I vividly remember a conversation Richard & I had last summer, during an IG Live, when he point blank asked me what "ownership " I had in my current life situation. At first I felt immediately defensive & thought Wtf does he mean??? I'm the "victim " here!!! He must have seen the look on my face because he immediatly said- Now that we got THAT out of the way.... Let's discuss what you can do about changing it. My 1st reaction was to deny that I could do anything because it was being done TO me! ( a Lil dose of learned helplessness shining thru) He smiled at me and said- Thats bollocks & you know it! It can ONLY be You that can change your life!! I believe in you and You can do this, regardless of what others are doing around you. I had to bite the inside of my cheeks to prevent myself from bursting into tears. Having him remind me that I really was in control of my life, and COULD do something to make my life better, was previously an inconceivable idea. I had been soooo conditioned to believe that I was unworthy of happiness, that hearing him say I could change that was both eye opening & a gut punch, all at the same time. He helped me realize that I was only a victim if I thought of myself that way...It was pretty hurtful to come to grips with the fact that only I had been in control of what I was doing &/or not doing, to get where I really wanted to be in life. There was more to the conversation, but handing me back my agency was the biggest take away I think I've ever encountered during a single conversation. My life has changed tremendously since that day last summer. I took Richard's STS course and it helped me make better decisions, that then lead to me being mentally & physically healthier. I now try really hard to catch myself every time I feel like beating the crap outta myself OR throwing myself a pity party, b/c things didn't go the way I plaaned. Most importantly I'm no long lying awake at night, agonizing over things that dont matter, because it's NOT my job to fix e everything in everyone else's life, while mine falls apart. I feel kinda weird saying all this to total strangers....but I also think it's important to remind people that they CAN do things to make their lives better, no matter how seemingly small the action might feel. Prior to last summer I didn't believe I could do anything to change my life. And this past year pretty much kicked my ass, but it was doable. I really believe that answering that question about "ownership", as sucky & hard as it was, changed everything.
Hello. I am one of the strangers that read this. And i recognise what you write and can identify with it. I can also see that you are on the right path. Taking back your agency that was yours to begin with. To bring serenity and success into your life. Sleep well.
Thank you for your story! I thoroughly related to it, and believe that learned helplessness and victimhood are huge obstacles to overcome, but a must, if we're to reach that goal of a better life. Your story lifted me this morning, so I thank you "to the moon", and wish you the best life has to offer you!
I just listened to an interview with him about his book and when he mentioned The Brothers Karamazov I thought of Richard because he's talked so much about that book and now here we are.
Grateful people are happier, indeed. I’m a full time yoga and meditation teacher & teach only individual sessions with people in recovery from traumatic experience, addiction, and mental and behavioral health issues. I wholeheartedly enjoy my work and feel incredibly privileged and grateful to be doing it. I like to close out every session with a gratitude meditation and it’s often a favorite part of the session for clients. It offers us all a moment to consider what’s right in our world, or ourselves, no matter what suffering is surely present. Thankful to you for your thoughtful and consistently high quality content, Richard. Your reach extends further than you might imagine. You’re a fine teacher and an important example to many of us who are growing up and taking responsibility for our lives along with you. Discussing the value of the practice of gratitude is an important topic. It’s an empowering practice and is directly correlated with being a happier person all around. Taking pleasure in the simple things, as you suggested, is what I most enjoy and hope to model to my clients. Gratitude is an attitude that gives all an opportunity to be a bit more aware of what we have so that we don’t take so much for granted.
@@dollarsmum3453 Same for me! I was “but a wretch” before it. 😆 It’s a joy to me to share it. Yoga got me over serious substance abuse, acute insomnia, and less self respecting behavior in general. It continues to heal me with consistent practice. I’ve had the honor to share it more for 8 years now, and I’ve been practicing 14. But I still feel like a beginner! It’s a rabbit hole. In any case, best wishes to you.
Jessica, I am so grateful that you exist and your life paths journey has brought you into these resilient souls lives to help them heal and propsper. I wish more people had this privilege to help those in need and receive such specialized care. Can you please share the gratitude prayer that you share with your clients. God bless you and thank you for your service here on earth. I may not know you personally yet in spite of this fact, I love you very much and wish you all the best. Much love and gratitude 🤩💝 Fatima-Zahra
Thank you, @Fatima for your super kind words. Where I live, we have a program where folks in recovery can access yoga teachers, fitness coaches, and dietitians in addition to conventional counseling and psychiatry. I work with low income people in an urban area. All they need is a diagnosis and Medicaid and a willingness to do the work. It’s a radical departure from conventional care and I’m thankful to be a part of it. Hoping the model takes off around the world. My gratitude meditation is super simple and the details change every session, but the crux remains the same. You sit with attention to your heart and your breath. You bow your head a moment (symbolizing a moment to drop your sense of self importance.) If you’re comfortable with the gesture of joining the hands and the heart, do that. Otherwise, rest them where it’s comfortable. Then imagine four things (could be more) that you have to be grateful for this very moment. Could be your next meal. Could be a lesson learned. A person who offered you their time and attention. The fact that you’re mobile and healthy (if that’s the case.) I encourage people to actually feel the feeling of appreciation for what is good. And let it sink in a minute. That’s really about it. Hope it’s helpful to you, ma’am.
Gratitude is what narcissist money grubbing thief false gurus preach to perpetuate the current evil system and abandon the innocent to chase selfishness.
“….nor have I anything to offer my readers except my conviction that when pain is to be borne,a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all” C.S.Lewis /Preface to “ the problem of Pain”
This is beautiful! Gratitude turns down the dials naturally of entitlement and envy....ect. God + gratitude is naturally elevating ya! This is great ty.
A practice of gratitude is certainly the best way to improve your happiness... I am speaking from much experience of fighting the dark night of the soul, and realizing how many things and people I was truly grateful for, the other stuff just faded into the background.... For many people this means journaling about what you're grateful for, but for me it was more about getting into nature and just appreciating the immense beauty in this world.... Thanks for sharing Richard! I hope everyone here tries this out!
The faults of socialism or leftist ideology are not in the accusations of capitalism and it’s shortcomings, these are evident many times, but that these ideologies are born out of vitriol and resentment as you so effectively lay out in this video. The contemporary left specially is a recycle bin of every conceivable historical resentment. You are empowered in other words by how much you massage your wounds. Ideology tends to be reactive and compensatory “something that I agree with Sam Vaknin” but not a destination. Resentment usually is not in itself an engine of positive change but a golden license for destruction. There is in other words a world of difference between equality and getting even and such a difference makes all the difference in the world. I completely agree with you and Douglas that gratitude can be a very potent elixir in combating resentment and this proclivity to look at others as totally evil and you as an absolute saint. Thank you for this video and your many pearls of wisdom Richard. I have read Murray’s work but not his new book, hoping to check it out. We really need content like this in this day and age.
The hardest thing to do is to be still. There is so much outside of us that is clamoring for attention that makes it so difficult to sit in the stillness and gratitude that would open us up to God and the healing that would bring. Psalm 46-10 be still and know that I am God is what I strive for daily. ❤
It is important to acknowledge that inviting evil is half the evil work. It is also important to acknowledge that an injustice can be weighed against a response to counterbalance the injustice. In thought. But that there may not be any just response that cancels the injustice. But rather adds injustice. Sometimes we must accept that an injustice was done, but there is no apropriate reaction to it. We must then carry that injustice with us, but not act on it. But opportunity may reveal itself in the future to counterbalance the injustice. But probably not by the action thought upon in the moment of injustice. Reactive thinking is evil. Most often the best revenge is simply surviving and making something good with your life.
God is good and that is the truth. A person's relation to that philosophy determines whether their experience on Earth is closest to Heaven or Hell. God is then salvation.
Excellent analysis and teachings from the great philosophers and psychologists in one place. I agree that that which we say we don’t want is something that we do want, at least at a subconscious level. Tough stuff, but personal accountability, responsibility, hard work and gratitude leads to freedom. The foundation is faith in God, which brings meaning to everything, humility and gratitude. I love learning from you, Richard, there’s so much value in your content. Bless you. 🙏💜
I loved listening to you read from the book and discussing the chunk you read. It takes me back to my childhood. I am ordering this book, thank you for sharing so much insight.
I love discussions prompted from readings, and this is a good video with some insights I share and will build on on my own. Thank you Too bad my amnesia and flashbacks makes me need to hear this more than once, but that's why I love books too and introductions to them ^^ If it's in my hand I can take my time understanding.
“Breakdown in Ibiza with The Brothers”... 🤔 Lurked 👀 & listened. Still choose the red pill. Truth of more value. Thanks for worthwhile content, Richard. Cheers! ☯️
I am a christian conservative and have been a helpless victim of exactly this madness. Fortunately, I created chaos to get out it somehow. Quite ambivalent.
Brilliant and wise insights / interpretations Richard, and as usual with many of your videos, very synchronisticly timed to choices I'm currently struggling with. Thanks for all that you do. Cheers
Sometimes I think our long tradition of philosophers and psychologists end up intellectualising in relative terms what the Bible (read through the mystic tradition) as well as Buddhist, Sufi and other religious texts and mystics said universally so long ago and so beautifully simply. My youthful revolutionary spirit has grown into a spiritual appreciation of truth in its fullest and deepest meaning.
"Grateful" for the book recommendation! Fascinated with Nietzsche & adore Dostoyevsky. Interpretation fascinating as always. Side issue (watching you watch paint dry is worth a few hours of my time, any day!).
"Demons" by Dostoevsky is my favorite book. A book true today's world, I think. Maybe Richard will have time to read and analyze one of these months or so.
This was enjoyable, and nicely timed. Thanks for sharing! Letter from a Birmingham jail, was a good read/listen, I recommend it for anybody that isn't familiar with it already. by Martin Luther King Jr.
Thank you I really like this channel and the discussions. I wonder if some people are predisposed to not being able to be grateful, or find it more challenging? I imagine when you see yourself as a victim, it's harder to see things to be grateful for. I've just started reading Inner Engineering by Sadhguru and he talks about responsibility, which "simply means your ability to respond". Maybe we all need to own, our own response to situations/people etc. So interesting, please keep making these videos.
Thank you Richard, I really enjoyed this talk. You’re helping me to open my eyes to my own nonsense whilst I’m learning about the society. I was laughing as well, all this is very true :)
Escape from evil, Becker is worth a read, more than once. Not connected - Abashed the Devil stood when he felt how awful goodness is. That might be a misquote but it's been playing on a loop in my memory for the last 5 weeks or much longer
So many evil idiots who whilst we cannot eradicate them from the earth we can be grateful that we who are self regulating, self aware, honest with ourselves about our shortcomings and self defeating behaviours, that we are not them. Great video, great references, depth motivational and inspiration helping to enable us all to do better because we have heaps of things to be grateful for. ❤👍🏾🙏🏽
Matthew 25, you are all guilty of being 'evil idiots', because, No, you don't have any self control, and you haven't helped anyone in need to solve the problems rather than just caring about yourselves and calling it enlightenment while the innocent rot. And I'm supposed to be grateful, which really means grateful to YOU, who have done nothing your whole life to actually help. Narcissists. Truth. Something you all appear to hate. In which case, you won't live in my kingdom, or any. Because you don't want to be or do right, but only feel right for yourself while the world burns because you made it so while hiding in vain illusions while others starved due to your callous nonchalance and negligence, for millennia, being carnal abusers that only lust after power, and hate real Strength.
Wowwwwww sO much substance.. The reading 📖 was sO good for the mind, so many concepts interwoven.. for healing, living, growth….. the kind of humility that reAlly makes the difference in one’s journey…. not easy, but we need to go there… ReAlly enjoyed and felt grAteful to be able to sit there and listen to you read to us. Super educational. So much for discussion. You’re a rare gift 💝. Thank you for all you do and how you’re continuing to keep it moving. Right on! 👍🙏😎🔥🎈
Actually it was the Ayahuasca experience that gave me this rushes of gratitude that I never experienced before. But then I wish my Ayahuasca experience on everybody, by which mean avoid commercial shamanism at all costs. Love to all
Interesting insights, and vital. After Peterson's series on the Old Testament, it would be fascinating to see how he handles the New, especially the words of Jesus in the sermon on the mount, where gratitude is central.
Around 34.00, and the principle that accessing or experiencing gratitude 'turns down the dials' of entitlement, narcissism,agression, envy, etc, I believe there are parallels with this from other sources. The cultivation of the observer in Buddhism, and Eckhart Tolle's injunction to oberve the 'pain body', are just a couple of examples. Tolle's suggestion is that observing takes energy from the pain body and eventually dissipates it. My own suggestion is that gratitude, joy (authentic 'happiness'), and compassion (being fully present to what is), are "core" functions of what it is to be human. They are what is left when we aren't expressing our wounding and compensating mechanisms, and we look a little further upstream towards the source of what and who we are. They are God, if you like. They are the divine aspects of our nature, yet we don't have to get religious to consider them or access them.
i can't really read books anymore so this a actually a treat. I like the sound of his voice. tangentially i wish he would read Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, it's a story i'd like to know, but they will probably never make it into a movie, and I can't read the novel myself bc of a brain injury. so far every audio version, I really dislike the voice of the person reading 🤷
It’s one of my favourites and I already tried I doing it as audio to give people who don’t read access to one of the greatest pieces of American fiction ever written. I’ll do it 👍
Loads of people love to explain their pain as if it could be a novel. I stopped reading when I became a part of his narratives. Maybe if I kept learning I would have seen his wasn't so unique.
I've been baffled for years how someone, my ex, can display such a lack of gratitude for life and yet be able to talk so much of the value of those things that make life worth living. When he is in that pit, he wears on me until I have no gratitude left for anything. And I go bonkers fighting it.
Revenge is a waste of one's present moment. I have witnessed friends spend years talking about getting revenge on a ex-husband while getting remarried, these marriages also ended. Revenge is like a bad infection that causes death & destruction of the soul. My opinion.
… I spent my entire life trying to figure out why people do bad things & mean things to each other .. These ever multiplying themes sell books, films, tv shows & the daily news media. > However, on a more simplistic level, they are distracting from allowing people to enjoy even simple moments of the human experience. > Trying to figure out what’s what & who started it - is a losing sum game - simply bc it’s a black hole. > I know my time here is limited- and I will not waste another moment trying to analyze & explain the causes & hierarchy- of why this, why that. > I’m afraid I wasted decades of my precious LIFE trying to figure out this & that. The fact is - none of that will change anything. What’s done is done. Who’s dead - is dead. And by the way- I’m not into any Russian ideologies; they have a historical legacy of world domination. No thanks. > I realize my limits & I will not put my nose in to try to solve world problems. > Instead , I work on my own life problems, like putting away laundry, cleaning up the kitchen & making a cup of coffee. Why focus on these mundane things ? Bc they are within my human capacity. > I am very satisfied w. living my own human capacity. I am very amazed by the loveliness & truth of the day to day experience of being alive. > I do not engage in discussions about who’s right or who’s wrong. Those are just more arguments hidden in debates. > I have found peace - simply by BEING peace. 🦙
Thank you! I needed to know that word "resentment" to understand my life from the beginning! I can assess myself for that feeling, which I bet I inherited to some degree. p.s. I'm a socialist because workers suffer under capitalism. Nothing freaky! 🌼🌸💮🌻🌺
24:50 IMHO, agency is never inherent in people. It is always created or instilled by (rather poorly understood) environmental influences acting on the individual. In other words, people need to be told or shown beforehand. However, I do not think there is a universal recipe for the process (transition towards a higher level of personal agency). There is likely an elaborate series of events, how people acquire it and it likely differs significantly for different people and for different contexts. Those, who have acquired it already (within a particular context) often struggle to understand those who have yet to acquire it and vice versa. This causes a lot of frustration on both ends of the spectrum, mostly due to us not understanding, how agency is acquired/instilled in the first place. Those with it tend to look down on those without it ("Are they dumb or weak or what?"), and those without it tend to suspect foul play (discrimination, oppression etc.).
Corporations have monetized policy and politicians work in their favor and promote self interests. I believe they’ve promoted a consuming narcissistic society in effort to form their consumer base.
You need a better captioning service. There's a world of difference between a "Scout" and a "Scouser"! And for anyone actually reading the captions, Richard's not saying "pure", he's saying "puerile".
In my view Nietzsche is not saying we should be anything else than what we are. Which means if we do not have gratitude, we don't have gratitude, and if we have, we have. Same for envy, selfishness etc. all those character qualities we call evil. In Nietzsche's view the natural ethics is that you serve your self. That is the only proper ethics. All other ethics arise from concepts, and concepts are the weapons of the priest cast. Also what you say about culture war against the west: I think the west is most criticized by Nietzsche, more than any other culture, because it is post-Judaic. In other cultures ancient, more natural, ethics are still way more powerful than in the west. Nationalism, pride about one's nation, is a part of the post-christian modernism, just like socialism. Dogmatic rationalism is just as sick as christian dogmatism. In Nietzsche's opinion. At least based on my interpretation of him.
Hi Richard, please take topic of Nupur Sharma from India, in a national TV debate for more than a week - people were abusing sanatan Dharma Hinduism Gods Then in one debate this lady just couldn't take it , so much abuse to her faith and she quoted real fact from one Abhramic religion Islam• It burned country and she has got lakhs of death and rape threats, in India many people lost lives when commenting on this religion even post 1947 when India was divided and British left and allowed to run elections• This is an example of culture clash•
They know their "biblical vanity territorialism" works for them, and now we have Lord of The Flies Lands wherever they go. Their biblical catergorical imperative brings squalor so they can feel like "someone/Gods person"
Lucifer refuse to bow to Adam in the Islamic Story, because his was resentful and ungrateful of the position he already had. he acted out of resentment and look where did it lead mate...
