Robert Greene: A Process for Finding & Achieving Your Unique Purpose

Thank you for having me on the podcast Andrew.

There are so many adults that came from broken homes that ask themselves in their 30's and above "who am I?" This is because they spent their young life trying to survive, their young adult life trying to straighten up the mess and by the time they get old enough to realize, have no idea what they love to do. May they find their purpose swiftly❤️

I'm 37 years old, this motivates me to keep learning guitar and finish the songs I've been writing.

I have always known exactly why I came here. Since I was a toddler I had to be around horses. In those days we lived on the outskirts of a city and a lot of people still used horses for deliveries (milk, bread etc).. Even though my family wasn't horsey at all I grew up keeping and following my dream... Sometimes it came at a cost of huge disputes with my parents who told me I was crazy...it sure wasn't easy but I have managed....for the past 54 years I have been riding, training and eventually also teaching dressage. Owned my own horses as soon as I started to work. Rescued many horse from slaughter by re-training them, had a very nice national and international competition career, owned my own stud for 8 years and still now at 65 have 2 beautiful stallions. I have 2 diplomas and speak 6 languages.Whatever I set my mind to I achieve because I want it. Simple. Hopefully this inspires other people.

I just want to say that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without this podcast. I was in a place where most people told me I’d be dead or in jail by 21, and one day I decided I wanted to learn more and found this podcast. I didn’t pay a lot of attention in school because I was a bad kid and teachers told me I was going to be in prison anyway so I didn’t see the point. Now I just finished my first semester of college majoring in computer science and I have straight A’s and feel better about myself. This is the episode I needed, switching your lifestyle completely kind of put me in an out of body situation and I’ve really been struggling with dissociation and depression and just finding meaning in life, but this episode really gave me a sense of drive and a feeling that I can do whatever I fully engage in. I am reading Mastery by Robert Greene and it is truly as powerful as you made it seem. It is pushing me to be a better version of myself. Thank you Andrew for all you do, you’re literally saving lives with this show.

Robert Greene is a gift to humanity, he came around enlightening us right when our society needed it the most. I’m Really grateful to live in his times❤

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I don’t think that it is ever too late to find your purpose. I am almost 60, and I have finally found and put the pieces together and it is invigorating! You become more of a guide for others who are looking for their purpose. You begin to share your findings. I am still discovering the depths of my soul!

My son at 15 had a massive stroke, and was told he would never graduate from high school. He has a masters degree and is running his own company.....what we are most grateful for was the amazing people we met along the way. Nurses, therapists tutors, old friends who showed us the meaning of friendship in a whole new way and new friends. Thanks for the amazing podcast.

I want to cry. I'm 26 and I know I've repressed my strengths for a job that I feel stuck in that I have never felt connected to. I am going to reassess my plan and goals. Thank you so much both of you for this amazing podcast.

there's a forbidden book called "derp money" that show's all of the

Thank you for such a valuable discussion. I am newly sober and trying to crawl out of my past 20 years of alcohol addiction, which ultimately, at nearly 40, has left me with nothing but an entire life to mould anew. I am revisiting my passion for native Australian wildlife and all things fauna, flora and ecology, and I think, after listening to this, that I might be on the right track to reconnecting with my life's purpose. I am also re-inspired to finish my first book, a project which began several years ago but got somewhat derailed by my poor life choices. So, thank you. I love your podcast, and the remarkable guests you have on the show. Yourself, Dr Anna Lembke, Rich Roll and now Robert Greene have unwittingly become my new mentors (even if it's a one sided mentorship!) I am very grateful to you for opening up my world again in such a positive way. Peace ✌️.

Nice to see Robert Greene on the podcast. He has inspired many people; including myself.💯

00:00 📘 Finding one's purpose involves understanding childhood inclinations that hinted at unique interests and passions. 08:58 🌟 Discovering your life's task offers direction and purpose, eliminating the feeling of being lost in life. 11:30 🧠 Childhood voices and early inclinations direct individuals towards their dominant forms of intelligence or passion. 15:43 💡 Emotional engagement with a subject accelerates learning significantly compared to detached learning experiences. 17:21 🚀 Finding your life's task provides a framework, guiding decisions and actions, offering a sense of direction amidlife's chaos. 18:41 🌱 Discovering purpose involves narrowing down choices to a unique niche, akin to realizing one's special abilities within a broader landscape of options. 21:26 🎯 Finding purpose is emotional and visceral, felt in the body as a sense of ease and alignment. 22:47 🧠 Different frames of mind exist, from intellectual to kinesthetic, impacting how we experience excitement and passion. 24:49 🧭 Both love and hate inform our purpose; negative experiences can guide us away from paths that don't resonate. 26:12 🚀 Early positive experiences fuel a love for learning; negative experiences can block curiosity and discipline. 27:51 ⚡ Energy and motivation can come from both desire and aversion, guiding us toward or away from our purpose. 30:11 🌟 Paying attention to frustrationor anxiety signals helps redirect life choices towards fulfillment and purpose. 35:43 🚪 The Sublime lies beyond societal constraints; it's an experience that transcends limitations and connects us to something larger. 37:44 🧭 The human brain craves transcendental experiences, seeking the Sublime within to avoid the allure of false, external Sublime experiences. 43:25 ⏰ Deep immersion in activities, like writing, creates a Sublime experience where time becomes immersive and pleasurable. 43:52 🌟 Power isn't just about domination; it's deeply wired in us to have some control over our environment and circumstances, compelling us to seek influence in various relationships. 46:36 💡 Power, in interpersonal relations, involves influencing others for mutual or personal benefit, but it's a complex terrain where direct commands often create resistance. 48:25 🧠 Recognizing the need for power isn't a flaw; it's inherent in everyone, and suppressing it leads to passive actions, hindering control and influence. 51:50 🛡 Understanding power dynamics isn't about manipulation; it's crucial for social interactions, self-protection, and avoiding commonpitfalls in relationships. 53:25 🌐 Discovering your place, professionally and personally, aligns with finding where your strengths benefit yourself and others, avoiding energetically costly pursuits. 55:46 🔍 Seduction isn't purely about trickery; it involves an exchange between individuals, tapping into vulnerabilities to create connections and influence. 56:55 🧬 Seduction traces back to human history's taboo concepts, arousing desire by prohibiting something, triggering contrary impulses. 59:13 📚 Seduction extends beyond the negative connotations; it involves vulnerability, allowing someone into your mental space, and surrendering to the influence of others or ideas. 01:00:39 📖 Vulnerability is not a weakness but a positive trait, fostering emotional and intellectual intelligence, facilitating surrender to another'spower. 01:03:00 🔄 Seduction can be challenging to disengage from due to attachment systems, often leading to difficulties in breaking away despite knowing the negative consequences. 01:04:38 🌹 Seduction tactics aren't gender-exclusive; both men and women utilize various tactics for seduction, sometimes leading to abusive dynamics in relationships. 01:06:16 🌟 Seduction as a power dynamic: Men historically dominated by powerful, siren-like women; enjoying a sensual, pleasing escape from their usual masculine world. 01:08:23 💃 The interplay of sexual and power dynamics: Topping from the bottom - a mutual illusion of power exchange in seductive and romantic relationships. 01:09:44 🎭 The illusion of control in seduction: The weaker-seeming person often leads the dynamic, blurring who truly holds power in the relationship. 01:11:20 🧠 Neurobiological insights into dominance: Separate neural circuits exist for nonsexual physical power and sexual behavior, indicating distinct forms of control. 01:14:19 🧬 Biological roots of love: Robert Greene explores the biological desire for deep connection and the physics of coupling, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability. 01:18:38 🌍 Social context and vulnerability: Concerns about hookup culture, social media, and the impact on vulnerability, advocating for a return to communal, authentic connections. 01:21:23 💡 Embracing vulnerability: Encouraging vulnerability as a positive attribute, leading not just to romantic success but also to creativity and mental energy. 01:26:25 🚀 Path to change: Advocating for a shift from closed-off egos to open vulnerability, hoping for a human spirit resurgence to combat societal disconnect. 01:27:05 🔄 The pendulum effect: Acknowledging societal swings, emphasizing the need to transcend injustices without being overwhelmed by constant exposure toinjustice. 01:28:43 🛑 Overwhelm from social media: Reflecting on the impact of social media's constant exposure to injustice on creativity, purpose, and the capacity for vulnerability and love. 01:28:57 🌍 Knowing when to ignore distractions in modern life, focusing on controllable actions, and understanding the impact of algorithmically designed content on our attention can prevent energy drain. 01:31:59 💡 Addressing injustices involves more than individual efforts; it requires collective action, movement building, and engaging with larger-scale issues like climate change or systemic challenges. 01:33:59 ⚖ The modern understanding of masculine and feminine roles is in flux, leading to confusion, mixed signals, and challenges for young individuals in defining their identities amidst societal expectations. 01:37:53 🌟 True masculinity isn't about stereotypes; it's about resilience, emotional control, inner strength, confidence, and the ability to withstand life's hardships without resorting to insecurity or abusive behaviors. 01:41:05 🛠 Finding mentors or role models involves integrating qualities from various individuals, evolving throughout life, and adapting these influences to create a personalized path rather than conforming to a singular ideal. 01:50:18 🧠 Engaging with knowledge goes beyond just reading; it involves digesting and transforming ideas into your own thoughts. 01:51:26 📚 The difference between dead and alive thinking lies in actively interacting and refining ideas, not just absorbing them. 01:53:47 💡 Anxiety can lead to hasty decisions; embracing it and exploring multiple alternatives enhances thinking and decision-making. 01:56:04 🖋 Embracing anxiety in creative processes leads to continuous refinement, essential for achieving excellence. 01:58:24 📝 Writing a book involves intense self-doubt and constant improvement before achieving a satisfying result. 02:00:03 ❤ Finding convergence in interests and values, beyond superficial aspects, is vital for lasting romantic partnerships. 02:07:54 🤔 Self-awareness is crucial; knowing your values helps avoid mistaking admiration for alignment in relationships. 02:11:30 🕵‍♂ Understanding a partner's character, detecting hidden facets, and embracing mystery sustains long-term interest and depth in relationships. 02:12:12 🤔 Relationships thrive when there's intrigue and a continuous sense of discovery about each other over time. 02:13:07 🎶 Shared interest in life engagement matters more in relationships than shared preferences like music genres. 02:14:58 🎸 Music preferences give insights into a person's character and qualities, reflecting nonverbal cues that can be revealing. 02:17:57 🗣 Nonverbal communication is crucial; we've evolved to understand it deeply, but in today's word-oriented society, we overlook it. 02:19:34 📺 Observing nonverbal cues like body language, tone, and microexpressions can reveal people's true intentions and emotions. 02:23:24 🕵‍♂ Detecting genuine emotions through nonverbal cues, especially sincere smiles, helps in navigating relationships and avoiding toxic individuals. 02:26:11 🔍 Trust your intuition about people; nonverbal cues like tone of voice and body language convey more truth than words. 02:30:31 💬 Interacting in person sharpens nonverbal communication skills, vital for understanding others deeply in a world moving towards virtual encounters. 02:32:40 🤖 Concerns about AI include its potential to lack the depth of human intelligence, especially self-awareness and holistic understanding. 02:34:16 🧠 AI advancements mustn't replace deep thinking; reliance solely on AI might hinder critical thinking development. 02:35:38 📚 A challenging task catalyzed Robert Greene's paradigm shift, emphasizing discipline and deeper understanding. 02:36:46 🏔 The analogy of climbing Mount Everest illustrates the value of the journey over instant solutions provided by AI. 02:39:56 🧠 Concerns arise about AI diminishing emotional expr

Thank you, Andrew and Robert. Great conversation🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 08:43 🌱 Finding one's purpose involves reconnecting with the unique inclinations and passions identified in early childhood, resisting external pressures, and staying true to one's primal interests. 10:37 🧠 The concept of "impulse voices" in early childhood directs individuals towards their inherent strengths and inclinations, which, when identified, can serve as a powerful source of purpose and direction. 19:23 🌱 Self-discovery involves recognizing early seed emotions that ignite a visceral sensation, signaling a potential life purpose. 24:49 🧠 Both positive and negative experiences shape our interests and pursuits, influencing our path towards our purpose. 20:46 🌐 Personal fulfillment often stems from a deep emotional connection to certain activities or interests, creating a constant source of delight. 29:03 🌊 Paying attention to deeper, more profound aspects of oneself, rather than immediate pleasures, is essential for self-awareness and finding purpose. 35:01 🌌 Puberty marks a significant transformation in the brain and life, altering perspectives, responsibilities, and learning capacity. 39:20 🧠 The difference between false and real Sublime experiences: False experiences like aggression and addictions are temporary illusions, while the real Sublime, a transformative and lasting feeling, is connected to human nature's deep part. 44:33 💼 Power, seduction, and purpose: Power is essential in relationships, seen as a resource, and involves influencing others subtly. Seduction is rooted in human nature, often tied to taboos, and implies an exchange. Finding purpose aligns with one's innate strengths, contributing to a sense of power and connection. 01:00:39 💡 Importance of Childhood Influences: Childhood experiences, fairy tales, and interactions with parents deeply shape one's susceptibility to seduction. 01:02:18 🤝 Vulnerability and Confidence: Allowing oneself to be vulnerable implies confidence, as it involves the trust to return to oneself after being influenced by others. 01:09:16 💑 Power Dynamics in Seduction: The Art of Seduction was conceptualized as an art invented by women to wield power over men through seduction and theatrical effects. 01:11:20 ⚖️ Power and Equality in Love: There's an exploration of love without power dynamics, emphasizing equality, connection, and the biological desire to deeply connect with someone. 01:19:03 🌐 Modern Societal Dynamics: Drawing parallels between the landscape of politics and social dynamics, the lack of vulnerability hinders the setting aside of egos and inhibits the union of people. 01:21:23 🗝️ Robert Greene emphasizes the positive dynamics of vulnerability, framing it as a pleasurable and healthy attribute that can impact not only romantic relationships but also mental and creative aspects of life. 01:22:47 🧠 Escape the Prison of the Ego: Greene discusses the concept of escaping the self-imposed prison of the ego, encouraging openness to others, vulnerability, and letting go of defense mechanisms for personal growth and meaningful experiences. 01:25:43 🌐 Social Media Impact: Greene discusses the negative effects of social media, expressing hope that people will become disenchanted with disconnection and alienation, turning towards more real and communal interactions, preserving the human spirit against technological influences. 01:28:15 🚫 Selective Ignorance: Greene emphasizes the importance of learning to ignore certain things in modern life, suggesting that constant exposure to negative content on social media can distract from deeper purposes and drain energy. 01:36:18 ⚖️ Masculinity and Femininity: Greene addresses the confusion around gender roles, pointing out the need for positive models of masculinity and femininity. He highlights the importance of inner strength, resilience, and quiet confidence as traits to venerate in masculinity. 01:39:14 🌐 Lack of Role Models: Greene reflects on the challenges of today's youth growing up without clear role models for positive masculinity and femininity, expressing a sense of loss in the absence of such guiding figures. 01:39:27 🍽️ The overwhelming variety of options in expressing masculinity and femininity, especially in the age of social media, raises the challenge of choosing one's identity and role models wisely. 01:41:05 🔄 Selecting role models is crucial in personal development. Creating a patchwork of influences, rather than adhering to a single ideal, allows for a more balanced and adaptable self-discovery. 01:43:36 📚 Mastery, as a guide, emphasizes the importance of finding mentors and role models for personal and professional growth. It involves the ongoing process of seeking positive qualities in others and integrating them into one's life. 01:45:41 🤝 Building relationships with mentors is not a passive act; it requires courage, engagement, and a genuine connection. The mentor-mentee relationship can be a powerful tool for rewriting one's family history and finding positive influences. 01:49:10 🚀 Having a clear sense of purpose in life serves as a filter for navigating choices in various aspects, from career to social media consumption. Purpose guides decision-making and helps in allocating energy to meaningful pursuits. 01:54:00 🧠 Managing anxiety is crucial for creative thinking. The ability to withstand the discomfort of uncertainty allows for the refinement and development of ideas, turning them from dead concepts into alive, personal creations. 01:55:36 📝 The creative process, as described by Robert Greene, involves significant internal turmoil and anxiety. Pushing through this discomfort leads to the transformation of initial ideas, resulting in a fulfilling sense of accomplishment. 01:56:46 🖋️ Greene's writing process is marked by an initial phase of self-doubt and dissatisfaction with the work. However, the persistence in pushing through anxiety results in continuous improvement and the eventual achievement of a high-quality outcome. 01:58:12 📚 Robert Greene discusses the challenges of writing a book and the anxiety associated with setting and achieving milestones in various domains of life. 02:05:07 ⚖️ Emotional connections and shared values are vital for a successful, lasting relationship, beyond superficial factors like physical attraction. 02:07:54 🧠 Self-awareness is crucial in choosing a compatible partner; understanding one's character and values helps in finding a lasting connection. 02:13:48 🗣️ Non-verbal communication, including body language and facial expressions, plays a significant role in understanding a person's true character and detecting authenticity. 02:17:13 😄 Sense of humor is a crucial component in a relationship; compatibility in humor, along with non-verbal communication, contributes to the success of a romantic partnership. 02:19:05 🤔 Pay attention to non-verbal communication by muting words, observing behavior, and detecting cues like posture, smiles, and eye expressions. 02:20:13 🧠 Milton Ericson, paralyzed at 19, mastered non-verbal communication by observing people during his paralysis, learning different forms of yes, no, and various expressions. 02:23:24 🕵️ Detecting genuine vs. fake smiles is crucial in understanding people, especially in romantic relationships, helping avoid toxic connections. 02:24:48 👀 Recognizing "dead eyes" in narcissists is vital, as it reflects a lack of genuine interest and helps avoid toxic relationships. 02:27:46 🎙️ Subcortical courtship: The influence of a person's voice, especially that of a mother, plays a significant role in seduction and emotional impact. 02:36:46 🧠 The danger of relying on AI: Depending solely on tools like ChatGPT might bypass the essential cognitive process of thinking, challenging oneself, and achieving deeper understanding. 02:37:27 🧠 Robert emphasizes the danger of becoming overly reliant on AI and technology, urging people to develop and use their brains actively. 02:41:47 🧠 Robert highlights the incredible complexity and plasticity of the human brain, advocating for the recognition and worship of this remarkable organ over technology. 03:01:25 ⏳ Urgency and finding one's purpose are discussed, with Greene emphasizing the need to escape apathy and laziness, and to pay deeper attention to surroundings and oneself. 03:02:32 ⚔️ Introducing the concept of "death ground," Greene explains how pressure and urgency can be powerful motivators, drawing inspiration from Sun Tzu's strategic thinking. 03:03:54 🏔️ Greene shares a story about a mountain climber to illustrate the extraordinary energy and focus that arise under life-threatening situations. 03:06:48 🙏 Expressing gratitude, the host acknowledges Robert Greene's profound impact on people's lives through his books and various channels, commending the valuable

Im 15 and really robert greene has really helped me in my life . Because of him i can make better decision act rational and im able to dodge so many problems which couldve made my life worse . And andrew really is just a guy filled and blessed with knowledge . Im really gratefull that i found you guys 🙌

Thanks! I am grateful for the work you do with your podcast. I am 75 years old. I am a retired physician who found in his work the sense of flow. My passion to learn about everything has not left me but now I am free to go back to explore what fascinated me as a child. Your conversation Robert Greene confirmed that I am not alone in my pursuit of the sublime. Each moment that I can experience these things is precious to me. Each breath at my age is appreciated. Thank you for finding the people you bring onto your podcast and sharing their wisdom.

"My creative process is 95% pain and anxiety, 2.5% ecstasy, and I don't know what the other 2.5% is." - Robert Greene Pure encouragement to those who are trying to create something of value in this world.

Being totally alone, hearing and reading the work from Robert Greene, has been life saving. Thank you immensely

He explained my life exactly in the beginning. At 26, I sat down and thought back to my childhood and what I enjoyed back then. This is how I found back to coding.