The Righthand Way | Fragments of Pythagorean Philosophy

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The Righthand Way can be found in the following poem: The Pythagorean Y
The Pythagoric Letter two ways spread,
Shows the two paths in which Man’s life is led
The right hand track to sacred Virtue tends,
Though steep and rough at first, in rest it ends;
The other broad and smooth, but from its Crown
On the rocks the Traveller is tumbled down.
He who to Virtue by harsh toils aspires,
Subduing pains, worth and renown requires:
But who seeks slothful luxury, and flies,
The labor of great acts, dishonor’d dies.
- Maximinus
Pythagoras was born in the sixth century BC to an engraver of fine gems. His father ensured his education by having him study under Creophilus and Pherecydes. It was asserted that young Pythagoras was the spawn of a divinity due to his engaging aspect and manner of speaking.
Thales, one of the seven wise men of antiquity, encouraged him to travel to Egypt, specifically to the Priests of Memphis and Zeus.
After Pythagoras returned, his over 218 followers and students over many centuries wrote very little that survived. In this video, we'll be sorting through some fragments.
NOTICE: I used AI to generate most images for this video. Other than for the purposes of image generation the writing, research, voiceovers, and editing are ALL done in-house.
MUSIC: Jelliot - Fearful Solitude, Tacit Sounds - The Unfolding, Wes Bilen Music - Surface Tension.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Primary Pythagorean quotes and history derived from: Iamblichus' The Life of Pythagoras (Taylor translation) & The Pythagorean Sourcebook (Guthrie Translation) [which is a comprehensive anthology].

[@joeldt1520]

I keep watching this over and over again. It feeds my wellbeing and keeps me calm. It’s a struggle to find better.

[@JohnSmith-ps7yq]

Your production is reeeeeeeaaaaaaalllllllly good.

[@feltongailey8987]

How many of these axioms I have been neglectful of. I certainly needed so many of these, at this particular season of my life. Thank you for your diligence in making this video. You absolutely earned my subscription.

[@americanesoteric]

Thank you for showing me exactly why it was made. 🙏

[@charlesbetz9475]

The universe isn't made up of numbers. Pythagoras noticed that musical ratios and ratios found in nature are the same. And it's not a world of illusion that can be controlled, that implies an intricate and complex internal life that can't be controlled, higher planes of reality that are out of the reach of our everyday sensory perception. It's a purely materialistic world that's controllable. That the mind is nothing but matter that can be molded, that plants and animals are our playthings, and that all this worlds resources are ours to be used. Pythagoras, like the Stoics, Buddhists, Taoists, Hindus, and even the early Christians talk about living in accordance with nature, in harmony with it, not about dominating it. Religions that say the world is an illusion are saying that because we need to transcend it. ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15‭-‬17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ "[15] Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. [16] For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. [17] And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever."

[@Breca]

The last sentence brought a tear to my eye for I have lived as described, And do consider myself a philosopher. Here's to us, Who's like us dam few, And they're all dead. - Robert Burns

[@skiptoacceptancemdarlin]

of course you consider yourself a philosopher. jesus holy christ.

[@WhiteCrowHuntingBuffalo]

I go to alot of places to listen to like topics. I know of one, started with 300 subs when I began watching, now he's 140k, blew up recently. I can tell his life has changed too! I'm going to spread good word about American esoteric. Bring you some more attention, this content is top notch, and spreading good word in various places helps that algorithm everyone talks about. I understand what an algorithm is, just don't know what all it effects, apparently alot. American esoteric, just stay true to what you're doing, keep it factual, as that is a very big deal right now. There's some channels which are spreading misinformation which is next to fantasy. Awesome job

[@ai_serf]

when going over the values of Pythagorean Philosophy I feel like your narrating my super ego philosophy. wow.

[@zemnly]

I really like the way you've presented this. Illuminating.

[@pauliedibbs9028]

A truly beautiful and enlightening video, thank you... I wish you much great success!

[@paulwebb6914]

Simon,simon,simon....easily the most insightful and concise exposition of the truth regarding the'modern' malaise ive seen...anywhere, ever. Stay strong and stay classy...🙂🤝💜

[@americandeathcamp]

Absolutely my new favorite KZbin channel...this is important content

[@mattbattaglia4694]

wow I got a feeling this channel is going to be incredible

[@Bella-wl6fn]

Wow, I absolutely loved this, I saved to rewatch and also, you're a great narrator, my listening senses are very picky with bedtime docs. The content and narrator have to vibe right and only the best doc makers know this delicate balance. Theres niche market in bedtime history docs...this was a perfect surprise 🫶 liked and subscribed THANK YOU😊

[@skaggenit]

An engaging and generous oration.. Very much enjoyed. Thank you.

[@BIGkundalini]

I love this bro. Tear Not To Pieces The Crown

[@anxiousmonk7990]

Wonderfully done, Brother. It sparked something in me. I pray that I can keep it lit after boredom sits right back in

[@simonsimon1572]

Pythagorean brotherhood was the intellectual wing of greek oligarchs who favoured a philosophy which espoused that people couldn't trust their senses and that true reality could only be discovered through numbers - which was the pythagorean belief even though they knew reality wasn't made of numbers. The reason is that if reality is numbers it can be completely controlled and centralised, which can't be done with people's intuitive common sense, as our sensory organs are decentralised to our bodies. It's now being used as a replacement for religion. Our prophets foresee 'the future' through their statistics. Our politicians justify their policy decisions as 'guided by the data'. All our popularised modern philosophers are rationalists who deny lived experiences as an illusion, or believe in simulation theory/ the matrix, which is the same thing. A reality made out of numbers. Once people have been convinced to deny the evidence of their senses their minds can be completely controlled. Science is simply faith in the senses to verify what we might theorise as true in our minds. If you remove sensory validation from science you could demolish a steel framed building in the middle of a city in front of thousands of people and convince them, through data modelling, that it actually collapsed due to office fires.

[@todradmaker4297]

Numbers are merely a method for understanding the matrix of our senses, however there is a more fundamental unseen source for those numbers.

[@alejandromadrid8075]

Amazing post!

[@alejandromadrid8075]

Also they want us to deny our feelings of disgust derived from our particular being and replace them with a the objective thoughts of some universal constructed being, who has never and will never exist.

[@karupt422]

Interesting theory

[@fp-ko7vg]

Very interesting

[@alienautopsy9326]

Important thing to notice on this Spartan soldier’s perfect form, on any fly exercise to NOT over extend too far behind the torso. You feel a good stretch when you do but you risk injury of over tearing muscle fiber. Happy gains kids

[@dinolandshark104]

Very beautiful work. Extremely well done.

[@Dz-go3gu]

absolutely outstanding video. The inclusion of all those maxims and some expanse on them is great. Pythagorean ways of thinking are extremely inspiring

[@americanesoteric]

Thank you for watching!

[@benriggan5267]

This is a gem...gratitude

[@EPixieGrin]

Wow great. I've always felt inspired by Pythagoras. Thank you for creating this.

[@Jose-ur7jz]

You did a wonderful job, thank you very much for sharing all this knowledge

[@jonathanwilner6174]

Beans swell with water when cooked symbolizing unmitigated pride, but beans also symbolize the fetus gestating in its mother's womb. Trampling upon a beanfield implies cutting off life's potentiality to give rise to that which grows and becomes greater than its origin. Trampling upon a field of beans then is likened to an abortion -- the abolition of the future. And, it is the future which awaits us all. The future is place and home for our values. Without the future, we cannot cherish life. Every animate creature reaches out towards its future whether it be a plant yearning for sunlight or a human child stretching its arms towards its mother. This then is what the bean symbolizes.

[@josephpercy1558]

This has more to do with the ancient doctrine of cosmic sympathy. It's also the root of most ancient magic systems.

[@theherbman2101]

Beautifully put, I’m surprised you don’t have more likes

[@hokehinson5987]

The guide lines are similar to the Buddhist right fold path... just goes to show truth is found in many forms..judge not a book by its cover....give all men your ear, but few thine voice....

[@uNeedsomeadvice]

Solid work! Keep climbing!

[@retribution999]

A truly excellent video full of compressed knowledge insight and wisdom.

[@AJ-nx1uy]

Speaking, now there's to be a fully humming bird with the knowledge of a OSO.

[@Condoug10]

Great Stuff, New subscriber here! Its funny how all the sudden some ppl in the comments are now experts on the pythagoreans 😂

[@4dante]

quality content thank you good sir

[@benhudson4014]

Fellow flame my brother much love!

[@metaphysicswithariyana2794]

Thank you

[@DonumDeiLuminis]

Beautiful video

[@dlmiller7873]

This is excellent.

[@joeldt1520]

One of the top clips here on KZbin

[@nicholasleonardbookedits-si9ng]

Some nebulas our eyes remind me of, but did someone have your eye color once? Cobwebs have gone too long without our touch where princess-phantoms pray their genes prolong. Her phantom sees you pay to see a film, and sees you pay for fruit she used to plant. Those tangerines that hang are free to steal! because they’ll recognize her in your hand. How could our senses face this many tolls? How could they charge our sense of taste and sight? Behind thy shoulder stands a lovely ghost who established the color of your eyes. Her jaw is dropped. Her heart revives to break, because her kin are less human; more slave. - a sonnet that i wrote

[@rb919]

Reale riconoscere reale💫 PROPS🖋️

[@jasonwilcox6890]

Incredible stuff.

[@HowardARoark]

Really great video - thanks so much for this.

[@ff-1971]

This is amazing work

[@login4433]

This video is excellent

[@abduragiemsamsodien4887]

Awesome thanks from South Africa.

[@athenastarbrite2955]

Very interesting! Thank you!👍

[@jamieclarke321]

Very enjoyable video good work

[@philalethes216]

If I could show one video to my teenage self it would be this.

[@GCGDEV]

Excellent video. Really good job, man.

[@carlandrews5810]

Great video, thank you.

[@TH3F4LC0Nx]

Wow, there's a lot more to Pythagoras than what I learned in geometry class. XD

[@LightVibrationPresenseKindness]

great content!

[@seyyers]

Video is slept on this is phenomenal mindspace

[@timyates807]

well done sir !!! i was captivated until the end , i found it very enjoyable and i learned alot from it . thank you very much , i wish there were more videos made like this one today, there are some ,but not enough i find . Im subbing up right away so that i wont miss other videos you make . I do hope you continue to create more like this .its very well done , thanks again and take care

[@americanesoteric]

Thanks for watching! You will no doubt find more. Cheers 🤝

[@RobertoCardella]

Why this int thought in school? Such a great job. I have been looking for about the life of Pythagoras I am glad I found this page

[@jeremylincoln965]

Excellent 😎🏰

[@TheMidwestbear]

great presentation!

[@stephenburgess5710]

I appreciate your attention to pronunciation.

[@raphaelmoraczewski1106]

Angry is not what you think it is, the stars are fate...nothing to do with earthly superiors or leaders. Angry is one of the most human emotions, out of five.

[@androsislandrox]

Excellent, excellent , excellent. This is fantastic.

[@beesheer3761]

Just found your channel and love it! Blessings to you brother

[@americanesoteric]

And to you! 🤝🏽

[@Elements5025]

Definitely a fan of pythagoras.

[@coreycoffell6219]

"Within the seed of anything, is the seed of everything."-CAC

[@BardovBacchus]

In defense of the sinister, I think many people misunderstand hedonism, that it can only be idle pleasure seeking. Pleasure comes in many forms, including satisfaction in a job well done. In my experience, those who extol the virtue of 'hard work' are usually far more concerned with the industry of others, and judging them if they don't meet expectations

[@Kwamya10]

You didn't have to go so hard but you did. Great video.

[@Weedwizard600]

Amazing video new subscriber for sure

[@protagtom]

I cannot wait for a video on classical hermeticism.

[@americanesoteric]

OH, Hermes and his friend Trismegistus are my favorite patrons. Expect a series.

[@protagtom]

@@americanesoteric I read the corpus hermeticum (Copehavers translations) and other fragments in David Litwas Hermetica II. Also I'd recommend checking out hermetic Spirituality and the historical imagination by Wouter Hanegraaff. They will all prove incredibly helpful for creating a coherent and robust understanding and interpretation of Hermeticism. That probably could produce hours of content.

[@dubndrapwilwork]

Pythagoreans the first people to warn people of the danger of soy. they truly knew the horrors of soyboys

[@ronaldsimonds4013]

This seems to be proof that nothing has changed in human history, except the background. As though 2-3... 10k years ago, two people were saying the same thing to each other that they do today.

[@frontroom]

nice video!

[@josebravo1976]

Life is words and number

[@TheCornerstone33]

I am so glad I found this channel. I would recommend you do an episode on my personal hero. John Dee

[@americanesoteric]

I am glad you're here! I would need to do a lot more research on him. Send any book recs my way.

[@garrinking6489]

'Hieroglyphic Monad' is interesting..

[@sense1510]

Nice to see someone taking Masonry seriously, good work Bro🙏🏽❤️

[@SpaceDolphinPosadist]

Great channel new sub

[@vovakarma7885]

Aesthetically very pleasing and spiritually very enlightening. Please, go on! Can you also provide the sound in the back? I think it's perfect for contemplations and deep dives into any subjects

[@americanesoteric]

Thank you! There are three songs used throughout the video: Jelliot - Fearful Solitude, Tacit Sounds - The Unfolding, Wes Bilen Music - Surface Tension.

[@vovakarma7885]

@@americanesoteric where can I find them? Spotify doesn’t seem to have any (

[@americanesoteric]

@@vovakarma7885 You might not be able to. Their music is licensed to a private company (Motion Array) and may only be accessible to paying members.

[@jdspharmacopeiacsaspagyria9615]

You’re killing it bro!!!

[@americanesoteric]

Thank you, Nick! 🤝🏽

[@LumenSeeker]

Very interesting, please make a video about the Nag Hammadi

[@drdyer23]

i take "abstain from beans" to mean "don't make money the focus your life", you know, as well as literally, of course ☻

[@drdyer23]

my favourite story about the legendary dude is him sometimes taking groups of the most devoted students/followers away from the cities into forests, where they'd make "cakes" out of ground up poppy seeds and the skin of a certain plant that had stimulant qualities. i think they ate them with a goat milk and honey drink? (forgive me, there's been quite a few years pass between when i studied this, and now). they'd all be awake for several days and nights, but also be very out of it due to the poppies. reason being he needed his students - particularly the ones studying math - to break down rigid ways of thinking and to temporarily exist "outside of time". what a groovy fellow ☻

[@xeykdeyk]

I am certin that it has only ever been those with money already to ever say such

[@Amaend8]

Right hand it is.

[@hermosafieldsforever4782]

"Cast off no doubt in wisdom, but accept only that which is of some benefit".... My Grandfather

[@lauravillanueva2175]

Indeed

[@sarazohar4923]

I am in love with this video, is that even possible how much I can go back in history

[@peterhamlet1415]

Ah yes, the godfather of freemasonry

[@HilareBelloc]

Soundtrack is lovely. Is there a name for the artist. Great video, thanks.

[@americanesoteric]

There are three songs used throughout the video: Jelliot - Fearful Solitude, Tacit Sounds - The Unfolding, Wes Bilen Music - Surface Tension.

[@HilareBelloc]

@americanesoteric much appreciated sir

[@MysticalPolymath]

SICKKKK

[@simban00]

Pythagoras was the gift to Greeks and his wisdom influenced all Greek philosophers. He was more than a philosopher, he was a spiritual leader grounded on Orphic spirituality.

[@Bluesruse]

That's if there was an actual Pythagoras. And even if there weren't, the Pythagoreans were just a hack cult that took numbers and maths way too seriously, trying to fit them with their beliefs. I'd say to Pythagoras, that your whacky philosophy fails - the irrational number exists, and your musical scales don't work either. RIP.

[@simban00]

@@Bluesruse thanks for sharing your bias opinion. You have enlightened us with volumes on your knowledge in only two paragraphs. That is a big accomplishment to be proud of. As far as Pythagoras existing that is your problem. With regards to irrational numbers look up what π is. In so much as musical scales I am sure everyone that has tuned an instrument in the last 2500 years would challenge you on that one. RIP

[@Bluesruse]

​@@simban00 No need to get all riled up. He's no Messiah to me, so his (non)existence is no problem of mine. But thank you, let me enlighten you with some more knowledge then: Looking up at what π is, it seems it was first used to denote the ratio of circle's circumference to its diameter by William Jones in 1706. And it was proven to be irrational in the 1760s. Although, I'm not sure what π has to with what I said. The existence of irrational numbers that caused disturbance in the Pythagorean circles was √2, which can be derived from the "Pythagorean theorem" as c when a, b = 1. Perhaps you should look up what happened to the guy who showed this. And on the musical scales...One should really be wary of their own ignorance on a subject. It's not a good look to spew insults from nonsense. You see, Pythagoras thought that musical octaves could be perfectly represented in scales of what we call "pythagorean fifts" (that's 3/2 of base frequency). Except...They can't. Pythagoras cheated/made a mistake to fit his theory with his worldview (typical of cultist hacks). See, what you end up with, is a scale where certain notes produce a really dissonant sound that's called a "Wolf interval", which was a big nono to lots of musicians in history. So really, _"everyone that has tuned an instrument in the last 2500 years"_ would probably agree, that modern _equal temperament_ tuning has its benefits over Pythagoras' "perfect" solution, that's not perfect at all.

[@simban00]

@@Bluesruse and you still writing nonsense even acting like an intellect. Anyway thanks for coming out. Mark Twain once said don't argue with a idiot. Maybe listen to some Manly P Hall to help you out.

[@Bluesruse]

​@@simban00 _"and you still writing nonsense even acting like an intellect. Anyway thanks for coming out. Mark Twain once said don't argue with a idiot."_ Wow, isn't that quite the argument you got there buddy. Well done. Mark Twain was right about that one. I hope the irony is not lost here.

[@EddieEndriss]

❤

[@johnjohnson798]

Awesome video! Subbed! Question, could you please post your references used as in books? Thanks

[@americanesoteric]

Yes, I will update the description soon. “The Life of Pythagoras” by Iamblichus. Taylor translation. And, “the Pythagorean Sourcebook” the Guthrie translation. Those are my two primary sources for the quotes etc.

[@user-ox4jr8dl2j]

overdue the real legend

[@MengzisDisciple]

Just read the Upanishads---where Pythagoras got his philosophy from; although the Western world wants to deny this, as it would mean Western philosophy is actually Eastern in origin. In a similar vein, the Prophet Mohammed in the Koran claims one must read the Book of Enlightenment in order to know God. Muslims ever since have refused to even guess which book Mohammed was referring too---my guess, that same Upanishad work (the Book of Wisdom (God/Allah Knowledge) and the Core of the Vedas). "German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer was deeply impressed by the Upanishads and called them "the most profitable and elevating reading which ... is possible in the world.""

[@knowone3529]

"Sit not down on de bushel"!

[@shivabreathes]

All this is well and good, and useful to know as a historical exercise. However, for those who truly seek to walk such paths and gain such wisdom as is described here, know that the truth is hiding in plain sight. It is right before you, there is no need to go down these nostalgic and obscure paths. This knowledge was valuable once upon a time, but the straight path has now been opened up to all who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

[@joemccarthy4270]

People knowingly tell the swarms about their destruction are doing it so the indecisive will be without excuse and because living around these swarms tends to have delirious effect on everyone even, the honest. Better to receive the repercussions earlier than latter. Allowing dishonesty to occur on a large scale is very similar to shaking hands with a leech.

[@davemiller6055]

The Pythagoric letter two ways spread, Shows the two paths in which Man's life is led. The right hand track to sacred virtue trends, Though steep and rough at first, in rest, it ends; The other broad and smooth, but from it's Crown On the rocks the Traveller is tumbled down. He who to Virtue by harsh toils aspires, Subduing pains, worth and reknown requires: But who seeks slothfull luxury, and flies, The labor of great acts, dishonor'd dies.

[@Merlin-ur1dz]

Agree

[@MiguelSantos-cu9sn]

Good job with the video, just correcting an imprecision , Pherecydes of Syros, Pythagoras teacher, was not a syrian, but from the island of Syros in the greek Cyclades archipelago.

[@americanesoteric]

Thank you! You’re right. He is at least called a Syrian by Iamblichus or Diogenes. I would have to check which.

[@garrinking6489]

Was gonna tap the like button but you are at 420

[@samconner5479]

First contact with Persian priest hood and the Greek went from Homer to Heraclitus and Pythagorean ethics, these are students of Zoroaster from the onset the they expanded their knowledge from others, Oxford dictionary says Zoroaster is the first philosopher

[@ecsays]

Love the vibe and poetic approach to the subject. Please consider using the correct pronunciation of names in order to prevent cringe worthy reactions (e.g. Samos [saymos?] and many others).

[@americanesoteric]

At your service mi lady

[@joeldt1520]

And so the world is individual.

[@poeticronin7235]

What’s a good book to read in regarding the teachings and philosophy?

[@americanesoteric]

Check out the books in the description. The Pythagorean Sourcebook is what you’re looking for.

[@YawehthedragondogofEL]

According to some scholars beans are actually an American fruit, and supposedly it is also written that the more you eat them the more you........ It's a secret, I will never tell.

[@iraja333]

The maxims question answer style is India Brahmin intelluctual method aswell common among intellectual debatesin India Bharat. Bharat root of all mathematics sciences medicines etc.

[@Thegamer-qd7eh]

no

[@nickhass7757]

"The all" isnt necessarily monotheistic, its more henotheistic or pantheistic, as it includes the other dieties and demigods still. And did not exclude the deities of other cultures.

[@MentatGhola]

I came here to say this. I can't find any evidence of Pythagoras or his followers being monotheists. I think it's similar to the Platonic "Source". It's not necessarily one god, but all of them.

[@Josemo123]

I don't know about all your interpretations but good vid

[@chrisbarry9345]

It feels like stoic Buddhism... At least in the statement shared here the idea of one God or unity could easily be interpreted as a single unify energy or presence or existence rather than an anthropomorphized God

[@TheTomahawkRepublic]

# Be honorable