Joshua Graham teaches you how to be a man

Summary

This profound script explores the question of what it means to be a man in a modern world, challenging traditional definitions and urging individuals to find their own path. It emphasizes the importance of self-discovery, moral strength, and the power of love over darkness. The speaker calls for introspection, authenticity, and the courage to confront one's own darkness in order to find purpose and inner light, ultimately advocating for a life of truth, humility, and service to others.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The script questions the traditional definitions of manhood and suggests that each individual must find their own meaning.
• 🔍 It emphasizes that societal labels and definitions are merely opinions and can be restrictive, urging individuals to look beyond them for self-discovery.
• 🌏 The modern world is described as lacking the opportunities for rugged individualism and innovation that were present in the past.
• 💡 The essence of being a man is portrayed as the acceptance of life's challenges and the decision to move forward despite them.
• 🕯️ The script speaks of an inner light that can only be discovered through silence, contemplation, and confrontation with oneself.
• 🔨 It suggests that true change and personal growth come from enduring hardship, love, and joy, and that these forge a person's inner strength.
• 💎 The metaphor of turning coal into diamonds is used to illustrate the process of personal transformation and the value of rare, genuine change.
• 🌑 The darkness within and without is presented as a place where one can seek purpose, strength, and develop humility and understanding.
• 🛡️ The importance of discerning truth from falsehood is highlighted, with the suggestion that actions causing harm are not aligned with truth.
• 🏹 The script differentiates between power and force, suggesting that true men wield power with character, not force.
• ❤️ Love is presented as the ultimate force that can overcome the materialistic traps of the modern world and bring about inner peace.
• 🛡️ Honor and the protection of the weak are emphasized as crucial aspects of manhood, alongside the need to defend oneself and one's convictions.
• 🌳 The importance of being present and appreciating the simple moments in life is encouraged as a form of mindfulness and connection to the eternal moment.
• 🚶‍♂️ The script concludes by encouraging individuals to find their purpose and embrace the journey of life with intention and small daily steps.

Q & A

What is the central question the speaker believes every man must ask themselves?

The central question is 'What do I do with my life?' which requires one to first understand what it means to be a man.

What does the speaker suggest is the current state of definitions for what makes a man?

The speaker suggests that definitions for what makes a man are now more subjective and less defined than in previous times in history.

How does the speaker describe the modern world's impact on individualism?

The speaker describes the modern world as one that pretends to care for rugged individualism but actually confines people into labels and boxes that cover a void where true personality should be.

What does the speaker consider to be the essence of being a man?

The essence of being a man, according to the speaker, is the acceptance of life and the decision to push forward towards a light from within, despite all reasons not to.

What does the speaker suggest is the source of the internal light that guides a man?

The internal light is sourced from silence and contemplation, and it can only be realized when one is surrounded by darkness.

How does the speaker define true change and catharsis?

True change and catharsis are defined as the ability to withstand the waves of life and remain optimistic and moral, which is a rare and genuine transformation.

What is the speaker's perspective on the illusion of happiness and safety?

The speaker views the illusion of happiness and safety as a distraction from the reality that life is inherently hard for everyone, and no amount of wealth can save one from this truth.

What role does the speaker believe love plays in overcoming the challenges of life?

Love, according to the speaker, is the way out of the material world's traps and serves as a force that brings peace and the ability to see the divine within everyday moments.

What is the difference between power and force as described by the speaker?

Power is associated with character and is wielded by those who are in touch with higher consciousness, while force is associated with domination and is used by cowards.

How does the speaker encourage individuals to approach life's challenges?

The speaker encourages individuals to be fluid, open-hearted and mind, protect the vulnerable, and serve truth, starting with intention and taking small steps every day.

What is the speaker's final advice on finding one's purpose and happiness?

The speaker advises that purpose, happiness, joy, and love are all within oneself and do not need to be sought externally; one should enjoy the process and not worry excessively.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 The Quest for Manhood and Self-Discovery

This paragraph delves into the existential question of what it means to be a man in contemporary society. It challenges traditional notions of masculinity, such as physicality, power, and individualism, and suggests that these are merely societal constructs. The speaker encourages the audience to define manhood for themselves, emphasizing that true self-understanding comes from introspection and confronting one's own darkness. The paragraph also touches on the idea that modern society is filled with distractions that prevent individuals from finding their true purpose and strength, and it calls for a return to authenticity and moral integrity.

05:01

🌟 The Power of Character and the Pursuit of Truth

The second paragraph explores the distinction between power and force, suggesting that true power comes from character and moral strength rather than physical or coercive dominance. It critiques modern media for promoting negative values and discusses the spiritual war for the direction of human consciousness. The speaker calls for an increase in consciousness and a focus on love and truth as the means to overcome societal distractions and materialistic traps. The paragraph also emphasizes the importance of self-defense, protection of the vulnerable, and living with honor and conviction, advocating for a balance between animalistic instincts and human morality.

10:01

💖 Embracing Inner Joy and the Simplicity of Life

In the final paragraph, the speaker shifts focus to the internal search for happiness, joy, and love, asserting that these feelings are inherent and do not need to be sought externally. The paragraph encourages the audience to dream and enjoy life's journey, reminding them that the process, despite its challenges, is essential. It also touches on the importance of being present and appreciating simple moments, suggesting that this is where true wisdom and peace can be found. The speaker ends with a challenge to the audience to find their purpose and to let it guide them like a moth to a flame, emphasizing the warmth and light that their 'fire' can bring to others.

Keywords

💡Manhood

Manhood in the script is a complex concept that is not defined by traditional stereotypes but rather by personal discovery and self-definition. It is related to the video's theme as it challenges the audience to find their own meaning of being a man, beyond societal labels and expectations. The script mentions various stereotypes, such as 'cigar-smoking womanizing Lone Wolf' and 'soft man,' to illustrate the range of societal definitions that individuals must navigate and ultimately transcend.

💡Self-discovery

Self-discovery is the process of understanding oneself deeply, which is central to the video's message. It is the journey of finding one's own path and identity, as emphasized by the script's advice to 'find out for yourself what it means to you.' The video suggests that true self-discovery occurs through introspection and confronting one's own darkness and light, as in the phrase 'confrontation with the self where all The Lies We Tell ourselves lose effect.'

💡Confrontation

Confrontation, in the context of the video, refers to facing one's inner struggles and realities without evasion. It is integral to personal growth and self-discovery, as it is through confrontation that one can 'push up against a wall with no chance of Escape' and deal with the 'reality of what we are.' The script uses confrontation as a metaphor for the difficult but necessary process of self-reflection and honesty.

💡Hardship

Hardship is portrayed as a forge for personal growth and the creation of inner light. The script suggests that it is through enduring hardship, as well as love and joy, that one's inner strength is built. It is exemplified by the idea of 'transmute the coal we are given and we attempt to make diamonds,' indicating that personal trials can lead to something valuable and rare, much like the transformation of coal into a diamond.

💡Darkness

Darkness in the script symbolizes both internal struggles and the external challenges one faces in life. It is depicted as a place of potential growth, where one can 'begin to crave the light' and seek 'purpose and strength.' The video contrasts darkness with light, suggesting that it is in the midst of darkness that the true desire for enlightenment and change is born.

💡Truth

Truth is presented as the ultimate goal and the essence of enlightenment in the video. It is described as something that is difficult to discern but is essential for personal integrity and growth. The script advises that 'truth is the essence of God' and that 'deceit and lies are the Agents of Misfortune,' emphasizing the importance of seeking and living in alignment with truth.

💡Power vs. Force

The video differentiates between power and force, suggesting that power is a positive, character-driven influence, while force may be associated with dominance or coercion. It challenges the viewer to consider what fuels their 'fire' and whether they seek to wield power for positive change or resort to force out of a desire for control. The distinction is made clear with the question, 'a man wields power a coward wields Force.'

💡Consciousness

Consciousness is discussed as a state of awareness and understanding that influences one's actions and attitudes. The video implies that higher consciousness aligns with truth, progress, and a divine order. It contrasts this with the current state of the world, where many people live in 'Anger envy, and guilt,' suggesting a lower level of consciousness that leads to negative outcomes.

💡Love

Love is presented as a transformative force and the solution to the ills of the world. It is described in various forms, not just romantic or platonic, but as attention, focus, and care that can be found in many aspects of life. The script emphasizes that love is an 'unmistakable energy' that can be felt and is essential for peace and connection, as in 'a box made with love gives off an unmistakable energy.'

💡Honor

Honor is depicted as a core value that one must uphold, even in the face of adversity. It is tied to one's integrity and the maintenance of one's word and convictions. The script suggests that honor is more than just a concept but a tangible aspect of one's character that defines true strength, as in 'if we do not stick to our word and honor, ourselves and our convictions we are nothing but beasts.'

💡Perspective

Perspective is the way one views and interprets the world, which is crucial for understanding the video's message. It encourages the audience to look beyond superficial distractions and to focus on what truly matters, such as protecting the vulnerable and seeking truth. The script challenges the viewer to adopt a broader perspective that recognizes the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of living in alignment with one's values.

Highlights

The hardest question a man can ask is what to do with his life, which requires becoming a man first.

The definition of a man is subjective and varies from person to person.

Modern society lacks a clear definition of masculinity, unlike in the past.

Definitions and labels are self-imposed boxes that cover the void of true personality.

We live in a world that doesn't value rugged individualism as much as it pretends to.

The modern world is described as a slaughter where our minds, morals, and bodies are under attack.

The concept of manhood is tied to the acceptance of life and pushing forward despite adversity.

True self-knowledge comes from confronting oneself in moments of hardship.

Life's challenges forge our inner light, which can only be discovered through silence and contemplation.

True change and catharsis are rare and require grit and soul to withstand life's waves.

Some people succumb to darkness, ruled by anger and false justifications, never finding their way back.

Life's hardships are universal, and no amount of wealth can protect from the realities of existence.

The essence of discerning truth from falsehood is through the effects of our actions.

Power and force are different; true men wield power, not force, especially when无人 is watching.

Modern media often misrepresents manhood as domination and material wealth的追求.

The war of our time is a spiritual one, concerning the direction of human consciousness.

Consciousness levels affect behaviors and feelings, with higher states aligning more with truth and progress.

Love is the key to overcoming the material world's traps and finding inner peace.

Defending oneself in both idea and body is crucial, as is protecting those who cannot protect themselves.

Shame and guilt are tools of the ego and should be overcome to grow as a person.

Acceptance of the present moment and acknowledgment of the eternal are essential for true contentment.

Intention and small steps every day are all it takes to make a difference and find one's purpose.

Transcripts

I think the hardest question a man will

ever ask themselves is what do I do with

my life and before we can even ask that

question truthfully we must first become

men but what is a man

is it the cigar-smoking womanizing Lone

Wolf who doesn't take no for an answer

is it the soft man who turns the other

cheek is it doing one habit over another

is it physicality is it violence is it

power

I say find out for yourself what it

means to you

only you can walk that path and all

facts or statements on what a man is is

really an opinion

compared to previous times in history

where what made a man a man was more

well defined we live in a world that

doesn't really care for rugged

individualism we pretend we do but all

these definitions and labels we give

ourselves to feel more unique are really

just boxes we put ourselves into to

cover the void where a true personality

would be

we have left the days of the Wild West

the days of conquest and true innovation

there are no new lands to discover no

new ideas that really change the world

we are lambs in the slaughter of the

modern world our minds morals our bodies

are all under attack by parasites that

wish to drain us of life and ambition

everywhere we go something or someone

wants to take our energy whether in the

form of money of time or of emotion so

you might be thinking why be a man

what's the point we don't even know what

one really is anymore

but if I ever had a definition for what

it is to be a man I'd say it is the

acceptance of life

waking up every morning and despite all

the reasons not to be honest moral or

reasonable one decides to do so anyways

not because of reward not because of

Praise a Man simply pushes forward

towards a light from within a light that

can only be discovered by silence and

contemplation a light that can only be

realized when you are surrounded by

Darkness we cannot truly know ourselves

until we are pushed up against a wall

with no chance of Escape where the only

option is confrontation with the self

where all The Lies We Tell ourselves

lose effect and nothing but the reality

of what we are remains

it is through hardship but also through

love and joy that we Forge our light so

that it may grow into a fire that burns

within us in every waking moment

reducing life to its bare nature is a

form of alchemy itself we transmute the

coal we are given and we attempt to make

diamonds a diamond's Beauty and value is

not because it is common but because it

is rare many people pretend to have

changed to be reformed but true change

in catharsis is the rarest gem of all it

takes grit and it takes soul to

withstand the waves of life and remain

optimistic and moral

it is so easy to slip into darkness and

to never return

but it is within Darkness within sin and

suffering that we begin to Crave the

light

we begin to seek purpose and strength we

begin to develop humility and

understanding

some however will succumb to the

darkness and never return

we see many people like this today they

are ruled by their Shadow ruled by anger

and false justifications they see

oppression everywhere they feel

subjugated they feel angry

but they have not learned one of the

great lessons of life

that life is hard

and it is hard for everyone

no amount of money or luxury can save

you from biology from the elements or

from oneself

they fall into the illusion of happiness

and safety being out there somewhere

never seeing they are the masters of

their Destiny and emotions

so I will ask you what do you fight for

illusion or truth

truth is the essence of God deceit and

lies are the Agents of Misfortune just

as much as cold is the absence of heat

evil alone is simply the absence of God

and thus truth but how do we know truth

this is the hardest part we all have the

innocence of the child within and

because of this we fall for The Lies We

are told and by into dysfunctional

behaviors and thoughts

most people do what they do not because

of evil but because of Innocence

the desire to be protected to be

recognized and to be safe in some form

or another can bring about the horrors

of man it seems the only way to discern

truth from falsehood is to pay attention

to the effect of our actions as well as

the actions of others throughout history

actions and thoughts that bring harm to

oneself and or others cannot be truth

the Fire Within man is both the agent

for Change and the harbinger of

Destruction

so what is fueling your fire a desire

for power or the desire for force

power and force are two different things

it would serve you well to meditate on

the meaning

a man wields power a coward wields Force

when nobody is looking what do you do

when you have a chance to be Petty or

violent towards those weaker than you do

you take it do you wish to dominate

others or do you wish to bring out the

potential in yourself and those around

you

these are the decisions that decide

which path we are pursuing power or

Force all great men wield power a power

of character that is unmistakable when

in the presence of a person whose

fingers are grazing the infinite and a

mind that flows with the rivers of time

modern movies and music would convince

you that a man is someone who hates and

dominates who seeks wealth of material

Above All Else

have you ever asked why the war of our

time is not one of Nations or races but

of the spirit and the direction of human

consciousness

it's not hard to see that some actions

and feelings are higher and stronger

than others Joy is stronger than grief

and even anger is higher than shame

with an increase in the State of

Consciousness we see that certain

behaviors and feelings are more in line

with truth in line with progress and in

line with God we live in a world that's

Consciousness is living in Anger envy

and guilt and we can see the results of

such levels of consciousness

this is why your attention is always

needed your outrage and opinion why

sexuality is dangled in your face

violence and desire choices and endless

choices that don't really matter

because if you are always wanting always

competing and always pointing the finger

elsewhere you can never look Within

how many of us are living in hell right

now residing in fear and hatred wants

that cannot be and desires that torture

our minds

this kind of mindset is beneficial to

our controllers

to be distracted with the illusion of

political parties and race and gender

The Hidden Hand wishes for our complete

enslavement to the material world and

its traps love is the only way out

love is not just platonic love is

attention and focus and many people do

not realize how much love there really

is

with the right mind we can see love in

many things if our minds and hearts are

open we can see that a box made with

love gives off an unmistakable energy

whereas something made robotically will

lack this

all things give forth and intense

aliveness but those made and cared for

with love give off an unmistakable aura

we have all felt the love of a pet the

kind words of a stranger or the caring

touch of another it is in those moments

we feel at peace and feel the force that

is love that is God it is never separate

from you it is always Within these words

are not meant however to deflect from

our current reality

we must learn to defend ourselves in

idea and in body we must try and protect

those that cannot protect themselves

because in the end you may abandon your

body

but you must not abandon your honor

these concepts are abstract of course

but when felt they are more real and

Transcendent than reality itself

if we do not stick to our word and honor

ourselves and our convictions we are

nothing but beasts

if we do not protect those weaker or

show Mercy how can we truly be strong

we live in a time where we are pushed to

think like animals but expected to act

as humans I say except you are both but

live for the latter

shame and guilt are tools of the ego

even when you blame and put yourself

down you are really juicing your ego and

the illusion it provides they did this

they did that I am right and they are

wrong all of this gives us a kick of

sorts part of the process of becoming a

man is to stop feeling bad for yourself

look for the lesson and stop blaming

others as though it will change anything

it is childish and self-defeating

even if every desire you ever had was

satisfied every wish granted

you would still be left wanting

true satisfaction is not possible in

this world

instead of feeling sorry for yourself

accept the role you have here and do

your best

when do we stop and take time to look at

a tree

look into the sky and feel the Sun how

much do we stop all distractions and

just be with the moment we are in these

things are the genius of a child and

those who are among the dying acceptance

of the present and the acknowledgment of

the Eternal moment

so I dare you to find out what you are

through trial and error Joy and Pain be

fluid be open of heart and mind protect

what cannot protect itself and be a

servant of Truth all it takes is

intention and small steps every day you

don't need to change the world or leave

a legacy you don't need to be rich or be

feared by others you don't need to be

big or strong you only need the fire one

that will push through all darkness and

one that warms the hearts of those

around you

like a moth to a flame purpose will find

you

happiness joy and love are all within

you they do not need to be found

so don't worry so much dream up a good

life and enjoy the process it may seem

hard but I know you can do it