The Union of Mystriks has been rethinking belonging — and the conclusion is surprisingly simple: Mystrikism works better as a mindset than a membership.

This episode walks through the shift away from formal enrolments and toward an “open source” alternative to religion: no initiation, no obligation, no conversion performance. If you want to identify as a Mystrik, you can. If you don’t, you can still use the tools, borrow the principles, and walk alongside for a while — or forever. Engagement is customisable, voluntary, and pressure-free.

We explore Mystrikism as a practical, naturalistic life philosophy: reason + compassion + curiosity + justice, grounded in evidence, and still rich in “spirituality” through awe (stars, storms, forests, music, the whole goosebump catalogue) — without any supernatural claims to defend.

Then we get concrete: everyday kindness that isn’t performative, learning from mistakes without shame, intentional “awe pauses,” and using science to steer moral action by outcomes. It’s head and heart working together, without pretending they’re enemies.

Finally, a necessary caveat: openness doesn’t mean moral mush. Mystrikism stays voluntary and non-coercive, but it doesn’t shrug at cruelty. When someone persistently causes harm or pushes deliberate deception, justice comes first — and that’s where Principled Disgust lives: firm, evidence-based moral opposition without dehumanising hatred.