Symposium: Empire of the Mind

Launching a new five-Sunday course in partnership with Parallax Media.

Dark times are ahead. These are not the End Times but rather times of uncertainty and transition. In this part of the cycle, everything starts to seem eerie. Cracks emerge in what has always been a fragile peace. You can sense it now. A paradox lies in that we can find our best selves during times of adversity. Therefore, ours can be a story of such discovery as we set about restoring some measure of light to the world.

Change. Story. Evil. Death. Solidarity. These are not themes plucked from the sky but timeless universals we must either repress or confront. Without confrontation, we will not be prepared to reckon with the chaos—much less the chaos actors. So, when we say “Confront. Cultivate. Create.” the process begins with confrontation.

This can be jarring, as such themes operate in our Shadow. 

Yet, we can no longer afford to stumble through life as zombies or automata herded along by powerful authorities in a fog of digital ennui. We must become embodied agents again and learn better to discern the malevolent forces around us without lapsing into crude Manicheaeism. We must confront death without inviting inescapable sadness or anxiety—until death confronts us. 

Mental and spiritual readiness is as important as physical training and preparedness. Fundamentally, this course will invite you to steel your resolve and anneal your spirit to face troubled times. If we do not, our children and grandchildren could become milk cows hustled by pellets and prods.

This transformative five-part course is designed for those ready to confront existential realities, embrace counterpower, and join with others to construct an Empire of the Mind.

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Paid subscribers are eligible for a discounted rate. Contact me for this opportunity.

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Session I – Metamorphosis

Sunday November 10th , 11am EST (New York), Sunday 5pm CET (Paris)

We embrace continual change and growth.

The path of the Grey Robe is one of constant change—shedding some old habits to emerge renewed. Stagnation is the enemy; we must evolve continually or risk becoming indistinguishable from the bleating herds. Growth, though sometimes painful, allows us to evolve into higher versions of ourselves. In this session, we point to the trailheads of self-discovery and psychospiritual transformation. 

Sunday November 17th , 11am EST (New York), Sunday 5pm CET (Paris)

Session II – Mythos

We write an eternal story together.

Sometimes, greater truths live in stories. Through works and words, we write the texts and tell the tales that will set future imaginations alight. Animated by our myth and narrative, The Grey Robes’ story can go on after we’re dust. Our children will bear the flame and retell the tales. In this session, we’ll learn the art and science of mythmaking and manipulating the symbolic order.

Session III – Malevolence

Sunday November 24th , 11am EST (New York), Sunday 5pm CET (Paris)

We stand vigilant against those who would manipulate or control us.

Malevolent forces have plans for us. Familiarize yourself with those arrayed against us. Become alert to manipulators, deceivers, and dominators' tactics and prepare to confront them. This is not meant to dehumanize anyone but to identify points of incommensurability with our particular moral order. The Grey Robes will steel our defenses and sharpen our discernment against an adversary with a thousand faces. 

Session IV – Mortality

Sunday December 1st , 11am EST (New York), Sunday 5pm CET (Paris)

We number our days to make them count.

Life is a candle in a windstorm, so complacency is vice. Even if we could survive death, what use would it be to haunt our children as ghosts rattling chains? Instead, we must leave traces. Each breath is life’s currency to be spent with care. Our eventual demise is not a morbid obsession but a call to purpose. In this session, we’ll explore ways of living and leaving gifts to posterity.

Session V – Mutualism

Sunday December 8th , 11am EST (New York), Sunday 5pm CET (Paris)

You must stand strong, but we will lift you when you fall.

Imagine having two families. One connects you to others by blood and marriage. The other connects you to others by vision, values, and strength in virtue. Those who have outsourced their sense of community to distant capitals have forgotten how to live in a community. We must learn to be interdependent again—to find and look out for one another. In this session, we’ll explore the vital elements of solidarity and mutual aid.

If you need further information, please reply to this newsletter or X via @socialevol.

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