On Tuesday, I turned 41, and I thought it fitting to dedicate this week's piece to sharing the most impactful quotes that have touched my life. I approach the task of sharing reflections or prescriptions for living with a sense of trepidation. This hesitance stems from my anticipation of skepticism & condescension from those older than me, mirroring my own reactions when someone in their 20s speaks about the wisdom they've acquired. Nevertheless, my unique journey through loss, transformation, and transcendence has granted me a perspective I feel compelled to share.
Here are seven quotes that serve as a profound guide to living a blissful life. They have profoundly impacted me, and I hope they will positively influence you as well.
“Not exploring altered states of consciousness is like living in a mansion and never leaving the basement.” - Aruna Shields
Exploring the vast landscape of consciousness is essential, whether it's through breathwork, meditation, immersion in nature, or my personal favorite, Psychedelics. Many people spend their entire lives only experiencing the states of waking, dreaming, and sleeping consciousness. It's a profound loss. When I engage in conversations about this, the responses often center around a preference for control. However, control is an illusion. Individuals do not command their heart to beat, nor do they choose the moment of waking. The next thought to surface remains entirely unpredictable. This adherence to control stems from the ego, which is tethered to our baseline state of consciousness. By finding the bravery to transcend these limits, one might discover that the perceived control was a delusion all along.
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for its not the same river and he’s not the same man.” - Heraclitus
By the time you reach your forties, one critical lesson becomes clear: the value of experiential wisdom. Wisdom isn't solely acquired through books, podcasts, or even the teachings of our parents — though I don't mean to undervalue self-education. I myself am an avid reader, devouring at least one non-fiction book each month, and I regularly listen to thought-provoking podcasts.
However, true wisdom is born from the rich tapestry of lived experiences. There simply is no substitute for the lessons learned through the act of living. This is what catalyzes real change. This concept is exemplified in one of the most memorable movie scenes of all time, featuring Robin Williams in "Good Will Hunting" —
If you're younger and reading this, I strongly encourage you to embrace life fully. Book that trip you've been dreaming about. Take a chance and ask that person out. Dive into a new hobby. In essence, seize the opportunity to live life to its fullest. The river will change, make sure you evolve as well.
“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” - Socrates
It's not widely recognized that the Stoics & philosophers of ancient Greece were not only thinkers but also avid practitioners of weightlifting & wrestling. They believed in the essentiality of pushing the body beyond its perceived limits, viewing such exertion as a pathway to enlightenment — a view that has not been disproven.
Today, we grapple with the repercussions of a society that prioritizes subjective pleasure over objective accomplishments, leading to a disconnection from our physical selves. A stroll down any bustling street reveals individuals engrossed in their smartphones, detached from the surrounding beauty. With the advent of AI on the horizon, this disconnection could deepen.
Spiritual transformation is intertwined with physical transformation. While Psychedelics have played a significant role in my personal growth, they have been supplementary to a steadfast commitment to developing strength & cardiovascular health. Eight years ago, I embarked on CrossFit, a challenging fitness regimen that has led me to lose 35 pounds and achieve the best physical condition of my life at 41. In 2022, I began practicing Jiu Jitsu, embracing the humility that comes from starting something new & challenging. Equally important is what I abstain from: I avoid video games, do not use social media for personal reasons, don't have cable, and disconnect from my phone by 8 pm nightly. Embracing solitude & reflection is valuable.
The increasing prominence of figures like Dr. Andrew Huberman, Jocko Willink, and Dr. Peter Attia signals a societal shift towards recognizing the importance of rigorous physical training — not just exercise, but intense, demanding workouts that would earn the admiration of Socrates himself.
“A ship in the harbor is safe but that is not what ships are built for.” - John A. Shedd
In "The Comfort Crisis," a book that stands out as one of the most impactful I've read, Michael Easter presents a compelling argument for the necessity of challenging oneself & embracing difficulty. He explains that the brain operates on relative terms, not absolutes; thus, the more we surround ourselves with comfort, the more comfort we require to feel content. This is a modern fallacy: in having our basic needs readily met, we inadvertently raise the threshold of comfort needed for happiness.
Periodically, I undertake challenges that push me to my limits, prompting the internal (and sometimes external) exclamation, "What the fuck am I doing?". In 2019, I bungee jumped off the ominously named Bridge to Nowhere in the San Gabriel Mountains — a daunting task made even more so by its foreboding title. In 2021, I escalated the thrill with an 18,000-foot skydive north of Santa Barbara, California, where a 90-second freefall provided ample time to ponder the consequences of a parachute failure. In 2023, I found myself unwittingly facing a challenge of a different nature when a Category 4 hurricane struck Puerto Vallarta just a day after my arrival, testing my resolve in unforeseen ways.
I'm on the lookout for my next adventure, so stay tuned.
“Fashion comes and goes, but style lasts forever.” - Coco Chanel
The essence of the quoted sentiment beautifully separates the concepts of fashion & style. Fashion connotes a rush towards uniformity or a dependence on status symbols through brands. Style, however, represents something distinctly different. Style is the manner in which you present yourself to the world, and it significantly matters. Many might dismiss this, retorting with a casual 'I don't care.' Yet, such apathy itself conveys a message — one I choose not to express.
In challenging times, I make a concerted effort to dress even better. There's a profound importance in declaring to the world that, despite the difficulties you face, they will not defeat you. You refuse to yield. You commit to showing up and embodying the person you truly are, each and every day.
My appreciation for comedy stems from its ability to encapsulate truth within humor. The right joke or TV show can reveal deep truths through laughter. In line with these thoughts, I'll conclude with a scene from what I consider one of the greatest comedic shows ever —
“Life is a single player game.” - Naval Ravikant
We arrive in this world alone, navigate our thoughts & emotions in solitude, and ultimately leave it in the same solitary state. This reflection isn't meant to foster a sense of nihilism or underscore the notion of enduring life solo. Rather, it underscores the importance of self-reliance in a world that seems to be in constant search for a savior. Every four years, there's a surge of hope that a new leader will bring about monumental change. We parade a child in front of the UN, chastising us to amend our ways. We deify celebrities & athletes, believing they might lift us from our quandaries. Yet, the reality is that none of these figures will alter the course of our personal lives. It's crucial to never externalize our locus of control.
The 'Spotlight Effect' in psychology is a concept I've found particularly enlightening — it's best summarized as: At 20, you're concerned with others' opinions of you. By 40, you've shed this concern (I can personally affirm this). And at 60, you come to the realization that they weren’t thinking about you at all. It's a call to treat yourself with the utmost respect & importance.
This idea finds a powerful echo in one of the most underrated films, "A Bronx Tale" —
“Traditions are experiments that worked.” - Louise M. Perry
Incorporate rituals into your life; they imbue it with meaning & purpose. While culture hands us certain rituals like the Super Bowl & Christmas, crafting personal rituals is equally, if not more, significant. These self-made rituals are potent tools for anchoring us in the present moment. The exclusive use of Psychedelics in ritualistic contexts by indigenous cultures was no mere coincidence. During my time in Mexico last fall, I participated in several Temazcal ceremonies, which were always thoughtfully scheduled for late Sunday mornings.
The value of traditions cannot be overstated, including those we forge ourselves. In this spirit, upon turning 41 this past Tuesday, I began a new tradition of receiving a tattoo on my birthday. My affinity for tattoos lies in their ability to immortalize what was profoundly significant to us at the time of their inking. This perspective makes me reluctant to judge any tattoo as good or bad, or to choose a favorite; at some moment, it held enough significance for me to etch it onto my body permanently.
With this in mind, I'll share what holds the greatest meaning for me at this juncture in my life, offering a reminder that resonates universally, touching on our shared human experience. For me, it brings immense comfort in remembering the two siblings I’ve “lost”. Although, I didn’t really lose them, they just got there first..
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Consciousness alteration is a human universal.
See Human Universals, by anthropologist Donald E. Brown.
Of particular interest for us here is this one: “Mood- or consciousness-altering techniques and/or substances.” Here, I shall claim that this is one of the most important, perhaps the most important and the very first of all human universals.
https://peterwebster.substack.com/p/origins-of-psychedelia