Over the past 48 hours I’ve been listening to and watching a bunch of stuff, and it’s all orbiting the same gravitational pull. Humans feel displaced. Not just “the job market is weird” displaced, but identity displaced. Like: if the world changes this fast, what happens to the version of me that was built for the old world?

This all hit extra hard because I’ve been recovering from a tooth that’s been giving me grief for a year. It got infected again, they finally pulled it, and last night I was in that familiar post-dentist zone where the numbness wears off and the universe feels personally offensive. I was curled up on the couch, cycling between old Game of Thrones episodes and YouTube.

That’s when I landed on Sinead Bovell’s show (on YouTube, even though we call everything a podcast now). The show is called I’ve Got Questions, and she had an episode featuring Alexander Manu titled something like “Once in a Lifetime Career Reset is Coming.” That title alone just grabs you by the collar. Because that’s the vibe, isn’t it? A mass career and identity reset. Not gradual. Not polite. A reset.

And it brought me back to the question I’ve had from the start: What are we becoming? We can’t stay the same. So what’s the next iteration?

One of the things I’ve been chewing on is how most people’s first move with AI has been to retrofit it into the current paradigm. Same game, faster tools. Write quicker. Create quicker. Code quicker. Spreadsheet quicker. Become “10x productive,” “100x productive,” whatever. And I’m finding myself more and more allergic to that productivity obsession. Because why are we racing? Do we actually want to do more and more, or do we want to live better?

I noticed something about my own choices here too. My day job includes corporate training. The obvious play would be to jump on the trend and become “the AI guy,” training companies how to use AI. But I deliberately didn’t go that route. I wanted to be a practitioner. I wanted to push into the frontier and ask: not “how do I do the old thing faster?” but “what’s the new thing that wasn’t possible before?”

I used painting as a metaphor for this, because we’ve seen this cycle a thousand times. People painted on cave walls, then on canvas. Then the camera came along and painters freaked out. “That’s not art.” Then photography becomes its own art form, because real artists don’t just defend old tools. They explore new ones and invent new forms.

That’s where I think we are now. There’s resistance because people are having an existential crisis about identity, livelihood, meaning, and the role of humans. But there’s also that other camp: the folks who see a new tool and think, “Okay… what can we make now that we couldn’t make before?”

One of Manu’s points that really landed for me is that these tools could create the space for us to be more human, not less. If machines can handle repeatable, mundane stuff better, that should free us to focus on the parts of life that require presence, depth, relationship, contemplation. The being, not just the doing. That line hit me right where I live.

From there, my brain hopped tracks into Robert Anton Wilson territory, because I’ve just started reading Chapel Perilous, the biography of RAW. And it’s lighting my mind up. Reading about his thought processes reminds me what excites me most: consciousness, reality, philosophy of mind, and the question of what humans even are.

That’s what led me into this weird but wonderful blend I started playing with: Buddhism and anarchism. RAW had both currents running through him, and I found myself asking: how can those two coexist?

Here’s what clicked for me. Buddhism, at least in one of its core teachings, points at non-self (anatta). No independent permanent self. The “I” we cling to is more like a process, a pattern, a swirl of causes and conditions. Meanwhile anarchism, at its philosophical core, questions fixed rulers and permanent authority. No fixed ruler. No default assumption that someone must be in charge.

So one becomes an inner liberation practice, the other becomes an outer liberation practice. Inner freedom from attachment to the constructed self. Outer freedom from attachment to constructed authority. Same song in two octaves.

And then I went off, as I do, on the conditioning theme. Because this is the part that keeps bothering me in the best way. I was walking through town yesterday paying attention to my own reactions as I moved through the world, and I kept thinking: how much of my day-to-day behaviour is just conditioning? Automatic reactions. Scripted responses. Learned reflexes. Not conscious choice.

Try this: pick any belief you hold and trace it back. Where did it come from? Family? School? Culture? Religion? Government? Trauma? A moment you never questioned? We’re “programmed” from the start, and most of it we never opted into. And the self we think is “me” is often a patchwork of inherited code.

Then you flip it outward again to politics, law, power. Left, right, centre, everybody’s got an agenda. And the law often seems to apply differently depending on how much power you have. That’s the thing that makes me itch. I don’t trust big systems that claim they’re acting in your best interest while quietly feeding a power structure.

I’ll say this clearly: I stop short of the “burn it all down” impulse. My instinct is more “reduce it to the bare minimum.” Voluntary cooperation. Mutual aid. Less coercion. More sovereignty.

That word became the real anchor of the episode: sovereignty.

Because here’s the tricky part of this sci-fi world we’re living in. We’re already soft cyborgs. Look at how entwined we are with phones, watches, laptops, earbuds, glasses. Put them all in a drawer and turn them off and most of us can’t really function in the modern world the same way. I even talk about my “metaglasses” as this extension of perception, a way to connect to the hive mind, the collective intelligence, whatever you want to call it. And with AR coming, that overlay of digital on physical is going to make the cyborgness even more literal. You’ll be walking down the street in two worlds at once.

I actually like being a soft cyborg. I’m not anti-tech. I’m not anti-AI. I’m pro-consciousness.

Because the danger, or at least the risk, is that conditioning becomes exponential. Influence becomes subtle. Systems compete for your attention, your beliefs, your emotions, your identity. Governments, advertisers, religions, corporations, platforms. Everybody wants a piece of your psyche. They want to shape what you think, what you fear, what you desire, what you believe is true.

So my challenge, to myself and anyone listening, is: don’t abdicate your humanity. Don’t abdicate your sovereignty. Think for yourself. Question things. Ask what the hidden agenda is. Ask who ...

And what was on my mind? Social audio.

Whatever Happened to Short-Form Social Audio?

So I'm talking about the practice nobody wants to do but everyone needs: watching yourself without judgement. Not manifestation tricks, not affirmations. Just brutal honesty about where you actually are.

I break down three levels of observation: data logging (just notice your reactions), state recognition (identify what state those reactions reveal), and non-identification (realize you're not the state, you're just occupying it).

The "uncritical" part is huge. The moment you criticize or justify a reaction, you bind yourself to it. You make it yours and get stuck there.

I give you a simple daily practice: morning intention, catch 3-5 reactions during the day, 15-minute evening review. Use the formula "When X happened, I reacted with Y." Look for patterns. Don't try to fix anything yet.

Here's what's wild: you can't change what you don't observe, but observation itself begins the change. That pause between stimulus and response is where choice becomes possible.

Start tonight. Five minutes before bed. Three reactions. No explanations. Do it for seven days and prepare to be shocked.

Full post at soulcruzer.com.

On a Saturday wisdom walk past the polo grounds, I reflect on the evolution of my weekends across different life phases: from spontaneous single days to cultural exploration as a married couple, through child-rearing years, my sports hippie adventure phase, and the indie music scene period. But then came the slump: when I've climbed mountains before, visited museums, experienced the activities that once excited me, what happens when the novelty fades? Now at 57, approaching Act Three of life, I explore what it means to revisit old passions with new eyes and what to focus on as the final act unfolds. Plus: an impromptu creek crossing and a field full of ravens.

A raw, unfiltered audio reflection on aging, experience, and finding meaning in familiar territory.

In this episode I take a breath, lift my head from the workbench, and catch you up on everything happening inside the Soulcruzer universe. It has been a season of creating, refining, and laying foundations for the narrative alchemy community as we move through Advent and toward the turning of the year.

I open with the Gnostic Caravan, my Advent series of Instagram reels and daily contemplations inspired by the Gnostic Tarot. Each day introduces a figure from the Gnostic mythology alongside a journaling question designed to help you navigate your own inner terrain. You don’t need to be Gnostic to join in. You only need curiosity, a journal, and the desire to understand yourself a little more deeply.

I invite listeners to share their reflections either privately by email, or inside the Narrative Alchemy Forums, which now include an Open Forum and soon a dedicated Podcast Forum where you can discuss episodes in a quieter, members-only space away from the noise of the public web.

From there I talk about the Narrative Alchemy Journey email series. It’s not a newsletter in the traditional sense. Each weekly transmission contains one insight, one actionable practice, and one journaling prompt. It’s meant to unfold sequentially, guiding you through an accumulative journey of self-inquiry and transformation. If you’ve not joined yet, now is a good moment.

I also give an update on the Narrative Alchemy Codex, the web-book evolving on Soulcruzer.com. The first four chapters are now live, with Chapter Five queued up to begin. The Codex is designed as a self-guided framework for inner alchemy, using symbolic transformation as a map for consciousness work.

I talk about how this whole approach is shaped with the self-directed learner in mind. If you’re the kind of person who prefers a handful of books and the chance to explore ideas for yourself rather than being told what to think, this ecosystem is being built for you.

Next, I turn toward games as transformative tools. I’ve been building several solo RPG and tarot-inspired narrative experiences such as Magus Eternal, The Infamous Masquerade, and a short-form introductory journaling game. Each one blends archetypes with storytelling to help you access deeper layers of imagination and self-understanding.

Alongside those, I’m designing a mini LARP/ARG that will run between now and the New Year. Think of it as a mission woven into everyday life, using the tools you already use: email, voice notes, websites, social platforms, and ordinary environments. It’s part puzzle, part fictional mission, part adventure threaded through the world you’re already moving through.

I close with a wider reflection on digital presence and creativity. If you’ve abandoned your blog, dust it off. If you’ve never had one, consider starting. WordPress, Blogger, and even NeoCities (if you're willing to hand-code) all offer free entry points. This is a gentle call to reclaim the open web and share your ideas in your own space, not just inside walled gardens.

Finally, I offer an invitation to connect. Whether through email, forums, socials, or an unexpected coffee somewhere in the world, I’m always open to conversation.

Key Topics:

The Gnostic Caravan Project

• Working through the Gnostic Tarot deck during Advent
• Exploring characters like Sabaoth, Simon Magus, Mary Magdalene, and Sophia
• Using the deck as a tool for spiritual development and self-knowledge

One Brain, Many Paths

• How different traditions (chaos magic, Christianity, Taoism, NLP, coaching) all use the same mental tools
• The Human Potential Movement and New Thought Movement as predecessors to today's self-help culture
• Pattern interrupts, anchors, meditation, and mindfulness across all systems

The Authenticity Paradox

• The Purity Trap: staying so authentic you reach only seven people who already agree with you
• The Efficacy Trap: smoothing out all edges until you become indistinguishable from the system
• Finding the middle path: speaking enough of the system's language to be heard while delivering actual transformation

Strategic Identity & Chaos Magic

• Identity as fluid and tactical, not fixed
• Using belief as a tool rather than an anchor
• The Saboth principle: waking up inside the corrupt system and breaking free

The Real Mission

• Reframing authenticity as tactic, not identity
• The only question that matters: "Am I helping someone move closer to sovereignty?"
• Trojan horse strategy: get attention, then deliver liberation technology

Blogging as Subversive Activity

• Why tech platforms suppress external links
• The attention economy and algorithmic control
• Reclaiming your own digital space through blogging
• RSS feeds vs. doom scrolling

Referenced:

• William Burroughs on language as virus
• The Matrix and Morpheus's red pill problem
• Rage Against the Machine - "Wake Up"
• Martin Luther's 95 Theses
• Paul Kurtz's conscious robot concept
• Robert Anton Wilson and reality tunnels
• Neil Postman's "Teaching as a Subversive Activity"

Call to Action:

Start your own blog. Create your own space. Free your mind from algorithmic control. Join the guerrilla blogging underground.

Here's the original article: Journaling as Narrative Alchemy: Writing Your Way Into a New Self

The Codex is almost here. After weeks of weaving together the framework and laying the foundations, I’m only a few days away from the official launch of the Narrative Alchemy Codex.

To celebrate, I want to share a glimpse of Chapter 1. This is the opening movement in what will eventually become 15 chapters, plus a bonus for those who want to go deeper. I ran this first draft through NotebookLM to see what kind of deep-dive it could generate, and the result was a fascinating companion piece.

In just 17 minutes, it explores the heart of narrative alchemy:

• Why narrative sovereignty matters.
• How story functions as actual transformation technology, not just metaphor.
• The imaginal realm where change truly begins.

There’s even a practical exercise waiting for you at the very end.

Enjoy this preview. The full Codex is coming soon—keep an eye out for the official release. If you’d like to be notified the moment it launches, you can sign up for the newsletter.

We explore the true heart of Epicurean thought: the difference between momentary pleasures and lasting contentment. At the centre is ataraxia, a kind of serenity that comes when fear fades and desire quiets. 

You’ll hear about his Four-Part Cure for the soul, why he valued friendship above wealth, and how simplicity can free us rather than deprive us. 

This is not a path of renunciation. It is a way of living with less fear, more clarity, and a quiet sense of joy in being alive.

In this episode, I reflect on becoming a grandfather—not just as a title but as a threshold. What does it mean to witness both ends of the arc at once? To hold memory in one hand and possibility in the other?  

This is a story about legacy, presence, and the quiet craft of love. About wisdom walks, lineage, and the sacred responsibility of walking ahead while leaving footprints behind.

If you're navigating Act III of your own life—or simply wondering what kind of ancestor you're becoming—this one's for you. 

Come walk with me.

Let’s find the sacred in the ordinary, the wisdom in wondering, and the story that wants to be remembered.

🛤 Listen in if you’re:
– Feeling called to slow down
– Curious about living more deliberately
– Longing for a sense of presence in the midst of modern noise
– Ready to rediscover the simple joy of being alive 

💬 Quotable:
“You don’t need to go somewhere to be present. You just need to stop long enough to hear what your life is saying to you.” 

✨ Invitation:
Where are your Walden Woods today?
Take a walk. Listen with your whole body. And remember: the sacred is never far away. 

— 

📬 Subscribe to SoulMail:
Weekly reflections and journaling prompts delivered to your inbox.
→ soulcruzer.com/soulmail 

🎧 Listen + Share:
If this episode resonates, share it with a fellow seeker. And leave a review to help more storythinkers and barefoot philosophers find their way home.

We explore what it means to trust the journey when there's no map, why getting lost might be the most honest way to live, and how wandering can be its own form of wisdom. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit you don't know what you're doing—and do it anyway.

Come wander with me.

The Importance of Living, Lin Yutang

Join the discussion on

You’ll hear how a single tarot card, drawn “by chance,” became a symbolic seal on a season of becoming—and how the Fool reminds us that every ending is a disguised threshold. This isn’t just an audio essay. It’s a ritual of remembrance for storythinkers, soulcrafters, and seekers standing at the edge of their next page.

Inside this episode: 

• The mythic power of journaling as a soulcraft practice
• Why the Fool archetype is a guide for both ending and beginning
• What it means to close a journal like you’re sealing a spell
• A soulful prompt to guide your next threshold crossing

“Every journal is a forge. Every page, a spell.”
 
Tune in, breathe deep, and listen for the Fool’s whisper at the edge of your own story.

Whether you’re standing at the threshold of a new chapter or simply feeling the subtle shift of seasons within, this episode offers a soulful touchstone—a reminder that you are not outside the wheel…

You are the wheel.
And the wheel is turning.

🎙️ Listen with your journal open, or bring it on your morning walk.

💌 For more mythic contemplations like this, subscribe at soulcruzer.com. 

Story. Soul. Signal.

In this Wisdom Walk edition of the Soulcruzer Podcast, I step into the mythic terrain of Act III—the Reclamation Phase. Blending Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, James Hillman’s mythic imagination, and the soul-deep symbolism of the Osho Zen Tarot, this episode explores the turning of the inner wheel and the soulful integration that defines the latter chapters of life.
 
In this episode:
 

• What it means to live in Act III—not as decline, but as the return with the elixir
• How soul integration and legacy begin with letting go of split identities
• Embodied reflections on the three Osho Zen cards drawn for this walk:
  • The Torn One (Schizophrenia) – the inner conflict of clinging to two worlds
  • The Dream Gazer (Postponement) – the cost of waiting to step into the full-color life
  • The Cosmic Dancer (Change) – surrendering to the rhythm of the turning wheel
• A real-time mythic meditation on life, death, purpose, and legacy
• The personal reckoning of letting go of the "safe structure" in order to fully serve those who’ve awakened from the Matrix

This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a soul signal for those who’ve stirred from the dream of the ordinary and now find themselves blinking into the mythic light, wondering, What now?
 
 
🌀 Mentioned in this episode:
 

• Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey
• James Hillman’s Mythic Imagination
• Stephen Larsen’s The Mythic Imagination (book)
• The Osho Zen Tarot
• The Matrix as metaphor for awakening
• The wisdom walk as micro-hero’s journey
• The sacred tension of letting go to live fully in 8K

 
🧭 Walk With Me:
 
This episode isn’t just meant to be heard—it’s meant to be walked.
Consider taking your own Wisdom Walk while listening.
Take a journal. Embody your own Torn One. Meet your Dream Gazer. Dance with Change.
 
 
🗣️ Let’s Continue the Conversation:
 

• Have you crossed a threshold recently?
• Are you holding on to two worlds that no longer coexist?
• What part of yourself are you ready to retire to the Museum of You?

Reach out, reflect, or respond—email, voice note, or tag me in your own Wisdom Walk reflections.
 
 
🧭 Subscribe, Share, Soul-Signal Boost
If this episode speaks to something ancient and alive in you, share it with a fellow storythinker or mythic seeker. This is how we find each other.

👣 More at: soulcruzer

Your Thinker forms beliefs. Your Prover goes out and finds the evidence. Whatever you believe—threat or magic, doom or synchronicity—your Prover will prove it. That’s not just metaphor; it’s the engine behind your reality tunnel.

We explore:

• The brain as a bio-computer with confirmation bias
• Reality tunnels and how they’re built
• Belief as a tool—not a truth
• How to practice belief engineering as a path to freedom

This isn’t about being right—it’s about being free. About wielding belief like a magician, not wearing it like a leash.
 
Listen now and install a new lens. Reality’s more malleable than you think.

But here’s the thing: our brains don’t work that way. We are creatures of story. We make sense of the world not through cold, mechanical logic, but through myths, narratives, and meaning woven from experience. Storytelling is the oldest and most natural way of learning, yet it has been systematically erased from education in favour of rigid logic, industrial efficiency, and standardised thinking.

In this episode, we crack open the foundations of this system and ask: Why were we taught to think against our nature? What happens when we reclaim storytelling as our primary way of knowing? The answer is more than a return to an old way of thinking—it’s a quiet revolution, a break from the machine, a reawakening of something ancient and powerful.

The world was never a machine. It was always a story. And it’s time we remember how to tell it.

Formal education hands us maps—structured pathways meant to guide us toward understanding. They come in the form of syllabi, textbooks, standardised tests, and approved reading lists. These maps tell us what’s “worth knowing,” what’s “important, and what’s “tested.” They are designed for efficiency, predictability, and control.

But here’s the thing: a map is not the territory it represents.

A map simplifies, compresses, and abstracts reality—it leaves things out. It cannot capture the richness, the depth, the hidden paths, or the unexpected wonders that exist in the real landscape. It cannot prepare you for the feel of the terrain under your feet, the changes in weather, the landmarks only visible from certain angles.

And just like a map is not the land itself, a curriculum is not the full scope of knowledge.

A Rogue Learner knows this. 

We understand that true learning happens outside the sanctioned routes, beyond the approved lessons, in the detours, the unexpected connections, the places no one told you to look.

It happens:

• When you stumble upon a concept in an old book and chase it down a rabbit hole.
• When a half-heard idea in a conversation sparks a question that won’t let you go.
• When you take a skill you learned in one field and apply it in an entirely different context.
• When you test, experiment, and explore—not to meet a requirement, but because curiosity is an unstoppable force.

The greatest thinkers, innovators, and pioneers—Leonardo da Vinci, Richard Feynman, Virginia Woolf, Buckminster Fuller—they all knew this secret. They didn’t just follow the map. They ventured beyond it.

So today, I challenge you:

🧭 Where in your learning are you simply following a map instead of exploring the territory?
🔍 What knowledge have you overlooked because it wasn’t part of a curriculum?
🛠 How can you engage with learning today—not as a student following instructions, but as a creator, a builder, an explorer?

Because knowledge is not a trail to be followed—it’s an ever-expanding world to be discovered.

So today, go where the map ends. 🚀

This post is an invocation—a challenge to embrace the void, not as an abyss, but as an open field of possibility. If meaning is a construct, then belief is a tool. If the rules of reality are arbitrary, then you can rewrite them. The Existential Chaos Magician moves through life with intent, shaping reality through will, perception, and play. This is not passive acceptance but active creation.

What does it mean to truly live on your own terms? To discard imposed narratives, sculpt your own mythology, and transform the chaos of existence into personal power? This post explores the guiding principles, practices, and mindset of the Existential Chaos Magician—a blueprint for those who refuse to be bound by the scripts handed to them.

Step forward. Take control. The game is yours to define.

I dive into the tyranny of story—how our minds are wired to turn life into a coherent narrative, even when reality itself is more like a landscape, a shifting web of patterns rather than a neatly plotted novel. What if we could resist the urge to explain everything and instead train ourselves to see the world through shapes, structures, and rhythms?

Through reflections on art, perception, emotions, and chaos magick, I explore how shifting our way of seeing could help us break free from rigid narratives and gain more creative control over our experience.

Episode Overview 

Welcome to another episode of Soulcruzer. Today, I’m recording from an unlikely spot—the Premier Inn at Heathrow Airport. Finding a quiet place has been a challenge, with fans humming in the room and planes roaring overhead every few minutes. But that’s just part of the journey. 

In this episode, I dive into some thoughts on Liber Null & Psychonaut by Peter J. Carroll, a foundational text in chaos magic. I finished listening to it during my travels—six hours in the car, a couple more on the train—and it sparked some reflections I wanted to share with you.  

Main Themes & Takeaways 

Reality is Malleable – What if reality isn’t fixed but something that can be shaped? What if belief isn’t something you have but something you use? Liber Null presents magic as a kind of hands-on science for hacking consciousness, testing reality, and bending the world to your will. 

Chaos Magic as a Radical Shift – Written in the late 1970s, Liber Null challenged traditional esoteric systems by stripping magic down to its core principles. It resonated with punk, cyberpunk, and avant-garde thinkers because it rejected gatekeeping and hierarchical structures. No need for orders, initiations, or rigid traditions—just experimentation and direct experience. 

The Modern Relevance of Chaos Magic – We live in a world where reality is already being shaped—by algorithms, social media, political strategies, and advertising. Big Tech and ad agencies aren’t wearing robes, but they’re using the same principles of symbolic manipulation to shape what we see, feel, and believe. The question is: Are you actively shaping your own reality, or is someone else doing it for you? 

Belief as a Tool, Not a Truth – One of the core insights of Liber Null is that beliefs are fluid. They can be adopted, tested, and discarded as needed. In the same way a hacker rewrites code, a chaos magician rewires their own mind.  

Connecting This to My Work: Change Magick 

Liber Null aligns with a larger framework I’ve been developing—Change Magick. It combines: 

• Chaos Magic: The art of hacking reality through fluid beliefs and direct experience.
• NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming): Techniques for reprogramming the mind.
• Jungian Psychology: Archetypes, shadow work, active imagination, and synchronicity.
• Postmodern Philosophy: The idea that reality is constructed and can be deconstructed.

 
Join the Conversation
 

• Have you read Liber Null & Psychonaut? What did you take away from it?
• Do you practice chaos magic, or are you curious about it?
• Are there any books, practices, or insights you’ve found useful in your own journey?

Drop your thoughts in the comments or reach out—I’d love to hear what reson
 

Join me, a recovering punk blogger, as I explore the intersections of personal journaling, travel writing, philosophy, and digital rebellion. It's all about chasing adventure, history, and culture, while finding freedom in a world obsessed with conformity. Whether you're a Tao-loving hippie, a free-thinking nomad, or just someone tired of being a commodity for corporate algorithms, you’re home. So grab your journal, a cup of herbal tea, and tune in. Let's bring the blogroll back—one unplugged conversation at a time.

Fear. It’s a word that carries a heavy burden, a word that has the power to control us, to limit us, to enslave us. We often think of slavery as something external, imposed upon us by others, but the truth is, some of the deepest forms of enslavement come from within. Fear can be like invisible chains, binding us to a life of limitation, hesitation, and regret.

But what if we could break free from these chains? What if, instead of letting fear dictate our choices, we could step into a life of freedom, where fear has no power over us?

I dive into the Jungian concept of synchronicity, highlighting its significance in connecting inner thoughts with outer events. Through vivid examples from my life, like sensing my grandfather’s death before being told or the series of events leading me to live in the UK, I illustrate how synchronicities guide our paths.

Inspired by these insights, I reconnect with my spiritual practices, emphasizing the use of mythic imagination and active imagination. I explore tarot cards as a tool for self-discovery, discussing a profound reading where the Devil card and the Temperance card appeared, symbolizing the need to confront inner shadows and find balance.

I also embark on a hypnotic journey to meet my inner guide, an experience that brings me in touch with Athena-Minerva, guiding me towards deeper self-understanding. This journey underscores the importance of spiritual guides and the imaginal realm in personal growth.

Lastly, I contemplate creating a dedicated community space for spiritual seekers to share and grow together, seeking a platform beyond social media that fosters meaningful interaction and dialogue. Tune in for a philosophical exploration of synchronicity, spiritual reconnection, and the quest for a nurturing community.

Show Notes:

• The Comforting Illusion: The status quo as a well-trodden path and the allure of predictability.
• Fear of the Unknown: How fear of failure, social rejection, and the unknown keep us from change.
• Social Conditioning: The impact of societal expectations and the pressure to conform.
• Inertia of Tradition: The weight of history and cultural legacies that bind us to the past.
• Economic Considerations: The fear of losing financial stability and social standing.
• The Spark of Discontent: Recognizing the inner voice that calls for change and growth.
• Stories of Defiance: Examples of historical figures who dared to challenge the norm (Galileo, Rosa Parks, Beat Poets).
• The Doors of Perception: Embracing uncertainty and the courage to step into the unknown.
• Forging Your Own Path: The importance of personal values and creating a life that resonates with your aspirations.
• Questioning the Status Quo: Are you willing to confront your fears and uncover truths to create a meaningful life?

Call to Action:

Share your thoughts on the episode! Have you ever challenged the status quo? What fears did you face, and what did you discover? Connect with me on Twitter/X and let me know your thoughts. @soulcruzer

Additional Notes:

This episode was recorded outdoors during a ruck march in the rain, so expect some background noise (including barking dogs!).

As a generalist in a specialist's world, can I be truly heard? Is the age of the generalist a thing of the past in a world that seems to value ultra-specific niches? As generalists, can we even stay relevant, or are we all just doomed to be "jacks (and jills)-of-all-trades, masters of none" and ultimately ignored? 

• Mind and Heart as Guides: Both our intellect and emotions are crucial in guiding us through life. The intellect allows for introspection and understanding, while our emotions and intuition connect us to our authentic self.
• Power of Introspection: By deeply examining our thoughts and feelings, we can gain clarity, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. This process enables us to uncover and challenge limiting beliefs, fostering personal growth and creativity.
• Wisdom of the Heart: Embracing the heart's wisdom means trusting our intuition and emotional intelligence. This wisdom encourages us to live authentically, aligning our actions with our true selves and values, and fostering meaningful relationships.
• Finding Balance: Authentic living is achieved by balancing the analytical mind with the intuitive heart. This equilibrium allows us to make decisions that are both rational and deeply resonant with our innermost desires, leading to a fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

The journey to harmonize the head and heart is ongoing, requiring continuous reflection, openness to intuition, and the bravery to live true to oneself. By valuing both introspection and intuition, we can discover a more harmonious and authentic way of living.

Connect with me on Twitter X

in Greek mythology, Hephaestus is revered as the master craftsman, forging divine weapons and armour for the gods and heroes. His workshop, located deep within the heart of a volcano, is where he hones his skills and creates his masterpieces. Despite his physical deformities, Hephaestus is highly respected for his ingenuity and unrivalled craftsmanship, which have earned him a place among the Olympian gods.

As for my other question, i'm hoping you can help with that?

Life Lessons from the Dude and the Zen Master?

Do you remember the movie "The Big Lebowski?" I was a big fan of the Dude, so when I saw this book, The Dude and the Zen Master, I snatched it up.

Introduction

The Dude and the Zen Master was published in 2005 by Jeff Bridges and Bernie Glassman. In this book, they recount the story of their friendship, which started when they were working on the film The Big Lebowski. Over time, their friendship led them to wonder if there was a better way for humans to live than what we usually do. 

They came up with three ideas that could help us all be happier: 

1) Think for yourself instead of relying on others' opinions; 

2) Understand that nobody knows anything about how life works; 

3) That most things we hear about how we should live our lives are wrong (and therefore ineffective).

The big idea of this book is that you are not who you think you are.

The big idea of this book is that you are not who you think you are. In other words, if you listen to what other people tell you about how to live your life and then follow their advice, chances are good that it won’t work out very well for you.

But why should we care about thinking for ourselves? because most things we hear about how we should live our lives are wrong.

Which is why, as a coach, i steer clear of being prescriptive. 

In this book, we come to see that the way we have been told to live our lives doesn't work for us.

The first thing we learn from The Dude and the Zen Master is that the way we have been told to live our lives doesn’t work for us. We have been told to do things like get a good education, follow our dreams, and be happy in our jobs. These things sound great, but what if you wanted to be a rock star? Or maybe you just want to take some time off from school so that you can travel around Europe before getting back into your studies? What if happiness means being able to spend time with your family instead of traveling or getting into some other career?

In this book, we come to see that our lives are not what we think they are and neither are they what we want them to be—they're simply our lives. 

We don't always get what we want; sometimes life has other plans for us. This is okay because it means that instead of focusing on what hasn't worked out yet (or perhaps never will), we can focus on finding ways forward in the present moment with whatever skills and resources at hand.

The Buddha said that all humans suffer and that the cause of suffering is wanting things to be different than they are.

The Buddha said that all humans suffer and that the cause of suffering is wanting things to be different than they are. This is a very simple, but important insight. What does this mean? It means that you can't control everything around you, so being frustrated and angry about it will only make things worse for yourself. If you want your life to improve, then focus on improving your attitude instead of trying to control everything around you.

So if something doesn't come easily right away—like getting ripped abs or finding lasting love—just accept where you're at right now while continuing on with whatever it is that makes sense for your life right now!

According to the authors, "The only way out of delusion and suffering is waking up to reality as it actually is." This book shows us how to do this.

Conclusion

So, what's the takeaway? I think we need to realize that we are not who we think we are. We have been told by all sorts of people for all sorts of reasons about what we should and shouldn't do in order to be happy, healthy, and successful in life. This book shows us why these ideas don't work for us personally and how this has contributed to our unhappiness in life.

Here are the links I mention in the episode:

Neocities
Status Cafe
Deadjournal

"We judge others by their actions, be we judge ourselves by our intentions."

It's a spin-off from a Steven Covey quote: "We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behaviour."

Here's why it caught my attention.

When we observe other people, we only see their actions and behaviours. We make assumptions about their intentions.

Our judgments, good or bad, about another person's actions and behaviours are made from limited information.

Flip it around.

Before you take action, you know your intention. You have the internal context behind your actions and behaviours.

But other people observing you don't. They make assumptions about the intentions behind your actions and behaviours.

How often do your actions and behaviours not represent your intentions?

For example, my intention was to do the dishes before my wife came home from work.

But I got caught up in answering an important email.

I had good intentions, but what my wife sees is no action, which could easily lead her to conclude, lazy git, I can't believe he left these dishes here for me to do.

Don't be so quick to judge another person's actions and behaviours without knowing their intention. And don't forget to consider if your actions and behaviours are congruent with your intentions.

Sign-up for my free weekly personal development micro-learning experience.

Music:

Sleepy + Hungry by Baegel
Unfettered by Jobii

In today's audioblog, I take a quick detour and share in the frustration that @daylightgambler and @katesparkle expressed earlier in the week before diving into my main topic of lists. I share my thoughts on Lisa Nola and Nathaniel Russell's book, Listography: Your Life in Lists.

h/t: @julianstodd

What is my purpose? Am I living a life of purpose?

It's a timely question for me because I have been questioning my motivation. What is it exactly that I am trying to do and for what purpose? 

As Agent Smith says, without purpose we have nothing. 

Without purpose, we would not exist.

It was purpose that created us

Purpose that connects us

Purpose that pulls us

Purpose that guides us

Purpose that drives us

It is purpose that defines us

Purpose that binds us

So again, what is my purpose?

My final conclusion on time is this: the only time you truly don't have time to do something is when you're dead.

Peace,
Clay
Tip Jar

Don't read too much into this. Nothing drastic has happened. But I have had to make some changes to one of my projects.

In this episode, I'll update you on what's going on in the soulcruzer creatorverse.

As always, thanks for listening.

Peace and love,
Clay
Tip Jar

The thing is most of us don't really listen. We half-listen.

While we should be listening fully, we are instead, thinking about our reply or listening for a pause so we can jump in with our stuff.

I set a listening challenge for you on this episode. Let me know how you get on.

And as always, if you like this episode, consider sharing it with a friend. If you like the work I do, please consider supporting independent podcasting and put some money in my Tip Jar.

Shoutout to Lolly Daskal for providing the inspiration for this episode. Lolly is the founder of Lead from Within, a global leadership consultancy based out of New York.

Thanks for listening and sharing the podcast with your network, much appreciated.

Peace and love to you.

Support independent podcasting.

I know stoicism is in fashion at the moment with the likes of Ryan Holiday and Tim Ferris waxing lyrical about it, but that's not why I'm talking about it. I've been a practitioner of stoicism for a long time. It helped me through my army days and has continued to be my grounding philosophy of life, along with existentialism.

I read a piece on High Existence that prompted me to talk about stoicism on the podcast today.

If you're into audio, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter where I share curated and created audio stories, personal narratives, found sounds, and social radio.

Peace and love to you.

Support independent podcasting.

Clay

I'm looking forward to reading Peak Mind, by DR Amishi Jha a neuroscientist who has done extensive research on how our attention works. She shares a great beginner's technique for starting a mindfulness practice. It's called STOP. I'll walk you through it on the podcast.

Thanks for listening and sharing the podcast with your network, much appreciated.

Peace and love to you.

Support independent podcasting.

I've been shuffling about in creative neutral these past couple of months, consolidating my thinking, figuring out what feels right to carry forward into 2022! What? 2022?! Yeah, that's right, I'm already thinking about the gig for next year. I like to start early so I can hit the ground running at the start of the year.

I mention starting up Wisdom Radio podcast, but on reflection, I think I'll just keep things simple and podcast from here - soulcruzer.

Anyway, thanks for listening and sharing the podcast with your network, much appreciated.

Peace and love to you.

Support independent podcasting.

Links

• Microblog
• Mixcloud
• Main blog
• Twitter

This quote has been with me for a long time. In my youth, adventure was my north star. I shunned the mundane. I hated the idea of living an ordinary life, doing ordinary things with ordinary people. I joined the military because as the recruitment poster said, “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.” 

Post military, I continued my pursuit of adventure - jumping out of airplanes, rock climbing, mountain climbing, racing down mountains at break-neck speeds on a mountain bike, canoeing, adventure traveling, you name it, I was doing it. I became a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie. And life was good.

At some point, domestic life caught up with me - wife, kids, corporate job. The raging flames of adventure settled down into a smoldering fire on the verge of going out. Over the past decade, I’ve settled into my role as a domesticated primate. I do interesting things. I get a bit of excitement from time to time, but no BIG adventures, no extreme uncertainty with death as a real possibility. I haven’t put my life on the line in ages. I haven’t felt that rush of adrenaline and extreme focus that comes with knowing that one small mistake, one lapse in concentration, could cost me my life.

Normal people my age are thinking about retirement or buying that little cottage somewhere in the country where they can settle into old age comfortably and peacefully, entertain the grandkids from time to time, and tranquilly wait for death to come calling.

Me, I’m hearing Dylan Thomas whispering in my ear:

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And I’m thinking how can I turn up the heat and go out with bang instead of a whimper.

Doing something for 30 days straight is a good way to start a new habit. Plus the #AudioMo community is super supportive.

I challenge you to #AudioMo

I explain more in the audio:

locking and loading the sign of the cross gave 
me goosebumps and butterflies like before a big 
football game, the world knew i was sick, served 
me up anyway like a rusty can of c-rations

my friends, adrenaline junkies, zombied out on fear,
shuffled about their business making life out of
anxiety and death, a pursuit they felt better than sex
until beetles ate their flesh and they drowned

cl lowe

Catherine Nicholson of The Virtual Training Team was kind enough to share her thoughts on virtual training with me.

#virtual #training

#nootropics #smartdrugs

Here are the words if you're interested.

If you fancy a chat, let me know, help me reach my #audiomo goal!

On #Audiomo day 3, I catch up with my good friend Zoltan to talk about his love for the double bass.

First up is my friend Sara Beth Hunt, novelist and podcaster.

In this podcast, I interview Nicola Jones of Athena Professional about the change in the way UK lawyers must prove their continued professional competence.

Sesame Street: Frustrated Ray Romano And Grover: https://youtu.be/foC008X-NjI

Ray: https://twitter.com/ray

In this audio, I talk about where this exercise finds me 8 years later on.

C