Jordan Peterson: Handling Your Darkest Feelings about Existence Itself
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Jordan B Peterson (born June 12, 1962) is a Canadian clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. In this clip he talks about handling the darkest feelings about existence itself.
This is from his Bible Series XII: The Great Sacrifice: Abraham and Isaac. Full video quoted under fair use: • Lecture: Biblical Seri...
You can support Dr. Peterson at his Patreon: / jordanbpeterson
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An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too.” The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Well put Mark.
Thank you mark...that seems to clarify a great deal for me.
Feed them both equally because you're incomplete without all of those modes of being?
!st I'd say it's a good thing that the grandfather knows that evil exists within him, and now so does the grandson. 2nd, when the grandson asks which will win? I certainly don't think you want to feed it because , as the grandfather states, the evil wolf wins. You don't want the evil winning...and if you feed it equally, does that make you 50% evil? is that a good thing? What percentage of evil can the soul contain before it's considered evil? Is there a ratio of "X" parts per billion of evil the soul can have in it before it's considered polluted? I think you consider that it's an old man and the fight between the two is still going on inside him...despite him not feeding it...That evil wolf isn't going anyplace...you just don't want to make him stronger, if you can help it... I think the question here is could the the Grandfather, or the Grandson, unleash it if needed.? i think that's the key to having control of the evil. Can you release it only when needed and only the exact amount needed for the situation. Then pull it back into it's cage.... If you have it under control then that's the test for it, right?
Excellent parable. Thank you for sharing it. Very wise.
J. Peterson is doing what my parents, teachers and everybody in my life never did. Showing me the very me.
he is like our cool father we wish we could grow to become
Yes sir
Sux as I'm 48
or you weren't paying attention
@@Mrimperfections777 I’m 25 and I understand your feeling, it’s never too late to gain knowledge and learn, but also be taught. As well as look up to someone.
The greatest battles you will ever face, are those that are in the battlefield of the mind
💯
Well said.
That's the truth.
8:38 "I might be a darker person than most" *followed by most adorable laugh * LOL
Yeah, he is. He is afraid of his mind, he's afraid of the nature of reality and existence, and he clings to his religion for those reasons.
You just made an argument above about the unchangeable nature of fictional hyenas. I'm not too concerned with what you think :) What do you know??
HELL no. I'm going to bed. Byeeee
+AAJAA5 Oh but little did you know hes actually the toughest. A wise atheist would never argue the existence of a supreme creator, *nor would a wise creationist.*
One person denies the existence of God while assuming Peterson is religious. The other assumes the existence of God while belittling his opponent. They're both fuckin dumb.
The end of the video is profound. "The key to the prevention of the horrors a person does in the future is the reconstruction of the individual soul at the level of each individual"
Not quite, but close.
I sure wish I found these lectures back in high school. Better late than never, I guess
Brittanny Graves yes!!!! Same thoughts!!!
i guess im lucky then
a few months after I started listening to Jordan Peterson I joined my local fire service
CrunchyNorbert that’s admirable. If you become a fireman be aware they have 70 percent divorce rate., see knarly car accidents more than actual fires an too many firemen I know have addiction problem, my husband being one of them. It’s not a happy life. I’ would never want my son to become one or my daughter to marry one. They protect one another and paint a facade of family life and being good guys not that there aren’t some but the job is not worth it on any level. Good luck.
The stereotypical view I usually see of firemen in the media, is one of a hunky hero rescuing a cute furry little kitten from a tree. As always the truth would be less digestable for the regular media consumers.
J Thorsson he's doing something for society... You can laugh all you want, but he is the one that will come to your aid if you're ever in a car crash or your house is on fire. At least he is doing something FFS.
Missing the point, being that Jordan Peterson is worth listening to and taking in some of his values/ideas which might just be all you need to turn aspects of one's life around. I believe this isn't flaunting
I believe CrunchyNorbert was winding folk on youtube up....he hasn't answered anyone. Work it out.
It’s always impressive to listen to him express those profound and complicated ideas with such ease. A great mind.
Ease and passion! Which attracts me to listen to him in small chunks rather than read his books.
A lot of things he says are beyond my comprehension but the few things I get are amazing. I love listening to such wisdom. It’s like honey to my ears.
I wish I had discovered this man years ago. I wish I could have studied with him. He is a genius, it is that simple.
Darkness can be a strength if you know how to utilize it and turn it into a positive, its not easy and for some not realistic. But it has been my greatest advantage over others. Adhd,ptsd,bipolar,anxiety,psychoses, type 1 diabetic and im still here, giving up is not an option for me and heres why. I want to see the end of my own story. Never give up folks things do get better with lots of effort ofcourse. have patience and appreciation for yourself and 1 day and goal at a time.
So which one of you wrote this?
I feel ya. High functioning autist, PTSD, Borderline personality disorder. God I can be potent when I’m not dissociating or slipping into a psychosis. Hopefully I don’t do anything undoable during one of those spells. Had to go the ER recently and luckily was just scared and bolting from everyone and intermittently muttering and I have no idea why but that’s not usually how that presents itself.
@@mattweatherspoon I feel like such a dick for chuckling at this cmon man this is a stranger on internet not a friend.
I can only wish I care for my life that much.
@@zorantomic8429 still here ?
Prof Peterson is probably the most lucid and self aware human i know of.
makes his troubled times that much worse for him
Sounds painful.
I lost my first business and went bankrupt, I tried really hard but there are things I could have done differently, there are things I couldve done better and mistakes I definitely made. Losing it set me back years in my career but I watch videos like this to try and resolve that within myself healthily, so I dont repeat the same mistakes
Hope your doing better 💙
This is really deep. I can totally relate to doing something wrong, knowing it is wrong but still doing it
Like?
I learn as much from the comments as I do from JP. I am blessed by the introspection, wisdom and eloquentness of you all. Wishing you all a blessed 2020.
Shit and what a shit year that was and what a shit life it’s continuing to be sorry but your blessings served just like life.. useless
As if.
Didn’t age well
Another thought: we can be cruel and quite unfair to those who repent. We point the finger at them and say "look, now he finally started to do something useful. Isn't it too late, buddy? Once a thief, always a thief. Why even try?" Hence when we make a lot of bad decisions we often find the straightening out process humiliating when it only means we care so much about the perception of others we're ready to discard our own well being. Again."
I think your bluntness is a gift and I mean it. Sometimes I wish more people told me honestly their critique of me so that I could get an alternate point of view on myself. I also think that if you tell a dishonest person enough times that they're spewing bs and being liars and hypocrites it'll eventually get to them. First their blame you, some morons might even resort to self-harm, but a few will hopefully engage in some self-reflexion. On the boring part I can relate, I feel similarly. It's just that lately I've been considering that maybe it's me who doesn't give people a chance and arbitrarily brands them as this and that without getting to know them. I know there is no obligation, but I wanna be ready for the time where I become interested in something and will need actual human contact to live up to my dreams. Have a nice day! I mean it, I wish that you have a nice day.
Laughing Tree I can actually relate to you on some basis I think which should probably shock me but I'm more the kind of person who explores that and accepts this as a part of myself. I don't have your aggressive tendencies (or at least not to that extent, everyone has a little monster living inside of them obviously) but I can get the disgust and hatred you feel against the society and even humanity itself. And I don't think that's anything bad at all, it actually drives me to be better than that and to even show that feeling that it's wrong and that there is a lot more to these people that put on an act and are “boring“. Because if you actually talk to a person and you put the effort in to understand them and why they feel that way you will discover truly fascinating things. Something I realised some time ago is that every single person on this world has their story. And every single story is worthwhile listening to because you will always come across something that you didn't expect at all and there is a lot to learn from these things. Also that having problems or hurting is in no way absolute, something really meaningless can mean the world to you and losing it might just be as bad as for someone else to lose their kids or something that is in our society considered meaningful. So always know that other people have their own problems and suffers and maybe even more than you do and always look for something you can learn from them. I really believe that I could learn something from every human being in this world, even if I don't share their opinion at all and even if I am extremely disgusted by their behaviour there is always something they can tell you that can help you and your life. And that really helped me and my overall happiness since I approach things from this perspective. So like Peterson puts it in this video, always look for what you can change to make things better, because it's a lot easier to fall into the trap of blaming someone else. Hope that helped.
"Those who perform great acts of kindness are rarely forgiven." -La Rouchefauld
that is very much part of the cure to addictions - the straightening out process is the way to healing or relapse.
I agree but that trust and forgiveness has to be earned.
Write. Just write about your feelings. Then you don't need to act on them. Draw, paint, sing, dance, act in a play...dress up in silly outfits...do what you need to do, but harm none....
Kim Lec “but harm no one” You’ve never seen me dance.
You've never heard me sing.
Too late
Humility vs. Pride
“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor”. - proverbs 18:12 These words are currently helping me…
In 1991 or 2 my psychology tutor said psychology was right wing because it blamed stress and pathology on the individual. All these years later, peterson has shown thats not such a bad thing..
Psychology knows no political affiliation really. Both the Left and the Right have used and abused it over the years. I'd have to say it's the Right that have done the most with Psychology, and for better means.
There's something wrong with what your tutor said. 1) Psychology does not put the entire cause of psychological problems on the individual rather it is a combination of external influences, genetics and yes, personal choices. 2) How do you define "right wing"?
Starlord I define right wing as the pathological blaming of victims, then claiming victimhood when you tell them to stop persecuting and/or exploiting others for selfish gain.
Matthew Malpeli The victims exploit others? What are you trying to say, that sentence structure is horrendous.
And I define left-wing as when you claim victim hood to play on the sympathies of others.
I'm been in a pit of nihilism in the past months, I really needed this.
Dude life is worth to be sorted out. I think i understand how dark it must be down there, but you need to fight. Don't give up to the darkness, scream and rage and start climbing. Best of luck to you. Life is unfair and meaningless, doesn't make it any less amazing though. You are part of the greatest story there ever was unfolding in front of you. Trees, flowers, cars, people, all of it is miraculous, miracles all around, you just need to feel it.
same
J Thorsson i think i just found my twin. I think about this daily. You got it almost word for word.
To me, nihilism is freeing! If nothing matters, then the world is my sandbox and I will do my best to create it in my image ( ;) ). I will do what I can to leave it a little better than I found it; whether that be to have a positive impact on the life of a single person, or an entire country, or the world :)
@@pyrhoe And that is what I love of nihilism. I am utterly, radically free to live my life and do what I please, and while I know the colossal evil I am capable of, I choose to use my free life to do what good I can, in the way I envision it.
Genius. Absolutely a huge help for those of us who did suffer abuse by the hands of our "loved ones."
"the truth has a certain ring to it" Hemingway said .. for me it sounds like beautiful music and this speech almost moved me to tears starting at around minute 10:00
It's quite disturbing that the response to the Columbine killers was mostly, from my non-USA experience, pointing fingers and placing the blame. That actually completely plays into the pathology of all future school shooters. They rebel against a shallow, system where fake people only care about themselves and their own schemes... the response to that rebellion; Fake people only caring about themselves and their own schemes... It baffles me that it's so rare, if not non-existent, in popular culture to acknowledge that life is unfair, cruel and can seem utterly pointless. Maybe people would be far less likely to develop such psychological issues if people could just acknowledge some darkness from time to time.
Vincent Jacobs that's how humans are, they put the blame on a certain group of people, an ideology or a mystical evil other. Nothing new, carry on.
Vincent Jacobs
Bravo to your insightful post. And I say that as a teacher who instructs a lot of emotionally disturbed students. It DOES all come back to oneself. I am playing a role in how likely these kids are to cope negatively!
Delete Me Please Hi, there.
I would really like to believe sometimes that life has an intrinsic meaning that I don't know of, but may be lying dormant waiting for me to figure it out. Or maybe even just to live by it unconsciously through my instincts. It has sometimes really grinded my gears when people suggest that it doesn't... Well maybe that's because the people saying it we're, let's call em, 'obnoxiously cynical'. And that's the part I was picking up on to get angry at. Regardless I can't deny my horrors when they emerge as such. And the denial of this darkness may end up killing my soul further than their recognition. Kind of a funny paradox.
10 years a junkie. My mind is always thinking and wont stfu is why i used. Clean 5 months and what he talks about reminds me of addiction. You know its destroying you, you know the right path is to get clean , but take the wrong one anyways.
Connor Phebus keep fighting man!
Connor Phebus going on 4 years
How do you get the mind to stop going when you dont want it to keep going? And if you can´t stop it, how do you cope with it?
Leo try productive distractions
Congratulations. Same thoughts here. Ive got 9months today.
Could be a Christian? Understands the sinful nature of man!! A reporter once confronted Paul Washer attacking him for suggesting that everyne is a sinner. Washer looked at him and said, "if I could only have a camera that could record, in pictures, every thought that you had for the past hour, and if I was to play that video for all the people who "know" you, you would runaway and never been seen again." The reporter left in silence.
Epic, Washer sure is confronting
"If he tried to invade my mind I would kill him where he stood." Welp... Guess we know what kind of person you are on the inside...
Warminster100 - What a legendary response.
Warminster100 Paul Washer is a great preacher. I was fed dearly in a particularly difficult season by God through him.
Except that's not yet possible unless some revolutionary technological breakthroughs occur. And if such a device was to be invented, 1984 would already be at our door obviously and we'd have far greater things to be concerned of. Thus Washer's remark is meaningless.
I love how his own most strongly held principles shine through in his lectures. I can almost see JP telling himself he's got no right to judge others until he gets his own house in order. He'll tell you the same thing because he truly believes it. It's so refreshing to see someone who isn't selling something. He's just telling you the truth as he sees it. In this day and age, simple honesty like that is so unexpected and so refreshing it's almost enough to make a ya cry.
He’s being helpful and it’s so refreshing!
I feel like you just cried in Italian at the end. Lol
God bless this great man. I love him dearly. He starts with the individual's responsibility to better themselves, then they can better the world.
5:45 That's the moment I'm at in my life right now and yes, it was my fault, I had the voice in my head that said "don't do it", I have overriden it with my arrogance and now my life has completely failed and yes that is an incredibly difficult pill to swallow. I cried when he said that, looking back at my mistakes and realizing I was too arrogant to see that I hadn't thought things through, I was underestimating the challenge I was undertaking and overestimating my ability to deal with said challenge. God, this is tough... I still don't know what to do, but I do feel better...
You ARE doing. You are acknowledging.
There are moments in life that are so hard they are unbearable. I couldn’t possibly comment on your specific situation, but what I and many others can and should do, is show you and others that there are people out there feeling the same, and hoping to direct solidarity and solace in your direction - because we have felt loss and love too. Be strong, we will try too. All the best buddy. 👍
That was amazing. I have been there. You are now on the way up
Hope you are doing okay
@@JayTheNegotiator I am. Thanks
Wow. This video unearthed some very deeply suppressed elements of my childhood. This is like stumbling upon a pot of gold.
I literally asked God for the most comprehensive life experience I could live. So I definitely asked for the misery I've loved through.
Wow, underrated comment. So it's something like - "Through my misery I've experienced my life as comprehensively as can be?" Love this, thank you.
" who wants to be the one who blames the victim for the catastrophe? ". A highly salient question.
The story of Cain and Abel contains a darker message than that, additionally. You see, its funny how Abel, the righteous and virtuous, the one who did everything in accordance with the rules, gets snuffed out. And yet, its the killer whose descendants are propagated to make humanity. Regardless of whether Cain's actions were morally righteous or not (they weren't obviously ..... with the morality in question being the one required to maintain society), it was the man who was willing to fight and kill his "competition" that managed to "go forth and multiply". Whether you believe in the Bible or not (I myself am a Hindu), its kind of a perfect metaphor. We are the descendants of killers, people who when provoked didn't hesitate to kill, directly or indirectly, any threat or opposition, whether that was other animals or other humans themselves. Who didn't hesitate to slaughter innocent animals to gnaw on their flesh when in need. It perfectly demonstrates the base and violent nature of nature itself. Also the above may be an oversimplification since survival requires more than just killing when necessary and possible. But ultimately, those who get killed, their kind will die out, regardless of virtue or the lack of it.
I'm not sure if you watch or read Game of Thrones...but Sandor "the Hound" Clegane seems to agree almost point for point with this notion.... www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DyP1HwPJzbjo&ved=2ahUKEwiE4N3ByZPhAhUIrZ4KHa72BvcQwqsBMAl6BAgEEAU&usg=AOvVaw3p0habiaZesBiadrl9MNbR
Wow that's an ugly link...it should do the trick for now but I'll make it purty when I get home.
It's much easier. When a worldly (not heavenly) father rejects and hates (silenty) the son, the son grows up with a belief thet he is inherently unlovable, defective (= shame) and tries to compenstate by doing better then his (not neccessary biological) brothers and sisters to cover this unbearable pain. If others do better, his wound is uncovered... The process is in most cases uncondcious. But this is how ENVY is born. The story from the bible perfectly describes the origination of envy and competition-drive. Speaking about God in this story - this was a Yahweh who also commanded Jews to smash babies against the wall, so the religious interpretations are flawed by presupposing: God (Yahwe, not the real one) = good. Cain = bad.
this is a very wise man speaking. the world is not right. complain about it, choose an enemy, or see the enemy within in yourself. you are the world and the world is your responsibility. krishnamurti said similar things. but at the very least, at least make it so that the way you move in the world, you are at least your *own* responsibility, and that you're not bringing anyone else/thing down by your being. at least make it to that point
Nonsense. The world is the responsibility of a tiny sliver of politicians, business leaders, inventors and cultural figureheads. This tiny group of people determine the course of human history and happiness. Unfortunately, most of them are at best deluded and at worst psychopathic in their intentions.
Passing the buck to others is easy. It means your always the hero fighting the shadowy figures, cloaked in evil.
Ehh embrace darkness use it for personal use.
@@StrangeAttractor That does not negate your responsibility for your influence in the world!
@@StrangeAttractor Thats a stupid thought. No offense, but the powers in the people and it always will be. What’s your suggestion? To give up?
Jordan Peterson speaks so clearly and logically and at sufficient speed that I'm pretty sure the way he handles public speaking is to just not even acknowledge that the audience is there. I never get the impression that he's actually talking to them, but rather that he is just speaking his thoughts as he imagines them play out in the air around him, existing completely inside his own mind.
damn this is one of the most interesting comment sections of youtube. And also, I found myself almost aplaudding dr peterson, in my room, around 10,000 km of distance from his country. It amazes me that ideas, either you think are good or bad, can transcend such distances, and time.
My problem was always knowing my darkness too well I didn't have to stare into the abyss; I crawled out of it as a 25 year old man and battle the instincts developed there
knowing your darkness is not a problem, it helps you identify and choose how you use it. if you had no awareness if it, you would most likely just "be" that darkness manifested. an ugly human basically, imo.
@@lukkiecharm well said
Man I just turned 25 and only now have I started to crawl out of it as well, and try to change what I learned there too. This comment really hit home it’s good to know people have been in the same position as me.
@@IWASMOODYTHEOTHERDAY dude I was going to say I just realized my inner darkness right after I turned 25. Been working with it since then
You are exactly right, Dr Peterson. Abandonment, neglect, sexual abuse, etc., and all the consequent tragic effects on my life, brought rage, desire for revenge, etc. to my gentle soul. Being disowned and disinherited recently, re-stoked those awful fires. Your valuable work has sustained my journey through this darkness, reminding me of the wise ways forward which I did already learn but which it is so easy to lose sight of.
stay on the right road.
@@baranismus yep, I' m on it . Thankyou for the acknowledgement.
Jordan Peterson is amazing. Not only is he honest enough with himself to admit that there is darkness within himself. And within everyone, but he then has the balls to come out and say it loudly. We truley do all have evil within ourselves as human beings. And that is what sets apart a good person from a bad one, the ability to overcome those tendencies and do whats right regardless. What makes someone good, or godly is not being void of evil, but triumphing over it.
This man has helped me more than anybody in my entire life I'm 44 years old
Bobby? 🤯
That’s cool.
@@soulreaper8926 lol
i like this jordan peterson
u gAY
I sensed it while being there, that they had not much use or comprehension for me.......... and theo ther ones sold it like it was better............... WRONG
it was probably ohnehin the wrong place, but it would've been a start instead of getting wrecked they didn't need me anyways, and they don't would kept me either
the real adversity is that from there on everything else went wrong, everything
I'm a simple man: I see Professor Peterson, I like. Even when I don't always agree with him, I still love thinking about what he has to say.
Jordan Peterson going in! Amazing to hear someone give lectures on the deeper, darker side of the character and the responsibility of the individual for making themselves into a more upright character!
this shit is so deep.... god bless jordan peterson
The most intelligent speech I heard so far in my life, he said things i subconsciously suspected but for the first time I listened, I thought life had no meaning and,as a result, my actions could not have meaning either, but the way one thinks changes everything, thinking of every action as meaningful is probably excruciating but it is the only way that prevents one from falling in the abyss
i also having the same glimpse on the idea on how vital our thoughts and belief are into shaping our reality, and that everything is possible if it can believed first. its odd commenting in this old comment, but i hope this account is still active and if u mind sharing your experience in this past few years after writing your statement thanks.
How I wish I knew this man when I was back in school/college. My life up until now would have be a lot easier.
I know exactly what he means, and I love how he embraces the darkness within
Send this to friends in the wake of the Las Vegas shooting incident. I'm seeing lots of "No one can possibly understand these motivations", and not only is this untrue, but it is critical that everyone does just that.
Perfectly clear and freeing. I know my worth is in my identity and my heart filled with Love and I AM in battle my mind to protect my treasures.
Fantastic man.
I can always count on the comment section from Jordan Peterson’s vids to give me inspiration. Huge thanks to you all ✌️❤️❤️
What an amazing video by far my favorite of Peterson clips. I knew this guy was brilliant but it is clear to me now that he is a light Warrior archangel here on Earth. #JordanPeterson believe me that I truly get you, thank you for having the courage to tell us the truth, this world is 99 times brighter because you have took in the responsibility to make it so thank you in behalf of the past and the future of human existence. 🙏
Omg, thank you for this video. No annoying visuals or music.
I'm taking psychology because of him. I want to be like him someday😊
same, stuff just blows my mind
University level psychology is not that deep unfortunately. Better read and do so plenty, that might bring you one step closer. :)
He has his psychology lectures uploaded online,Check them out they're great
@@amcvharten it used to be, before the emphasis on producing degree-bearing graduates. When I first went to varsity it was essentially free and it was commonplace to find students studying for the love of it. Some had 6 or 7 undergrad degrees, accumulated in a variety of subjects over a decade or so of study. With student fees sky-rocketing this type of deep learning experience is extinct now.
Same
I understand that darkness well. I'm feeling better knowing I'm not the only one.
The greatest achievement of Jordan is that he has enunciated the most fundamental of truths at a time when people are increasingly indulging themselves in believing that they can do whatever they want without being accountable for anything. It is such a timeless truth that humanity has known since its inception, but people just don't want to accept it anymore. Nothing good can come out of that attitude.
This was exactly what I needed to hear right when I needed to hear it.
omg! finally someone speaks pure truth... love you
I can’t help it. I hate everyone. So much. Because I wanted so much to love people and did love them but they didn’t love me in return. People are so incredibly, incredibly disappointing. So lacking in loyalty, so selfish. I have high expectations of myself and if others. And because we all fall so short, I loathe us all.
I’ve found life is a lot easier when you lower your expectations and just enjoy the peace that you have, even if it’s just a little right now.
Probably the most amazing and enlightening, video of Dr. Peterson that you can find, and mabye that the magnitude of the subject isresponsible, but damn, amzingly executed Dr. Peterson.
I revisited this clip in the wake of the shooting in Florida, and this really is the perfect explanation as to why this stuff happens. It's amazing to me how more people don't understand this type of thinking.
"A failed life" Thats a brilliant term for what I've lived. Its to a point where I'm not even certain its worth saving.
It is
Keep Going. You were created with a purpose. God created the stars, moons, mountains and looked around to see the world needed you as well. Find your purpose. Life is worth living
I love the way Jordan Peterson is preaching the Gospel and many do not know this because of his psychological breakdown. Many of his lectures are built upon the Gospel. Jesús is calling him 🙏🏻 continue to be a light my brother.
This guy is so wise love hearing his lectures
Great lecture as always.
I am dealing with myself at the moment being horribly truthful. It stings but is mind blowing in its capacity to heal oneself. Facing my demons head on..
Sending you love, I hope you are well ❤️
This is profound
Hard to overstate how spot-on Dr. Peterson is here.
I dont like how he said he might be wrong, this resonated with me THE MOST. Love ya JP
I adore this Sir talking... I'm watching a lot of his videos and he is making me a better person... I have already found the beast and shadows inside of me... thanks to Prof. Peterson and his words I'm slowly learning how to use this dark side of your personality for your advantage...
I think this is the type of message, or maybe *the* message that could save people. Pointing out and acknowledging, for the first time for many people that you HAVE a darkside, we all do, some just experience it more than others, some maybe never experience it at all or think it doesn't exist because they don't explore it fully or nothing in their life brings it out as much as other people have experienced. Don't let the realisation of this itself take you. It is the realisation that you have it, and then to feel it and to feel the depths of it which can be unbearable sometimes. But what we don't hear is the other side - there's another side to it, the end of it, the flip side, the light at the end of the tunnel. Once you've acknowledged that it can be real and that it does it exist, you can acknowledge and know that you can be above it. You can conquer it and win and put it at bay. That doesn't mean it's not in there. You have to know it IS there, and that means feeling it, before you conquer it. What a message of hope and empowerment.
This is why I am so grateful to have found JP, and also other philosophers like Jung who have forced me to acknowledge this. But it wouldn't have happened had I not been there, in that darkness, trying to crawl out of it. Being in the Christian community, we all talk about "sin" and saying that Christ took it, but I think it is downplayed that we have to still live with that ugly side of us for the rest of our time here on earth. And how to properly deal with it. I was telling a friend about this, and shadow work that I believe everyone must do. In order to fully see the light, you must be in complete darkness. And to fully embrace life, you must first embrace death.
@Return of the Romans thank you for sharing. You’re not alone in this. Helps to know there are others out there experiencing the same thing
I’m listening to this for the first time. Just at the right time. Mahalo Jordon…. So many humans can go this deep. It’s easy with good people with purpose.
Brilliant 🙌🏾
Okay, this is my favorite Jordan Peterson speech. He is very passionate about understanding the boundaries of human emotion. It’s very evident that he has spent a lot of time thinking about the whys and hows.
G-d knowing that humanity in the 21st Century will need hope... Gave us Dr.Jordan B. Peterson.🙏🙏🙌🙌🙌👊👊
hey I'm still a big fan of humanity and I am amazed at how powerful a smile is. magical in its ability to communicate a sincere validation of another fellow human. Keep your head up good people.
Wow.! Thank you for this lesson. This is darkness explained in a way that can reach a lot more people.
I agree that it's important to examine the role we can play in our own crises, and to discover the hidden personal ‘power’ - for want of a less loaded or politicised term - that comes from realising and taking fuller personal responsibility. But I also think it's a mistake to assume (a) we bring our failures on ourselves, and more especially (b) that we knew it all the time. The fact is this is often not the case. Sometimes people are, for instance, strongly conditioned not to defend themselves - their instinct to stand up for themselves has been 'broken' by deliberate force to instil compliance. And because of this, destructive coping mechanisms can be developed to compensate for the induced feelings of powerlessness. So, while I agree with taking personal responsibility, I think it's important not to go overboard and blame ourselves for things that genuinely lay outside of our awareness.
TheraminTrees He does acknowledge that nobody wants to blame the victim, that it's a dangerous thing, and that it was the author looking at himself that it made it less dangerous to do so. I would like to ask him if it is an appropriate consideration for someone who gets into an abusive relationship. I know that the entire time there was a sense of "there's something wrong with this guy, this is right", and that there was certainly a portion of ego playing into it with the idea of "if I wait out whatever he's struggling with, he'll see that I'm a good person"...but how much of those sentiments were the abuser knowing what they were doing?
TheraminTrees Thank you. Great words.
ThereaminTrees You bet this is the case. Abusers _love_ to try to "justify" their abuse. Whatever it takes, naturalistic fallacy to argumentum ad baculum, they have to get their fix of unnecessary suffering... in others.
So what? We might not have power over outside forces but we have the power to choose how to react to them. It's also a dangerous path to find blame in the world because we end up not taking responsibility for what is truly our fault. it's also detrimental in the long run. I'd rather complain about what I could've done better than complain about how I'm a victim of circumstance and not improve at all.
TheraminTrees I think I know exactly what you mean, I too was conditioned not to defend myself, and have felt that my instinct to stand up and fight for myself has been broken. I am now in the process of rebuilding that instinct and my will. I recently had the opportunity to confront my oppressor and let him know my experience and how it has destroyed my life for 30+ years, and that act of courage has given me a good foundation to start building upon. I don't blame myself for living a withdrawn and isolated life up until this point, because that is all I knew, and that is the only way I could function. But now that I am gaining the tools to move out of that life, I have to take responsibility for what I can do NOW, because if I remain in this darkness with these tools at my disposal, then it will truly be a wasted life.
It's not the loneliness, yet the feeling of emptiness I can't/can deal with
Rosary
I see that Jordan Peterson was feeling for those affected by those atrocities mention. I may be wrong, but it looks like he's also trying to understand the mindset of those responsible for them. I can relate to your passion. God bless you. You are a rare breed from the good Lord. He has chosen you to help heal the world of these evils that live here on Earth..
This video gave me goosebumps
There's a lot of truth in what Dr. Peterson says here in addressing much of the evil we've been seeing in our world lately. But He made two observations which I thought could be expanded further: 1. He says that Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was led to write The Gulag Archipelago after seeing religious people in the prison camp (many of whom we know were and can presume were Christians, given Russia's history), who were different from everyone else, inherently good. Peterson says that after Solzhenitsyn came to a realization about his own "mistakes", or sinfulness, which had led him to his dire circumstances, he was led to write his influential book, which was key to dismantling totalitarian communist philosophy, and thereafter, the Soviet Union. What I see in this story which Peterson did not mention, is that it was actually the testimony of faithful Christian believers living morally right lives (though not by their own power, as we in the faith know all to well) that was the transforming factor in Russia. Were it not for God's people living faithful lives in obedience to their savior's instructions, it may be possible Solzhenitsyn would never have come to his realization. My point is this: when God's people live the way He tells them to, the world is transformed (or restored) into a better place. This is the saving power of Christ put on display. 2. Dr. Peterson mentioned that Jesus was a human who dealt with the same evil nature, the same temptations, as that of a fellow human for whom he died- Eric Harris, one of the shooters of Columbine. He mentions that for Jesus to take all of the sins of mankind upon himself as he claims to have done, he would have to had understood that within him dwells the same kind of evil. I would go further than he did here and say that Christ ABSOLUTELY knew that. Two of the last things Jesus said before he was crucified were: "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing.", and "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" The difference between Jesus and us is slight, and yet vast. He was completely human, but also completely God. He struggled against every evil temptation that His human nature lead him towards, yet He did not give into it at any point. He suffered in His life on earth, but He was raised in a glorious, victorious return. To say "they don't know what they are doing" meant He did. He knew what this was all about. He saw our evil, the same evil He faced, and yet understood it and fought against it. This came at a great cost to Him: his own life, the guilt and burden of all evil being laid upon Him, and a temporary separation from the Father with whom He shared perfect unity. ("My God, why have you forsaken me?") The difference between Jesus and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, who saw evil in himself as the cause of the evil seen in Soviet communism, is that while Jesus possessed all the potential to live sinfully, He didn't. Ever. And that changed the world. Because to us "objective" Westerners who don't believe in miracles, just as life on a planet with unsuitable living conditions would be a miracle, so is good existing in a completely broken society, or world, even more of a miracle. Those people living good lives in a Soviet gulag didn't do so on their own power- such evil would have overcome even the most philanthropic atheist. But when we are weak, then He is strong. When we face evil in this world, it is only by the power of God's own Spirit living within us that we are able to face it and, even more, to live good lives in spite of it.
Is Dr. Peterson a Christian?
Ross Arnold according to Wikipedia, he claimed to be in 2017, but that his beliefs are orthodox is doubtful to me.
Drake Hyman Thanks. Not responding to abusers w hatred for the pain felt is very difficult. It is crucifixion & brings awareness of my need to trust God thru it. Thank God I am not condemned when I struggle with feeling hatred twd the bearer of destruction & when I rage against myself for being as I was. Thank God that God forgives me when I ask so I don't live in condemnation. I must give forgiveness & let go to let God be God to me & to all. Thanks for reminding me to desire, dicipline, & delight to know God's Word.
'The people who are most wise who have commented on that say the same thing over and over which is the key to the prevention of the horrors of Auschwits and the gulag in the future is the reconstruction of the individuals soul at the level of each individual.' - Jordan Peterson
This is one of the clearest lectures of JP. Sometimes he is obtuse which is unfortunate. But here. He is as clear as it gets. 👍
I told my brother this, that I look at my life circumstances and say everything is my fault. Not in a hyper-critical way, but as a way to claim ownership and power to change my circumstance
i would love to see Jordan discuss Terrance mckenna's work, especially Food of the Gods and how he perceived hallucinogens and their boundary dissolving, ego obliterating properties being dangerous to any dominance hierarchy.
mc solitude I would love to see this as well. Food of the Gods may be one of the most profound books I've ever read. Though something I believe McKenna did not touch on as much as he should have is the dark side of hallucinogens. Which in my opinion is closely related to what Peterson is speaking of in this video.
McKenna's very own suggestion (5g of dried psilocybin mushrooms in silent darkness) is what caused him to have an existential crisis and to be somewhat fearful of hallucinogens from that point forward.
i have read about this trip, but remember Mckenna went on psychedelic convoys very often and he self proclaimed he built an ego around being a lecturer and teacher on these tools, he went on to mention this is what lead his terrible trip. He did however continue his adventures after this trip according to Dennis.
mc solitude That's interesting. I've never seen where he states that his lecturing lead to his bad experience. Makes sense though. From what I've heard, he still took psilocybin afterward, but would only take it in synthetic form where he could get the exact dose he was looking for. I agree though, hearing Peterson speak on this topic would be great.
mc solitude Also, its worth noting that Dennis gave an interview in which he mentions having issues with his brother giving lectures after the "bad trip" because he wasn't "practicing what he was preaching." I was quite surprised to hear Dennis say this. Though that is not to say that Terence did not take psychedelics during that period. He just did not take them as often.
As being an highly sensitive person (HSP) I can truly understand where Jordan Peterson was coming from. I think it's plain stupid because dealing with one selves emotions is one of the hardest tasks that the human soul has to deal with. But despite that information we as humans are bombarded with tasks and chores that make it almost impossible to reserve some time to deal with these in a proper way. Try looking around your surroundings. You will barely find any school/work floor where they will mix group meditation within their daily schedule when it's such an important asset of our wellness. It's because of this fact that people develop mental health issues. Even reading Eric Harris's his diary doesn't even shock me that much, it just deeply saddens me to realize another soul felt victim towards a case of severe mental corruption.
I love this guy!! Oh my God I wish more people did what this guy does.
What a message! Thank you
"I am guilty before all and for all."
At first, when I began reading Eric Harris' journal, I was sympathetic and partially agreed to certain bits, but then I noticed a pattern - he is SO full of himself. He was a damn hypocrite who wouldn't survive the scrutiny of his own gaze. The most ironic thing is that he kept mentioning how beautiful self-awareness is. Don't make me laugh...
When I first read his journal I agreed with a lot of what he said too because at that time I was a nihilist, and his views pretty much aligned with mine. I also read Klebolds journal and I felt a connection with him too because he was a depressed idealist and beneath my nihilistic mask I too was a depressed idealist. The two of them together are like the left and right brained versions of the same pathological self. One was soaked in resentment and the other was soaked in pity. Both wanted existence to end, one primarily the existence of others and one primarily the existence of himself. I've long ceased to be a miserable nihilist and in time Harris's writings have become almost intolerable to read. But they are intolerable in the sense that they are a mirror into who I used to be, in other words, someone who was intolerable.
To be fair, you have to have a very high iq to understand Eric Harris. The humor is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp on religion and nihilistic philosophy most the jokes will go completely over the typical readers head...
Justin Stark 😂
He acknowledges his own hypocrisy... can you do the same?
Wonderful video. Thank you.
Thanks for this
Listening to Jordan Peterson has awoken a great power lying dormant in my inner being and is rapidly transforming my life.
I can totally see how people get upset with humanity in general and feel like it is nothing more than an intelligent cancer on this planet. But I can also see the beauty in humanity and how very special it is. it's really just one of those perspective things depending on where you choose to stand it can look completely different.
He is one of the most intelligent speakers I've ever heard. Watching his interviews are also interesting because seeing how he speaks and takes time to think before answering makes you better able to see his intelligence and realize that he's very informed and seems to know what he's talking about. I only say seems because I'm not informed enough to say everything is fact and correct. I assume so because he seems to answer he doesn't know to what he doesn't.
Absolutely truthful.. Thank you
A bad breakup with my ex girlfriend who I loved brought me through my own personal inferno with a very fine tooth comb. This man has changed my life
I was sinking into the despair of nonsense of living for such a long time. And since i observed (maybe even falsly and arrogantly) that every pearson in my environment did not care about the existence itself i concluded that i was the only guy with such thoughts. How ignorant i was to think that way. My thoughts are nothing special or great. It's great to hear some real philosophy talk. Plus, i can learn some new words, beacause i am just starting to learn english language (as you had probably already speaken).
thoughts can be absurd to anyone! don't feed it too much or learn boundaries when to stop
Yesss i needed this