Two heavy hitters in conversation is often a wonderful thing to be a fly on the wall for. Today, I was blessed to watch Mikhaila Peterson’s podcast facilitate this wonderful conversation. I’ve seen Wim popping up all over the internet. Despite being extremely interested in the subject matter, I haven’t been able to decide whether or not I really like the guy until now. (I do like the guy).
Wim is usually (from what I’ve seen) a bit all over the place, which seems to stem from his passion to share his findings with the world. Dr. Peterson was able to recognize this and ask the perfect questions to gently nudge the conversation along in a very digestible and intriguing way. This is my commentary on the conversation. Before continuing, I encourage you to watch the episode.
In writing this, I’m working off of the assumption that you are already familiar with Wim and Dr. Peterson.
First, I’d like to say how wonderful it is to see Dr. Peterson creating and collaborating once again. I have enormous respect for the work he has done and what he has been through. Watching this conversation, we see Dr. Peterson in his transparent and authentic fashion go through the breathing exercises and contemplate how the discoveries of Wim might help his condition. Following Dr. Peterson’s lead, I’ll go ahead and disclose that this made my eyes water as it warmed my heart.
Hearing Wim speak about the discoveries that link the mind to the physiology is very reminiscent of the classic by Dr. Maxell Maltz, Psycho-Cybernetics. In that light, I’m not sure how much of what Wim has discovered is actually new. However, it is truly wonderful that his feats have attracted the science to objectively prove that these things really do work. As the scripture says, there is nothing new under the sun. Wim is woke enough, despite seeming unfamiliar with Dr. Maltz’s work, when he says “but the ancestors already knew this”. Dr. Peterson seemed to agree.
After that introduction, I’d like to identify the part where Wim and I seem to part ways. (I’m writing this before I’ve read his book, my mind may change once I do). I’ll make the best effort to lay out how I connect the dots in my mind after watching the conversation. I’ll pull elements from The Warrior Ethos, Pyscho-Cybernetics, Catholic theology.
Wim and Dr. Peterson are definitely onto something deep as they always are. They are discussing the physical and psychological implications of living naturally, by god’s design, as warriors. The hero dynamic that Dr. Peterson brings up is spot on, and it all seems to align with scripture.
Scripturally, we are created in God’s image. I’ve always had a part of me that didn’t sit right when I hear the contemporary Christian verbiage “you can’t.” Specifically, though I can’t recall where I heard it exactly, the idea that “you can’t do it on your own.” You need god’s help.
When society presents a narrative and conditioning of victimhood and limiting beliefs, the phrase “you can’t” connects to that primitive part of the brain that stores self limiting beliefs then anything that follows is negated. I prefer the same heart presented with a slight modification, an empowering medication. “I can do all things through god who strengthens me.” So, I’ll say it again. We are created in God’s image.
I seem to find that, in being created in god’s image, we are created with potential beyond our imagination. This is a potential in which we are equipped to handle any stressor that could every be present to us. We (I am speaking here as a man [war, warrior] and understand the potential gender differences so bear with me) are made to keep supporting the weight of the world until the moment that we die. With that being said, it’s very interesting when Dr. Peterson asks Wim “How long can you do that” (referencing his ability to maintain his body temperature in freezing temperature). Wim responds, “as long as necessary.” I read into that a bit and think “until it kills me.” This is probably a creative liberty on my part, but I think I’m seeing a bit more science (we have had a good bit for some time now) that supports the idea that I can do all things through god who strengthens me.
[Many Warrior cultures, that conquered the world, came from climates that were harsh. They go and conquer. Then they return to the harsh conditions. Seldom do conquers come from, or stay, in the comfortable conditions.] Paraphrasing from the Warrior Ethos.
What if God’s natural design for living was living out in the amazing and vast conditions that he created throughout the world? Wim himself, said we weren’t meant to wear clothes (who told you that you were naked?). The man (Wim) climbs mountains and swims in freezing water while basically wearing nothing. This makes him stronger and feel better. This physical response is typical of all domains. It’s truly as if we were designed this way. In all aspects, when we live in the way that we were meant to live everything is better. Food, marriage, relations, and the collective human experience are all outlined in scripture. We’ll see if the scientific opinion will align in favor of salvation and convert the nonbelievers.
Now when I say, “I seem to find”, I mean that I have personally experienced these things in my own life. When I was running, I did a substantially similar breathing exercise to what Wim outlined in his video. I never felt better than that! I had no idea of the underlying processes that were occurring while combining these. The same is true when I follow scripture in ALL other areas as well (I have no idea of the underlying processes taking place). Eating what god made, as god made it, and LIVING works beyond measure. There’s this extra bit in LIVING that no amount of science or scholarship will ever be able to explain. Like Wim said, “experience first, then you understand.” I’d even go so far as to say that until you have lived how we were designed, you have only partly lived. For me, each time I get closer to god’s design, it’s a whole new level of life. So in reality, until I have lived the way god designed (I’m nowhere near yet), I have only partially lived.