“But, Robin, please! What does this have to do with Joint Ventures and business? Enough of the philosophy, already!”

As long as we’re dealing with people and money, philosophy is the basis on which we have to base our assumptions, predictions, choices, and evaluations.

This article may go a little way to illustrating my point.

What is Mysticism?

Ayn Rand writes,

“What is mysticism?

Mysticism is the acceptance of allegations without evidence or proof, either apart from or against the evidence of one’s senses and one’s reason. Mysticism is the claim to some non-sensory, non-rational, non-definable, non-identifiable means of knowledge, such as ‘instinct,’ ‘intuition,’ ‘revelation,’ or any form of ‘just knowing.’ Reason is the perception of reality, and rests on a single axiom: the Law of Identity. Mysticism is the claim to the perception of some other reality—other than the one in which we live—whose definition is only that it is not natural, it is supernatural, and is to be perceived by some form of unnatural or supernatural means.”

Mysticism to Conceal Real Motives

I was recently copied on an e-mail from a woman who intended to join the DollarMakers Club, but had problems understanding how to use PayPal. When it was resolved, she jumped to the confusion that Outlook Express had somehow caused an issue with her credit card not working, and this was her response:

“I am taking the mishap as a signal that perhaps my application to Dollarmakers was not meant to be at this time.”

When we use our ineptitude and normal daily frustrations to justify a change in mind, we’re using mysticism to conceal our real motives.

Red Flags

We all seek evidence to support our dominant beliefs – that’s quite normal. Many people use their children and families as excuses to disguise their real values and motives, but that’s usually easy to determine. When it comes to mysticism, however, a huge red flag goes up. But wait! Perhaps this is what the color red might really signify!  See what I mean? Ridiculous.

Easier to Choose Blame Then Taking Responsibility

“The universe is trying to tell me something” – amazing.

Visit your local Theosophical Society or Science of Mind meeting, and see how many successful business owners you find there, (apart from the ones running the meeting – they have a special agenda.)

It’s easier to blame your Spirit Guide, karma, numerology, or astronomy than to take responsibility for your own bad choices, laziness, or lack of commitment. I know – I have been involved in and studied many kinds of mystical organizations, and philosophies – they’re all basically the same.

Here’s The Bottom Line

If you want to do business with someone, you need to establish that you’re working with an adult who is

• sane,
• responsible,
• rational,
• objective,
• and mature.

Or be prepared to have them disguising their dishonesty and slothfulness with voodoo nonsense and justifications.

Cloaking one’s real agenda is mysticism and only works for those who share the illusions and delusions.

Get Real

Instead of talking chakras and essential oils, let’s talk numbers, ratios, and profit. Let’s stop fooling ourselves and get real. Evaluate your future business associates carefully, and avoid the mystics at all costs.

The:

1. psychics and swamis,
2. fakirs and fakers,
3. gurus and grifters,
4. posers and prophets

will simply waste your time and steal your peace of mind.

Finally, many years ago, I attended a wonderful business seminar with a friend of mine. The seminar leader was a brilliant entrepreneur who has made a fortune for himself and others. He was talking about one’s context, cognizance, and perceptions in business, and my friend was angry that

“this arrogant man spends his time philosophizing.”

Well, your philosophy will ultimately determine where you end up in life, and it is the basis of all your choices and the results you create. Many years, my friend’s philosophy has brought him to where he is, and mine has brought me to where I am – a world apart.

Work With Like-Minded People

For me, Capitalism and Objectivism work well. I suggest all business owners read “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand – it’s the best book I ever read. I am responsible for the circumstances I create and for my reaction to those circumstances. I don’t make excuses, mooch off others, or blame ethereal causes or other people for my choices. And I work with like-minded people.

Carefully evaluate the people with whom you propose to do business: what do they read and believe? Alternatively, leave it to your Spirit Guide to do the work for you, while you zone out with incense and nonsense. It’s easier, until you find yourself living under a bridge with other evolved beings.

I am often shocked when people smirk and hiss at the length of the speech by John Galt in “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand, but then I realize that those who hate that speech have realized that it is, in fact, the very essence of a philosophy that exposes their own impotence and thievery.

Parasites don’t like to be called parasites, any more than losers like to admit that they are incompetent and impotent mediocrities.

When a looter looks in a mirror and sees himself for what he really is, he breaks the mirror.

A Speech For Winners and Producers

Winners and producers, on the other hand, love the speech, “This is John Galt Speaking”, and wish it were longer.

It:

• feeds us,
• sustains us,
• encourages,
• empowers,
• motivates us,
• is our bible,
• is our motto,
• is a reminder that we are on track to greatness.

We listen to that speech on CD’s and read it when we wonder if we’re the only people who see what is happening in a world that is falling fast into a deep fissure of socialism, mysticism, collectivism, and government control.

There is no public ownership of the mind. That is all we have, and it is all we need.

A Tool for Knowledge

If you want to know who people really are and what their philosophy is, get them to read this book, and this speech in particular.

Better to read the entire book, since it sets the correct context for the speech. Losers don’t even read, and if they do, they read junk, so they’re excused right at the outset.

Then, simply watch the reaction of the readers.The champions will love this book, re-read it, and embrace and promote the philosophy and Galt’s speech.

Are You A Winner?

Here’s a sample, to illustrate my point – watch your own reaction, and perhaps you will make a discovery of your own philosophy:

“The parasites who asserted that my brain and my life were their property…
The professor who, unable to think, takes pleasure in crippling the minds of his students…
The businessman who, to protect his stagnation, takes pleasure in chaining the ability of competitors…
The incompetent who takes pleasure in defeating achievement…
The mediocrity who takes pleasure in demolishing greatness…
The extortion of loafing relatives…”

Your philosophy will determine what you love and achieve in life. Be sure to choose a good one.

If you have read Ayn Rand’s prophetic “Atlas Shrugged”, you will know that we are living in turbulent times, and that this book is the capitalist’s guidebook and map, our survival tool.

It puts things into perspective, and helps the reader to see through the illusions, deceptions, and lies fed to us by the collectivist powers that be.

As a capitalist, a producer, and a creator, there is no way one can find common ground with collectivists and mystics – that compromise will kill you as sure as trying to make friends with a rattlesnake will.

The alternative is Galt’s Gulch.

A Speculative Form of Galt’s Gulch

While I don’t recommend a literal Galt’s Gulch, in which the producers in society physically leave the wretched world of parasites and looters that has been subjugated and enslaved by the statist government behind, and form their own

• lifestyle,
• governance,
• and territory,

a figurative, allegorical or speculative form of Galt’s Gulch is, in my opinion, the only way to prosper in a socialist/communist environment.

A Grand Solution

Understanding the dynamics, requirements, benefits, and parameters of Galt’s Gulch as presented by Ms. Rand allows one to formulate the mindset and philosophy that is necessary to emulate such a grand solution metaphorically.

By realizing the implications and consequences of socialist world government, one can avoid the looting of the slackers, the incompetent, and the moochers, financial rape by government and the mystics, and, ultimately, the complete loss of personal freedom.

Creating a personalized, representative Galt’s Gulch means carefully selecting and teaming up with like-minded producers who share one’s:

• philosophy,
• ideology,
• motives,
• and beliefs,

and operate with the integrity and congruency to be found among some intelligent, rational capitalists.

A Formula for Success

With the understanding gleaned from Ayn Rand’s work and my experience of life and business, along with a realization of the way the world is moving, I started DollarMakers as a type of “filter” to find people who fit the Galt’s Gulch model.

Far from being a conspiracy theorist or alarmist, I am a realist and an Objectivist, and practical common-sense that is free from the mind-numbing poison of collectivism and mysticism dictates that I create a Galt’s Gulch, since success occurs when preparation meets opportunity, and forewarned is forearmed.

Having seen what has happened in Africa, Europe, the United Kingdom, and now America, the proverbial writing is one the wall.

Ayn Rand wrote,

“All work is an act of philosophy.”

For innovators, produces, and creators, our work is our lives – our businesses are simply an extension off our philosophies and values.

We take our work very seriously, and we take full responsibility for being the best we can be. We don’t do it for other people – we do it for ourselves.

A writer must write, a painter has to paint, and a dancer is compelled to dance, since what they do is an expression of their minds. Entrepreneurs are also artists. Musicians create symphonies; business owners create businesses.

BLOOMBERG.com

This past week we enjoyed a wonderful Alaskan Cruise. High end, high class, high standards. Ran like clockwork, every detail attended to.

One night, a large section of the crew, including officers, chefs, and people representing every department, showed up on the stage in the theater at the end of one of the performances. They sang, and it was great. The entertainment manager stated at the end of the event,

“We represent many countries and creeds. See how we can all work together in perfect harmony, regardless of our backgrounds, cultures, religions, or education? We have a lot to teach the world.”

They then proceeded to sing, “We are the world.” Very sweet, but not very accurate.

A Principle of HarMONEY

Are you being sabotaged by your socialization?

Blocked by your beliefs?

Trashed by your training?

Flummoxed by your philosophy?

Ultimately, your beliefs are your means to justify and organize your behavior, and therefore control your life. So, how are you doing right now? Got a great life? Future bright, or slightly brittle?

A friend of mine went kayaking with his wife and two kids in beautiful Deep Cove. He sat in front of one kayak with their daughter in the back, and off they paddled. His wife sat in front of the other kayak, with their son in the back, and off they went. After a while, my friend noticed that, while he and their daughter had traveled far and wide and were having great fun, the other kayak was still going around in circles.