Future Chi

Ep 45: Illumination - Density, Alchemy, Soulmates, Inner Validation, and Forging the Spirit

Everything is becoming condensed and compressed; between an information overload, rapid increase in stressors and a looming cloud of uncertainty, it feels more and more like something has to give. But in these dark and heavy times it's important to remember that both darkness and heaviness must always give way to light. 
In this week’s episode, Leon and Jost light up the dark with a luminous discussion on how to keep the flame lit, and how to use density, compression and adversity to our advantage instead of letting it weigh us down. The heavier things get the more difficult life can become, and if we don’t have a daily plan in place to carve ourselves out and tap into our inner luminosity we’ll get dragged along..and down..by the mundane world. Leon talks in depth about the life of Nikola Tesla and how the trials, tribulations, pain and struggle of invention were necessary for us to reach new levels of innovation and technology. He also talks about the hidden aspects of design, engineering and creativity and the invisible efforts that go into shaping the world around us, the origins of the Audi TT, Yoda’s perspective on Zen Buddhism, and how the film Constantine dealt with the battle of light against dark. Jost connects these themes to Chinese medicine and Taoism, and talks about the magic and effort of forging a bond with your soulmate, the downward spiral of seeking external validation, and the importance of maximising our time in the physical realm so that we can return to the spirit world with something worthwhile. He also talks about his experiences with the emptiness of Hollywood, training under a master in Malaysia, how to maintain a connection to the source through spiritual practice, and how to not care about what people think about you.
Jost and Leon also get into fame, influencers and ego, alchemy, Joan of Arc, the Taoist art of drunkenness, the myth of the 8 hour sleep cycle, the surprising connection between electrical engineering and spirit forces, and Pontiac Firebirds. 
In dark, dense and unpredictable times, stay connected to the spirit source, stay creative and remember that the hottest fire forges the strongest steel.
 
View the Episode Sketch here: https://futurethingy.com/episode-45-illumination
 
For more about Jost: https://jostsauer.com/
For more about Leon: https://futurethingy.com/

Ep 44: Uptimism - Inspiration, Growth, Overcoming Negativity, Evolving the Soul, and Being Bold

It feels like we’re sailing further and further out into an ocean of weirdness, uncertainty and instability, with positivity and optimism in short supply. In dark times, when the horizon is hard to see, it's easy to lose hope and become entangled in anger, cynicism and negativity. But dwelling in the dark is not what we’re here to do. We’re here to learn, evolve, and grow, and to do that we need to be excited and inspired about the future. 
In this episode, Jost and Leon shine a light into the dark with an inspiring chat about the challenging times we find ourselves in, and how the end of one age is the dawn of a new one. Jost talks about the 30th anniversary of his first clinic, the Osiris Health Care Centre, and how his bold leap into the unknown - that coincided with the boom of the Mind Body Spirit festival movement - opened up a new cosmic reality to countless people. He also talks about the Hippy era, the New Age, the cycles of boom, commercialisation and dispersion that these movements go through, and how each pulse wave of change reaches a peak before making way for the something better. Jost also chats about the critical importance of tapping into the source of inspiration and excitement which enters us via the Heart, and how now more than ever creativity, optimism and bravery are the vital tools we need to light the path ahead. Leon chats about the benefits of popular culture and its role in introducing meaning if you’re willing to go beneath the surface, and the undeniable spirit that is conveyed in martial arts films like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. He also talks about the over-academisation of design education and the problems of teaching without knowing, and why analysts are the last people we should trust to guide us into the future. 
Jost and Leon also talk about tapping into the pulsating rhythm of the universe, Deepak Chopra vs. Jimmy Barnes, blacksmithing, Bashar and the 5th dimension, Nirvana (the band not the Buddhist concept), hippy surf brands, and the Age of Aquarius. They also talk about how to ride the waves of instability, deal with negative institutions, news and people, and the difference between positive thinking and positive doing.
The body is an instrument of the soul to execute its mission here on earth, so by participating in the physical world we in turn evolve the soul. That participation comes with trials, tribulations and difficult, dark times. Our job is to not be trapped by this, but to boldly go beyond and help bring forth the next age.
 
View the Episode Sketch here: https://futurethingy.com/episode-44-uptimism
For more about Jost: https://jostsauer.com/
For more about Leon: https://futurethingy.com/
 

Ep 43: Apex Era - Escalation, Innovation, Futurism, Optimism, Tipping Points, and the Tao of Design

Where do we go when we’ve gone too far? After a tumultuous few years have we hit peak weird, peak ideology, peak excess and peak division? Are we at peak civilisation? All signs suggest we’re near a tipping point and a massive shift in consciousness. But every ending brings a new beginning, and pushing the boundaries has been the mainstay of doers, fighters, creatives, philosophers, leaders and agents of change for thousands of years. The inflection point we’re experiencing now - the tip from Yin to Yang - is an opportunity to be architects of the future, not prisoners of the past. 
In this episode Jost and Leon reach new heights as they discuss the apex era, peak everything, and paradigm shifts by drawing parallels between design and taoism, technology and spirituality, traditional Chinese Medicine and the future of everything…in typical Future Chi fashion.
Leon delves into the history of automotive design and wonders if the Tesla Cybertruck is the dawn of a new era of design or the death of traditional beauty (or both), how this compares to the gorgeous Citroën DS, and how both are outward expressions of radical innovation in very different ways. He also talks about the past, present, and future of electric vehicles, and what to do now that we have technology that can not only create - but exceed - our vision. Jost joins the dots and discusses how the spark to create comes from the Tao, the ability to create is regulated by Yin and Yang, and how we must always be in the dot of the Yin and Yang - not the mass or mainstream - because this is where the world changing work happens. He also chats about discovering what’s right by doing what’s wrong, the importance of focusing on the inner and not fixating on the outer, how copying success doesn’t work, and how we’re here to act on our ideas - not someone else’s. Jost and Leon also talk about Banksy, Bowie, Zappa and Kraftwerk, the social media recession, how to counteract anti-human and cynical attitudes with creativity and self expression, and the beauty of editing. 
The peak we have reached is a chance to see further, to seek danger and to take risks. Be the change you want to see in the world and most importantly, be the dot! 
 
View the Episode Sketch here: https://futurethingy.com/episode-43-apex-era
For more about Jost: https://jostsauer.com/
For more about Leon: https://futurethingy.com/
 

Ep 42: Mentality - Intent, Drive, Internal Discovery, Balancing Danger and Staying Strong

We’re in the midst of a rising mental health crisis, but is there also a crisis of incorrect treatment? What happens when the focus remains on the mental and not holistic aspects of health? A combination of weak guidance, poor quality food, sedentary lifestyles and overuse of medication, minus a constructive, structured, confidence building physical regimen is sending people on a downward spiral. This has devastating ramifications for the future. 
But never fear, Jost and Leon are here with a positive mentality on mental health! Jost talks about his recent, baffling experiences with modern mental health professionals, the completely backwards state of ‘inclusive’ treatment, how the western approach to mental health has changed for the worse, and his decades of experience treating the mind through the body. He also talks about the importance of group dynamics, following the critical path of yin and yang, and how a focus on synergy and holism - not isolationism - is crucial to good mental health. Leon wonders about the connection between the second industrial revolution and the emergence of western psychology in the mid 19th century, and the coining of the term mental health in the early 20th century. Jost and Leon also talk about the pros and cons of analogue technology, the inanity of dieting, the right way to cook oats, how to classify coca cola as a substance (and how this relates to James Bond), and the difference between drives and and intent. 
If we don’t know how to master our own health, the road ahead will be a rocky one. There’s too many choices and too much stimuli designed to make us unhealthy and take us further away from ourselves. A weak body leads to a weak mind that is susceptible to lies, manipulation, and fear, and now is not the time for any of that. Strong body = strong mind.
View the Episode Sketch here: https://www.futurethingy.com/episode-42-mentality
For more about Jost: https://jostsauer.com/
For more about Leon: https://futurethingy.com/

Ep 41: Awakening - Old Souls, New Worlds, Knowing What’s There, and Transcending the Physical

According to a recent Harvard study, 43% of the world is currently going through a ‘spiritual awakening’, and yet very few people are talking about it. If this is news to you you’re either in the other 57%, or you’re experiencing something you can’t quite explain (let alone describe to anyone else). In a time of unprecedented upheaval, where more social disruption has occurred in 4 years than in the past 40, having a sudden realisation that there is more to life than what we see in the mundane world is probably a good response. 
The signs are everywhere than an old age is coming to an end and a new age is emerging on planet earth, and we need to consult sources beyond the physical to find the way forward. The pursuit, cultivation and practice of spirituality is a huge part of this critical path, but thanks to the New Age and a lot of other half-assed approaches, the whole ‘being spiritual’ thing has unfortunately lost its street cred.
In this episode, Jost and Leon have a deeply spiritual talk about the fact that you can’t talk about spirituality; it’s something that you have to do. Jost gets into his background in social pedagogy, current experiences in his clinic, and the challenge of how to treat young people with old souls. He also talks about the links between Chinese Medicine, Taoism and spirituality, and how our energy organs create a roadmap to being truly spiritual. Jost also chats about the the emerging souls with ideas and solutions that the world badly needs. Leon talks about Buckminster Fuller and the importance of microscopic adjustments - in both nautical engineering and martial arts- that can result in massive change. 
Jost and Leon also talk about Lao Tzu’s rebellious writing of the Hua Hu Ching, Jost’s beloved Yamaha FJ1200 and meeting a master, and how to redefine spirituality for the modern age; treating the body, treating the soul, and learning to know what’s there. 
 
View the Episode Sketch here: https://futurethingy.com/episode-41-waking
For more about Jost: https://jostsauer.com/
For more about Leon: https://futurethingy.com/

Ep 40: Non-sense - False Virtue, Gentle Bravery, Possible Missions and Rebooting the System

Are we in the midst of some kind of societal dismantling? In an ever increasing rush to take a side, make a stand, and signal to others what we believe, we get more and more caught up in the external world. The more we try and make sense of this via analysis, opinion, and intellectual processes, the more it drains our energy.
Trying to make sense of the world by solely engaging with the ‘issues' gets us entangled, angry, and depleted, and the more this happens the harder it is to intuit what’s really happening. Unfortunately we can’t just talk things through without fear of treading on someone’s feelings, beliefs, or privacy. We can’t just think positive thoughts and employ solely mental techniques either, because this produces an acquired virtue that takes us further and further away from ourselves.
In this episode, Jost and Leon try to make as little sense as possible and get into the many issues we face when engaging with…the issues. Jost talks in depth about the rigorous internal work required to develop inner peace, how drugs bring forth what is already within us, and the dangers of trying to correct the physical world instead of first transcending it. He also talks about the critical importance of the Lung function in Chinese medicine and how breathing exercises naturally rejuvenate us and keep us in the here and now, instead of being trapped in the past or fearful of the future and resorting to synthetic interventions. Leon talks about dealing with bullies, maintaining a connection to yourself and forging a path forward no matter what.
Jost and Leon also talk about the botox epidemic, Monty Python’s absurdist humour, Keith Richard’s frequent trips to Switzerland, Tom Cruise’s death defying stunts and Mission Impossible’s confusing plot line, Steve Irwin and stingrays, and the surreality of redesigning the world - and ourselves - to fit inside the digital box of social media.
If we don’t feel comfortable in our skin, we can’t be ourselves and we aren’t at peace. If we aren’t at peace we become entangled and easily triggered, and in an attempt to make sense of it all we’re compelled to pick sides. Silence, stillness, and internal work are needed to regroup, reboot, and reestablish the fundamental basis of reality. We can’t talk or think our way out of this, we must choose to do things differently.
View the Episode Sketch here: https://futurethingy.com/episode-40-nonsense
For more about Jost: https://jostsauer.com/
For more about Leon: https://futurethingy.com/

Ep 39: Blood Code - Destiny, Weirdness, Energy Vampires and Connecting to the Source

Are things getting weirder, worse, and more unstable? Are lies and deceit on the rise? Or is it that are we becoming more attuned to reality and the true nature of life? The answer is…yes! The weirder it gets, the more we need to go within. The chaotic and hostile environments we find ourselves in require us to draw from inside ourselves and to tap into our own spiritual information and destiny. This information tells us not just who we are and what we’re doing here, but also who - and what - to trust. So how do we tap into this wellspring of knowledge? The answer is in the blood. 
Beyond its purely physiological functions, Blood in Traditional Chinese Medicine contains consciousness, information and a direct connection to the 'source'; to the God head or the the Buddha mind. Not only can this guide us, but it gives us direct access to our purpose and mission here on Earth. If we develop a lifestyle that supports the Blood, instructions on how to succeed will be provided to us from within. 
In this episode, Jost and Leon go on another bloody rant about health, teaching, design, AI, spirituality, space travel, Taoism and the necessity of cultivating body and mind. Jost talks about the importance of trauma, trials, challenges and the need to take the path less traveled, the diseases that result from unhealthy blood and its effect on the heart, and how we can’t have a spiritual awakening if we’re unhealthy. Leon talks about director’s cuts, super heroes, sci-fi, and how to fight modern day vampires. Jost and Leon also chat about restaurants on Mars, the sinisterness of safety, keeping your distance and avoiding mundane entanglements, and the role technology will play in the next spiritual revolution.
If you’re connected to your heart, to the source, and have proper blood flow, you will understand what is real and have the power to act on it accordingly. For those who are here to be explorers, truth seekers, visionaries and risk takers, navigating your way through life is like trying to navigate an alien planet. There are no maps, you don’t know who to trust, and you can’t stop and ask for directions. But you can access your own on-board power and guidance systems. So tune in, turn on, and tap into yourself. After all, it’s in the blood.
View the Episode Sketch here: https://futurethingy.com/episode-39-blood-code
For more about Jost: https://jostsauer.com/
For more about Leon: https://futurethingy.com/

Ep 38: War & Chi - Lies, Truth, Conspiracy Theories, Virtue, Spiritual Power, and Becoming Invisible

War, what is it good for? It looks and feels like things are getting worse by the day - death, destruction and despondency are out of control, and there's a seemingly daily effort to divide us by any and all means possible. With brewing wars, constant conflict, and global pain and suffering it’s easy to lose hope. How to we counteract this? How do we prevent war, cut through the lies and get to the truth? 
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the fundamental nature of life is good, but good things take time and reveal themselves slowly while bad things are amplified, sensationalised and spread quickly. In this episode, Jost and Leon talk about the origins of conflict, the ashes of war, and how to disrupt destructive trajectories (or avoid them entirely).
Jost talks in depth about his deeply personal experiences of post-war Germany, the destruction and depression that followed, and the emergence of a materialistic and mundane society. Jost’s search for meaning, truth, and transformation ultimately lead him to Chinese culture, martial arts, philosophy and medicine. Jost discusses the spiritual awakening that war can unlock for some and the anger and PTSD it causes for others. He also talks about the dangers of segregation, fear driven narratives and blind conformity of recent years that are all too close to home. Leon gets into toy soldiers, the shallowness of virtue signalling, the dismissiveness of pejoratives used to sideline critical thinkers, and the need to go deeper and transcend the ‘issues’ of the moment. Jost and Leon also talk superhuman fighters, the courage and bravery required to face ourselves, the spontaneity of true virtue, and the difference between being told what is right versus really knowing.
The prevention of war is up to us. Now more than ever we need to do our practice, align with our own nature, and in doing so we will be good, do good, and become invisible to those who want to control us. The future needs us to work in the present, not live in the past. 
 
View the Episode Sketch here: https://futurethingy.com/episode-38-war
For more about Jost: https://jostsauer.com/
For more about Leon: https://futurethingy.com/

Ep 37: Memory - Focus, Brain Fog, Clarity and Clearing Your Mental Hard Drive

Losing track of what you were doing, thinking, or talking about? Struggling hold your attention on one thing at a time? Productivity in the western world is declining at a rapid rate and brain fog, short attention spans and an inability to stay focused are the easily attributed causes. But what’s the underlying reason for this? Will this decline in mental performance create a knock on effect that will undermine our future?
Addressing the core of the problem is the only way forward. In this week’s episode Jost and Leon focus in on the root of short attention spans, what’s causing their rapid increase and what we can do about it. Jost talks about the nature of information overload that clogs up our mental hard drives, how the Liver regulates this, and how the Lungs can help us declutter and reboot our systems to ensure we aren’t holding onto unnecessary ‘files’. As it turns out Chinese medicine understood the concept of the computer thousands of years ago, and that ejecting old files - or old energy - was a daily necessity. Jost also talks about the blood, sweat and Chi that goes into creating something new, and how clarity and focus are required to lay the right groundwork and make things happen. Leon talks about how good art, good design, good photography, and good architecture transcend the technological tools of the time, how AI is only a small part of a big future picture we can’t yet see, what sustainable design really is, and the importance of focusing on the details. He also talks about the film Johnny Mnemonic and what happens when your mental hard drive can't handle the input.
Problems can’t exist without solutions, and we’re all born with the solution. Don’t wake up to external ideas, opinions and information (ie your phone). Wake up instead to breath work, exercise, and grounding. Clear out the old and start anew each day, and get busy doing what we’re here to do.
 
View the Episode Sketch here: https://futurethingy.com/episode-37-memory
For more about Jost: https://jostsauer.com/
For more about Leon: https://futurethingy.com/

Ep 36: Speaking Up - Thoughtcrimes, Censorship, Zombies, Self Expression, and Understanding the Battle

What concerns you and what are you willing to speak up about? Is it a prepackaged ideology or is it what you really think, really feel, and really believe? While it was once common to speak up, express opinions and engage in spirited debates, it’s now difficult to say anything without fear of offending someone. If we can’t speak up about how we really feel, we can’t come together and have a coherent discussion about what really needs to be done. We’re now experiencing unprecedented levels of division, but how did we get here? What’s caused us to identify and attack each other’s differences instead of recognising what unites us?
A lot of pain was generated over the last few years. Wilfully divisive language, attitudes, and policies came from multiple angles… be it from employers, friends and family, the media, or our leaders. Speaking out was encouraged as long it fit the narrative, and for many others this lead to a spiral of self censorship and suppressed emotions. But no matter what side you found yourself on, it’s becoming increasingly hard to move forward without addressing what happened. 
We need to speak up. If we don’t say what truly matters to us we create underlying patterns that cause problems in our physical and mental health, and the symptoms are now coming to the surface thick and fast. 
In this episode Jost and Leon get into the topic of self censorship, self expression, and the importance of getting to the root of what divides us. Jost talks about his post-pandemic heart healing workshops and the debilitating levels of PTSD they revealed, the connection between immunity and our belief patterns, and how negative thoughtforms (known as Phlegm in Chinese medicine) can spread and stop us from seeing inside ourselves and seeing reality. He also talks about the connection between this and ‘yo-yo flus’, weight gain, and brain fog, and how to begin the healing process and fight for our right to health and happiness. Leon talks about zombie bureaucrats, useful idiots and misguided righteousness, and the connection between thoughtforms and the face-huggers from Alien. Jost and Leon also talk about losing friends, how to view George Orwell’s 1984 from a health perspective, and the importance of understanding the battle before engaging in it. 
Speaking up is essential for our health and our sanity, so let’s start the inner journey of self healing and ensure that what we express outwards is clear, true, and real. 
 
View the Episode Sketch here: https://futurethingy.com/episode-36-speakingup
For more about Jost: https://jostsauer.com/
For more about Leon: https://futurethingy.com/