Do not identify with any ideology 💀

Leftism, rightism, NRx, feminism, scientism, Hinduism, veganism, etc... Dear HighExistence family, Let's talk about ideology, and let's dive straight into the thick of it: Dogmatic attachment to any ideology is [sickness](. Over-identification with any ideology is sickness. Leftism, rightism, NRx, feminism, scientism, Hinduism, veganism, et al. Ideologies are best employed as loosely-held lenses; all become poison when made into gospel/identity. "Belief is the death of intelligence," [Robert Anton Wilson]( observed. "As soon as one believes a doctrine of any sort, or assumes certitude, one stops thinking about that aspect of existence." Anytime you notice yourself proselytizing in favor of a particular belief system, take a step back and ponder whether you may be [over-attached](. Recognize that there are infinite ways to interpret reality, that no map can contain the Territory, and that it's unlikely that your particular cherished map is the best or most useful one. Different maps are useful in different contexts; this is why it is wiser to collect [various maps]( to use as lenses in specific contexts, and to avoid becoming hyper-invested in one particular map. To limit yourself to one ideology is to [encage your mind](. Throughout history, dogmatic over-attachment to/over-identification with ideology has resulted in [untold violence]( and destruction. Because it gives a false sense of security, people become overconfident in their particular map and gradually become willing to kill the "bad guys" who believe in a different map of reality. This is a key meta-pattern that has plagued human history. Humanity is presently being [summoned]( to break this meta-pattern. Dogma will no longer serve us, as the stakes are now global in scale. Dogmatic, rivalrous, hyper-tribal dynamics are obsolete in a world with weapons of mass destruction. "Either war is obsolete or man is," as Bucky Fuller put it. Transcending dogma begins on the individual level. Believe nothing absolutely. [Never reach final conclusions]( about anything. You can still cultivate a deep personal truth and soul-level 'knowingness'/intuition about many things, and this can be an invaluable compass; one does not need absolute beliefs in order to do this. And purely intellectual models/maps, as I've already explained, are most valuable when held loosely as interchangeable lenses. Letting go of dogmatic belief may feel uncomfortable at first, but as you wade into the waters of ambiguity and embrace them, you'll soon find that life becomes more beautiful, fascinating, and expansive. When you stop trying to cram the Territory into one particular map, you allow it to be the irreducible, many-layered, labyrinthine, technicolor Dance that it is. From a space of Beginner's Mind, you get to witness the Great Mysterious Dance in all its glory. This is why Lao Tzu [wrote]( "Not-knowing is true knowledge." Begin trying out [Beginner's Mind]( and see what happens. You might just find that letting go of your cherished beliefs opens up newfound freedom, wonder, and curiosity. I'll leave you with a few more words from the wily psychonaut-trickster, [Robert Anton Wilson]( "If you think you know what the hell is going on, you're probably full of shit." Non-Dogmatic Soul-Felt Love, Jordan Bates P.S. If you want to dive deeper into these ideas, I recommend reading: 1. [8 Ways to Recognize a Mind Infected by Political Dogma]( 2. [Why Politics and Religion Make Everyone Crazy and What You Can Do About It]( 3. [How to Wake Up and Become Unstoppable]( 4. [10 Ways to Avoid Becoming Just Another Fool on the Internet]( 5. [Charlie Munger on the Dangers of Ideology]( Carl Jung once observed, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” We created [30 Challenges to Enlightenment]( to help you do this. To become the strongest, wisest, and most honest expression of yourself. As you know, taking action is hard and scary. It’s much easier to cling to what you know, to what is stable and comfortable. And yet, on some level, you realize that the treasure you seek cannot be found in your familiar routine. You’re reading this because you want something more: Adventure. Authenticity. Confidence. Purpose. Enlightenment. Whatever it is you’re seeking, your well-worn patterns can’t get you there. They can only bring more of the same. And that’s why we created this epic course: to break you out of your old patterns—to give you room to become a stronger, wiser, more heroic version of yourself. One of the most powerful aspects of this course is that it is divided into six unique quests, which are based on the stages of enlightenment described in the Zen tradition. The quests form a natural progression toward self-actualization and spiritual realization, providing meaningful direction to your journey. This is just one element which sets it apart from everything else out there. Each quest provides another stepping stone to increasingly liberating perspectives, greater awareness, and more enlightened states of being. Our aim was to create a kind of “PhD in self-development.” The philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche understood the utility of temporary challenges as well as anyone, and he was one of our greatest inspirations in building this course. Nietzsche recognized that in order to become stronger and wiser, it was necessary to overcome yourself—to leave behind your established ways and paradigms. Nietzsche thought we should engage in perpetual self-conquering, regularly transcending our current conditioning to become something more. In pursuit of this end, he developed the idea of a “gymnastics of the will”—a practice of undertaking temporary experiments of willpower, with the intention of strengthening, mastering, refining, and deepening our being. Friedrich Nietzsche understood that our conditioning runs deep. Even if you admit that you want to change your life, it’s damn difficult to override your habitual programming. The solution to this problem, for Nietzsche, was to regularly attempt a variety of life experiments—experiments that would push one to act contrary to one’s conditioning. If we could just make a habit of attempting life-transforming challenges, Nietzsche thought we would unearth our own greatness, that which lies beneath our conditioning, and become resilient masters of life. Courageous souls delight in transcending limitations and becoming their Higher Self, not merely dreaming of doing so. And they are rewarded. They unearth the hidden jewels of human existence. They manifest a life that aligns with their Highest Excitement. Are you such a person? Will you accept the call to become what you are? [I ACCEPT]( Copyright © 2019 HighExistence, All rights reserved. You signed up to receive the top 5 top-voted posts daily from HE Our mailing address is: HighExistence 40 E. 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