Dear Great ones,

We seek peace within and without. We wish to live in peace and rest in peace.

Yet violence remains the keeper of peace.

History tells that peace exists when dominant actors allow it to exist. To make yourself prey to none, allows one true peace in the existential sense.

Collective peace exists when the apex predator - the one who holds the monopoly on violence - uses their power to protect not just themselves, but also others.

The reality of violence as the keeper of peace is visible in the micro and macro events of societal and global life. The ‘strong man’ deters his enemies without lifting a finger due to his perceived capacity for violence; in turn he is often left in peace and often has the true capacity to protect the peace of others.

It becomes clear then that we have choices to make:

1. We outsource our peace to another entity and pray that they are virtuous and incorruptible, and that they can retain their monopoly on violence for eternity… so that we may live in peace. In doing so we can resign from increasing our own capacity for violence and call upon institutions to save us.
   

2. We increase our own capabilities in the realm of violence - so that we may deter our enemies and protect our tribe, thereby shifting the odds of peace in our favour should institutions fail us.

If you remain at the mercy of another, your peace will never be your own and always comes at a price.

Ask yourself, are you peaceful? Or are you harmless? The difference is significant.

We are civilised in this world until we are not, and when that time comes - which it inevitably will - we will need strong and virtuous leaders to uphold peace for the many on every level of existence.

So master violence to live in peace, and if you are harmless, ensure you become peaceful instead.

Your Strongest Well Wisher,

Reza TGM

P.S. The known confidence built through physical exercise is not superficial, as the exerciser becomes witness to their own (very real) capabilities - this confidence will permeate through the fabric of your entire life. Start today.

I guess if you’re reading this then you’re already one of the Greats.