LAYING THE FOUNDATION

Welcome to part one of Strength and Balance: What

Men Are Missing.

Part one will lay the theoretical foundation for part two.

Part one is the mortar, part two is the bricks, and you
are the builder.

This course is fundamentally about knowledge and

action.

Part one is the knowledge and part two is the plan, but
action must be taken.

This is my personal “fusion philosophy” that turned me

from an egotistic, depressed, feminine boy into a strong,
happily partnered, holistic man.

What I am sharing with you is years’ worth of daily

reading, practice, meditation, trial, and error.

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I don’t take that lightly and neither should you.
I want to give you practical, actionable advice that won't
turn you into a woman-hating-emotion-suppressing
"alpha" male.

The philosophers did all the thinking, I did all the

compiling, you just have to read.

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 WISDOM

"Knowing others is intelligence;

knowing yourself is true wisdom."

- Laozi

I want to start this chapter with a story.

An old Chinese parable that goes something like this:

Once, there was a farmer who lost a horse.

His neighbour came to him and said, "You've lost your

horse! How will you plough your fields? What terrible
luck."

The farmer said, "Maybe, maybe not."

The next day the horse returned with seven more wild
horses.

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The neighbour said, "Your horse has returned and
brought more with it for you to train! What great luck
you've had."

And the farmer said, "Maybe, maybe not."

The next day the farmer's son was attempting to tame

one of the horses when he was thrown off and broke his
leg.

The neighbour returned and said, "Your poor son has

broken his leg. You are old and weak, how will you tend
to the farm? What terrible luck."

The farmer said, "Maybe, maybe not."

The next day, conscription officers from the army came

to the village and took all of the healthy young men to
fight.

The neighbour said, "Our sons have been taken to fight,

but yours got to stay because of his leg. What good luck
you have."

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"Maybe, maybe not."

The Stoics believed wisdom, or sophia, was the most

important virtue. They saw it as the ability to live in
accordance with nature, and as the key to living a good
life. According to the Stoic philosopher Epictetus,
wisdom involves understanding what is under our
control (self) and what is not (others), and focusing on
what we can control.

It also involves understanding the nature of the universe

and our place in it, as well as acting in a way that is in
accordance with reason and virtue. The Stoics believed
that wisdom was not something that could be taught,
but rather it was something that had to be obtained
through personal experience and the cultivation of other
virtues.

Laozi wrote that wisdom involves understanding the

underlying unity and interconnectedness of all things

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and living in accordance with the natural flow of the
universe. He wrote that wisdom is not something that
can be acquired through study or intellect, but rather it is
something that is attained through living in a way that is
in harmony with the Tao, or the natural way of things.

Laozi wrote that the wise person is one who is able to

let go of their ego and personal desires, and who is able
to see the world from a larger perspective. They are
able to adapt to change and go with the flow, rather than
trying to force things to happen. Laozi believed that this
kind of wisdom was essential for living a fulfilling and
harmonious life.

It's clear there are similarities here, even across

continents and centuries.

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Wisdom isn't taught, it's developed through
experience.

● Live fully and be present.

● Take risks and seek challenges.
● Set goals that terrify you.
● Love fully and without fear.

Wisdom is to let go of the ego.

● Adapt to change and go with the flow.

● Be like water.
● Do not seek to exert power over others.
● See the world as it is, not how you wish it to be.

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Wisdom is to let go of what is out of our control.

● You cannot control what others think or do.

● You can only control yourself.
● Do not seek to change others.
● Instead, live in harmony with them.

Wisdom is to live in accordance with nature.

● Go slow, but steady.

● Do not interfere and do not become attached.
● Live simply, effortlessly.
● Be guided by natural flow, not force.

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 VIRTUE

"Excellence is an art won by training and habituation.

We do not act rightly because we have virtue or
excellence, but we rather have those because we have
acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."
- Aristotle

According to Aristotle, there are two types of virtues:

intellectual virtues and moral virtues.
Intellectual virtues are habits or dispositions that allow
an individual to think critically and arrive at the truth,
such as wisdom and understanding.
On the other hand, moral virtues are habits or
dispositions that allow an individual to live a good and
fulfilling life, such as courage, justice, and compassion.
Aristotle believed that the key to living a virtuous life
was cultivating good habits and practising moderation.

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He argued that virtues lie in a "golden mean" between
two extremes and that the key to living a virtuous life
was to find the right balance between these extremes.

In other words:
Be kind.
Don’t be a pushover.

For example, the virtue of courage lies between the

extremes of cowardice and recklessness.
A courageous person is one who is not afraid to face
difficult challenges and take risks when necessary, but
who also knows when to exercise caution and avoid
unnecessary danger.

According to the Stoics, virtue is the key to living a good

life.
The Stoics believed that everything in the world, both
good and bad, is determined by fate and that it is our

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task to accept whatever happens and make the best of
it.
The Stoics believed that virtue was the only thing that
was truly within our control.
They argued that if we cultivate virtues such as wisdom,
courage, justice, and self-control, we can live a life that
is meaningful and fulfilling, no matter what challenges
we face.
The Stoics also believed that living a virtuous life was
the key to achieving happiness, or ataraxia, which they
defined as a state of peace and tranquillity.
They argued that by living in accordance with our
virtues, we can find inner peace and contentment, even
in the face of suffering and adversity.
The Stoics believed that the path to virtue was a lifelong
journey and that it required constant self-improvement
and the cultivation of good habits.
They argued that we should strive to live in accordance
with our virtues every day and constantly seek to
improve ourselves and become the best versions of
ourselves that we can be.

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Laozi says virtue cannot be acquired through conscious
willpower, rather it arrives to a person who lives in
accordance with the Tao, in harmony, like water,
adapting to the shape of their surroundings.
For our purposes in this ebook, which is masculine
self-improvement, this is one of the few takes Laozi has
that I don't find entirely applicable to our needs.
However, there is something to be said for letting go of
our egos, living in harmony with nature, and being like
water which is a virtue in itself - one that can be
developed consciously.

So how do we become more virtuous men? Aristotle

believed that we must practice virtuous behaviour and
make it a habit.
He called this process "ethical training" or "moral
education."
By repeatedly acting in virtuous ways, we can
internalize these habits and become virtuous people.

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Next time you are faced with a difficult situation, try to
practice your virtue in this moment.
When you're in a fight with your partner, practice your
virtue of calmness, or rationality, for example.
When a friend opens up to you emotionally, practice
your compassion.
Practice your courage, your integrity.
Find ways to make virtue a habit.

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 REASON VS EMOTION

"The past has no power to stop you from being present

now. Only your grievance about the past can do that.
What is grievance? The baggage of old thought and
emotion."
- Laozi

Emotions are a fundamental aspect of the human

experience.
They are an integral part of our psychological makeup
and are closely tied to our survival and well-being.
Emotions can be thought of as automatic responses to
certain stimuli and can play an important role in guiding
our behaviour and decision-making.
They are unavoidable because they are an innate and
automatic part of our human nature, and we cannot
simply turn them off or ignore them.
So why do the Stoics teach us to be apathetic?

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Why are we taught to use reason over emotion?
This is only one part of the picture.
Let's expand.

Laozi suggests that in order to achieve inner peace and

harmony, one must learn to let go of their emotions.
He believed that allowing oneself to be controlled by
emotions is a form of attachment, which can lead to
suffering and loss of inner peace.
Instead, he encourages individuals to be detached and
to cultivate a state of inner calm, which allows them to
see things objectively and respond to situations in a
more appropriate and effective manner.
One of the key ideas in the Tao Te Ching is the concept
of "wu-wei," which can be translated as "effortless
action" or "non-action."
This idea is closely related to the idea of letting go of
control and allowing things to unfold naturally. Laozi
advises aligning oneself with the natural flow of things
and to let go of any desire for control.

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He suggests that by letting go of desires and
attachments, one can experience a sense of inner
peace and freedom.

Next time you have an emotional reaction to something,

whether it be a stress response, a death in the family, or
an argument with a stranger online, don't fight your
emotion.
Resistance will not bring you peace.
Tell yourself:
"I am feeling angry"
"I am feeling stressed."
By saying, "I am feeling" you're reminding your
subconscious it's a feeling, not a truth.
Tell yourself what you're feeling, breathe through it, and
let it pass.
Your emotions are a natural response and useful in
many circumstances, but they should not be in control
of your actions.

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Let your emotion be the coach, and your reason be
the athlete.
Emotion can also be used pragmatically, not just in flow.
When you see people around you quitting, use your
loneliness as motivation to be better, to be a winner.
When you’re upset, use your sadness for creative
development.

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 RESPONSIBILITY
“Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem
to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him
and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now
by chance, a priest was going down that road, and
when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So
likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw
him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as
he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw
him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up
his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him
on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took
care of him.”
- Luke 10:30-37

What made the Samaritan care for the robbed man?

Why didn’t the priest or the Levite care for him?

The Samaritan took personal responsibility.

If you believe everything in life is your responsibility,

then you must believe that everything in life is also in
your control.
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The Stoics believed that individuals have the power to
shape their own character and destiny by making
choices based on reason and virtue.

They taught that individuals should take responsibility

for their own happiness, and not look to external factors
to bring them fulfilment.

As with all things, there is a balance to this.

Good and evil, ebb and flow, responsibility and

detachment.

This concept is held in many world religions and

philosophies.

We touched on this earlier in Aristotle’s concept of the

“golden mean.”

So how much responsibility should you take?

Ask yourself, “Is this circumstance in my control?”

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If your answer is yes, then take full responsibility for the
results.

If your answer is no, let go.

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 NATURE
“The sage is one with the world, and lives in harmony
with it.”
- Laozi

When The Stoics reference living “in accordance with

natural law,” and Laozi says to live “in harmony with
nature,” what do they actually mean?

To live in accordance with natural law is to conduct

yourself in accordance with the principles that govern
the natural world.

Be like water.

According to Laozi, living in harmony with nature

means living in a way that is in alignment with the
natural order of things and following the principles of the
Tao.

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The Tao, or "way," is seen as the underlying natural
order of the universe, and it is believed to be the source
of all things.
Living in harmony with nature, according to Laozi,
means living in a way that is in harmony with the
principles of the Tao.

This means living a simple and unassuming life, being

in tune with the natural rhythms of the world, and being
content with one's place in the world.

If you’ve ever been to somewhere truly remote, natural,

and beautiful like a secluded waterfall, mountain peak,
peaceful lake, or a babbling brook, you must know the
power of natural harmony.

Everything is in perfect synchronicity and balance.

You leave these places feeling revitalised and for good

reason.

It speaks to a deeper place within us.

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One of the best things you can do to improve your
mental state is to spend time in nature.

The Japanese know this as shinrin-yoku, or forest

bathing, a practice that involves spending time in a
forest or other natural environment in order to promote
physical and mental well-being.

The main idea behind forest bathing is that spending

time in nature can have a positive impact on one's
physical and mental health.

This is thought to be due to the presence of certain

compounds, such as phytoncides, that are emitted by
trees and other plants.

These compounds are believed to have antimicrobial

and immune-boosting properties and can help to reduce
stress and improve overall well-being.

Japanese forest bathing typically involves taking a slow,

leisurely walk through a forest or other natural area,
while paying close attention to the sights, sounds, and
smells of the environment.

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Participants are encouraged to leave behind their
electronic devices and to focus on the present moment
and the natural world around them.

Other activities that can be included in forest bathing

are breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, and simply
sitting and relaxing while immersing oneself in nature.

The idea is to connect with nature and to be present,

rather than focusing on any particular goal or
destination.

Japanese forest bathing has been recognized by the

Japanese government as a preventative health
measure and is now being promoted as a way to
improve overall well-being, reduce stress, and boost the
immune system. The practice is now also gaining
popularity in other countries, and studies have also
shown positive effects on mental and physical health as
well as on the sense of well-being.

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 BEAUTY
Nature and beauty go together like a drowning man and
a straw.

Nature is beautiful, and true beauty is inspired by

nature.

Why is it that depression, anxiety, suicide, and a host of

other serious mental health concerns are more
prevalent in cities over rural areas?

Some would argue it’s because of a higher population

density.

I would argue it’s a lack of natural, beautiful, fractal

patterns.

Fractal patterns are repeated shapes in shapes.

Think of a tree branch, splitting off into leaves, which

split off into its own section, and so on.

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After all, humans are compelled to repeat patterns. The
repetition compulsion, as Freud puts it.
What do we see in cities?

Squares and rectangles.

Shades of grey.

We have strayed so far from natural beauty that we

have caused a global depression.

This is why we romanticise small European villages and

old cities made of stone with fractal patterns in their
buttresses and braces.

These old styles were representative of nature.

The key?

Get out of the city.

Get into nature.

Go to museums.

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 TRADITION
“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the
preservation of fire.”
- Gustav Mahler

What happened to love?

To raising a family?

Why are divorce rates skyrocketing and the population

reaching a point of endangerment?

Casual sex, porn, atheism, birth control, hookup culture,

corporate work, and a rejection of beauty.

How do we fix these issues and bring back a time of

family, community, and purpose?

Tradition.

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Sacred sex, loving marriages, religion and spirituality,
freedom and self-employment, and appreciation of
beauty and nature.

Stop treating your body like a toy and stop treating

others like a tool.

While I hold the belief that some psychedelics can make

for useful spiritual awakenings when used in ritual,
habitual drug and alcohol use is absolutely devastating.

And porn? It isn’t free. You pay with your soul.

Reject hookup culture - embrace loving marriages, but

how do we find the one?

You have to be the perfect partner, not find the

perfect partner.

You need to be the perfect partner your perfect partner

is looking for.

Think to yourself, “What kind of man is my perfect wife

looking to settle down with?”

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Be that man.

Reading this is step one on that journey.

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 COMMUNITY
“There's an interdependence between flowers and bees.
Where there are no flowers there are no bees, and
where there are no bees, there are no flowers. They are
really one organism. And so in the same way,
everything in nature depends on everything else.”
- Alan Watts

If there’s one thing I learned more deeply and

personally than any other lesson when I joined the army
as a lost, depressed 22-year-old, it’s the value of
brotherhood.

A man who works on himself becomes strong and a

man who builds a family becomes whole, but a man
cannot bridge that gap without a brotherhood.

What is life without community?

You could be successful, rich, famous, and have a

lovely wife, but a man without brotherhood will always
have a void.

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We have spent hundreds of thousands of years working
in communities, hunting, celebrating, socialising, and
eating together every day.

It’s only recently, an infinitesimally small amount of time

in our evolution, that we have spent this much time
alone.

The cherry on top? Young men are being raised by

teachers who are predominantly women and influenced
by government mandated education.

Our only solution to the problem of brotherhood is

tradition.

Sometimes to go forward, you must go backward.

Join an MMA gym, play a sport, homeschool your kids,

join my free Telegram channel.

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 NEXT STEPS
If you’re reading this, you’ve purchased part one at a
huge 50% discount, because part two is not yet
released.

You’ll be upgraded to part two for free upon release.

Wait out.

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