The episode delves into the concept of "the inside edge of the outside," a transformative space where change and growth occur. It's a call to courage, urging listeners to step beyond their comfort zones and explore the unknown. Mac and the team discuss why venturing to this edge is essential for personal evolution, outlining the benefits of expanding our perspectives and consciousness.

They provide practical insights on how to embark on this journey, emphasizing the importance of seeking guidance, embracing vulnerability, and cultivating resilience. Amidst the exploration, they also address the potential challenges and fears that may arise, highlighting that true growth often comes from navigating discomfort and uncertainty.

The journey towards personal growth begins with understanding the notion of 'the inside edge of the outside.' This pivotal concept is explored in the podcast, emphasizing that true transformation occurs when we are willing to venture beyond our comfort zones.

The hosts discuss the natural human tendency to remain within familiar boundaries, yet the most profound growth often lies just outside those limits. They elaborate on the various dimensions of this journey, including the critical importance of self-reflection and seeking guidance. The idea of quiet contemplation is presented as a fundamental practice for anyone looking to embark on this journey, allowing individuals to clear the mental clutter and foster a deeper connection with their inner selves. This practice not only enhances self-awareness but also opens the door to new insights and perspectives that can catalyze significant life changes.

Moreover, the episode delves into the dual nature of this journey—the upsides and downsides of stepping outside one’s bubble. While the potential for growth and new experiences is immense, listeners are also reminded that this path can be fraught with discomfort and uncertainty. The hosts share compelling stories and examples that illustrate both the challenges and rewards of embracing change. They stress the importance of resilience and emotional flexibility in navigating the complexities of personal transformation. This rich dialogue underscores that while the journey may be daunting, the ultimate destination is a more fulfilling and expanded sense of self. Listeners are inspired to take actionable steps towards their edges, equipped with practical insights and a supportive community to guide them along the way.

About this Episode

- This episode addresses ALL types of spiritual development. It’s not directed at any one religion. It can span across the non-religious “everyone believes in God in a foxhole”, to those committed to their spiritual growth and enlightenment. What are some ways to apply a “wrestling” perspective and practice to navigating our relationship with God and embracing faith, mystery, uncertainty, or fear, and help raise our consciousness and support us in doing it just a little bit better?

Intro to Episode

- Welcome to The WizeGuys, a podcast where we unleash the unthinkable, step over the line to help us see things differently and go to the inside edge to stimulate new thinking. We might even answer some questions you hadn’t thought to ask!

- Hi, I’m Mac, your host. In this episode, we are going on the mat to learn from wrestling some perspectives and techniques that will cultivate a higher consciousness as we struggle physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

- We’re celebrating our thirtieth episode!

- New listeners

- Listener feedback

- Plug for the Cafe conversation

- WizeKrak of the day: Stu, did you ever hear one of your wrestlers say, “I am your worst nightmare” to an opponent as the match starts?

Intro wrestling and its general application:

- Jacob wrestling with God -The Rev

- Coach Stu & Scholastic Wrestling

- Season by season, the development of trust in your ability

Some Wrestling Principles & How they apply to the spiritual life:

- This applies to everyone across multiple sports and approaches to spirituality.

- Self-reliant

- Mentally, physically and [spiritually] fit

- Diet

- Habits

- Workout

- Mindfulness

- Great work ethic and respect for others

- Muscle memory

- Practice, practice, practice

- Pain and gain

- Self-disciplined. Study the sport.

- Competitive [with self] individually, but are still part of a team

- Responsible

- Goal-oriented and accountable

- Confident and belief in themselves and their success

- Positive role models [mentors]

- Muscle memory [practice, practice, practice…]

- Get comfortable with wearing a sniglett…

The Maverick Perspective

- Get out of your comfort zone and subject yourself to the uncomfortable

The Mystic Perspective

- Trust that the process will develop a deeper intuition

The Mentor Perspective

- Submit to coaching that has your best interest in mind

“Your ongoing mission, should you choose to accept it, is:

Decide to Go Rogue.

Find like-minded rogurers.

Strap on the armor.

Storm the gates.

Unleash the Unthinkable!

A long history of religious, cultural, economic, political, and sovereign rights.

Background of the conflict

- Ancient rivalry between Abraham’s sons Isaac and Ishmael

- Jews are given the Canaanite land by God circa 1250 BCE.

- Assyrians (722 BCE) Babylonians (586 BCE) conquer the land

- Rome annexes into its empire-138 BCE. Jews were sent into exile and were without a country for centuries.

- Dome of the Rock was established on the site of the old Jewish temple. circa 700 AD

- Various kingdoms vie for control until the Ottoman Empire from 1516 to post-WWI.

- Mass migration of European Jews into Palestine in the early 1900s.

- Jews and Arabs live in relative harmony for centuries.

- 1948 Establishment of the nation of Israel with help from the United Nations

- 700,000 Palestinians were expelled and became refugees.

- Palestinians are now restricted to certain areas of the new Israel.

- Continued conflict as rights to the land continues up to the present-day Hezbollah war.

Israel and the United States

- Support for Israel to defend itself.

- Truman’s support as a strong military buffer to the Soviet Union’s expansion

- Impact of the defense of the flow of oil, mainly through the Suez Canal

- The economic impact on the U.S.

- Foreign aid-largest recipient of US aid.

- The political influence of Israel via contributions.

- Religious affiliation of end-times prophecy.

Why it matters as we navigate life

- Religious

- Relational

- Points of view

- Economic

- Global

- Conflict

- Grudges

- The Land

- Sense of justice

- Politics

- Entitlement

About this Episode

- Vanguard of Advancing Souls

- A new renaissance

- Creative thinking

- Spiritual Depth

- A shit from Me to We.

- Epic cycles are not to be ignored, but put in their proper place using wisdom

- Welcome to The WizeGuys, a podcast where we unleash the unthinkable and step over the line to help us see things differently, go to the inside edge and stimulate new thinking and new realities that plant a promise, an alternative, and an energized hope. We might even answer some questions you hadn’t thought to ask!

Why did the Aquarius refuse to play hide and seek?** Because they believe in being transparent and authentic, no hiding is required!

The minute hand broke off my watch so I just added “ish” to all the numbers.

Life is a series of “arcs”

The History of “Ages”

The concept of "Ages" in astrology refers to astrological ages, each lasting approximately 2,150 years. These ages are based on the precession of the equinoxes, which causes the zodiac constellations to shift over time.

The Age of Aquarius is believed to be the current or upcoming astrological age, following the Age of Pisces. While there's no consensus on its exact starting date, many astrologers believe we are in a transition period.

The Age of Aquarius is often associated with a time of significant social and spiritual transformation, aligning with themes of progress, freedom, and enlightenment.

Varies widely regarding when the transition will occur.

Characteristics of the Age of Aquarius: How can we help advance these?

- Technological advancement and innovation

- Emphasis on humanitarian ideals and social progress

- Increased focus on collective consciousness and global community

- Shift towards unconventional thinking and breaking traditional paradigms

- Greater awareness of environmental issues and sustainability

The Maverick Perspective

-Be willing to have a large arc perspective

The Mystic Perspective

-Things aren't always what they seem

The Mentor Perspective

- A shift from me to we.

Your ongoing mission, should you choose to accept it, is:

Decide to Go Rogue

Find like-minded rogurers

Strap on the armor

Storm the gates

Unleash the Unthinkable!

That’s a taste of Agony and Ecstasy, this week’s episode of The WizeGuys, a podcast that unleashes the unthinkable in culture, religion, business, and everyday life. This week, they have some insight into just how complex we exotic cocktails are as we navigate the ups and downs of life! So, it’s time to step over the line, strap in, and see if you are willing to let Mac, the Rev, and Coach Stu take you to a place of thinking differently…

Agony and/or Ecstasy are not dualistic experiences. How can we learn to appreciate both?

Hi, I’m Mac, your host. In this episode, we’ll peel back the onion on how complex our feelings and emotions, are, tell some stories, and offer some perspective on how to navigate this journey.

# Not Agony OR Ecstasy

- “A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma” Our exotic cocktail

- Mac's story

- Finding one in the other.

- Some dying to self will be required

- Agony and Ecstasy can awaken a heroic response. [sic] Evelyn Underhill

- Just labels.

- Both are common to an experience.

- Meme: Luminous Darkness is not an oxymoron, it’s a mystery of life to be attained.

- “We suffer more in our imagination than in reality”

- Learn to love the Dragon and not fear the ecstasy.

Deception. What is it, what are the sources of it, how can we do it a little bit better? Misplaced trust.

The World

• Media Advertising Religion Politics

People

• Those with hidden agendas Power struggles Workplace Close relationships & friendships

Ourselves-This is the “root”. If we get this right, then we lessen (not eliminate) the possibility of being deceived.

• Maintain our biases out of fear. Fear of change. Fear that there is a different truth.

• Lack of good judgement

• As an escape route.

• Hear what we want to hear. We lie to ourselves and often don’t even realize it.

• Can we trust our heart/emotions/passions?

• Laziness. We convince ourselves that we can’t change, simply don’t want to.

DOING IT A LITTLE BETTER INCLUDES:

• Cultivating discernment

o Extrinsic

o Intrinsic

• Your tribe of 5. Give them permission to call you out and speak the truth.

• Examine your motives. Ask the “whys”.

• Stop taking constructive criticism as a personal attack.

• Stop trying to convince everyone that you’re right.

• Quit doubting yourself. Cultivate wisdom so you can trust your instincts and feelings.

Mystic MacNuggets to consider:

• If everyone is thinking the same thing, then someone isn’t thinking.

• Some things are just unimagineable. Be thankful that our hubris has limits.

• Supersize your idea of truth

• Even if you can’t set it right…see it right.

• Diligence has an impish twin..avoidance. Dress them differently.

• Trust yourself enough to break your own rules.-Tama Kieves

Welcome to The WizeGuys, a podcast where we unleash the unthinkable and step over the line to help us see things differently, and stimulate new thinking and new realities that plant a promise, an alternative, and an energized hope. We might even answer some questions you hadn’t thought to ask!

Hi, I’m Mac, your host. In this episode, we’re going to have some fun applying our Wizeguy perspectives of maverick, mystic, and mentor to some of the current news headlines.

Here's the headlines we discussed:

"Passenger ordered to pay more than $5,000 in fuel costs after flight diverted due to bad behavior." https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/13/travel/australian-airline-passenger-fine-cost-fuel-intl-hnk/index.html

Key point: Kudos for applying consequences to bad behavior.

Will Your Presidential Vote Send You to Hell? https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/09/presidential-vote-send-hell-russell-moore-2024-election/

Key point: This kind of perspective distorts both politics and how we view God.

'It just exploded': Springfield woman claims she never meant to spark false rumors about Haitians.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/-just-exploded-springfield-woman-says-never-meant-spark-rumors-haitian-rcna171099

Key point: Donald Trump was irresponsible when he made this statement during the debate as false rumors spread and there are always victims associated with disparaging remarks. We need to guard our own tongues.

9/11 victims deserve transparency. Not a plea deal with terrorists.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2024/09/11/september-11-plea-deal-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-victims/75089775007/

Key point: What does justice mean to you? When we hang on to wrongs expecting satisfactory justice it deadens our spirit and leaves us empty.

Welcome to The WizeGuys, a podcast where we unleash the unthinkable and step over the line to help us see things differently. Hopefully, we’ll stimulate new thinking and realities that plant a promise, an alternative, and an energized hope. We might even answer some questions you hadn’t thought to ask!

Hi, I’m Mac, your host. In this episode, we’re going to share our Wizeguy view on wisdom. Some of it might align with how you would define it, but we’ll expand your vision and help you do it just a little bit better.

There is a difference between wisdom and prudence, knowledge, experience, or common sense. It’s an ongoing process, not a destination.

• The school of unlearning is now in session!
• Jesus as a wisdom teacher
• Soteriology-savior
• Sophiology-transformer through divine wisdom
• Everything is Spiritual
• Must see things differently
• Order/disorder/reorder pattern
• Who would you consider wise? Why?

Wisdom:

• Learns to say “No”.
• Comes from doing it wrong, not doing it right
• Goes beyond what happens to what matters
• Measures effectiveness against faithfulness
• Evolves from me to we
• Realizes that the greatest sin is to limit the Is. Don’t.
• Knows that Namaste will change the world
• Doesn’t subscribe to life being a zero-sum game.

The Maverick Perspective

• Begin to think differently

The Mystic Perspective

• Cultivate a deeper spirituality
• Cultivate emotional intelligence

The Mentor Perspective

• Be one who gives wize counsel and lives so that your wisdom is evident

Your ongoing mission, should you choose to accept it, is:

• Decide to step over the line
• Find like-minded rogurers
• Strap on the armor
• Storm the gates
• Unleash the Unthinkable!