Finding the Hero

Growing up, my twin brother and I were great admirers of Bruce Lee. The release of the Hollywood film, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, captivated me like no other. It resonated deeply with an unspoken pain I had sensed but couldn’t articulate until that moment.

That internal struggle made me aware of generational fears I had inherited, along with a sense of resentment toward my father for not standing up to those challenges.

While the dazzling fight sequences in the film mesmerized us as teenagers, the deeper battle it portrayed struck me profoundly. It awakened a hidden part of me—the rebel, the hero, the warrior—an archetype that could no longer remain dormant in my mind. The dialogues between Bruce and his Sifu revealed insights I had long suspected.

Giving It a Name

In the movie, Bruce Lee's teacher referred to this inner turmoil as Fear or your "Inner Demon."

The film depicted this inner demon in surreal sequences, featuring an ancient warrior in formidable armor who haunted young Bruce, just as it had tormented his father. Bruce hesitantly questioned, “What if I don’t fight him?”

Sifu's response was chilling: “You have no choice. You’re fighting for more than just yourself. If you fail to conquer your fears, you’ll pass those demons onto your children, just as your father did.”

That scene still sends shivers down my spine.

I make it a point to revisit the movie annually for motivation in my battle against this inherited burden.

Bruce was not just a brilliant martial artist; he was also deeply introspective. Even he had to confront his inner demons with relentless determination to break free from this cycle, which many refer to as Wetiko.

The Native Americans identified this phenomenon as a consuming force driven by insatiable greed, a quest for satisfaction that often leads to destruction—both of others and of one’s own humanity.

Paul Levy highlights that Wetiko represents a mind virus that has historically driven individuals to commit atrocious acts in the name of civilization, wealth, and power.

In the video "How To Defeat The SELF-SABOTAGING Mind Virus w/ Paul Levy," the author discusses how to confront and overcome these destructive tendencies.

The legacy of this mindset persists today, as the Jewish tradition refers to it as Yetzer Hara, the inclination towards evil inherent in human nature. In the Showtime series Dexter, the protagonist names his darker self the "Dark Passenger."

Carl Jung described this as the Shadow, which represents the self's emotional blind spot—the aspects we refuse to acknowledge. Author Steven Pressfield calls it Resistance.

This mind virus manifests in various forms, infecting all of us. It's a part of the human experience that we must navigate, and it poses a genuine threat if left unchecked.

Yet, there is hope.

Paul Levy asserts that “When you find the name, you see it.” Recognizing this virus allows us to reclaim our power.

Many shy away from confronting their deepest fears, choosing instead to ignore, distort, or deflect them.

Ultimately, this struggle is universal; no one is entirely exempt from its influence.

Taking Back Your Power

This negative force, while daunting, serves a purpose.

My first teacher, Debbie Ford, extensively explored the power of integrating the Shadow self in her writings. When I first encountered her teachings, I was grappling with significant internal struggles, and her methods provided clarity and understanding of my psyche.

She introduced a three-step integration process for shadow work, which I pursued with zeal, believing that uncovering more aspects of my shadow would lead to resolution.

I meticulously filled numerous notebooks with my thoughts, convinced that this labor would alleviate my inner conflict. However, years later, it became evident that seeking shadows only reveals more shadows.

Levy states: “Once you see it, you take away its power over you & you become empowered.”

The anxious energy driving my search for healing often led me in circles, as I chased after a resolution that felt perpetually out of reach.

The Wetiko virus sought to drain my energies and distract me from my true purpose.

The Remedy is Self-Expression: Creativity as Medicine

I must acknowledge that Paul Levy’s insights on the Wetiko mind virus are profound and groundbreaking.

Initially, I struggled with his book, Dispelling Wetiko, finding it too overwhelming and academic for my state of mind at the time.

However, upon revisiting Levy’s work, I was thrilled to discover his latest book, Wetiko: Healing the Mind-Virus That Plagues Our World, which now emphasizes solutions through creativity.

A few years ago, I committed myself to contributing positively to the world and crafted a powerful purpose statement: Human beings must express themselves.

If I aim to raise awareness about the forces that hinder personal growth, I will also guide you toward practical solutions—namely, the pursuit of creative self-expression in this lifetime.

Paul Levy articulates it beautifully: “The real medicine is to tap into our genius, our creative agency, and understand that we are crafting our own experiences.”

Without this awareness, Wetiko can corrupt our creative impulses, leading to destruction rather than growth.

Final Thoughts

For two decades, I have battled my inner demons.

This journey has been fraught with danger, despair, and the fear of losing my sanity. Yet, through it all, an indomitable spirit has persistently urged me to confront my shadows and embrace my true self.

Levy suggests that Wetiko compels us to engage with our unconscious.

By summoning the courage to confront this madness, we can unlock our creative potential. This fight requires a brave heart willing to take on these challenges.

Levy proposes that the Wetiko virus can serve as an ally in our evolution as a species.

Our society often focuses on problems, neglecting the transformative power of creativity.

When each individual channels their creative energy, we can become a society of innovators capable of remarkable achievements across various fields.

Yet, we must remain vigilant against the lurking presence of Wetiko, which threatens to derail our progress.

Alan Watts humorously remarked that history teaches us one thing: we fail to learn from it. This ignorance and psychic blindness are manifestations of the mind virus at play.

We harbor a potent destructive capacity within us, which could jeopardize our existence.

The recent film Oppenheimer serves as a sobering reminder of this potential.

The pressing question is: Will enough courageous individuals confront their inner demons, integrate their shadows, and emerge renewed from the ashes of their former selves?

Can we learn to harness our creative powers for the greater good rather than destruction?

The choice is yours. You can allow this force to dominate your life or recognize that you are the architect of your struggles.

This is the essence of how Wetiko simultaneously harms and aids you.

It beckons you to awaken.

When sufficient individuals confront their inner demons, we can redirect that energy toward creating a world where abundance, joy, health, and fulfillment are attainable for all.

Thank you for reading! I welcome your thoughts and reflections.