After watching Jordan Peterson talk about what it is to be “good”, I feel that displacing every golfer’s darker impulses with an open stance is warranted. You may find the discussion of avoidance as interesting as I do. Let me begin by first setting Peterson’s perspective front and center.
Peterson argued that he isn’t good. He is has a healthy fear of his darker impulses. “I became terrified of how terrible I could be.” Arguing that the nature of man is inherently evil, he cites a history splotched with war, genocide, and corruption. Jordan even takes us, biblically, all the way back to God destroying his creation due to our misdeeds.
Therefore, he recommends his students “Read history as a perpetrator and not as a victim or a hero.” Isn’t that a fantastic twist on the prevailing narrative-consciousness? We battle the forces of success, arrogance, and worldly corruption as we walk our path.
The path, to JP, represents Truth… not OUR truth… but THE truth. Therefore, the path is not OUR path, but THE path. Inevitably, some stray from the path, and some don’t.
JP explains the psychology as we derive power and, by association, happiness by controlling our dark side. We need to ‘focus on an ideal that is transcendent and absolute, or we will fall for anything.’ This guy has the most fascinating intellect I’ve ever witnessed. Nonetheless, Jordan creates an opportunity for a corollary I find irresistible, so I will now turn onto Golf Blvd.
Our darker golfing impulses revolve around our desire to define our individuality in a competely subjective manner. We indulge in what makes our golf swing unique by creating our own definitions – never knowing where the path is. Some go through their cloudy, mist-shrouded, peat-laden, golfing life having never even searched for a stable footing of truth.
You see, golf does not tolerate equivocation or subjective reinvention. Our golf game demands what our life demands – discipline, self-control, hard work, and pursuit of truth. When we stop doing one of these, we leave the path for indulgences of ego and sloth, to name two. Consequently, our game suffers. In short, golf doesn’t play our dark game. Golf doesn’t reward undisciplined golfers with lasting success, so why start down that road?
I have made it my mission to bring the truth about THE golf swing to everyone doing the work on their own. However, I could invoke my inner Jordan Peterson and say it a different way. For instance, I could say, ‘I want golfers to become terrified of how terrible they could be if they listen to modern, subjective instructors.’ Why would I want to cause anxiety? Because, there is a transcendent idea just sitting beside you as you ponder your darker impulses. All you have to do is pursue it, and it’s light will show you the path.
Open your stance, and play golf.
John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy
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