path where we explore these truths together. Everything is impermanent, everything is in flux, and embracing that truth is key to your freedom. Until next week, elevate your alpha.

Brothers, today I want to share a journey that transcends the surface of our daily struggles. This is not about acquiring more, but about transcending the very need to seek and cling. Our minds, if left unmanaged, lead us into cycles of suffering. They trick us into chasing pleasure and avoiding pain, keeping us trapped in a perpetual state of dissatisfaction.

Recognize the Source of Suffering

The first step on this journey is recognizing that our suffering is not caused by external circumstances but by our reactions to them. Life is not about the content we experience but the dualities we create—pleasure and pain, good and bad. This duality is an illusion created by our conditioned mind, which is always seeking pleasure and avoiding pain.

Step into Neutrality

By stepping into neutrality, separating thoughts from facts, we begin to see clearly. This is crucial, brothers. You must understand that your feelings are not dictated by the world around you but by your mind's interpretation of it. When you learn to separate your thoughts from facts, you gain control over your emotional responses. This is where true freedom begins.

Ask the Fundamental Question: Who Am I?

Once we achieve this state of neutrality, we delve deeper, asking the fundamental question: "Who am I?" This is not a mere intellectual exercise but a profound inquiry into the nature of the self. You are not your body, your mind, or the story you tell yourself. Everything is in a constant state of flux. The body, the mind, the story—all are impermanent. When we grasp this, we gain knowledge. And with this knowledge comes liberation.

Understand Impermanence

Impermanence is the key to understanding the nature of reality. The body you had yesterday is not the same body you have today. Everything changes, and nothing remains static. This knowledge of impermanence is what moves you from ignorance to enlightenment. It liberates you from the suffering caused by attachment and aversion.

Liberation Through Knowledge

Liberation is about recognizing the eternal and infinite nature of our true self. It's about understanding that while our individual experiences differ, at the core, we are all interconnected. This realization dissolves the boundaries of self and other, leading to compassion and unity. You see, brothers, we are all part of the same divine mind. The individual mind, with its fears and desires, is just a small part of this greater whole.

Commit to the Spiritual Journey

Commit to this spiritual journey, brothers. This is not a hobby or a side project but a lifestyle. It's about consistent practice, mindfulness, and self-awareness. Begin by acknowledging the dualities in your life and move towards awakening. Recognize that the only constant is change, and with this knowledge, you will find peace.

Embrace Mind Management

You must manage your mind, or it will manage you. Our minds are conditioned to avoid suffering and seek pleasure, creating a cycle of dissatisfaction. Through mind management and emotional ownership, we break this cycle. This is what I offer you, brothers—tools to manage your mind and take control of your emotional life.

Focus on Helping Others

As you advance on this path, your focus shifts from self-centered desires to helping others. The pleasure-pain cycle no longer dictates your actions. Instead, you strive to bring harmony, peace, and love to others. This is true liberation—acting from a place of compassion and unity rather than personal gain.

Live in Unity and Harmony

Together, we elevate our alpha, not through material gains or external validations, but by transcending the very need for them. This journey is about moving closer to truth, harmony, and love. So, let's look each other in the eye, recognize our shared essence, and support each other on this path to enlightenment.

Brothers, choose the spiritual journey. Commit to it fully. Begin by recognizing the dualities in your life, step into neutrality, and ask, "Who am I?" Embrace the knowledge of impermanence and move towards liberation. In doing so, we elevate our alpha. Until next week, elevate your alpha.

Brothers, the journey to true self-understanding is profound and multifaceted, spanning three distinct levels: devotional, intellectual, and actual understanding. Let’s explore each level deeply and clearly.

1. Devotional Understanding: This is where most people start, accepting knowledge from authorities without personal inquiry. Think of the flat Earth belief or following health guidelines without question. In terms of self-knowledge, many rely on religions or influential figures to define who they are. It’s effortless but superficial and highly prone to error.

2. Intellectual Understanding: This stage demands personal engagement, research, and critical thinking. Imagine Galileo challenging the flat Earth theory or an individual diving deep into the science behind health guidelines. For self-knowledge, this means actively exploring various paths and philosophies. It’s deeper than the devotional level but remains theoretical, forming an intellectual comprehension of the self.

3. Actual Understanding: Here, knowledge is gained through direct experience, fundamentally transforming one’s perception. Picture astronauts seeing Earth from space or someone experiencing the effects of a well-researched health practice. In self-knowledge, actual understanding comes from inner experiences—meditation, mindfulness, personal insights—that reveal the true self beyond intellectual constructs.

The Path to Self-Knowledge: Most people never ask, "Who am I?" They’re consumed by survival or distracted by trivial pursuits. Those who do ask this profound question are rare, and even fewer move beyond devotional understanding, often adhering to a religion or philosophy without deeper inquiry. For the few who seek intellectual understanding, there are many paths. The journey is unique, requiring perseverance and openness to different frameworks and philosophies. But intellectual comprehension isn’t the end. It must lead to actual understanding through direct experience.

The Actual Experience: True self-understanding is the ultimate goal, transcending intellectual theorizing and marked by personal experiences revealing one's essence. Historical spiritual figures like Buddha, Christ, and Krishna reached this level, but each seeker’s journey is intensely personal and unique.

The Effort and Commitment: Moving from intellectual to actual understanding demands dedicated effort and continuous practice, leading to inner transformation. It involves transcending suffering, ignorance, and superficial desires by cultivating wisdom and deep self-awareness.

My wish for you, brothers, is to find true peace and happiness through this profound journey of self-discovery. Move from devotional and intellectual understanding to the actual experience of knowing yourself. This path, though challenging, leads to the deepest fulfillment.

Elevate your alpha. Until next week, I love you, brothers.