'Mysticism, Spirit and the Shadow' - Jordan Peterson interview part 1 

I love to see JP relaxed with an interviewer who isn’t constantly trying to set a trap for him.

Jordan Peterson seems to be to Western thought what Alan Watts was to Eastern thought. He presents a very compelling and interesting collection of the best lessons from an entire tradition and presents them in a way that you can effectively integrated into your life. Fantastic stuff.

“Humans are all too powerful to be naive. we are not going to survive unless we face our darkness.” -J Peterson, circa 2019

This man wears a cardigan like a boss.

This is the Dr. Peterson I love. Calm, wise, funny.

One time someone asked CS Lewis where evil comes from and he said, "I have to look no further than my own heart."

Him and his little cup. So relaxed. He deserves every interview to be like this, not attacks and anxiety ridden clashes that he needs days to recover from

21:32 "You’re stuck with a certain number of profound experiences, and all of them can be negative if you let the default manifest itself." That statement really resonated with me. It took me a while to realise from ruminating on my own suffering that when brought down to its most cardinal form, it all came from me letting the world go by, and allowing time to decide things for me, instead of actively making things happen for myself.

Let me watch this about 50 more times to pick apart all the nuances. Holy crap...he puts out more intricate ideas within 30 seconds than the average person does in 30 days lol.

Im a 45 yr old Canadian white guy. I totally believe the good Dr to be a perfect Canadian. This was what men were, and were encouraged to be like when I was young. Rugged manhood, tempered with love, intelligence responsibility and self sacrifice....I dont know why/how/when it all changed......

First time I've heard Peterson interviewed by someone who also had something to say. Nicely done.

"you take your responsibility for moving the world closer to the heaven or hell"

diamond in the rough, this deserves more views.

I literally have had shivers down my spine for the first 10 minutes of this video. I don’t know how to explain it very well and i know that maybe it’s a wasted comment here... but none the less I am grateful for this video and both speakers

Who is this man!!!??? OMG!! I have found truth!! I completely relate. Wow....Thank You!! Life changing.

(Serious) I'm coming down from probably the most eye opening/life changing psychedelic experience I'll ever have and I'm simply amazed at how much of what I learned during the trip is basically confirmed in this video.

He's changing my life.

"Gentlemen, you had my curiosity… but now you have my attention."

I'm in awe of this man's intelligence and eloquence! And I love the way he says "body"!

"We are too powerful to be naiive" basically sums up what I've been trying to convey to the people around me for the last couple of years. It is not easy to shake somebody (full grown adults, I mean) out of naivety as it comes with a very comfortable cushion of irresponsibility... for years I felt like I've been drowning in a sea of carelessness, dispassionate attitudes and cynicism; JP has helped me gain clarity to my situation, to what I stand for; he ingeniously found a way to put it into words that ever present "thing" that consistently has me down and that I am forbidden from talking about. It ignites rage in people when addressing certain truths too directly. I know first hand about the power of emotionally-underdeveloped adults. I think being the younger sibling allowed me this perspective.... they say younger siblings are the most pampered. Perhaps, although that comes with the burden of two things: not being taken seriously, ever, and being very easily influenced by most everybody, since instinctively you feel that everyone is more powerful than you, so the best survival strategy is to be a good follower; then you realize, not everyone enjoys being followed even if they say they do. Even if they think they do.

4:30 I agree with Dr. Peterson here... I've been to raves and nightclubs where in the later hours of the event, the music gets better and everyone is dancing and making a statement but it felt like we were all on the same frequency.. like there was this unspoken mutual understanding that's beyond our human condition... times like that where I felt so connected to the "family"... i love that feeling of unity with my brothers and sisters.

Potential for havoc. One who understands one sword is so sharp yet remains sheathed for the benefit of all!

Man… Man … Man … This Man is Amazing !!! When he talk about the continual undermining of the child being a sophisticated way to violent them !!! This Man is the most important person of this decade for sure !!!

He compels me to think and be proud of striving for truth. He is the man I wish I could be

My favorite of jp so far, and I’ve been obsessing over him watching his videos everyday for over a year. If you want to comprehend the concept of “integration” as it applies your experience of self on this planet, this video will take you farther and deeper into understanding, as everything he says s Is nestled within archaic foundations of spiritual truth.

truly brilliant. count yourself lucky if you've seen this.

When he said “I had experiences when everything came together “ I feel like that is what other gurus and saints experience when they say they got enlightened ,,

I would love to interview his wife. She must be amazing in her own right.

this is how an interview should be held

My life is forever changed after watching this. More research is needed. I'm hungry.

I enjoyed the calm, gentle nature of this interview. Both people seem very relaxed and at ease discussing these topics. Great content also. Thank you for sharing.

You 2 have genuine chemistry that is pleasurable to watch play out within a fascinating discussion! More please!!! :)

27:05 "If you're gonna play with fire, you better be a master of fire" Don't know where he got that from, but I wrote it down regardless

I think this might be one of my favourite interviews of JBP. Subscribed

It will be interesting to hear from Dr. Peterson once he has fully recovered from his present difficulty. No doubt he will have been profoundly changed by the experience. I have tremendous respect for Dr. Peterson.

*“I knew that in finding the mandala as an expression of the Self I had attained what was for me the ultimate. Perhaps someone else knows more, but not I."* -Carl Jung Memories, Dreams, Reflections, Jung’s Autobiography recorded and edited by Aniella Jaffe pg. 197

When I was younger I was the type of person who would get drunk in my moms basement and fantasize about the most brutal things. And then I'd sober up the next day and I'd feel like a scared, pathetic little mouse who couldn't move. And I didn't know which of me was the "real" me. Was I this sociopathic anti-hero or was I this pathetic, scared little mouse? Well, Peterson is right that it can seem preferable to be the tyrant than to be the weakling. Overtime I've realized that I am of course both of those forces, and that they in fact grew up beside each other and are the opposite ends of the same spectrum. But at the time, it was a serious crises and the thought that I was either some evil maniac OR some pathetic coward was terrifying.

beautifully shot, great interview too, thanks for that mate!

Jordan I have never watched you but at 61 I am from the Old School raising my Grandson and I absolutely love the way that you think.You are right on in your thinking.I work so hard to do all the right things for the young one with my husband and totally ❤️ agree with you.I could tell you how hard I have fought for this little one whom is very smart.It seems as though schools in general to some children are against the children instead of helping them.Their idea of help is Adderall well not mine.Im homeschooling.What a job but I love him.Thank you for the information will subscribe as you talk Real. Nice to hear truth 👍💯

Imagine having a therapy session with Dr Peterson. The amount of value to be found in his interviews, lectures and public speeches is immense. A personal conversation would be mind blowing to say the least...

Right on! This is by far the best and most accurate explanation I have heard of mysticism and what it is trying to convey through its specific language. We need more of these people.

JBP at his best along with the camera work, editing and gentle interviewing Thankyou all

I love listening to this man lecture! I’ve been keeping him and his family in my prayers after learning of their travails. Wishing them well! Can’t wait for you to have him back. He will be even more wise after what he’s been through. 🙏🏼💗🙏🏼

What he’s talking about musically I witnessed in full bloom at a Tool concert during ozzfest 98. I was at the Massachusetts show what was then call Great Woods. They opened with Stinkfist and when I looked around every sing person in the crowd was nodding to the rhythm. It was an amazing pulse effect and looked like the people’s movements were dictated by the vibrations from the music. It was almost indescribable but if you were there you felt like I did and that everyone there was one being at that moment.

I love to listen to Dr. Peterson. This is perhaps his best interview to date. Very deep and multi-layered. Sharing.

Thanks for the interesting post. The true nature of the religious experience. "For the core of religious faith is that mystic feeling which unites Man with God." ~ Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Faith

This person is a blessing to humanity.

This has got to be one of my favorite Jordan Peterson interviews.

JP is such a boss. I'm addicted.

Every single thing this man says puts an emotional bullet into my soul. Most times I just can't take it, because I don't feel like crying tonight or whatever... But, damn.

I needed someone as wise as you to point me in the right direction 60 years ago, Dr Peterson. I'm so glad I've found you now. I felt I was drifting aimlessly on an endless sea.

As usual, my brain and heart have exploded after listening to JP! Thanks for this great interview.

"In my Father's House there are many Mansions; I go there to prepare a place for Thee" (Jesus)

God bless you all. Thank you. Searched on ‘distinguishing the shadow’ and learned so much from your conversation. Long time fan of CG Jung and experiencing incredible organic awakening after years of commitment. So worth it👍🏼💕👊

Its an amazing inner journey he shows me, also i learn a few new english words, he is probably the best teacher i ever had. Thnx!

This is soooooo good! I have goosebumps listening and taking it all in. Brilliant explanation of religion and mysticism. I love this man’s brain!

JP is changing my life. So glad i found him.

Very engaging interview, great job!

This is by far my favorite Jordan Peterson interview.

Excellent talk and professional production values. Much abliged fellas!

At his finest, may you have a speedy recovery...

"A person who knows he is a monster and integrates his shadow is dangerous in the sense that he has the potential to wreak havoc. If this is not done consciously, it is a bad thing". I see this all the time in military commanders, especially generals. Their job definition requires some amount of monstrosity and they integrate 'the fight' into their psyche so much so that they tend to attack themselves during peace times. An ordinary person - a journalist, a farmer, a housewife - rarely has the same amount of shadow integration and it's always an illuminating encounter when such two parties meet for a debate. I had seen a shocking "nagotiation talk" arranged by KFOR forces between a Serbian general who was a mass murderer and a school teacher who knew absolutely nothing about monsters and how to deal with them. In the end, the KFOR people forsake the villagers who were taken to a field and butchered to the last man. Those mass murderers are the ones who integrate the shadow unconciously, not integrating but becoming the monster as a result. Integrating the monster means having control on it to an extent that its uses are reserved for only the most dire; life or death kind of situations. A skill I wish that School teacher had when facing that genocidal maniac. ANYONE can integrate the shadow with enough effort but it comes more naturally to some - military people, law enforcement, criminals, politicians, etc. - while the ordiary masses lack even the awareness for the necessity of doing so. The shadow is not always anger or aggression mind you, it can be any one or more of the cardinal sins. I find mine to be sloth rather than anger for instance. My shadow is lazy af and I am doing my best these days to integrate and passify it.

"They were done with putting up their hands to go to the bathroom". Love this guy, man.

Excellent, revealing conversation, David is so good at this, leaving space for exploration and elaboration.

Always with the green sweater. I want one. When is the JP clothing line coming out?

good times produce weak men, weak men produce hard times, hard times produce strong men, strong men produce good times

He literally described most of what i went after enlightenment, and why u should recognize your bad side and choose the good side as oppose to the bad side of you. The way he describes stages of intelectual and spiritual knowledge and awarness and the realization of you being one with everything and everyone is amazing.

That was one of the best interviews I have ever watched! Brilliant minds! Xx

JBP needs to star in his own version of Mr Rodgers. I can see him walking into a house singing about post-modernism and religious symbolism as he puts on a sweater. He can have a puppet he calls the great fool. A train which goes of a cliff and into a labor camp. "It's a beautiful day to destroy the world, a beautiful day to remove oppression. Would you please die? Could you please die?"

Amazing. I subscribed as I thought the adoption of the principles Peterson purports would be powerful for mens work and self development as a whole. Blown away that you actually travelled over to meet the man. I'm in. - Midlands

This Man Is Truly Enlightened! I feel amazing after seeing this. Spoke to my soul! Coulda watched another hour lol.

I've seen too much of JP., how could I not see this great interview! This has enriched me with a ton of new meaning, thanks for uploading.

well done. long time fan and follower of JP. i wish you well with Rebel Wisdom. i feel i might be 'Rebel Catholic'.. someone needs to be (st francis was a long while ago..).

"Implicit potential for havoc" = one humble bad ass

I've only just found jordan peterson and he's help my mental health out no end .

The more I listen to this - I learn about myself more - thank you for bringing this speech in videl

22:33 I feel Peterson is referencing Handy here ““I hope if dogs take over the world, and they choose a king, they don't just go by size, because I bet there are some Chihuahuas with some good ideas.” - Jack Handy” And in all seriousness, I like that someone is trying to pin him down on the subject of Mysticism. I think he’s Jung at heart.

Respect.

Excellent interview. Thank you and thank you Dr Peterson.

Peterson makes so much sense to me, I have never listened to a speaker like him. He conveys the message in such a way that it is not only easy to understand but allows you to grasp the deeper meaning that he is conveying which makes you delve further in.

44 year old Australian here. Peterson reminds me of when the Simpsons came out... it was funny but also just a relief to know other people had my sense of humor and outlook. Peterson goes too far in some regards, especially in his support of hard-heads like Ben Shapiro, but overall it's a relief and a pleasure to see his work and hear his talks online. I've been on quite a journey in recent years and much of what I have had to accept and realize neatly gibes with Peterson's thoughts. Good stuff. On Polarization, plenty of people I would otherwise agree with have a quite disappointing attitude to Peterson. Yes he does support views that go beyond sensible, but anyone who is taking this shit seriously is bound to. I shun polarized people now and focus on what is right rather than who is right. Peterson is right about a lot of stuff and it's often stuff no one is saying. He is actually a bridge between divided camps.

It's nice to hear a perspective that inspires us to be better, to do better. There is to much of a "Why Bother" out there these days.

This is the hands down the best and most meaningful lecture I have ever watched. Jordan Peterson in a nutshell.

I love how Peterson makes such a strong case for the ad endorsement at the end. A brilliant interview. I hope many people support the channel by buying the shirt! 🙂

26:28 This quite resonates with what 20th century Zen Master Kodo Sawaki said: "We mustn’t forget that today’s science and culture have only developed out of the lowest levels of consciousness. Everybody is talking about culture, but what is it besides a refinement of our illusions? However much we iron out our drives, from a Buddhist standpoint, it’s got nothing to do with progress or civilization. Everyone is talking these days about progress, but I wonder in which direction we’re actually progressing. When you observe insects in a tank, you see how they bite into each other and hold on with all their might. It must be amusing to observe from another corner of the universe how humans stock up on atomic and hydrogen bombs. Acting clever while at the same time being the biggest idiots - that’s human fate. People love it when things are complicated. Though things are complicated enough - even when we try to keep them as simple as possible - there are still some who make an effort to be especially complicated in everything they do. The modern world musters up all of its knowledge just to run down a dead end street. People were idiots in the old days too. They wasted a fortune in gold and manpower building castles. And what was it all for? To bicker with each other. Today, people are even dumber. They build atomic and hydrogen bombs in order to erase humanity with one push of a button. How is it that humanity itself, unlike its science, hasn’t progressed in the least? An idiot sits at the computer, a dimwit in the cockpit of the jet and a madman at the control panel of the atomic rockets - that’s the current problem. Perhaps we can save our friends with atomic and hydrogen bombs - but not our enemies. Only zazen is capable of saving friends as well as enemies." By zazen he means zen meditation.

He makes me realize my life....

This kind of videos are GOLD.

What a great interview with Jordan Peterson! Thank you JP, your words are very helpful.

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

can't wait for part 2

What a great interview! Thank you for covering these topics.

Great work, perfect questions. No surprise that people are having goosebumps. It's exciting that ideas that 20 years ago would have gone in one ear and out the other with most people are sticking and resonating, just really wonderful. Thanks!

Peterson made me read Jung but Jung explains these ideas better.

I think, it's true what Dr. Peterson said about being hardened when we get integrated; the childish view of the world if no longer keeps us from seeing the world as it really is. On the subject of harmony in music concerts, I'll give the example of the Eagle's California Hotel (MTV unplugged) in 1994. I'm impressed by the harmony between the crowd cheering , clapping, and band members playing. I even prefer this version to the studio release.

Fantastic. Fascinating. This ones on repeat.....

Maybe the best JP interview I have seen. I love when JP discusses Christian ideas.

i would love to hear dr petersons thoughts on why it is so dangerous to be alone in one's life the cause and effects and how to fix loneliness😒

Peterson is so on point, modern day/updated version of crazy wisdom....love this man

Excellent. Thanks for making this available. Learned a lot.

How this man has the time and energy to not only learn and teach all he does, but to meet and take in many other individuals and their ideas as well. While struggling with health at that.