The SHN #47: The Courage to Be Disliked, Priorities, and EMF's

Welcome back to The Synergetic Health Newsletter! 

In this edition, I introduce you to the psychology of Alfred Adler, via a famous Japanese book.

After that, a look into priorities.

Then comes some practical tips to limit EMF in your life.

Finally, I’ll include some links to things I’ve found particularly interesting recently.

Joe Burt

💭 Alfred Adler and “The Courage to Be Disliked”

I recently finished the Japanese best-seller “The Courage to Be Disliked” by Ichiro Kishimi. I loved it.

The book is based on the theories of psychologist Alfred Adler, a “psychology of courage”, based on teleology, which is in sharp contrast to Freudian psychology rooted in “causes” or etiology.

Adler/Teleology: Adler's approach concentrates on the purposeful nature of human behavior, exploring an individual's goals and whether their current choices are effectively moving them towards those objectives. This teleological perspective emphasizes personal agency and the power to shape one's own destiny through conscious decision-making.

Freud/Etiology: In contrast, Freud's approach focuses on uncovering the root causes of neuroses, often searching into an individual's past experiences and upbringing to find explanations for their current psychological issues. This etiological perspective places more emphasis on unconscious drives and early childhood experiences in shaping personality and behavior.

Two-minute video explaining the difference

Although contemporaries, these two men had vastly different philosophical approaches.

“The Courage to Be Disliked” was my first introduction to Adler, and I have to say, I really resonate with what he has to say. The book does an excellent job using a conversational format between a philosopher and a youth to bring Adler’s psychology to life.

Here are 12 ideas I got from the book that summarize Adler’s philosophy:

1) The Past Does Not Determine the Future: Adlerian psychology emphasizes that individuals are not solely defined by their past experiences or traumas. Instead, it is the meaning that people assign to these experiences that shape their lives. People have the power to choose how they interpret and respond to their past, and this choice ultimately determines their future.

Example: A person who experienced a difficult childhood filled with poverty and neglect. Instead of allowing these past experiences to dictate their future, they choose to view them as challenges that have made them stronger and more resilient. They use these experiences as motivation to create a better life for themselves and others, refusing to be defined by their past.

From the book: "We are not determined by our experiences, but the meaning we give them is self-determining."

2) Emotions as a Means to an End: Emotions such as anger are not merely reactions to events but are often used as tools to achieve specific goals. By understanding the purpose behind their emotions, individuals can gain greater control over their behavior and make more conscious choices.

Example: A person who frequently lashes out in anger at their partner during arguments. Upon reflection, they realize that their anger is a means to control the situation and avoid addressing underlying issues in the relationship. By recognizing the goal behind their anger, they can choose to communicate more effectively and work towards resolving conflicts in a healthier manner.

From the book: "We can't turn back the hands of time. If you end up staying in etiology, you will be bound by the past and never be able to find happiness."

3) All Problems Are Interpersonal Relationship Problems: Adlerian psychology says that all human problems come from difficulties in interpersonal relationships. People may avoid social interactions and dislike themselves due to a fear of engaging with others. By addressing these relationship challenges, individuals can overcome their problems and lead more fulfilling lives.

Example: A person who struggles with low self-esteem and avoids social situations, not realizing that their lack of confidence stems from a fear of engaging with others and forming meaningful relationships.

From the book: "If all interpersonal relationships were gone from this world, which is to say if one were alone in the universe and all other people were gone, all manner of problems would disappear."

4) Life Is Not a Competition: Adler emphasized that life should not be viewed as a competition against others. Instead, individuals should strive for personal growth and self-improvement. A healthy sense of inferiority arises from comparing oneself to one's ideal self, rather than engaging in constant comparisons with others.

Example: A person who defines their self-worth based on their achievements compared to others, leading to constant stress and dissatisfaction. They eventually realize that true happiness comes from focusing on personal growth rather than competing with others.

5) Inferiority Complex as an Excuse: Adler distinguished between a healthy feeling of inferiority, which motivates personal growth, and an inferiority complex, which is used as an excuse for not reaching one's full potential. When individuals blame their circumstances or perceived shortcomings for their inability to succeed, they are demonstrating an inferiority complex. Adlerian psychology encourages people to take responsibility for their lives and to use their feelings of inferiority as a driving force for self-improvement.

Example: A student who believes they are not smart enough to succeed in a challenging course, using their perceived inferiority as an excuse not to put in the necessary effort to improve their performance.

6) The Danger of Praise and Rebuke: Praise and rebuke, according to Adler, are forms of manipulation that can hinder genuine personal growth. Instead of relying on vertical, hierarchical relationships based on praise and punishment, Adler advocated for "encouragement" within horizontal, equal relationships. Encouragement fosters intrinsic motivation and supports individuals in their personal development.

Example: A parent who understands that constantly praising or criticizing their child can be a form of manipulation, and instead chooses to encourage their child's efforts and foster a supportive environment.

From the book: "When one person praises another, the goal is 'to manipulate someone who has less ability than you.' It is not done out of gratitude or respect."

7) The Value of Self-Acceptance: Self-acceptance is the foundation for feeling valuable and worthwhile as an individual. This sense of value stems from the belief that one can contribute positively to their community and be of use to others. Having self-acceptance, people develop the courage to tackle life's challenges and cultivate deeper connections with others.

Example: A person who struggles with feelings of worthlessness, but learns that true value comes from recognizing one's ability to contribute to others and make a positive impact on their community.

From the book: "It is when one is able to feel 'I am beneficial to the community' that one can have a true sense of one's worth."

8) The Importance of Horizontal Relationships: Adlerian psychology emphasizes the significance of horizontal relationships, characterized by equality and mutual respect, as opposed to vertical relationships based on hierarchy and power dynamics. In horizontal relationships, individuals treat each other with dignity and avoid the use of manipulation or coercion. Fostering horizontal relationships in all aspects of life, from family to work to social interactions, is essential for creating a harmonious and supportive environment.

Example: A manager who realizes that their authoritative leadership style is causing resentment and low morale among their team members. They decide to adopt a more collaborative approach, treating their employees as equals and valuing their input, leading to improved job satisfaction and productivity.

From the book: "Adlerian psychology refutes all manner of vertical relationships and proposes that all interpersonal relationships be horizontal relationships."

9) The Importance of Community Feeling: Community feeling, or social interest, is the cornerstone of happy and healthy interpersonal relationships. It involves shifting focus from self-interest to concern for others and actively contributing to society. When individuals feel a sense of belonging and usefulness within their community, they experience greater happiness and self-acceptance.

Example: An individual who feels lost and directionless, but discovers that by focusing on contributing to others and using this as their "guiding star," they can create their own sense of purpose and find fulfillment in life, regardless of external circumstances.

10) The Courage to Change: Adlerian psychology recognizes that change requires tremendous courage. People often choose to remain in unhappy situations because the prospect of change is daunting. However, by developing the courage to change what is within their control and accepting what cannot be changed, individuals can overcome obstacles and create positive transformations in their lives.

Example: A person who is unhappy in their job but chooses to stay because they fear the uncertainty and challenges that come with finding a new career path.

11) The Importance of Living in the Present: Adler cautioned against the "life-lie" of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future at the expense of living fully in the present moment. By adopting an "energeial" perspective, which focuses on the process rather than the outcome, individuals can find joy and completeness in each moment of their lives.

Example: A person who constantly reminisces about the past or worries about the future, failing to recognize that the only moment they have control over is the present. They learn to embrace an "energeial" perspective and find joy in the process of living, rather than fixating on outcomes.

12) Finding Meaning in Life: According to Adlerian psychology, life has no inherent meaning; rather, each individual must create their own sense of purpose. This meaning can be discovered through contributing to others and using this as a "guiding star" to navigate life's challenges. By dedicating oneself to helping others, one can find happiness and live authentically, regardless of external circumstances or opinions.

Example: An individual who realizes that dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about the future is preventing them from making the most of their present circumstances, so they choose to focus on taking action in the current moment.

From the book: "What is the meaning of life? What are people living for? When someone posed these questions to Adler, this was his answer: 'Life in general has no meaning.’”

Alfred Adler's psychology, as presented in "The Courage to Be Disliked," offers a distinct perspective compared to the more widely known Freudian approach. While Freud focused on uncovering the root causes of psychological issues by exploring the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences, Adler emphasized the importance of interpersonal relationships, personal responsibility, and the individual's capacity to create their own meaning in life.

Adler's ideas challenge many of the common assumptions about human behavior and happiness. By highlighting the role of community feeling, horizontal relationships, and the courage to change, Adler's psychology encourages individuals to take a more active role in their own lives. The book serves as an introduction to these concepts, showing readers how to question their preconceived notions and to consider a different approach to understanding themselves and others.

Prioritizing your professional life and chasing money at the expense of your health?

Prioritizing status at work, in your community, and in society instead of focusing on a genuine purpose?

Prioritizing additional 0’s in your bank account at the expense of extended worldwide travel, learning the piano, or writing that book of short stories?

Why?

⚡ Protect Yourself From EMF’s

Keith Cutter is an electromagnetic (EMF) mitigation expert who realized, after 33 years, that misdiagnosed health issues were caused by EMF exposure.

His interview “EMF’s Are Destroying Your Health” on the Decentralized Radio podcast offers a good overview of the dangers of overexposure to these frequencies and how to mitigate them in your daily life.

According to Cutter, chronic exposure to artificial, man-made EMF radiation poses several potential dangers to human health. Cutter himself suffered from a range of issues he attributes to EMF exposure, including chronic arthritis, tinnitus, fatigue, and pain - symptoms which dramatically improved after he reduced his EMF exposure. He suggests that the proliferation of artificial EMF from the electrical grid and wireless technologies could be a major contributing factor to the rise in "diseases of civilization" in modern times.

Cutter asserts that there is no known safe level of artificial EMF exposure and that even very low levels have been shown to cause adverse biological effects. He expresses particular concern about the untested rollout of 5G millimeter wave technology.

While not everyone will experience overt symptoms from chronic EMF exposure, he believes it is likely having a negative impact on everyone to some degree. He compares our current situation to swimming in an "unnatural ocean" of radiation, a completely unprecedented situation in human history.

Here are a few of his recommendations to mitigate risk:

• Turn your cell phone off at night or put it in another room while you sleep. Cell phones emit pulsed RF radiation even when not actively being used.

• If you keep Wi-Fi on in your house, use a simple remote cut-off switch to turn the Wi-Fi router off at night while sleeping.

• Avoid lingering near the entrance doors at grocery stores and other locations that use millimeter wave technology for things like automatically opening doors. Move through quickly and with purpose.

• When driving on the highway, avoid sitting between two newer cars for prolonged periods if possible, as many now have radar emitting devices.

• Use wired connections instead of Wi-Fi whenever possible. If you need Wi-Fi, turn it off when not in use, especially at night.

• Be mindful of where you place major appliances like refrigerators, pumps, electric stoves in your home - avoid putting them on the other side of walls from bedrooms and areas where you spend a lot of time.

• Get out in nature away from artificial EMF sources regularly to give your body a break and help it reset and heal. Spend a few nights camping in a remote area with no cell signal.

🏃 Shorts Bursts of Activity FTW: “Individuals engaging in short bursts of vigorous physical activity, for just 1-2 minutes, three times a day, saw a significant health impact: a 50% decrease in cardiovascular mortality and a 40% reduction in deaths from all causes and cancer.” -Rhonda Patrick

In this video, Patrick discusses “why exercise intensity matters for longevity.” In it, she talks about how these huge health benefits can be seen with just a few short bursts of physical activity a day, even in individuals who aren’t consistent exercisers.

👨🏻‍🦲 Baldness is Not Genetic (And Is Definitely Not Caused By Androgens): In this episode of Bioenergetic Basics, Danny Roddy discusses why he believes male pattern baldness is not caused by genetics or androgens, contrary to the widely accepted theory. He argues that the evidence supporting the genetic-androgen hypothesis is inadequate and that many paradoxes exist, such as neonatal and postmenopausal baldness, which cannot be explained by this theory.

Roddy suggests that baldness is too pervasive to be solely attributed to genetics and that factors like stress, low metabolism, and the complex interplay of hormones, including estrogen and DHEA, play a significant role. He also discusses the concept of epigenetics and how the environment and cellular processes can influence gene expression and inheritance.

🧘‍♂️ The One Pointed Approach: One of my favorite spiritual “teachers” is Angelo Dilullo. I loved his book “Awake: It’s Your Turn.” In this video, he discusses the power of present moment awareness. He guides us to let go of our personal narratives and spiritual identities, which often keep us trapped in the illusions of the past and future.

Angelo shares his own journey of developing a one-pointed approach to awakening, where he allowed his curiosity and fascination with this presence to grow, even as he engaged in daily life. He emphasizes that by giving our full attention to this experience, we can begin to unravel the true nature of reality.

🔗 One Hitters

📖 Read “Accelerated SELF-Development” and the accompanying "Resources”

🔋 How To Change Your Energy (And Your Life) (Article)

🫁 “93.3% of moderate and all of the sever grade depression patients had low T3 levels” Taking a thyroid supplement could outperform taking SSRI’s (Tweet)

🤯 The energetic cost of allostasis and allostatic load (Article)
TLDR: More childhood adverse events increase odds of developing psychiatric disorders

📅 My Scheduling Page: Go here to book a 15-minute free call to chat about my awareness coaching and energy healing services.

✔️ That will do it for this time! Hopefully you got some value out of it. If you have any questions/comments/things you’d like to learn more about please don’t hesitate to reach out.

🔗 If you know anyone who loves learning about these types of topics, send them this link!

📰 To read all past newsletters, go here.