Former warrior turned firefighter Myke Cole shares his journey from PTSD to mindfulness, highlighting the role of psychedelics in his recovery. He discusses the impact of Buddhism, social media on mental health, and inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita. Cole's candid reflections on resilience and wellness motivate listeners in their pursuit of balance and healing.
Psychedelics played a pivotal role in Myke Cole's PTSD recovery and transformation journey.
Buddhism provided Mike Cole with tools to cultivate mindfulness, presence, and a new perspective on life.
Mike Cole's aspiration to become a chaplain reflects his commitment to offer spiritual support and guidance in the fire service.
Deep dives
Impact of Psychedelics on PTSD and Transformation
The podcast discusses how psychedelics helped a former law enforcement officer, military drone operator, and volunteer firefighter, Mike Cole, survive and thrive through his PTSD journey. By using MDMA to dampen the fight-or-flight mechanism of the brain and psilocybin to activate the prefrontal cortex, Mike experienced profound shifts in perception and began to see the world and himself differently. The use of psychedelics served as a catalyst for his transformation, leading to a significant reevaluation of his identity and purpose.
Buddhism as a Path to Mindfulness and Present Living
The episode delves into Mike's journey into Buddhism and how it has transformed his life. Buddhism, particularly Soto Zen, is described as a practice rather than a belief system, focusing on meditation, attention, and living in the present moment. Mike emphasizes how Buddhism trains individuals to shift their focus from past memories and future anxieties to the present reality. Through Zen practices such as sitting meditation and koans, individuals learn to navigate their internal landscape and cultivate awareness and mindfulness in their daily lives.
Chaplaincy for Spiritual Support in the Fire Service
The conversation extends to Mike's aspiration to become a chaplain, bridging Buddhism and spiritual support within the fire service. By combining his Buddhist training with interfaith perspectives and deep respect for various religious traditions, Mike aims to offer spiritual guidance and support to firefighters and emergency responders. The chaplaincy role is envisioned as a means to provide multi-faith support, drawing on Mike's expertise in ancient history, intelligence work, and religious studies to offer diverse spiritual care within the fire service.
The Story of King Pyrrhus and the Limitations of Ego
The podcast episode explores the story of King Pyrrhus, a warlord from ancient history, to illustrate the theme of never being satisfied. Despite conquering vast territories, King Pyrrhus continued to seek more conquests, demonstrating the insatiable nature of ego. The story highlights the importance of recognizing when 'enough' has been achieved and finding contentment in simple pleasures.
Embracing Vulnerability and Inner Growth through Stoicism
The podcast delves into the concept of Stoicism, emphasizing acceptance and presence over resistance. Stoicism is portrayed as a path to bravery and self-discovery by confronting personal barriers and vulnerabilities. By acknowledging and holding tenderly the aspects of oneself that evoke fear or discomfort, individuals can cultivate inner strength and authenticity, leading to genuine connections with others and fostering personal growth.
Introducing the Warrior Firefighter Myke Cole. In a revealing episode of 'Beneath the Helmet,' Myke Cole discusses his transformative journey from a military and law enforcement background to embracing Buddhism and volunteering as a firefighter. Cole shares his battle with PTSD, the significant role psychedelics played in his recovery, and how moving towards mindfulness and service helped redefine his purpose.
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The episode delves deep into the importance of mental, physical, and spiritual health, highlighting Cole's approach to self-discovery through experiences, the impact of social media on mental well-being, and the inspiration drawn from the Bhagavad Gita. Despite not considering himself a spiritual guide, Cole's willingness to point others toward healing resources and his candid reflections on life's profound moments aim to motivate others in their personal pursuits of balance and wellness. 'Beneath the Helmet' presents a captivating narrative of resilience, healing, and the pursuit of serenity amidst life's challenges.
Connect with Myke
🌐www.mykecole.com
📢Subscribe on your preferred podcast platform, too, at www.beneaththehelmet.ca
Resources:
🔗MAPS Canada https://www.mapscanada.org/ or https://maps.org/
👇Ten Thousand Flowers in Spring” by Wu-Men.
“Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,
a cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.
If your mind isn't crowded with ten thousand things,
this is the best season of your life.”
― Wu-Men
Books by Myke Cole
🔗https://mykecole.com/
Articles by Myke Cole
🔗From the Chaplains’ Study: Being Present Can Save a Life Article: https://www.sizeup-digital.com/nfcq/0423_issue_4__2023/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=1938318#articleId1938318
🔗 The Fraught Future Of Volunteer Firefighting: https://www.npr.org/2023/07/26/1190294160/the-fraught-future-of-volunteer-firefighting
Connect with the Host: 🎙️Arjuna George – Fire Chief (ret)
Owner of Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting, Beneath the Helmet Show, and Burnt Around the Edges author.
🌐www.silverarrowco.com
🌐www.burntaroundtheedges.com
🌐www.beneaththehelmet.ca
📧 arjuna@silverarrowco.com
00:00:00 Introduction
00:10:46 Overcoming Self Doubt and failure
00:21:47 Transformation with psychedelics
00:34:45 Buddhism
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