Language shapes our perception of reality and keeps us within a limited framework. By constantly using the word "I", we reinforce the illusion of a separate self. Some Buddhist or Hindu monks avoid using "I", saying "your monastery" instead of "my monastery" to emphasize that everything belongs to everyone. This practice challenges the notion of ownership and self-identity.

Feelings, like thoughts, are patterns of conditioning. They are not who we truly are but rather responses shaped by our past experiences. Our goal in the academy is to liberate ourselves both consciously and unconsciously. Conscious liberation involves understanding our thought patterns, while unconscious liberation involves recognizing the processes we aren't fully aware of, like our heartbeat or breath. These processes are automatic and reflect a deeper level of existence that we want to be in touch with.

Suffering arises when we identify with our feelings and thoughts, thinking they belong to us. We crave good feelings and avoid bad ones, which keeps us trapped in a cycle of desire and aversion. To free ourselves, we must detach from these feelings and thoughts, recognizing them as temporary and conditioned.

Our sense of "I" is made up of five aggregates: the physical body and four mental states—cognition, recognition, sensation, and reaction. The body is ever-changing and not a permanent self. Similarly, our mental states are impermanent and influenced by our conditioning.

Cognition is the direct experience, the neutral opening of a window to the world. Recognition is the meaning we assign to these experiences. Sensation is the emotional response, and reaction is the action we take based on these feelings. None of these are the true self; they are just processes.

By observing these processes and recognizing their impermanence, we can begin to detach from the false sense of a permanent self. Changing habitual patterns, like waking up at a different time or using the opposite hand, helps us understand the depth of our conditioning when we are aware of the craving and aversion patterns.

Ultimately, wisdom comes from moving beyond intellectual understanding to experiential realization. By living the truth of impermanence and non-self, we can reduce suffering and elevate our awareness, leading to greater freedom and interconnectedness.

Brothers, I want you to listen closely because what I'm about to share is something that can truly transform your life. It's a pattern I've seen over and over again, and it's critical to understand if you want to break free from suffering. Let’s talk about the four quadrants of attachment and how they govern our experience.

When you have what you want—money, relationships, status—you're attached. You fear losing these things. This fear leads to suffering. It's a desperate clinging, a hoarding mentality that controls you. You're afraid to lose your bank account, your job, your relationship. The fear of loss is ever-present.

Now, shift to the top-right quadrant. You want something but don’t have it. This desire, this craving, eats at you. You compare yourself to others, believing your life would be better if you had more money, a better job, a loving relationship. This constant comparison and craving create immense suffering.

Let's move to the bottom-left quadrant. Here, you have what you don't want. Maybe it’s a debt, a physical condition, or a difficult relationship. You resist these realities, and this resistance breeds anger and a victim mentality. You think, "My life would be better if I didn’t have this." This aversion to what is causes deep suffering.

Finally, the bottom-right quadrant: you don't have something, and you don't want it. You're afraid of getting what you don't want—disease, financial ruin, a bad relationship. This fear of potential future problems keeps you in a state of anxiety.

Here’s the key, brothers. We've been conditioned to focus externally, to see everything through the lens of these quadrants. But there's a way out. The solution is to shift our focus internally. Understand that your thoughts and senses are external stimuli. By redirecting your consciousness inward, you can break free from these patterns of attachment.

In the academy, we teach cognitive mastery and emotional ownership to help you make this shift. By embracing the present moment and accepting reality without resistance, you can end your suffering. Elevate your alpha by focusing internally, brothers. This is the path to true freedom and peace. Until next week, elevate your alpha.

In this podcast, Kevin delves deep into the intricacies of manifestation, self-knowledge, and the liberation from suffering. He begins by contrasting the common experience of individuals who struggle with manifestation against those who seemingly effortlessly achieve their goals. Kevin highlights the role of ego and conditioning in shaping desires and how they often lead to suffering when not balanced with equanimity.

Kevin draws parallels between the state of mind necessary for successful manifestation and the concept of the "balanced mind." He discusses the magic square of desires and outcomes, illustrating how attachment to desires or aversions leads to suffering. Through examples and analogies, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a state of equanimity, where desires are observed without attachment, and outcomes are accepted with neutrality.

Throughout the podcast, Kevin emphasizes the impermanent nature of reality, both external and internal. He encourages listeners to observe their thoughts and emotions with detachment, recognizing them as transient phenomena. By understanding the illusion of continuity and the ever-changing nature of the self, individuals can begin to free themselves from the grip of ego-driven desires and aversions.

Furthermore, Kevin underscores the transformative power of self-knowledge and the journey towards liberation from suffering. He invites listeners to enroll in the academy, where they can embark on a path of self-discovery and cultivate a balanced mind. Kevin suggests that through this process, individuals can align themselves with the natural flow of existence, leading to effortless manifestation and liberation from the cycle of suffering.

In essence, Kevin's podcast serves as a profound exploration of the human experience, offering insights into the nature of desire, suffering, and liberation. Through his teachings, listeners are encouraged to embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner transformation, ultimately leading to a state of equanimity and harmony with the universe.