• Bitcoin: A Universal Mirror
• State 1: Sincere Unawareness
• State 2: Skepticism and Dismissal
• State 3. Curiosity and Discomfort
• State 4. Ego Death—Research, Unlearning, Reframing Reality
• State 5. Deeper Engagement & Contribution
• Supporting Others

This article is part of a series called “The Psychology of Bitcoin: Awakening to Systemic Programming.” Here is the first article and more details on the series, including why my work is not AI-generated .

§Bitcoin: A Universal Mirror

Bitcoin acts as a universal mirror, reflecting back our individual and collective assumptions about money, freedom, and what it means to be human.

Looking into the reflection may reveal** uncomfortable truths** challenging ourselves and our world view; potentially sparking a longing for greater sovereignty, or reveal a deep-seated fear.

That is because acknowledging a reality based in universal principals rather than systemic distortions can be liberating; or unsettling.

The ego, preferring the known over the unknown, may initially resist our search for truth with shame, guilt, or fear. This resistance stems from an inner conflict between our deepest desires and the **systemic programming **we internalized as children.

This is cognitive dissonance (which we explored in depth in Part 1 of this series).

It manifests as subconscious limitations—the voices of our parents, of society, of government, re-playing in our heads. It’s the background noise that reminds us: “I can’t,” “I must,” “I should.”

While recognizing the cognitive dissonance is generally a sign of growth, it is completely natural to feel discomfort when encountering new ideas that deeply challenge our preconceived beliefs and comfort zone.

However, the ego fears growth as it can lead to it’s own perceived “death.” This is why we may initially turn away from the protocol of truth—comfort outweighs the potential discomfort of change.

I truly believe Bitcoin is leading many to (another) spiritual awakening—rather than being about our childhood or societal programming, it challenges systemic programming; our fiat-based beliefs.

I sense, from my own experience and discussions with others, that this awakening may also be characterized by different states and experiences.

Below is my attempt to qualify these states from a broad perspective, beginning with sincere unawareness of the protocol to deep engagement and contribution.

Important Note: Please keep in mind that these states are not hierarchical, nor should they be judged—no one is better or worse than another. Awaking is not a linear path, we can oscillate between states which simply reflect different understanding, experiences of reality, and truth seeking. The path towards awakening truly is unique for each individual :)

§State 1: Sincere Unawareness

“There is no problem to solve.”

At this stage we are unaware of Bitcoin.

Many sense that something is not quite right in their lives and in the world in general, but are encouraged to work harder.

Hustle culture and the American Dream, for example, are collective fiat-based ideals that fuel us to do more in an inflationary system designed to steal our productivity and trap us in an artificially scarce reality.

Often caught up in the demands of everyday life, we naturally and unconsciously try to carve out some freedom within a system we are unaware is designed to steal it from us.

Others may feel financially secure, trusting of governments, and believing that their taxes serve the collective good. In this case, we may not feel an intrinsic need to search for deeper truth because we have no perceived problem to solve.

In each section I will provide a table that brings systemic programming to the surface. As children born on Earth, we tacitly agreed to a false reality imposed by fiat and embodied in these beliefs. Once we see them and explore objective reality, we can unlearn and reprogram ourselves:

• Systemic Programming: Deeply ingrained collective subconscious beliefs.

• Unlearning: Seeing fiat reality for what it truly is, without distortions.

• Reprogramming: Learning a new reality based in Universal Laws, objective truths, and Bitcoin.

Some beliefs may be more evident or easier to unlearn than others, here are our first examples:

Becoming aware of Bitcoin expands our free will, allowing us to consciously choose between two fundamentally opposed systems. There is no inherent good or evil—only choice and conscious action.

Drawing from the Universal Law of Polarity, and illustrated by the Yin-Yang in Eastern philosophy, every force has an interconnected opposite—darkness and light are balanced and complementary forces.

This perspective allows us to choose our reality with greater awareness; otherwise we remain in fiat by tacit agreement.

§Reflect & Explore

Take some time to consider these questions as it can be a powerful exercise in identifying your true values:

• Do you want more money, or do you want what the money can buy (purchasing power)?

• Why are you working more and more for less and less purchasing power every year?

• What would it be like if you lived in a world where you received more value for less work every year?

• Does that idea feel impossible—even uncomfortable? Why?

§State 2: Skepticism and Dismissal

“Bitcoin is flawed.”

Skepticism and dismissal are natural initial reactions to Bitcoin.

We might see potential benefits of the protocol, but ultimately conclude that it is deeply flawed: used by criminals, bad for the environment, and bound to be shut down by governments.

After all, human history is rife with a repeating karmic cycle of broken trust and co-opted money; why would Bitcoin be any different?

It’s understandable to have questions and concerns when exploring new ideas, especially complex interdisciplinary topics like Bitcoin. I know, I had my own rebuttals and skepticism along my personal journey, but those transmuted fears provide a deeper understanding of those of others.

Recently, someone interrupted a presentation I was giving, listing reasons why Bitcoin would fail. My initial internal reaction was to refute each point; but while they were speaking a wave of understanding came over me.

Their words were not a personal attack or even an attack on Bitcoin; it was just them saying “hey, this is my cognitive dissonance.” If they came all the way to that educational event I had organized, they had at least some interest in resolving it.

I thanked them for sharing and invited them to continue asking questions and learning. I chose to hold space for their concerns rather than battle an ego not ready to move further along the Bitcoin path in that moment.

What I witnessed was my own ego’s attachments and the cognitive dissonance of others in action, surfacing not to cause more pain, but to liberate us from it.

If Bitcoin is a spiritual awakening—a sovereign search for truth—then our role isn’t to “orange pill” (an ego desire). Maybe it is to answer questions (if they ask), guide with open-ended inquiry (if they are ready), and encourage ongoing education when there is resistance.

If you are ready to embrace change, consider challenging the following beliefs:

This journey also prompts deeper questioning of our own personal choices and beliefs.

Recognizing how our daily lives, fiat job, or relationships contribute to the very system we are seeking to transcend can be profoundly unsettling.

This realization often triggers a cascade of emotions including fear, leading the ego to protect itself from grappling with disruptive change and a potential shift in identity.

Sometimes, life triggers our reality to become so uncomfortable that we are intrinsically forced to seek deeper truth. The discomfort nudges the ego aside allowing us to embrace the shift.

And so, we cannot force change; the desire must come from within.

§Reflect & Explore

Journal on the following questions to go deeper:

• What would happen if I took Bitcoin seriously?

• What if I allowed myself to step into a world that favours not only myself, but everyone else in service to myself?

• If I could free myself from my 9-5—what would I be doing with my time?

• Does that seem impossible—why?

§State 3. Curiosity and Discomfort

“What is money? Where does it come from? Why does it have such a hold on my life?”

Now we have noticed something isn’t quite right in Plato’s Cave. There might be less to fear behind the curtain in Oz—are you ready to truly see what it is?

At this stage, the discomfort of our cognitive dissonance cannot be ignored; our brain is starting to break, our ego is losing its grip on reality. We ask bigger questions, seek deeper truths.

However, there are fiat temptations all around us—the allure of cryptocurrency or promises of high yields on our sats.

Paper dreams, wrapped in Bitcoin clothing, tied to a fiat-reality.

Ego-based fiat incentives are trying to infiltrate Bitcoin; but Bitcoin always reveals truth.

If you are ready to embrace change, consider challenging these beliefs:

I recently learned a valuable lesson speaking with individuals at this state of their awakening.

A couple approached me after a presentation, expressing interest in my work in Bitcoin. He was is in traditional finance, she curious about the tech—both agreed that fiat is printed money and that we live in a fabricated reality.

They began asking me deep, probing questions,** seeming genuinely curious**.

However, every time we agreed on something they had a new rebuttal. I watched them them oscillate between State 2—skepticism and dismissal—and State 3—curiosity and discomfort.

It was clear they were grappling with big ideas.

But I didn’t fully understand fast enough that** they weren’t quite ready for such a significant shift**. It felt like inviting them to step onto a new path, one that required leaving behind their very identities—a challenging prospect for anyone.

After over an hour of disarming skepticism, unwinding mental conditioning, inspiring curiosity, and emotionally holding space for them; I felt completely depleted.

Engaging with skepticism is important, but I realized** I got caught up** in responding to their cognitive dissonance.

It was a lesson that questions are not always readiness.

If you are ready to lean into the discomfort with curiosity, these questions may assist you through the cognitive dissonance.

§Reflect & Explore

• What would the world look like without government intervention in money?

• What if we had a true free market where prices constantly fall?

• What would it be like if the productivity, skills, gifts, talents, and abilities of 8 billion people was in service to 8 billion people—accelerated by technological progress?

• And just keep learning about Bitcoin :)

  • Matthew Kratter’s Bitcoin University : Bitcoin education

  • BTC Sessions : Bitcoin tutorials

  • Any podcasts interviewing Jeff Booth

§State 4. Ego Death—Research, Unlearning, Reframing Reality

“Almost everything I was ever taught and believed was a lie. Who am I?”

Bitcoin is a pattern interrupt that requires us to look deeply into the void.

An insatiable curiosity, desire, intrinsic motivation are undeniable at this stage—we must resolve the cognitive dissonance.

This part of the journey is akin to a spiritual awakening’s dark night of the soul. We need to understand Bitcoin for ourselves, and our ego begins taking a backseat as we heed the soul’s higher calling to peruse truth. It is leading the way, acting as a guiding light on our journey through the dark underworld of fiat.

Countless podcasts and books eventually lead us to begin attending meetups and conferences. We learn about Central Banking, the IMF, and the agendas of unelected officials across the political spectrum.

We realized “politics are theatre on top of broken money” (Jeff Booth) and that globalist agendas are similar to the technocrat’s—egos seeking greater power, money, and control.

We embrace responsibility, consciously unlearning and reframing reality. We may reprogram our subconscious mind by listening to Bitcoin educators on repeat; unlearning falsehoods and integrating signal.

As the darkness surfaces, we may feel frustration and anger. We begin to see how everything is affected by and tied back to broken money—from what we experience in our everyday lives to the wars and division in the collective.

We realize there is a timeline where humanity experienced unimaginable abundance thanks to sound money, and that we are not on that timeline.

We are on the alternate 1985 timeline where Biff is president and George McFly passed away.

But finally, through the darkness of fiat, we have finally found the light.

We can see how Bitcoin truly flips the incentive structure of society from scarcity, war, and competition, to cooperation, peace, and abundance for all.

The excitement is palpable: “Bitcoin fixes this.” We feel hopeful, eager, and empowered with a renewed sense of agency.

Here we are, on the cusp of a New Era, ushering in a higher timeline—nodes choosing to break a 5,000 year karmic cycle.

We almost seem obsessed, because we cannot un-see the light.

While hodling is a strong path at this part of the journey, remaining in this mindset may lead to stagnation.

There is comfort in the known of this stage—you have made it so far already! I mean, here you are using Nostr;* but, are you willing to go even further?*

§Reflect & Explore

• How much Bitcoin do I really need in a world where prices fall to the marginal cost of production?

• What is holding me back from fully moving my time and energy into Bitcoin?

• Do I really need to stack that many sats for generational wealth in a world where prices fall and my great great grand children won’t even care about Bitcoin?

• What if I let go of the fear of scarcity and participated fully, knowing we live in an abundant world?

• How could I use my Bitcoin in service to myself; my family; my community; to Bitcoin?

§State 5. Deeper Engagement & Contribution

“I ask not what Bitcoin can do for me, I ask what I can do for Bitcoin.”
(Adapted from Max Keiser)

At this point, you have taken full self-custody of all your bitcoin, running a node, contributing hashrate, using it as a medium of exchange, and channelling your fiat skills into the Bitcoin ecosystem.

You also became an active Nostr user, and maybe even had the courage to delete your X account ;)

The cognitive dissonance has been resolved! Your values and actions are now aligned.

You experience a newfound, sense of grounded calm, peace, and clarity—almost child-like in nature. Your outlook is now** long-term **oriented, and your experience of time has shifted. You no longer chase clickbait about price or how much Bitcoin you need to own.

You embody the signal through the noise.

There is a fine line—a WuWei—between a knowing that Bitcoin need us, and recognizing that it does not; that it could fail, but it will succeed.

You ensure it’s success by actively voting with your node and maintaining a secure, decentralized, monetary network for all. You find fulfillment in channeling your time, energy, and skills into supporting the Bitcoin ecosystem and receiving value in sats in return. It has brought us to meet hundreds of** like-minded nodes **around the globe.

You are an active participant in this co-creation.

Transitioning to a full-time Bitcoin Standard can be challenging, as it requires significant life changes and belief shifts. It’s important to remember that we all approach finances from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

What feels like a straightforward choice for one person might be incredibly complex for another, navigating societal structures and individual circumstances.

It’s important not to judge ourselves or others; instead, focus on your path and take each step with patience and trust in yourself.

§Reflect & Explore

• How can I use my gifts, talents, and abilities to usher in a Bitcoin world?

• What does that world look like; feel like?

• What else is happening in the reality around me that I cannot perceive with my five senses?

• What does it mean to be human?

The last fifty pages of Beyond Money (my favourite part of the book) dive deeper into these questions.

It’s what excites me the most in Bitcoin; where this is taking humanity.

There is probably more to this journey—I may be unaware of it for now, and there certainly things we cannot yet foresee. Either way, I believe it is a path worth walking and my personal exploration and unlearning is ongoing.

While we may feel compelled to share our newfound truths with loved ones, this desire can present its own challenges.

§Supporting Others

We may naturally feel a deep intrinsic motivation to help others see the light we found in Bitcoin. We might want our loved ones, those struggling within the fiat system, to at least be open to the parallel reality we now inhabit.

And yet, we cannot help someone who does not want to be helped.

I wrote a chapter in the book on this topic, and it completely transformed during a year of editing. The first version was about asking questions and meeting people where they are; the published version holds more wisdom—be the change and welcome those who are ready.

It’s not about giving up on our loved ones, it’s about being there for them if/when they are ready and channelling our energy into uplifting those who ask for it in the meantime.

While I still struggle with this when it comes to close family and friends, releasing my desire for them to “get it” and **redirecting my energy **towards organizing educational events that attract those who are ready remind me we are all on a unique path, and that not everyone is ready (or will) awaken—and that’s ok.

I found this quote from Anne Lamott, acclaimed American author and essayist, to be telling in this regard: “Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.”

Just as a lighthouse guides ships safely through the storm, we can welcome those who are ready by creating space for them: organizing educational meetups, writing articles, creating podcasts, making videos, sharing art, vibe coding, etc.

Rather than making life happen “by me,” this process requires a dual experience of doing while surrendering, allowing, and “pulling in” genuine connections “through me” (concepts I explore in my book) by being the change.

This approach paves the way for us to create space for others to explore this transformative technology at their own pace.

There is a larger divine plan at play that our egos cannot control or gasp.

I sincerely believe that through a process of questioning, making conscious choices, experiencing greater free will, and exercising our sovereignty, we become the waves forming a rising tide that lifts all ships.

In the next article I will go even deeper into the most pervasive programming that many Bitcoiners—including myself—still have a hard time reframing because they have such a deep grasp on our perception and experience of reality. I know moving past them means true liberation and look forward to sharing.

Read the last article in the series (Coming Soon):

• Part 3: The Bitcoin Matrix—Entering a Parallel Reality by Exposing and Reframing Deep Systemic Beliefs

Beyond Money is a resource designed to dig even deeper into unlearning our systemic programming and embracing a new reality. If you feel drawn to explore these ideas and more, it could be a **valuable companion **on your journey:

• Extracts: Listen to the first 2h of Beyond Money or read the first 50 pages of the book

• Author Copy: High quality prints, lightning payments

• Amazon