What will I learn about: how high-performing individuals, from extreme athletes to Navy SEALs, tap into "ecstasis"—a state of altered consciousness that drastically boosts human performance?

Discover how high-performing individuals, from extreme athletes to Navy SEALs, tap into "ecstasis"—a state of altered consciousness that drastically boosts human performance.

What will I learn about: the historical roots of mind-altering practices and how humanity's age-old quest for non-ordinary states has evolved into today's $4 trillion Altered States Economy?

Understand the historical roots of mind-altering practices and how humanity's age-old quest for non-ordinary states has evolved into today's $4 trillion Altered States Economy.

What will I learn about: Learn how elite military teams use cutting-edge technologies like EEG monitors and sensory deprivation tanks to train collective group flow and master split-second decision-making?

Learn how elite military teams use cutting-edge technologies like EEG monitors and sensory deprivation tanks to train collective group flow and master split-second decision-making.

What will I learn about: Explore the four main forces driving modern consciousness hacking—psychology, neurobiology, pharmacology, and technology—to safely access ecstasis without extreme risks?

Explore the four main forces driving modern consciousness hacking—psychology, neurobiology, pharmacology, and technology—to safely access ecstasis without extreme risks.

What will I learn about: how previously unorthodox treatments, such as MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and surf therapy, are providing breakthrough, long-lasting relief for trauma and PTSD?

Find out how previously unorthodox treatments, such as MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and surf therapy, are providing breakthrough, long-lasting relief for trauma and PTSD.

Stealing Fire

How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work

Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal

★ 4.0 / 5(187 ratings)

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Categories:

Technology & the Future Motivation & Inspiration Psychology Science Personal Development

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡Have you ever wondered why elite Navy SEALs and Silicon Valley’s top innovators are turning to controversial 'altered states' to gain a competitive edge?
💡What if you could bypass years of traditional practice and use cutting-edge technology to hack your brain into a state of peak performance?
💡Are you curious about the multi-trillion dollar 'underground' economy dedicated to one thing: helping humans escape their ordinary sense of self?

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Key Takeaways from Stealing Fire

✓Discover how high-performing individuals, from extreme athletes to Navy SEALs, tap into "ecstasis"—a state of altered consciousness that drastically boosts human performance.
✓Understand the historical roots of mind-altering practices and how humanity's age-old quest for non-ordinary states has evolved into today's $4 trillion Altered States Economy.
✓Learn how elite military teams use cutting-edge technologies like EEG monitors and sensory deprivation tanks to train collective group flow and master split-second decision-making.
✓Explore the four main forces driving modern consciousness hacking—psychology, neurobiology, pharmacology, and technology—to safely access ecstasis without extreme risks.
✓Find out how previously unorthodox treatments, such as MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and surf therapy, are providing breakthrough, long-lasting relief for trauma and PTSD.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Stealing Fire

Mind Map

Stealing Fire

Core Concept: Ecstasis+

Group Flow & Performance+

The Four Forces of Ecstasis+

Real-World Application+

Hedonic Calendaring+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8

What is the primary definition of 'ecstasis' as described by the authors?

A. A state of extreme physical endurance achieved through years of rigorous training.
B. A psychological condition resulting from severe trauma or PTSD.
C. A state of mind translating to 'standing beyond oneself' that boosts human performance.
D. A technological method of hacking the brain's reward system to increase productivity.

Question 2 of 8

According to the text, what was the key factor that made the US Navy SEAL Team Six mission to capture Al-Wazu a success?

A. The team's reliance on highly advanced psychopharmaceutical drugs.
B. The team's ability to merge their consciousnesses and make collective split-second decisions.
C. The use of an AI therapist to monitor the team's stress levels during the operation.
D. The implementation of transcranial magnetic stimulation prior to the mission.

Question 3 of 8

Which unconventional treatments have shown promising results in alleviating symptoms of PTSD compared to traditional medications like Zoloft and Prozac?

A. MDMA, surfing, and meditation
B. Sensory deprivation, kykeon, and skydiving
C. Transcranial direct stimulation, video games, and caffeine
D. Hedonic calendaring, AI therapy, and cardiac coherence devices

Question 4 of 8

Why were patients in a 2014 study twice as likely to share personal information with the AI therapist 'Ellie' than with a human therapist?

A. Ellie prescribed experimental psychopharmaceutical drugs.
B. Ellie could predict submarine assignment success with high accuracy.
C. Ellie was perceived as nonjudgmental while reading facial expressions and vocal tones.
D. Ellie used virtual reality to simulate a safe, controlled environment.

Question 5 of 8

What neurological process occurs when we enter an altered state of consciousness through psychedelics, meditation, or exercise?

A. Neural hyper-connectivity, where the brain's chatter becomes amplified.
B. Transient hypofrontality, where certain parts of the brain are temporarily deactivated.
C. Cortical stimulation, which permanently alters the brain's chemical makeup.
D. Depatterning, which increases the number of neurons in the stomach and intestines.

Question 6 of 8

How did Alan Metni use technology to democratize the state of ecstasis he found in skydiving?

A. He developed an AI program that simulates the emotional thrill of flight.
B. He created wearable biofeedback devices that induce a feeling of weightlessness.
C. He invented indoor wind tunnels (iFly) to provide the rush of flying without the fatal risks.
D. He designed a sensory deprivation tank that mimics the adrenaline of a parachute jump.

Question 7 of 8

What real-world impact resulted from the spontaneous collaboration of hackers and officials at Burning Man in 2005?

A. The invention of transcranial magnetic stimulation devices.
B. The creation of Burners Without Borders to provide Hurricane Katrina disaster relief.
C. The establishment of the 'Burner Bar' in Afghanistan to treat PTSD.
D. The development of the first AI therapist to detect depression and anxiety.

Question 8 of 8

What is the final step in the authors' 'Hedonic Calendaring' system for exploring non-ordinary states?

A. Ranking activities using the Ecstasis Equation based on risk and reward.
B. Merging ecstasis activities with existing daily habits.
C. Taking a 30-day cold turkey break each year to avoid becoming a 'bliss junkie.'
D. Consulting a medical professional before engaging in extreme sports or using psychedelics.

Stealing Fire — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
2The search for non-ordinary states of consciousness goes back thousands of years.
3We recognize flow when we see it, but training ecstasis remains mysterious.
4MDMA, surfing, and meditation may help people living with PTSD.
5AI can use neurobiological data to identify strong teamwork skills and help prevent suicide.
6Psychedelic drugs can support the pursuit of ecstasis.
7New technology is making ecstasis more accessible, without the usual risks or commitments.
8Events like Burning Man offer a chance to use non-ordinary states to tackle urgent problems.
9Hedonic Calendaring helps you decide when and how to access ecstasis.
10Final summary

Stealing Fire Summary & Overview

Stealing Fire (2017) explores the controversial and exciting pursuit of altered states of consciousness. From tech entrepreneurs to BASE jumpers, meditators to festival-goers, it takes readers on a whirlwind tour of the revolutionary nonconformists trying to change the way they experience the world.

Who Should Listen to Stealing Fire?

Burning Man enthusiasts
Entrepreneurs curious about performance hacks
Psychology buffs interested in alternative therapies

About the Author: Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal

Steven Kotler is a New York Times best-selling author who specializes in human performance. He’s been nominated for two Pulitzer Prizes and has appeared in over 100 publications, including the Atlantic and the Harvard Business Review. His other books include The Rise of Superman, Bold, and The Art of Impossible.

Jamie Wheal is the founder of the Flow Genome Project, an international organization that researches human performance. He has given talks at Stanford University, Imperial College London, and the United Nations. Wheal is also the author of Recapture the Rapture.

Stealing Fire

If You're Curious About These Questions...

Listen to Stealing Fire — Free Audiobook

Key Takeaways from Stealing Fire

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Stealing Fire — Full Chapter Overview

Stealing Fire Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to Stealing Fire?

About the Author: Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal

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