Self-Authentication and Modern Self-Improvement

Jul 14, 2024

Lecture on Self-Authentication and Modern Self-Improvement

Introduction

  • 3 years ago: Chronically online, isolated at 18
  • This year: Lived in 5 countries, spoken at conferences, done book signings, met many friends
  • Modern self-improvement often focuses on status rather than holistic improvement

The Concept of Self-Authentication

  • Self-Authentication: Alternative to modern self-improvement
  • Aims to improve character, not just status
  • Three meanings:
    1. Enhancing the authentic by removing falsehoods
    2. Becoming the author of your character development
    3. Taking back authority over your actions

Dynamical Systems

  • Example: Forests with foxes and rabbits
  • Self as a dynamic system with interacting components: behavior, personality, environment
  • Focus on character as a starting point for overall improvement

Self-Authentication Methodology

Three Skill Trees

  1. Knowhow: Skills like fighting, conversing, thinking, etc.
  2. Mind States: Addressing mindsets like victim mentality
  3. Character Traits: Values and virtues

Three Levers for Improvement

  1. Introspection: Deep, genuine self-reflection
  2. Web of Practices: Practical application of skills
  3. Superordinate Truth Discovery: Prioritizing truth over self-deception

Stages of Growth

  1. Cultivation: Developing dormant potential
  2. Integration: Incorporating cultivated skills into life
  3. Actualization: Embodying those skills as part of who you are

Practices to Include

  1. Meditation: Helps in inspecting and cleaning mental lenses
  2. Physically Challenging Activities: Gym, martial arts, etc.
  3. Intentionally Embarrassing Acts: To gain confidence and authority over social discomfort

Additional Practices

  • Writing
  • Having hard conversations
  • Prayer
  • Reading
  • Creating
  • Sports that induce flow states (surfing, parkour)

The Importance of Truth

  • Aim for a truthful engagement with oneself and the world
  • Truth in service of self vs. self in service of truth

Conclusion

  • Improves meaning and purpose, not just material success
  • A metanoia (deep change in psyche) is required
  • Critique of modern self-improvement: Often focused on status and external solutions
  • Genuine self-improvement focuses on internal growth and character development