Below is an edited, improved, and structured transcript of the video for those who prefer reading.
Written Version
Introduction
Hi there, and welcome to the next installment of the Dries Cronje YouTube channel.
This week I have something fairly exciting to share.
I’ve embarked — or rather, have already embarked — on a three-month sober experiment.
Alongside the surrender and gratitude practices I’ve spoken about previously on this channel, I’m now committing to three months of sobriety.
Why Sobriety?
Day one was 17 February, chosen intentionally because it marked the beginning of eclipse season — a time that has historically been deeply transformative for me.
During previous eclipse seasons, I’ve often felt a strong inner call toward sobriety. This time, I decided to honor that call.
I’ve been sober before for about a year, and this experiment isn’t coming from a place of having a problem with alcohol. I don’t consider myself a problem drinker, nor do I feel addicted — even though alcohol is, of course, an addictive substance.
Instead, this feels like a spiritual pull toward sobriety.
We live in a world filled with distractions of every kind, and alcohol easily becomes just another distraction.
Interestingly, alcohol is also the only substance people often feel compelled to justify not taking. With most substances, you have to justify using them — but with alcohol, people sometimes expect an explanation if you choose not to drink. That has always struck me as slightly backwards.
But again, this experiment is not about eliminating a bad habit. It’s about exploring whether sobriety might add something deeper to my life.
Even if it’s simply giving up two glasses of wine twice a week, I sense that something deeper is beckoning — and I want to explore that.
The Experiment
Over the next 12 weeks — roughly 90 days — I’ll be sharing feedback here about how the experiment unfolds.
At the time of recording, it’s only day four, so nothing significant has happened yet, and I haven’t really been tested. I’m sure those moments will come.
I’ll document:
- Improvements I notice
- Challenges that arise
- Benefits — or even the lack of benefits
Whatever emerges, we’ll explore it honestly.
The Deeper Purpose: Presence
As with everything on this channel, the ultimate goal is presence.
I want to become more present — more fully embodied in the state of consciousness we are invited to access and sustain in this life.
To explain what I mean, I often reflect on spiritual teachings from my Christian background.
Jesus frequently spoke about the kingdom of heaven, and elsewhere in scripture there is mention of a new heaven and a new earth. While interpretations vary, I personally understand these ideas as pointing toward a shift in consciousness — an inner transformation rather than an external place.
When asked where the kingdom of heaven is, Jesus responded:
“It is within you.”
For me, presence is exactly that — an inner spaciousness, a field of awareness that, when recognized and lived from, begins to change everything.
When consciousness shifts internally, life itself appears differently.
Sobriety as a Practice of Presence
The purpose of this sober experiment is therefore not restriction, but depth.
Just like surrender and gratitude, sobriety becomes another practice aimed at the same destination:
Living more fully in presence.
Everything I’m experimenting with ultimately serves that single intention — becoming more aware, more grounded, and more present.
Closing
So this is a brief introduction to the newest experiment.
I’m still practicing gratitude.
I’m still practicing surrender as challenges arise.
And now I’m adding three months of sobriety to the journey.
Day one was 17 February, and I’ll continue sharing updates here as the experience unfolds.
Thanks for watching.
I’ll catch you in the next video.
Goodbye.