What happens when you put a non-criminal and one of the worldās top experts in personal growth into one of the most violent prisons in the UK? Thatās exactly what happened to Peter Sage when, during a civil matter, he was found in contempt of court. What unfolded next has become a masterclass in how to turn adversity to your advantage.
The Inside Track is the collection of 11 private letters that Peter sent to his elite coaching students throughout his 6-month sentence. Written in a conversational style, each one breaks down the actual tools, techniques and insights he uses and shows you how to face any problem in your life from a place of power, not force. How to stay calm and positive when life hits you with a bat and turn your biggest challenges into your greatest achievements.
As you follow this unique and incredible story, youāll discover not only how he was able to thrive in a place where angels fear to tread, but also leave a lasting mark that is now helping thousands of lives.
What happens when you put a non-criminal and one of the worldās top experts in personal growth into one of the most violent prisons in the UK? Thatās exactly what happened to Peter Sage when, during a civil matter, he was found in contempt of court. What unfolded next has become a masterclass in how to turn adversity to your advantage.
The Inside Track is the collection of 11 private letters that Peter sent to his elite coaching students throughout his 6-month sentence. Written in a conversational style, each one breaks down the actual tools, techniques and insights he uses and shows you how to face any problem in your life from a place of power, not force. How to stay calm and positive when life hits you with a bat and turn your biggest challenges into your greatest achievements.
As you follow this unique and incredible story, youāll discover not only how he was able to thrive in a place where angels fear to tread, but also leave a lasting mark that is now helping thousands of lives.
In January 2017, Peter Sage was held in contempt of court for a civil matter and ended up serving several months in Pentonville, widely recognised as one of the worst and most dangerous prisons in the UK. Needless to say, it was totally unexpected and had a massive impact on all aspects of his life. This resulted in the collapse of what was just starting to become a flourishing business helping thousands of people, the cancellation of his wedding, gloating ridicule in the press and more.
In one of his popular Ted Talks entitled āStop Waiting for Life to Happenā, he shares precisely why the extraordinary challenges of September 11th, 2001 made it one of the most incredible and life-changing days heās ever lived. In a similar way, The Inside Track takes the reader on Peterās remarkable journey of being the only non-criminal in Britainās toughest jail and why it turned into one of his most challenging yet inspiring adventures to date. Would he be able to apply and practice what he teaches in order to survive, even thrive, in one of the harshest environments he had ever faced? Would his background and tools work amongst serial killers, armed robbers, drug dealers and organised crime gangs? More importantly, would he be able to make a lasting and positive difference, not only to people whom society had written off, but to a system whose dysfunction and failings are kept hidden far from the public eye?
The Inside TrackĀ is not a normal book, nor a work of fiction. It is the collection of Peterās eleven private updates, written every two weeks as he went through the experience. Initially, these were shared in real-time with members of his popular coaching groups;Ā āThe Elite Mentorship ForumāĀ (EMF) and hisĀ āMasters Circleā. They offered a first-hand account of exactly what he was doing and how, inviting and enabling them to apply the same insights and techniques to challenges in their own lives, with stunning effect. It is these updates and this invitation that Peter now shares with you. Along with the solemn wish that through all the lessons, stories, violence, heartache and magic moments, you too can find the tools and inspiration to live a happier and more fulfilling life.
Volume 1: The Adventure Begins (Week 2)
This first letter covers Peterās arrival and assessment of jail. He quickly spots two areas that he can focus on adding value to and creates a plan for improving a system that is in crisis. He has three cellmates in the first week, each with their own issues which he breaks down and helps to solve. He also lays out the tools he is using to cope with the mental and emotional challenges and presents them in a syllabus thatās teachable to the readers. We are introduced to a powerful tool that maps out different levels of āconscious awarenessā and which provides a strong context for a lot of his work. The letter finishes with a powerful exercise designed to show you how to neutralise negative emotions and explains why Peter is genuinely grateful to be there.
My dear and amazing family, students and friends
Iām writing to you from the inside of Pentonville, one of the toughest and most violent prisons in the UK. It is quite literally the perfect setting for what I have planned. Sorry itās taken a few days to get this to you. Iāve spent a week settling in and getting things in place. Before we start, let me assure you that everything is amazing with me. Iāve never felt better, and the river is winding perfectly. Thereās so much I want to share!
Finding myself in this prison was so unexpected and happened against so many odds, that I feel it could only have been engineered at a higher level of intelligence and from a place I trust completely.
Itās not difficult to figure out; my mission has been clear and publicly stated for a long time: to help raise the global consciousness of humanity in a way that can make a lasting difference. That has to especially include those who are at the bottom of the ladder when it comes to society. Well, I guess I should be careful what I wish for! Seriously, Iām often blown away by how the outer world arranges itself in alignment with what we ask for (both good and bad!). Though in this case, I have to tip my cap in utmost respect. I mean, what possible way could Life manage to smuggle me into jail without ever being accused of a crime and bring me out afterwards, still without having a criminal record? Total genius. I feel like Sylvester Stallone in Escape Plan, though rather than test prison security, Iām here to be aĀ secret agent of positive change. It also offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to give you a window into my world as this journey unfolds. To give you a live demonstration of a real test or what I call a āgraduation eventā.
What are graduation events? They are scenarios and bends in the river of Life that appear throughout our journey and mostly come wrapped in an outer layer of adversity. They serve several functions but the two most predominant ones are key. The first is to present us with an opportunity to grow. To learn something we need to learn, or to hear a message weāve been ignoring. The second function is to test if we can demonstrate something rather than just know it.Thatās because there is a world of difference between intellectually understanding something and having it actually show up as who you are, particularly under stress. Graduation events are designed to test this and also to remind us of the number one rule of personal development. The inescapable law that separates those who talk from those who do. And that, my friends, is this:
Theory does not cover the price of admission to the higher levels of growth or conscious awareness.
Iāll say that again.Ā Theory does not cover the price of admission to the higher levels of growth or conscious awareness.Ā I suggest you tattoo that phrase on the inside of your eyelids for whenever the next bend in your river shows up.
This for me is no doubt a graduation event that encompasses the above. Together with many lessons I am sure I still need to learn and that will present themselves as I go through this journey. Therefore, I have a special invitation for all of you to join me and walk alongside as I share the experience and see what turns up. Iāll also aim to dissect and breakdown the tools Iām using to adjust, adapt and get through this. My hope is that this will prove to be just as useful in various aspects of your own life, as I am sure it will be to me. And of course, by learning through the examples and the work Iām doing in here, you will also get to see how real it is.
So, letās begin. Iāll start with an overview of my first week and then weāll get into some key learnings and insights...
Walking down the stairs after court to the holding cells was when I first noticed how low the energy was around me. No real surprise there. But being and feeling cheerful, I decided to see if I could make all the staff smile. It didnāt take long. Although these people were used to angry and complaining criminals, underneath they were just begging for permission to lighten up. Itās a great reminder of how we judge people on their attitude. The challenge is we then usually reflect back the very same attitude towards them, reinforcing the negative mood, but blamingĀ themĀ for it. A good phrase to remember here is that if you bring neutrality to something, you neutralize it. If you bring energy to something, you energize it. Basic stuff, but costly if we forget.
Next, I was then told my barrister was in the next room waiting for me. I walked in ready to say āWow, they didnāt give you a sentence too did they?ā when instead I saw Fayez, my CEO, sitting in the room having tricked his way in as my legal rep. I nearly laughed out loud. Heād taken a business card from my barrister in court and used it as ID. What a legend! I assured him I was fine and he didnāt need to worry, although I was concerned for my fiancĆ©e, Thea. Seeing her in tears as the judge sent me down was harder than hearing the sentence. After weād had a good chat, there was a tap at the door. It was time to be taken to Pentonville, a 200-year-old Victorian prison with the renowned reputation of being one of the toughest in Britain.
A funny thing happened on the way. I stared out the window, still chuckling to myself about Fayez, when a street we were passing caught my eye. It was desolate. Run down with broken bottles, trash and homeless peopleās belongings. In that moment, I was reminded of an interview between Oprah and Dr David Hawkins, the author of one of my favourite books -Ā
Power vs. ForceĀ - where he recalled a similar scene. But instead of seeing disarray, he was struck by the raw beauty and perfection of what IS. Itās on YouTube - a twenty-minute radio interview Iād encourage you to listen to. But in that moment, boom - I really felt it too. Not just intellectually but somewhere much deeper. It was a significant reminder thatĀ an event is always just an eventĀ and that first, everything justĀ is. Only then do we label it. And, of course, it is our labels, not the event itself, that controls and determines the meaning. This is a foundational awareness and one all my coaching clients and forum students are guided to own. Youāll also see why I give a throwback to this later on.
On arrival at the prison reception area, I was checked in, and as I was getting changed into my prison clothes, the officer asked: āAre you a copper?ā According to him, I was too calm and casual to be a prisoner. I smiled but assured him I wasnāt. Not the best label to be going inside with. I was then escorted to a waiting room where I watched a few dozen or so inmates get checked in over a three-hour period. By this point, I was already developing a strong sense of why I was here and how I could make a difference. It didnāt take long before opportunities began to present themselves.
One thing Iām grateful for from the background I had as a Trainer for Tony Robbins for so many years is the fact we were trained to have a high standard of sensory acuity. Such as closely observing and analysing physical data, like language patterns, breathing rhythms, body language, pupil dilation, group dynamics, micro movements, unconscious ātellsā and more. On top of this is non-physical data which includes individual level of consciousness, top driving needs, spiral dynamics, meta-programs, energetic signature and the like.
The point being, there is an enormous amount of useful information thatās available to us but is often completely missed.This is because we are either not looking, not trained to spot it or, more commonly, too busy focusing on our own egocentric agenda. Or worse, judging people against our own beliefs and model of how we see the world. Looking around the room with open eyes, it was easy to see where people were at. There were those who were new, those who were repeat or serial offenders, and those who defined their identity through being in the system.
One such man was Jamie. In his early thirties and already on his fifth time inside, Jamie was a self-proclaimed high-risk offender. This means he was happy to use violence to keep him in isolation because he āpreferred not to share a cellā. Like many in the waiting room, he held himself out to be a tough guy. He had a shaved head, black goatee and had been transferred that day from another jail. He was also loud and opinionated, as if he was challenging people to disagree. I listened and relaxed on my seat, observing the scene. It didnāt take long for me to find some leverage and pick an opening. He was telling another prisoner how bad the food was. He said he liked cooking and could do a better job and that his dream one day was to own his own cafĆ© or deli. He also mentioned his son and how upset he was (meaning angry) that the system had kept him from his kid that Christmas. I waited until he took a breath and casually asked: āHow old is your boy?ā
It broke his pattern and he looked over at me, saw I was sincere, and smiled (his first Iād seen). He then told me about his three-year-old son; how he missed him, how it was the one thing he hated about his life inside and how he felt he was letting him down. I concentrated on listening, as people can sense when they are genuinely being heard, but also kept my peripheral attention alert to the rest of the room. After he finished, I came back with: āWell, imagine how proud heād be of his dad after you got out of here and started that deli. Youād teach him that, despite what anyone else says or thinks, you can always bounce back stronger from any challengeā. He thought for a minute and once again saw that I meant it. His face beamed and he said:
āWow, you think so?ā
I said: āSure, why not? Many people do it. It only takes a strong decision, and you look like the kind of guy who can stick with strong decisionsā. From that moment on, Jamie and I became friends and he helped guide me in some of the ins and outs of first time insiders. We also trained together a few times in the exercise yard, where I continued watering the seeds of his dream.
By now it was getting late and I still needed to be seen by the prison doctor for the standard check-up before being given a bed for the night. I finally saw him at about 10pm. He was a great guy but after ten minutes he looked at me and said,
āDo you mind if I ask you something?ā
I replied, āSure.ā
āAre you undercover?ā
I laughed, telling him no and he said in his whole career heād never
seen anyone so relaxed and happy on their first day in prison. I smiled, sharing some of my thoughts as to why I was here and how I was hoping to make a difference. Luckily, he didnāt prescribe me any crazy pills, which I took to be a good sign.
At 11pm I got called out of the waiting room with another man called Ali. An Asian guy from Bangladesh who looked as if his world had caved in. We were to be cellmates. We were taken to A-wing and shown our cell. I couldnāt believe it - it was like they had given me my very own meditation room, complete with a bed and a toilet. We put on our bed sheets and Ali and I got chatting.
It soon became apparent why he was so depressed. Heād been in court that day to be given a trial date for a minor assault charge. He was expecting to go home and prepare for whenever the trial would be. Heād even left his car outside in a one-hour parking zone. But instead of being given a trial date and then sent away, the judge placed him on remand. It was unexpected. He had no previous history and, while this in itself may not have been too bad, the problem was that Ali had spent most of his life savings on his wedding, which was to take place the next day. Talk about a kicker.
I spent three days with Ali in our cosy room before I was transferred to D-Wing (non-smoking) and without taking your time up with all the details, his parting comment made myĀ
magic momentsĀ list when he said: āI came here thinking my life had fallen apart. Now Iām convinced I came to prison just to meet you.ā (Oh yes, Iāve started a prisonĀ magic momentsĀ list and I am up to 15 as Iām writing this). It was so touching and genuine that I nearly cried. But that wouldnāt have been great in here, so I didnāt. We also made a deal. Iāve invited him to my next event and heās invited me to his wedding.
By day four I had begun to get a feel for the place. It also became apparent there were two main areas I believed I could really make a difference with.
The primary focus would definitely be first-time inmates.The shock of going from living a normal life at home to coming here must be hard for the vast majority of people. Especially if they have no mental and emotional tools to fall back on. Apart from my commitment to the mission, I feel fortunate to have the kind of tool-set and skills to deal with this as easily as I have. It is these tools, along with how I apply them, that I want to share on this journey with you. In addition to giving you an account of what is happening in here, I am going to break down and delineate these tools and distinctions so you can see exactly how they work, what they are, and how you can use them in your own lives. For students of my work and those who have graduated from one of my programs, this should turn out to be a mixture of good revision, a deep-dive into the material that I teach, or even a classic case study.
Returning to where I can add value, for first-time prisoners, such as Ali, the deer-in-the-headlights effect is nothing short of traumatic.
To the prisonās credit, there are some support systems in place, such as the Samaritans and a few trained inmates called āListenersā. However, my experience coming through the system is that they are not utilised enough and none of the people Iāve spoken to here have ever used them. Nor did they even understand how to do so. Itās fertile ground for reinventing their mental journey but first one has to understand it. This is not hard to figure out. Neither is it surprising, yet it could so easily be addressed.
From what Iāve seen so far, first-timers tend to cycle through the following emotions: shock, denial, despondency, depression, despair, anger (at the system, the judge, themselves, the world, etc.) This is followed by prolonged periods of thinking, āwhat ifā and āif onlyā scenarios. This is a massively destructive cycle. Even if someone had a remote chance of facing their circumstance positively, thinking like that will lead them down a path of low-level conformity at best, or mental self-destruction at worst. Neither of which is a laughing matter.
There are many ways to address this. The first and obvious choice would be to provide or facilitate the awareness of an alternative choice of how to think. Combined with an elementary skill set on managing their own state. One thing is for sure and that is; if they are left with just an auto-pilot reaction to this environment, it will suck most people into a vortex of negativity. From there itās an easy path into apathy (which puts many here on anti-depressants) or fear, which leads to even poorer choices on how to cope with their new environment. Itās no wonder that drug use in here is so rife and Iām not just talking about the prescription drugs, which are as common as M&Mās. For example, the governmentās own figures show that 20% of those in Pentonville are on antipsychotic medication. Many more are on antidepressants. And thatās just the legal ones. The illegal drugs are even more rampant. In just my first week Iāve seen people on crack, heroin and a new synthetic drug Iāve never heard of called Spice. In fact, itās so normal, many smoke it openly. It also makes any interactions I have unpredictable, and any interventions I plan on doing, potentially dangerous.
Prisoners who face their situation head-on and try to deal with it in an empowering way are few and far between. Though, having said that, Iāve now had many interactions with people this last week and Iām absolutely convinced that the majority of peopleĀ areĀ open to being helped. Iāll address the existing and serial inmates in a moment, but for the new guys (like Ali), helping them shift into a new corridor of thought early on is a situation that is justĀ beggingĀ to be addressed. And, having given it some thought, there are some quick wins in how I could achieve this.
The easiest way would be as part of their induction and Iād approach this in two ways. The first would be a story that enrols them via third party. Iām toying with various titles but am thinking along the lines ofĀ Mud or Stars? taken from the old adage,Ā āTwo men sat behind prison bars, one saw mud, the other saw starsā.Ā It would be a short story that would follow the journey of a new inmate from arrival at the prison and their journey through their sentence. It would be written to engage and effectively show the difference in their circumstances as a result of the mental choices they make. I see this as a leaflet or booklet given to them on arrival, though it could also be given by the doctor during their initial medical. If I donāt manage to influence that then Iāll work with the existing charities here as at least they have distribution.
The good news is that not only have I been helping several inmates as part of my research, but Iāve also been asked to write an article for the prison magazine and so this will serve as an initial draft. Itās been a busy week. Iāll keep you updated on the progress, though this should be an easy way to make a big difference to the newbies. And if some of the reactions Iāve had so far to some āstealth interventionsā are anything to go by, then this whole adventure has been worth it already and Iām just warming up.
One example was Dell, my second cellmate. A 59-year-old Jamaican who is serving three years for cannabis related offences. Turns out he was quite a spiritual man and a deep thinker, and our first conversation also made myĀ magic momentsĀ list. He was feeling down, negative and depressed when I first moved into his cell on Monday evening. His basic problem was resistance. I worked with him on how to reach acceptance (one of the tools Iāll share with you later in this Volume) and his transformation has been profound and beautiful to watch. He was moved to another cell the next day and now always comes and finds me during our forty-minute social time to chat and tell me how his whole experience in here has changed since we met. However, the most touching part was about his son. During our first nightās chat he told me that his son Romario was a champion amateur boxer. But there was a problem. Young Romario had been virtually unbeatable as a youngster but had suddenly developed jitters on the adult circuit. Plus, if he lost in the ring, he would get angry at himself and then depressed, and sometimes not even speak for several days. Not only that, but he was now losing interest in boxing and had backed off from his training.
Dell really wanted to help his son, but he couldnāt. Firstly, because he was in here and secondly, because he didnāt know what to tell him on the phone. It was another reason why he was so down and was resisting being in here (note - this is a good example of how negativity will escalate, also known as āstackingā, if not kept in check). I shared my thoughts with Dell on what was going on with Romario. It was a classic blend of being driven by GOOP (Good Opinion of Other People) combined with his projections of what he felt others, especially his parents, expected. In addition, heād tied winning in the ring to his self-worth, which, conversely, would then link losing to the fear of not being good enough. This would not just be triggered if he lost but, more destructively, even at theĀ thoughtĀ of losing. This future-pacing of negative āwhat-if ā scenarios would then cause him to feel disempowered in advance. Both his heart and mind would align in fear which would create pressure and require more energy to deal with. Energy that would not then be available to him in the ring. This whole mental demon would then become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I gave Dell a few key points to make and also advised him as to how to steer his sonās thinking in order to link his self-worth to his performance, not a score card. At the same time, this would need to be reinforced through parental support, not judgement. I also suggested a couple of my YouTube videos his son could watch. A few days later Dell came into my cell beaming! Heād spoken to his son that day and had just found out heād started training again. I told Dell he was an amazing Dad and that heād just proved that no matter what happens, there is always a way. That was magic moment number 15.
My next and current cellmate is a different kettle of fish. His name is Mark and he is a 42-year-old father of five, serving ten months for assault. Itās his first time inside and heās probably one of the most negative people Iāve ever met. In fact, he makes Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh look happy. Not surprisingly, he is also a news addict and a serial daytime TV / soap watcher. Plus, heās depressed about his weight and massively upset that in the five weeks heās been inside, his wife hasnāt visited or written and heās been moved from two cells already as no one could get along with him.
Heās a tall guy with a large frame. Over six foot and with a body he admits has been built on late night kebabs and many pints of Guinness. Needless to say, Mark has had quite a shift in his thinking. Our cell is now strictly a news and Jeremy Kyle / Jerry Springer free zone. Heās inspired to pursue a new health goal and we are training twice a day in the cell together and heās now pushingĀ me! We have a rule that bans all negative talk and I wrote him a letter for him to copy and send to his wife. Iāll let you know if she responds. As I said, underneath, almost everyone wants to live a more positive life. Theyāve either never been shown how or, commonly, they have become too addicted to the secondary gain that comes with the average victim mode. More on that later. However, many people who are ādefault negativeā are so because they have conformed to a negative peer group or environment. This brings me to my next point; existing and repeat offenders.
For prisoners like Jamie and the countless other āJamieāsā in the system, conformity is king. In fact, the overwhelming force of negativity that ebbs and flows through prison life is so prevalent, that itās tested me several times. If Iām off my game (sleeping awake) or if my energy is low, itās easy to start being tugged at by the undercurrent of low frequency thoughts. Itās as if the candle of hope I am trying to shine is forever subject to a fickle wind that wallows through the corridors like a bad draught. What I know for sure is that, unless the right insulation is applied, the ādeterrentā of jail is nothing more than a euphemism for āsee you back inside again soonā.
To help existing offenders, I see two quick wins. The first is as obvious as it is available and that is an educational / edutainment channel on the cell TVās. Something that helps program the mind to a more positive direction with a mix of interviews from inspirational people. This could be video podcasts or stories of hope mixed with lessons in personal development. Something like the LondonReal.tv channel or a powerful Podcast such as Joe Rogan or Tim Ferris would be an excellent example. Anything as an alternative to the standard mind-fudge of mainstream TV. Thereās a reason I call television āthe electronic income reducer!ā
Next would be education in class. The prison offers a variety of standard classes, which while definitely useful in the context of basic employment, do little to change the thinking habits of those studying. Iāll explore this further once Iāve had more chance to observe, as it sits at the core of why I believe prisoners reoffend. In short, teaching them skills does not suddenly change criminal behaviour or tendencies. This flawed thinking is based on the belief that people commit crime because they do not have enough education to get a job. While this may be true for a tiny percentage, it misses the point that without changing the thinking patterns and beliefs that lead to crime, education will just make them smarter criminals.
Therefore, a basic class on āLife skillsā that would act as a personal development foundation course could really help them make a shift. Of course, a section in the library would be useful too but the challenge is that few are encouraged to readĀ andĀ getting to visit the library requires a drawn-out application process which can take weeks. Iām still waiting.
With regard to classes or work-related skills, every inmate takes a maths and English test and is assessed as to where they can go or what they can apply for. My spelling aside, it may not come as a shock that instead of being placed within three to five days of taking the test (which Iāve heard is usual), I got a note pushed under my door within three hours telling me that I would start in the business class the next morning. Iāve had two lessons so far (the third is today). The main teacher is called Jose and as you would expect, he is really trying to help make a difference. He and I are getting on great. Iāve already been asked to be the classroom assistant and Iām helping some of the guys with their business plans in my spare time. Not that Iām getting much āspare timeā. My point is that I could easily design a course here for educating the inmates in a different way. Something which I intend to start work on this week and then present an outline to the staff and Governor. Stay tuned.
So, these are the two main areas Iāve been focusing on:
1. The new prisoner journey.
2. The serial offenders who see being here as normal and even part of
their identity. Now letās shift gears.
Tools & Techniques For Staying Positive
At the beginning of this letter, I promised to share with you the tools and techniques Iāve been using here to stay on track. As part of the invitation to join me on this journey, Iād like to outline them so you can see them for yourself. Then, each time that I write, I will drill down on certain techniques, allowing you to see how Iām using them in here and in the context of this exciting detour Iām taking. More importantly, you will get to see how you can apply these to your own life or, just as Iāve done with others such as Dell, use these skills and insights to help those around you who are literally prisoners of their own thoughts, problems and self- imposed limitations.
Hereās an initial list. Iāll work through a couple of them with you now and then the others as we progress. This is so that:
You actually have time to digest, reflect, apply and practice what you learn without being overwhelmed. Remember, the common route of emotional paralysis is that being in overwhelm leads to confusion, which then leads to inaction. In other words, people learn or read so much, they do nothing. Or worse, they buy courses and books with the best intentions but never follow through. This often leads to an ever-increasing pile of expensive and unopened learning called ādata for laterā.
Thatās why I am going to deliver the learning I want to share with you now, bit by bit. Iām also going to split it into two levels. Standard and advanced.
In the standard section Iām going to cover the following:
Building A Solid Psychological Foundation
The Power of Acceptance vs the Force of Resistance
Contrast Frames
Gratitude / Emotional Transformation
Supportive and Go-To Affirmations, including the ones Iām using in here
Sex Energy Transmutation
Ethnocentric Purpose
Passive Meditation
In the advanced section I am going to cover:
Collapsing Powerful Egregores
Energy Projection and Logarithmic Counterbalance (as per Dr.
Hawkins āMap Of Consciousnessā)
Active Meditation (which includes hacking the Virtual Reality model
and using Quantum Alignment to sidestep the materialism based rule-set)
In addition, Iāll aim to break down and explain more about the various
patterns of behaviour and thinking (both constructive and destructive) that run so many of us at an unconscious level. Finally, if I get the chance (which I am hoping I will) Iāll also describe any serious interventions that I do, so again, you can see how I use the various tools and techniques in what are likely to be more extreme circumstances than youāll need to encounter on the outside. In short, if I think I can share or teach you something that can help you in your own life on the outside, Iāll try to include it.
OK, letās start with Number 1:
Building A Solid Psychological Foundation
Having a rock-solid psychological foundation may seem an obvious first step to surviving the turmoil of being in here, but what are the key components that go into it?
First, one has to start with looking at what I call our āGoverning Beliefsā. These are the beliefs that form the blueprint of many other beliefs. They act as an overarching umbrella that many other beliefs fall under, are influenced by, or follow. Iāll share some examples of mine so you get the idea.
One of my primary governing beliefs links to Einsteinās famous statement where he said the most important question a person could ever answer in their lifetime, was whether or not they lived in a friendly or hostile universe. Straight away, you can see the implications of these two possible answers and the drastically different lives they would result in. Seeing the world and everything in it as potentially threatening or even just indifferent to you, sets up a relationship to it that is based in fear and self-protection. Seeing the world around you as purposely designed for your well-being, growth and enjoyment, sets up a different relationship to how your dayĀ and lifeĀ unfolds.
Iām sure thereās no surprise as to which side of that equation I subscribe to. You may have even heard me refer to myself as an āInverse Paranoidā. This basically means Iām convinced that the entire universe is involved in a secret conspiracy to make me happy and successful.
This isnāt just positive thinking. When you take into account the benevolent nature of what quantum mechanics calls āThe Fieldā, the biofeedback you get when you are in harmony vs disharmony and the fact that every spiritual teacher taught Love over Fear as their core message, you realise itās not really that much of a āsecretā, let alone a conspiracy but rather a statement of subjective reality for those who choose to believe.
My second governing belief centres on what kind of life I want to live. To answer this, I invite you to look at life through the metaphor of a movie. It is an indisputable fact that you, me and everyone else on the planet, are each the central star in the movie called āOur Lifeā. In fact, we are the only one to appear in every scene. What this means is that everyone else, by definition, is either a supporting cast or a film extraĀ in your movie.Ā This then begs the simple question, āWhat kind of movie do you want to make?ā
Let me give you a clue as to my answer by asking you a different question. Would you pay good money to watch a bad movie? Most likely not! My point being, is that when I walk out of a cinema at the end, I want to feel āWow. Now THAT was a Movie!ā And, ladies and gentlemen, what makes a great movie? Everything! Drama, romance, tragedy, intrigue, comedy, unpredictability and a feel-good factor at the end. Too many people are trying desperately to act their way through life by avoiding challenging scenes, rather than realise that it is the dark squares on the chess board that force us to grow into more of our potential. In other words, if I really want to live the best movie, why would I only want to act in the scenes that were easy?
To look at it another way, if I wanted to win the academy award, or even just get better as an actor, why would I not want to challenge myself? Think of classics such as Dustin Hoffman inĀ Rain ManĀ or Bob Hoskins inĀ Who Framed Roger Rabbit?Ā Ground-breaking roles, not only for film but also for the actors themselves who were taken way past their comfort zone. Being in Pentonville, not only do I get to test my āacting skillsā, I also get to add depth to the script. Intrigue and drama? You bet! Unpredictability? Absolutely. Romance? A scary thought. A feel-good factor at the end? Who knows? Time will tell. My role is simply to concentrate on being the best actor I can be while Iām busy filming the prison scene of my incredible movie.
Another way of looking at this, is that I want to try as many dishes as I can in the buffet of life. As long as Iām not intentionally hurting anyone, that is. I also know in advance that Iām going to like some dishes more than others and some, Iām just never going to try again. But thatās not the point. At least I get to try! The safe, bland dish for the rest of my gastronomic life is just not for me and would make for a very safe yet boring movie that no one would watch.
Being here has, in just under two weeks, been an amazing experience and one I am honestly and thoroughly enjoying. An experience that even a month ago I thought I would never get to have. Now I get to see things Iāve only ever seen in movies AND I get to help people at the same time! Why would I complain instead of celebrate?
These are just two governing beliefs. Let me share one more and then weāll move on. Enter the classic Good Opinion of Other People, aka GOOP. I will openly say that in my twenties, GOOP ruled my life at a level where most of the decisions I made, both consciously and unconsciously, were filtered through and influenced by what I thought other people were thinking. Luckily, Iāve grown out of that. Mainly by realising that we are only the star of our movie in our own eyes but never in theirs. Instead, when it comes to other people, we are simply film extras on their set. In other words, and please listen carefully; most people donāt care enough about you to even bother to judge you! Why? Because they are too busy being worried about whatĀ theyĀ thinkĀ youĀ are thinking ofĀ them. Welcome to reality. And the sooner we learn that, the more mental and emotional freedom we have.
I can honestly say, that if I hadnāt escaped the destructive clutches of GOOP, my journey here would have been much harder as Iād be thinking things like, āOh no, what will everyone think?ā Iād be focused on and worried about certain consequences of what may or may not happen to my reputation, along with the judgements and projections of others. As I said, I am grateful to have escaped the strong gravitational pull this pattern of thinking has. Iām also aware that it still traps the vast majority of people, keeping them hostage on planet Misery. But, letās look for a moment at a topical example. Currently, half of the entire United States hates its own elected leader. At the time of writing, Donald Trump is completing his first 100 days in office and never has a country been more polarized in its support or hate. However, the fact that President Trump is so immune to GOOP is the very reason that heās starring as the most powerful man in the world in his own movie. Note - I donāt offer this as an endorsement of whatever his values or policies may be. As many of you know, two things I give zero energy to are the media and politics. That aside, he does offer a powerful lesson in living by his own creed and rules, independent of criticism and the need to pander to the good opinion of other people. For that alone, youāve gotta hand it to the guy!
Hopefully, with just these three mental corner stones; the universe is inherently friendly, Iām here to create an amazing movie (not a boring one) and being free of the need of the good opinion of others, you can start to see the role a strong psychology plays. Especially in avoiding, or even being immune to, many of the negative influences of the prevailing energy and thought patterns of people in here. If we add to that a conviction that everything happens for a reason and that it serves my best interests, then you can appreciate why I chose this as number one.
Acceptance vs Resistance
This next tool is an absolutely critical part of the whole process of emotional maturity and if used properly, is one of the fastest ways out of anguish and into mental freedom. When I think of the amount of energy thatās wasted in resisting things that have already happened, I feel tremendous compassion for those who are so naively blinded to the futility of their own thoughts. One thing I immediately implemented as soon as I arrived was zero-tolerance to any āwhat if ā or āif onlyā mental self-talk. These cancerous thoughts operate at, and perpetuate, grief, guilt, suffering, resentment and false hope. They also usually lead to increased frustration as the mind and body are powerless to go back and change anything.
In my experience, the first step to dealing withĀ anyĀ adverse condition or circumstance is to fully accept what has already happened. When you do this, two things occur. First, you stop wasting and giving away energy pointlessly. Second, you can use the energy you save and apply it to making better decisions within the moment right now, especially as it relates to what it was you were resisting. Acceptance is also the first step in transitioning out of the mode that I call āBy-Meā and into the more elegant state of āThrough-Meā.
By-Me is where we do not accept the world as it is but instead try to change it by force to fit the mental pictures of what we want. The battle cry goes something like, āIf Life doesnāt give me what I want then it will happen by me!ā It has its basis in resistance and is exhausting. By contrast, Through-Me is where Life is more effortless and things tend to fall into place on their own. It has its basis in acceptance and being in the flow. In short, Through-Me recognises the uselessness of trying to control the current of the river of life and instead concentrates its energy on better positioning itself IN the river. People resist everything from bills to weather - pointless! Itās far better to accept āwhat isā and then act appropriately by taking the next best move that relates to the situation.
Now, if you want to step up your game with a more advanced version of this technique, try this. Accept whatever has happenedĀ as if you had chosen it deliberatelyĀ at some level. This shifts the thinking from complaining about being given a bad deal to recognizing itās a gift thatās simply been wrapped in a thin layer of paper disguised as a problem to stop people from stealing your gift! The magic in this is that it also allows you to do something that Steve Jobs said could not be done and that is to join the dots going forward.
Further Understanding Levels of Consciousness
Before going further, I must touch on one thing and that is what I mean when I use the word āconsciousnessā. This is one of the most misunderstood terms in science today. Itās an easy rabbit hole to get lost in, with biology on one side of the fence and esotericism on the other. However, what I am about to share offers a critical framework of understanding and reference that is fundamental to a lot of the insights I aim to share throughout this journal.
When defining what I mean by higher or lower levels of consciousness, I refer to the ground-breaking work of Dr. David Hawkins and his famous āMap Of Consciousnessā (MOC). This was highlighted in the āmust readā book mentioned earlierĀ Power vs. ForceĀ which has sold over a million copies across twenty-seven languages. I wonāt go into details here other than to say that if you havenāt read it yet, you are missing out onĀ soĀ much when it comes to understanding people.
The short version, for those not familiar with this model, is that there is a scale one can calibrate using the science of applied kinesiology. It starts at zero and climbs to 1000. Along the way are various stages that are defined by their characteristic tendencies, predominant emotional states and general view on life. As I will be making reference to it throughout, I have included a copy of it here, and also in Appendix C. It offers a useful guide and model to follow, especially when working with others. Incidentally, if you find the word āconsciousnessā too ambiguous, then simply swap it for āawarenessā.
Contrast Frames
The next tool I want to share and that Iāll be using here, is Contrast Frames. These are also one of the most powerful ways to re-contextualise experiences such as the one I am going through now. The basic premise is that meaning is only ever given in relation to other things. At least certainly at levels of consciousness below 600 which, on Hawkinsā map, represents the dividing line between the experience of duality vs. non-duality.
When it comes to contrast, the wider the comparison, the bigger the shift in context. For example, if you get in a car and drive at 10 mph for a while and then suddenly accelerate to 50 mph, it will feel much faster. But if you are cruising at 100 mph and then drop to 50 mph, that same speed will now feel slower. A good example of this is a paper I wrote titled āLessons from my Skiing Accidentā where I cried with happiness after breaking my face in 2007, because I realised it could have so easily been my neck. Having multiple fractures in my cheek and eye socket instead of being a quadriplegic for life, is a deal I would takeĀ anyĀ day of the week.
In here, the contrast frames have probably been the easiest part. For example, I once ran the Marathon des Sables - the toughest foot race in the world that stretches nearly 250 kilometres across the Sahara Desert. The conditions were extreme. In the day, temperatures climbed to 52Ā°C (125Ā°F) and at night they would drop to freezing. Lying in our sleeping bags, chilly and shivering and exhausted, we could often feel scorpions and camel spiders crawling over us (note, for squeamish people,Ā neverĀ ever google ācamel spidersā). Oh man, what we would have given to have the kind of luxury of the building Iām in right now. The only pets we get are the resident mice and cockroaches - and yes, there are many of them in here. However, compared to my creepy crawly friends in the desert, these arenāt even poisonous (yawn).
Next, we come on to some of my heroes. There are many, though three who immediately spring to mind include; Nelson Mandela, Gerald Coffee and Viktor Frankl. Take Mandela, twenty-seven years in prison labelled as a convicted terrorist, eighteen of which were on the notorious Robben Island. And all I get are a few months for contempt of court? Give me a break. Or Gerald Coffee who served seven years in a Vietnam prison in a cell that had the footprint of a coffin. Yet heās one of the nicest, happiest men Iāve met. Then thereās Viktor Frankl, who wrote one of the most impactful and important books of the twentieth century,Ā Manās Search for Meaning, which, if you have not read, is an absolute MUST and a game changer. In fact, I challenge anyone to read this and not burst into tears with gratitude at being lucky enough to even have the life I have in here. You get the idea.
My cell mate Mark was complaining at the fact that he got ten months for punching someone when he was drunk. I said āImagine if he had fallen, hit his head on the pavement and died. It could easily happen and then you would be serving six years for manslaughter. Would you be grateful for 10 months instead?ā He hasnāt complained since. At least not to me but again, you get the picture.
OK, last one before I sign off (or my handwriting becomes too illegible).
Gratitude and Emotional Transformation Exercise
At the beginning of this letter, I gave a shout-out to a module I teach to the Elite Mentorship Forum. This deals with Mastery of Emotions, and whilst I have not actually had a negative association to coming in here, I thought it would be a good opportunity to at least share with you the exercise, so Iāve included it here. It is a simple but also powerful exercise that helps transform negative associations and their triggers following any significant emotional event or trauma.
It consists of just three questions and one exercise. The key is to keep the answers as short as possible. This forces us to stay limited to the facts only and filters out the āstoryā. Of course, it is the story we tell ourselves about what has happened that generates most of the negative emotions. Keeping the answers as factual and story-free as possible therefore helps us to be objective, without having our feelings hijacked.
Question 1: WhatĀ actuallyĀ happened?
Answer:Ā I got an eighteen-month sentence for contempt of court. (Remember, facts only)
Question 2: Which means what?
Answer:Ā Unless itās appealed, I will be away from home for nine months.
Question 3: What can I learn from this? (Give aĀ minimumĀ of five answers)
I learned that in terms of law, itās not who is right or wrong but who can present the best story, i.e. fair play is not fair result, but of course itās not meant to be.
I learned that when it comes to your (my) own convictions and values vs. societyās rules and regulations, the current system will support society in a head to head. This seems irrespective of the common-sense nature of the challenge.
I leaned that Indigo children (well, I guess adults now) will usually seek to disrupt and challenge the status quo of the existing system as a natural predisposition. This is not without consequences.
The River of Life has a smarter and higher-level agenda than my left-brain.
Theory will never cover the price of admission to the higher levels of consciousness.
That no matter how hard the lesson or the exam appears or from how left-field it comes, Iāll never be given more than I can handle.
Exercise:
List as many reasons as I can as to why I can be genuinely grateful that this experience or event has happened? (Note - this only works with at least ten to fifteen minimum. That can seem hard but go after them, they are there!)
Here are mine:
I get to work with and make a lasting difference to those in society who really need it. And from what Iāve seen so far, God knows, they need it!
I get to test my interpersonal and intervention skills in one of the toughest environments Iāve ever faced.
I get to be a real life Secret Agent of Change.
I not only get a chance to face the test of walking my talk but
also the opportunity of gaining insights and distinctions over and
above any planned learning in a classroom.
I get to really trust Life and the flow of the River, knowing it will
always care for me as long as I practice non-resistance and focus
on serving others and the greater good.
Iām grateful for being able to embrace uncertainty at a higher level
than usual and to practice letting go of everything I fear to lose.
For the chance to grow through challenge so I can continue to contribute with the new emotional and spiritual muscles that will develop as a result.
That I get to practice joining the dots going forward instead of backwards and be grateful in advance for whatever amazing journey is lying in wait.
For the fact that Life isĀ soĀ smart, it found theĀ onlyĀ way in law that allowed me to be smuggled into jail without ever being accused of a crime and leave without being given a criminal record.
That I have the quiet quality time Iāve been looking for (and asking for) so I can focus on my own growth. This includes my next book and more quality content for my business school and my academy.
That after cancelling three meditation retreats Iāve been booked to attend over the last two years, due to schedule, commitments and time pressure, Life finally allows me to meditate in a place for several hours a day.
I get to deeply relax and unplug with no calls, no email, no messages or push notifications, no battery life, no schedule and none of the usual constraints to worry about.
That Thea and I get a chance to have our own space and a break in proximity before we get married and allow a real test of adversity to prove we can become stronger and lay an even deeper foundation on which to build our future together.
That Thea is finally able to prove how independent she is outside of my influence and shadow - something she knew was needed.
To see how well the Team members cope with me being away temporarily and see who steps up and walks their commitment and who bails at the change of circumstances. To see how the leadership team acts in terms of integrity vs. politics, power struggles, personal agendas, allowing me to come out and move forward with people of character, not conversations.
Alright ladies and gentlemen, that concludes Volume 1. Right now, I want to devote some time to my new prisoner induction story and to map out the education course. Hopefully Iāll have them done by my next letter. However, before I go, I just want to say thank you so much for your energy, love and support. I also feel very blessed that I get to invite you to walk vicariously alongside me on this journey to help others. Just know Iām really proud of all of you and look forward to sharing more stories soon as well as hearing yours too. Keep shining your light and Iāll be back soon.
Huge hugs and lots of love, Peter X
The Inside Track consists of letters sent by the author during his time in prison, largely focusing on how to remain calm and collected when facing challenges but also how to keep an optimistic mindset. The collection of letters provide a very interesting insight into how the author endured prison life and managed to convert his experience there into something inspirational. It truly is amazing how the author was able to thrive in the harsh environment of one of the UKāS toughest prisons. The first letter surprised me ā Sageās tone is plainly positive, and he is already brainstorming ideas for improving āa system that is in crisisā. It is clear that focusing your energy into something you are passionate about, be it beliefs or projects or wherever your mind is at, can be not only a healthy coping mechanism, but also stirs you on to be even more productive in your efforts. It is refreshing to know that there are people out there who despite having the legal system against them can still find the motivation to improve themselves or their surroundings through a mindset as strong as the authorās. The letters are extensive, well-written, and packed with conversational yet straightforward advice from the author on staying positive. The section concerning acceptance versus resistance was particularly interesting to me because I imagine that accepting your position in such a harsh environment when you know that you do not belong among killers and thugs is quite the psychological feat. Yet, Sage does this in order to preserve his energy for important decision-making and for the sake of his optimism. I think that readers will especially benefit from the Gratitude and Emotional Transformation Exercise, because it forces you to record the events objectively thus eliminating emotional interference and the sort of exaggeration instigated by your own frustrated mind. The authorās account of his learnings and experiences during his fourth week in prison also includes an interesting contemplation on the toxic effects of how the media (as we all know, it can severely distort reality) as well as reflection on the possibility of not being able to recover all that he has lost. Yet, by the time Sage completed his sentence, he had become a āmodelā for other inmates through his constant positivity and proactivity towards reforming other prisoners. It truly is an inspirational journey, and quite the role-model for anybody facing a similar situation!