Book SummaryStealing Fire, by Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Stealing Fire

Stealing Fire, co-written by Stephen Kotler and Jamie Wheal, tells the story of a modern revolution in our understanding of peak states of consciousness. These states, which the authors call “ecstasis” (we’ll call them peak states), are typically found through deep meditative experience, psychedelic exploration, extreme sports, and more. The authors argue that experiencing peak states can catalyze significant personal transformation, often through spiritual fulfillment, deep creative flow, or peak athletic performance.

For much of human history, various cultures have explored and experienced these states. Not until recently, though, have we...

Stealing Fire Summary Peak States Today and in the Past

To begin, we’ll explore how the authors define peak states and contextualize them in history. Namely, they argue that today’s ecstatic revolution is the most recent development in an age-old historical pattern. We’ll discuss how this development increases the potential of peak states to expand and improve our lives.

(Shortform note: Recent organizations such as The Third Wave support the authors’ contention that peak states are increasing in popular interest. Paul Austin founded The Third Wave in 2015 to advocate for the responsible and informed use of psychedelics as a route to peak states and personal transformation. They provide a range of free guides to various psychedelic substances as well as a comprehensive course to microdosing, which they promote as a safer way to reach peak states.)

What Are Peak States?

According to the authors, peak states (or “ecstasis”) are a specific set of altered states of consciousness. "Altered states of consciousness" means a nonstandard subjective experience—think inebriation versus sobriety.

While altered states include any state other than normal consciousness, peak states occur at...

Stealing Fire Summary The Scientific Advancements Pushing this Trend

Now that we’ve explained what peak states are and why they matter, we’ll explain how modern science has begun to demystify them, and we’ll detail the four broad trends that constitute a peak state revolution, according to the authors. Specifically, we’ll discuss advances across the fields of psychology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and biotechnology that reflect this increased interest in peak states.

How Modern Science Demystifies Peak States

For most of history, peak states have been shrouded in mystery for at least two reasons. First, we lacked the tools to study them with scientific rigor—not until recently have we had the tools to, say, study the brains of experienced meditators or psychedelic users. Second, the authors argue, the longstanding divide between doubtful empiricists (who favor cold, hard facts) and the faithful (who believe but lack evidence) has hindered serious study of peak states. In other words, most serious scientists weren’t interested in such studies, and research done by believers often lacked the rigor demanded by established scientific standards.

However, the authors argue, **we now have sufficiently advanced technology as well...

Stealing Fire Summary Peak States In Practice: Risks, Rewards, and How-Tos

We’ve surveyed the field and laid out the authors’ arguments for the benefits and advancements in peak states; now, we’ll look at the practical side of things—how you can start exploring peak states in your own life. We’ll discuss the authors’ techniques, starting with the risks and rewards of exploring peak states of consciousness and ending with their methods to evaluate and schedule different peak experiences throughout your life.

The Risks of Peak States

According to the authors, responsible explorers of peak states need to understand the risks, rewards, and ground rules of exploration before diving in. We’ll start with the four main risks: extreme ego inflation, conflating peak insights with practical success, getting addicted to the highs, and completely losing yourself in the experience.

Risk #1: Extreme ego inflation—Peak experiences, the authors say, can dissolve your sense of self and facilitate powerful insights that dangerously inflate the ego—for instance, sometimes people come back thinking they’re the second coming of Christ. To avoid losing yourself in what can seem like divine revelation, remember that your experience isn’t the end-all-be-all and...

Shortform Exercise: Plan Your Peak State Experiences

Using the authors’ recommendations, brainstorm and plan how you could reach a peak state.

Recalling the range of peak states the authors describe (flow, mystical experience, psychedelic experience, and group flow), which do you find most compelling? Why?