Unearthing Lost Principles of Great Minds , Revealing the Ancient Blueprint for True Education
Have you ever wondered what Socrates, Alexander the Great, Plato, Aristotle, Leonardo da Vinci, and Marcus Aurelius all had in common, apart from their extraordinary achievements? While most people might cite their historical significance or the fact that they lived in bygone eras, there’s a deeper connection that ties them together. In my quest to uncover the authentic origins of education and the formula that shaped these iconic figures, I stumbled upon a remarkable revelation. Each of these individuals shared five specific principles that propelled them to greatness—principles that have largely faded into obscurity. Today, less than 1% of the population possesses these five lost traits. The reason behind this scarcity? The “Conditioning Factory” strives to conceal these principles because it knows that those who embrace them will break free from social conditioning, no longer mere products of the system. This event aims to unearth these lost principles that once underpinned some of humanity’s most remarkable accomplishments. And this is what I’m here to share with you.
The War on Truth
Unveiling a Hidden Battle for Freedom of Thought
To understand the contemporary conflict and its roots, we must delve into the ancient past, exploring the genuine origins of education—education that fostered the exceptional minds of Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci, Alexander the Great, and others. These individuals left behind a legacy that endures, offering valuable insights into the foundations of true education.
The battle we are currently witnessing is a consequence of a more profound, ongoing war—an invisible struggle for the control of truth. It’s a war on truth, where the aim is to advance civilization to a stage where truth itself is meticulously managed. But what does this “war on truth” entail, and how is it achieved?
To comprehend the implications, we must journey back in time to the roots of education as it was once known, not the education system we recognize today. This is the education responsible for nurturing the exceptional outliers we mentioned at the beginning of this discourse, including luminaries such as Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci, and Alexander the Great. The knowledge we seek lies in these historical foundations of education.
1st Principle: The Quest for Truth
In the illustrious days of ancient Greece, the approach to education diverged sharply from the contemporary norms we follow today. The Greeks left an indelible mark on history by establishing the foundational principles that would serve as the bedrock for Western education for centuries to come, spanning an entire millennium until the Renaissance in the 1300s. At the heart of this educational philosophy lay a single guiding principle: the relentless pursuit of truth. They firmly believed that the ultimate goals for any individual were to attain freedom and truth. To embark on this journey, one had to cultivate the essential skill of critical thinking – the ability to dissect and comprehend the world around them, culminating in a deep understanding of what constitutes truth. The ancient Greeks even coined a Latin phrase, still revered today, to epitomize this quest for truth:
Quid est verites?
This phrase translates to “What is truth?” It is imperative to unravel the significance of this principle: Why was the pursuit of truth of such paramount importance to the ancient Greeks?
Consider this: notions of right and wrong, good and evil, personal values, objectives, and even one’s cultural identity are all deeply intertwined with an individual’s understanding of what truth is. What you deem right, someone else may perceive as wrong, solely because your interpretation of truth differs. Consequently, your perceptions of the world diverge, as do your beliefs and values. This divergence leads to a cascade of perplexing questions:
- How can you determine who is right when faced with opposing views?
- How do you discern the actual truth from a multitude of potential truths?
- Have you ever questioned why you hold certain beliefs and perceive them as truth?
- Do your beliefs possess a solid foundation rooted in cold, hard facts?
These inquiries are often overlooked because they serve as the path to truth. However, the powers that be don’t desire you to unearth the truth, for it would render you a mere product of the system – someone who complies with orders without questioning them. To maintain this status quo, discovering the real truth is actively discouraged.
For the first time in your life, if you genuinely seek the truth and a glimpse of genuine freedom instead of indoctrination, listen closely. Rather than revealing the inner workings of this hidden agenda, let’s delve into ancient texts. What I’ve just shared is merely the first of five principles concealed within the pages of age-old manuscripts, composed by some of the most brilliant minds to grace this world. I will unveil the remaining four principles that shaped history’s most exceptional and successful individuals – individuals who defied conventional paths and societal expectations. These remarkable individuals, whom I refer to as “The Outsiders,” managed to break free from the shackles of social conditioning, even at the cost of their own lives, as exemplified by the great Socrates.
Their unwavering pursuit of freedom embodies the spirit of the Outsider, and by adopting their principles, you too can attain this unique status. By becoming an Outsider, you will unlock something that fewer than 1% of the world’s population currently possesses – financial independence, geographical freedom, and control over your time. By integrating these five forgotten principles into your life, you will chart a course to join the ranks of the Outsiders.
You must establish what truth means for you – in other words, you must determine the truth by which you will navigate your life. The truth you choose to embrace will ultimately define your success. If you subscribe to a belief that you are destined for failure, then that becomes your truth, and your reality follows suit. Conversely, if you choose a different truth, your reality will evolve accordingly. Thus, it is of paramount importance to discern what truth signifies to you.
2nd Principle: The Socratic Method for Truth
Ancient Greece is celebrated not just for championing the pursuit of truth but for the method it devised to attain it. As you’re undoubtedly aware, reaching the truth can be a challenging endeavor, particularly since truth can take on myriad forms. Two individuals might recount the same event from entirely different perspectives. But is one perspective truer than the other, or perhaps neither holds absolute truth?
The first individual to introduce a method for uncovering the essence of truth was the venerable Socrates. What makes his character intriguing is his unwavering belief in his own ignorance. This very conviction paved the way for his method to discern the meaning of truth. Socrates roamed the streets of Athens, engaging in dialogues with people from all walks of life – craftsmen, artisans, vendors, poets, politicians, and young Athenians. His modus operandi consisted of one key element: he asked questions. He inquired about their beliefs, philosophies, and the origins of their convictions. His objective was to lead others toward recognizing their own ignorance as the initial step toward wisdom. By questioning and critically examining beliefs, he argued that one could inch closer to the truth. He famously declared that he possessed no wisdom of his own, likening his role to that of a midwife, assisting others in birthing their own understanding. This relentless pursuit of questions and scrutiny, especially of Athens’ values and influential figures, gave rise to the renowned Socratic method.
The Socratic method allows you to dig beneath the surface of your beliefs about a particular subject. The very same method you may have already encountered in the previous article and perhaps didn’t even recognize it. Let me share a revelation that surpasses what the modern education system might have taught you: becoming a true critical thinker entails asking “why” you believe something until you unearth the root of your convictions.
The second principle of the Outsider is to evaluate your current beliefs and trace the origins of your limiting beliefs. As I mentioned in a previous episode, your unyielding conditioning – the product of the system – will persistently undermine your endeavors, regardless of how diligently you work or the number of new ventures you explore. To achieve genuine success, it is paramount to deconstruct and liberate yourself from these limitations.
In your journey to evaluate your existing beliefs and discern their sources, employ the Socratic method. Begin by questioning:
- What limiting beliefs currently hinder your progress?
- Perhaps you believe that success outside the system is unattainable.
- Or maybe you’re convinced that no one can achieve it.
- Do you harbor the belief that you require some elusive knowledge to attain success?
Why do you maintain these convictions? Have you conducted in-depth research and reflection to arrive at such conclusions, or could they be rooted in societal conditioning, instilled by your parents, teachers, or friends? Continue questioning until you reach the bedrock of your beliefs, ascertaining whether they are founded in truth or entrenched conditioning. Did this process lead to any realizations, changes in your beliefs, or the initiation of transformative actions, or does everything persist as it was?
It is only through this painstaking process that you can pinpoint and unravel the core limiting beliefs that have been ingrained through the lifelong conditioning by the system. Once identified, you can begin the process of liberating yourself from them, a crucial step toward ultimate success. This is the essence of the Socratic method for discovering truth.
The intriguing aspect of this journey is that, today, the system actively seeks to obliterate your capacity for reason, as it does not want you to discern the actual workings of the world. This is how they preserve you as a product of the system. However, this is not a contemporary phenomenon. Socrates himself was executed for the very act of questioning and understanding how the world truly functions. His execution serves as a grim testament to the tyranny of the state against those who dare to challenge it.
Socrates was accused of corrupting the youth by influencing young Athenians to question and challenge traditional values and beliefs. A grievous crime, indeed! Socrates’ habit of questioning everything, including the very foundations of Athenian traditions and beliefs, vexed many of the city’s leaders and thinkers. He exposed the inadequacies of influential figures in defining or comprehending the virtues they professed to uphold. The rulers of his time vehemently detested his relentless inquiries. This leads us to a fundamental truth: the last thing those in power want is for you to question the established values and beliefs, let alone inspire an entire generation to follow suit. Socrates’ execution marked the inception of the enduring war on truth that we grapple with to this day.
So, I urge you to do what Socrates did back then – to prompt millions of individuals watching this event to question everything. This very issue continues in the present day, where individuals who encourage younger generations to think independently and probe into the why and how of traditional systems and institutions face digital execution or cancellation, to use a contemporary term. It is our duty to stand against this suppression of independent thought. Now, it is your turn to question.
3rd Principle: The Significance of Mentorship
In 399 BC, a significant event unfolded, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing war on truth. This was the trial of Socrates, an event that has etched its name in the annals of history as one of the most renowned judicial verdicts. The trial transpired on a large open-air hillside known as the Pnyx, with an audience composed of a jury consisting of 500 male citizens and hundreds more who had gathered to witness the proceedings. One notable attendee in that assembly was Socrates’s principal disciple, a figure whose name resonates through the ages – Plato. Plato had spent nearly a decade studying under Socrates, being introduced to the realm of philosophy through his mentor’s thought-provoking method of questioning – the very Socratic method that we’ve previously explored. Plato’s world was irrevocably altered on that fateful day when he witnessed his mentor’s unwavering commitment to his beliefs, even in the face of death. Socrates had implored Athenians to scrutinize their beliefs and values, an act considered a crime.
Unsurprisingly, Plato was deeply affected by the Athenian democracy’s decision to put his mentor to death. Everything he revered about Athens and its political system seemed to crumble that day. In response to this turning point, Plato embarked on a journey of intellectual exploration. He delved into the depths of physics, ethics, psychology, and education, gradually formulating his own thoughts on the nature of injustice, the role of the individual within the state, and the concept of the good. This profound quest ultimately led him to establish an institution that would leave an indelible mark on the world – the Academy in Athens, often considered the Western world’s inaugural university. This marked the true origin of the educational system, and it is here that the war for truth began in earnest.
The vital distinction between the original education system and the modern-day model lies in its origin. The education of the past emerged from the frustrations of the people towards the system. This makes a compelling case for its significance because it was rooted in the interests of the people rather than the government’s interests. Its primary goal was to enable individuals to pursue the truth, ultimately fostering their transformation into Outsiders who could attain freedom outside of the system. This stands in stark contrast to the Prussian schooling system, established in the 1700s, which we still adhere to today.
As you might recall from our previous discussion, the modern education system is government-led. If it’s administered by the government, whose interests does it primarily serve – yours or theirs? This pivotal shift in power occurred when education ceased to be about self-improvement for one’s own benefit and instead became a tool for shaping individuals according to the interests of those in authority. Today, all forms of education, including private institutions, must adhere to a rigid curriculum mandated by the government. This creates the illusion of choice, luring individuals into selecting various courses, universities, or degrees. The ultimate destination, however, remains the same – becoming a product of the system. The shift away from education centered on the pursuit of truth is a deliberate maneuver because those in power do not want you to grasp the truth.
History often repeats itself, and a remarkable pattern emerges – Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Alexander the Great. These luminaries were all independent critical thinkers, and despite the deep influence of their mentors, they each diverged from the initial philosophies they were taught. Why? Because they were groomed to be critical thinkers, placing the search for their own truth above all else. This forms the first principle of the Outsider. Furthermore, ponder this: why were there numerous geniuses and remarkable individuals in that era, and why does this seem less common today? It’s because they were mentored by one another. Greatness breeds greatness.
The educational structure in that era was different from today’s. Fathers entrusted their children’s education to mentors whom they personally regarded as wise. These mentors, in turn, imparted what they deemed essential for raising wise citizens and critical thinkers. Even after the Roman conquest of Greece, affluent Roman families continued to engage educated Greek intellectuals as mentors for their offspring. Why? Because they recognized that having a proficient mentor was not just one way to ensure their child’s success, it was the only way.
This leads us to the third principle of the Outsider:
Have a mentor. History unequivocally demonstrates that this is the most effective path to success in life. Every Outsider we’ve explored throughout this discourse had mentors who played pivotal roles in shaping their destinies.
4th Principle: The Curriculum for True Freedom
At the core of our aspirations lies a common desire – freedom. Freedom to shape our lives as we see fit, to choose our paths, and to experience the world in ways that resonate with our unique visions. Your version of freedom might manifest as a spontaneous trip to the Swiss Alps with your closest friends, relishing a week of skiing in a cozy chalet. Perhaps your dream involves calling the entire world your home, alternating between a serene Japanese Zen garden home in Kyoto, a chic apartment on New York’s Upper East Side, and a charming cottage nestled in New Zealand’s countryside. For some, it may entail engaging the world’s finest personal trainers and nutritionists to sculpt your body to perfection while savoring gourmet meals tailored to your palate. Others may dream of purchasing a vineyard in Tuscany, immersing themselves in the art of wine tasting, all beneath the warm Italian sun. Or, like me, you might embark on the journey of funding schools in remote regions, as I began in Nepal in 2019, ensuring education for generations to come.
Irrespective of your unique vision, the ultimate goal is the same – to possess financial, locational, and temporal freedom. Today, less than 1% of the global population has managed to attain all three forms of freedom, and if you aim to join this elite minority, you must ponder:
- How can you truly achieve freedom?
- Is your current trajectory leading you toward genuine freedom, and if not, why do you persist on this path?
It’s vital to engage in self-reflection, to question your actions and the choices you make. If your current circumstances do not align with the pursuit of true freedom, it’s not necessarily your fault. The conditioning factory has skillfully shaped your reality, conditioning you to be where you are.
The true issue arises when you fail to pose these questions, neglecting to discern the reasons behind your actions. If you aspire to attain financial, locational, and temporal freedom, you must embark on a quest to identify the knowledge and skills required to achieve this. The ancient Greeks understood this fundamental truth. They immersed themselves in the study of science, philosophy, and mathematics, not because they aspired to become mathematicians or philosophers, but because these disciplines were considered essential for becoming critical thinkers. And the essence of critical thinking? It empowers individuals to pursue and achieve true freedom. This aspiration for authentic freedom has been the ultimate goal of education ever since ancient Greece.
The contemporary predicament emerges when the system dictates what you must study, hampering the pursuit of freedom. The concept of a school curriculum originated during the Middle Ages, based on principles reminiscent of ancient Greece. It was referred to as liberal arts, and this curriculum served as the cornerstone of Western education for nearly a millennium, extending until the Renaissance. The objective was straightforward – to educate individuals in a set of subjects that would enable them to attain spiritual and intellectual freedom. These freedoms were divided into two tiers: inferior disciplines, known as the Trivium, and superior disciplines, referred to as the Quadrivium.
The Trivium encompassed grammar, to decode the world and communicate through words; dialectic, to compare different perspectives and evolve in the pursuit of truth; and rhetoric, to express observations and conclusions persuasively. The Quadrivium consisted of arithmetic, to quantify the known world; geometry, to arrange quantities in space; music, to organize numbers in time; and astronomy, to comprehend the influence of celestial bodies. This curriculum was meticulously designed to create individuals capable of pursuing and achieving freedom.
Now, consider the contemporary Prussian schooling system, established in the 1700s. It was this very curriculum that, first, indoctrinated entire generations to obey, comply, and accept unquestioningly, and later, shaped a legion of obedient factory workers for the Rockefeller oil industry. This curriculum was further employed to persuade countless individuals to amass insurmountable debts in pursuit of a largely worthless piece of paper that offered no guaranteed work or income. This is the power of following the right curriculum.
So, if you believe that a curriculum can’t pave the way to true freedom, contemplate the immense influence of the Prussian curriculum in shaping the course of entire generations. The truth is, following the right curriculum can unlock infinite possibilities, be they for your betterment or for someone else’s gain.
Discover the curriculum that will set you free. Understand precisely what you need to learn, how to think, and what actions to take to pursue freedom. Analyze the world around you, examine the paths of successful individuals, and unravel the means to achieve true freedom. In the forthcoming chapters, I will unveil the curriculum I designed, which has liberated myself and tens of thousands of others.
5th Principle: Seek Intense Hardship to Forge Discipline and Self-Control
The fifth and final principle of the Outsider stems not from ancient Greece but from their most formidable rivals, the Spartans. Around the same period, a man named Ierus of Sparta reinvigorated the Spartan education and training system, which he referred to as the “Ago.” This system was instrumental in Spartans’ battlefield dominance, rendering them undefeated for over 150 years. The Ago system was founded upon a fundamental principle:
Healthy, disciplined, able-bodied individuals are the key to a successful and functional society.
Here’s how the Spartan system worked: A designated individual was chosen to mentor the boys, a position known as “Paidonomos.” His role was to ensure that the young Spartans developed loyalty, resourcefulness, discipline, and a strong foundation in physical fitness. The Spartans recognized that if they wanted their citizens to become the most successful and unbeatable individuals, they needed mentors to guide the way for their entire generation. Thus, the role of Paidonomos was considered of paramount importance and only open to those who were eligible for election to the highest offices. They wouldn’t entrust this role to just anyone; it was reserved for their most exceptional Spartans. The Spartans understood that only greatness can breed greatness.
This principle resonates with the idea that the level of success an individual achieves is directly tied to the quality of the people mentoring them. It underscores the importance of being mentored by individuals who exemplify the pinnacle of success.
But the Spartan system also introduced another intriguing concept – the idea of enduring intense hardship. The second phase of the Ago system aimed to turn students into individuals who could endure adversity. These young Spartans were only provided with one cloak for the entire year, and they were required to walk barefoot to toughen their feet. The belief was that properly conditioned feet would allow them to run faster and jump higher than anyone wearing footwear. They were also taught how to fight without weapons and to march in complete silence. The mentors ensured that they were always somewhat hungry, creating a perpetual state of discomfort. Why? Because discomfort fosters discipline and discipline forges greatness. This approach encouraged students to become strong, disciplined individuals who could resist life’s temptations, opt for delayed gratification over instant rewards, and significantly increase their chances of achieving success.
History has time and again demonstrated the effectiveness of this principle, not only in the context of the Spartans but also in various cultures and societies that operated on the same principles. This is why it serves as the fifth principle of the Outsider:
Seek intense hardship to forge discipline and self-control.
It is through intense hardship that you can mold yourself into the best and most successful version you can be. In the following chapters, I will unveil the precise protocol I employ to develop and maintain the highest levels of discipline and self-control necessary for effectively managing my portfolio of eight and multi-figure companies.
The Ago system focused specifically on young adults because they were perceived as Sparta’s most valuable assets. They were the ones who led Sparta to an undefeated streak of 150 years. As a young adult, you must comprehend that these years are your greatest assets – the ones that will either propel you toward success or ensnare you in mediocrity for the rest of your life. Make the most of them, for your time is finite.
The Relevance of Timeless Principles in Today’s World
In today’s rapidly changing world, one can’t help but question the relevance of timeless principles. Are these age-old teachings outdated, or do they hold more significance than ever? Let’s explore why these principles are essential in our modern age and why applying them is crucial for success.
The Timeless Nature of Principles
Timeless principles, the very ones that have guided countless individuals to success throughout history, remain indispensable today. These principles are not bound by the era in which they were first applied; instead, they offer timeless wisdom that continues to stand the test of time.
The Call to Action
To reverse this dangerous trajectory, we must reclaim the truth and disseminate it widely. By doing so, we can initiate a great rescue, restoring the principles that have shaped great minds throughout history.
Adopting the Five Lost Principles
We have at our disposal the five lost principles that can lead to freedom and success. Let’s take a closer look at these principles and how to integrate them into our lives:
- Establish Your Truth: The first step is to define what truth means for you.
- Evaluate Your Beliefs: Examine your current beliefs and identify any limiting beliefs and their origins.
- Find a Mentor: Consider who is currently guiding your learning journey, and assess if they are leading you towards the level of freedom you aspire to.
- Choose a Liberating Curriculum: Determine which curriculum can set you free from the conditioning that surrounds us.
- Embrace Hardship for Discipline: Seek intense challenges to forge discipline and self-control.
Your journey to becoming a top 1% individual starts with these principles. Reflect on your mentor and ensure they align with your aspirations for freedom and success. Even the greatest minds in history, like Plato, Aristotle, and Alexander the Great, had mentors, so why shouldn’t you?
In conclusion, the path to securing our freedom and safeguarding truth lies in the adoption of these timeless principles. The fate of our society rests in our hands, and it is our duty to become the Outsiders who revive and champion these principles for a brighter future.