17 Dec 2025 · 0 min
Brian Johnson explores the Arabic root of jihad as struggle, distinguishing between external conflict and the greater internal battle to master your lower self. Religious texts from the Bhagavad Gita to Muhammad agree: self-mastery is the highest form of struggle, and living it reduces external conflict.
You're listening to Optimize with Bryan Johnson. More Wisdom in Less Time this is a mini chapter from Brian's book A Philosopher's Notes. You can find it on Amazon.
The Ultimate Jihad did you know the word jihad comes from the Arabic word for struggle? And that there are actually two kinds of jihads or struggles? Yep. One struggle is against external oppressors, and one is within ourselves. The battle between our higher and lower selves. Guess which one is known as the Greater Holy War? Bingo. The struggle within ourselves, the battle between the good and the evil within our own being is easily the greatest struggle there is. All the great traditions talk about it. The Bhagavad Gita, a core text of Hinduism, is set on a metaphorical battlefield and features a reluctant warrior receiving divine counsel to do the battle necessary to conquer his lower self and live his dharma. While Proverbs 16:32 tells us, he who rules his spirit has won a greater victory than the taking of a city in Lao Tzu tells us, mastering others strength, mastering yourself is true power. And the Buddha tells us, one who conquers a thousand times a thousand men on the battlefield. And finally, Muhammad himself says, the most excellent jihad is that for the conquest of self. Ultimately, it's all about self mastery. Let's show up fully in the most holy of wars and as we truly live the ideals in which we so passionately believe, we all do that, and the other wars will dissolve.
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