In 'Stealing Fire', Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal explore the transformative power of altered states of consciousness and their potential to enhance creativity, performance, and innovation. Delving into the worlds of elite performers, cutting-edge neuroscience, and ancient traditions, the authors unveil how accessing these altered states can revolutionize our understanding of human potential. Guided by fascinating case studies, they reveal the mechanisms that make such states achievable—from flow states to psychedelic experiences. The book raises provocative questions about the ethics, risks, and future implications of harnessing these powerful tools for personal and societal change. Are we on the brink of a new revolution in human consciousness, or are we treading on dangerous ground?
By Steven Kotler, Jamie Wheal
Published: 2017
"The revolution of human consciousness is not an individual endeavor; it is a collective quest to transcend our limitations and unlock the full potential of the mind."
NATIONAL BESTSELLER CNBC and Strategy + Business Best Business Book of 2017 "Steven and Jamie have done a wonderful job of balancing the promises, perils, and how-to prescriptions of engineering peak states such as 'flow.'" —Tim Ferriss, #1 New York Times best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek It’s the biggest revolution you’ve never heard of, and it’s hiding in plain sight. Over the past decade, Silicon Valley executives like Eric Schmidt and Elon Musk, Special Operators like the Navy SEALs and the Green Berets, and maverick scientists like Sasha Shulgin and Amy Cuddy have turned everything we thought we knew about high performance upside down. Instead of grit, better habits, or 10,000 hours, these trailblazers have found a surprising short cut. They're harnessing rare and controversial states of consciousness to solve critical challenges and outperform the competition. New York Times bestselling author Steven Kotler and high performance expert Jamie Wheal spent four years investigating the leading edges of this revolution—from the home of SEAL Team Six to the Googleplex, the Burning Man festival, Richard Branson’s Necker Island, Red Bull’s training center, Nike’s innovation team, and the United Nations’ Headquarters. And what they learned was stunning: In their own ways, with differing languages, techniques, and applications, every one of these groups has been quietly seeking the same thing: the boost in information and inspiration that altered states provide. Today, this revolution is spreading to the mainstream, fueling a trillion dollar underground economy and forcing us to rethink how we can all lead richer, more productive, more satisfying lives. Driven by four accelerating forces—psychology, neurobiology, technology and pharmacology—we are gaining access to and insights about some of the most contested and misunderstood terrain in history. Stealing Fire is a provocative examination of what’s actually possible; a guidebook for anyone who wants to radically upgrade their life.
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“The revolution of human consciousness is not an individual endeavor; it is a collective quest to transcend our limitations and unlock the full potential of the mind.”
Stealing Fire
By Steven Kotler, Jamie Wheal
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Steven Kotler is a bestselling author, journalist, and the co-founder of the Flow Research Collective. He is well-known for his groundbreaking work that explores the intersection of technology, innovation, and human performance. Kotler has authored several notable books, including 'The Rise of Superman,' 'Stealing Fire,' and 'The Future Is Faster Than You Think,' which delve into topics like flow states, peak performance, and the future of technology. His writing style is characterized by a blend of meticulous research and engaging storytelling, making complex ideas accessible to a wide audience.
Jamie Wheal is an author, speaker, and co-founder of the Flow Genome Project, an organization dedicated to understanding and optimizing the flow states of human performance. Known for his engaging and thought-provoking writing style, Wheal explores the intersection of science, psychology, and spirituality. His notable works include 'Stealing Fire', co-authored with Steven Kotler, which examines the pursuit of altered states of consciousness and their potential to enhance creativity and innovation. Wheal's insights draw from a diverse array of disciplines, making his work accessible to both academic and general audiences.
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