Sticking To It

I was listening to a dietitian the other day, a very wise man. Mike Sweeney is his name, in case you need a top notch fellow in that field.

He was saying that according to the research ALL diets work.

(To a certain degree - my fish and chip diet back in the day didn’t work that well for health and weight loss.)

The biggest failing point to each diet is people not staying with them.

So it’s not so much about what you do, but that you actually do it.

The best diet? The one you stick with.

The best gym training programme? The one you do.

The best meditation? The one you sit down to close your eyes for.

Adherence is the large word he used.

Adherence is the key to any kind of change.

Sticking to something.

Following it through.

Going beyond the dip in excitement that comes with everything.

I’ve done it, you’ve done it, we’ve all done it …

Gotten so excited about something, and then dropped it.

Dip and then out.

Expecting this dip process is part of beating it.

If you know it’s coming you’ll be that much better prepared, you see.

I say this because in a little over 2 weeks a large number of people may well be turning to ideas of what they want to do in 2017.

Resolute. Determined. Motivated.

And then what happens when that runs out?

That’s right … back to the old ways.

One key to adherence is to make any scheme of improvement a game.

Give yourself a score so you can measure progress.

Then look to improve your score.

It's about progress and self-improvement.

You’ll only get into trouble when you get into a pass/fail mindset. Good/bad. Right/wrong.

Then you get into “I’ll never get it”, “I’m no good any way”, "might as well quit now" …

All that mental stuff stops you simply practicing, it stops the habit being formed.

On the other hand if you treat it like a game you can get better at -

(And because you're keeping score you can see that you’re improving)

You’re much much more likely to keep going.

The more you keep going (just do it!), the more likely it becomes a habit, an internal programme that you have set that helps you.

So even when motivation is a bit low, your internal habit system is already preformed.

You just do it.

Alrighty?

I’ve been trialling an adherence programme, one to make Ascension meditation something you’ll look forward to doing each day.

And it’s been going great guns.

It’s amazing how you can have the greatest tools in the world for beating stress, becoming calm and focussed like a laser, cool as a cucumber, happier than a lobster …

But if someone doesn’t do it, they don’t get any results.

Kind of obvious, isn’t it?

So if having me walk you through learning to meditate properly (complete with all the short cuts I've picked up),

And then helping you make your practice a rock solid, enjoyable habit (so you’ll want to do it even on your worst days), is of interest then get in touch.

Opt in here to my email list and I'll tell you everything you need to know:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sane/

It’ll be just the thing you need to get the new year flying.

Keep it easy out there. Arjuna

PS. Mike was also saying that one of the biggest causes of weight not coming off on any diet was stress.

Interesting huh?

Internal stress causes external change - your body tries to protect itself by holding tight to its resources.

And he said that people are more stressed than they realise.

So he makes meditation part of his diet plans because it means his clients reach all their goals quicker.

Genius!

Here's that link again:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sane/

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How do you stay calm and present in stressful situations? Part one.

The crucial thing is that the more present you can be ordinarily, the easier it’s going to be when things gets tough. You'll notice yourself losing your cool and be able to step back and gain some objectivity sooner and sooner.

The more you prioritise your peace, the more you can see it slipping - the more you can tell when you aren’t prioritising it.

Gather to yourself an eyes closed practice - some time and tools to really get familiar with presence and inner stillness. Let that be the foundation upon which you structure your day, so you remember to be present and aware when you are out and about with your eyes open.

The regular practice develops a baseline of happiness and calm within you so it becomes super obvious when you stray from it. It just gets easier and easier to return. It actually gets to a point where peace comes and gets you when you leave it. Which, needless to say, is pretty cool.

From here life becomes more and more enjoyable. The saying “do you want to right or do you want to be happy?” becomes crystal clear to you in terms of your choices, and so you lose it less and less, just because it's not worth it any more.

"Hmmmm... do I want to be right or be happy?"... Happy please!

So don't let up on your practice when the going is good. Don't assume you don't need it. Just do it and get so familiar with inner stillness so that you never leave, even when the house is burning down around you.

Being calm and clear starts with a choice, now. If you're consistent with that choice, being consistently calm and clear comes quickly, and easily, and simply.

More on this though, so stay tuned for part two...

Best times in the day to take ten minutes to meditate

The best way to find time to for your ten minutes "out" meditating is to schedule your day around your meditation practice, and not the other way around. If you try and squeeze in a meditation “when you have time”, chances are it ain’t going to happen. Prioritise it!

Set aside a time to practice, put a reminder on your phone/calendar so you remember, and stick to it. You won’t regret it.

Regular practice brings great rewards.

Times of the day that are excellent for practicing:

1.) First thing in the morning You don’t have to wake up super early, just give yourself enough time to get out of bed, have a wash and a stretch if necessary, and go and find your place to sit. If you practice in the morning regularly, you will find your day just turns out so more enjoyable and effective.

2.) Sometime during the day For example, lunch time. Your afternoon will again be so much more enjoyable and effective. I used to be a raft guide and I would always find at least 10 minutes to sit by myself while my group had lunch. It made a huge difference to my afternoons.

3.) When you come home from being out at work or wherever. Take your time to practice and then join your family or partner. You can leave the cares of the day behind you, recharge and fully be at home. I have friends - when they don't practice their children tell them to go and "do that thing that you do". Your people will notice and gladly give you ten minutes to yourself.

4.) Last thing at night Meditate in bed until you go to sleep. You can sit up if you like for a few minutes, or simply lie down and see what happens. Your sleep will be deep and restful.

I don’t recommend doing a deep breathing practice at night - I found it woke me up meaning I was really quite awake. But that may be just me. Try it out for yourself.

5.) Eyes open anytime You cannot be too present and alive. Anytime you remember: simply become really present. Take some deep breaths. Explore your senses. Stop: Look and feel and hear. Open up to this moment rather than entertaining those loops in your head.

Whatever you do, have fun with it, okay? You can't do it wrong. Just remember now.

Taking ten minutes to bring out the best of you

How would you feel if you could bring out the best version of yourself every day? You would have wonderfully enjoyable, relaxed, productive days without a doubt. You know this best version of you very well, but how to you make sure she or he comes out to play?

I have a challenge for you… give yourself 10 minutes every day for the next 10 days. Find a quiet place, close your eyes, and without judgement, without pushing away or grabbing for anything, just notice.

Notice your breath. Or your heart. Or scan your body, releasing any tension you may find.

Notice the air, the space within the room you are in. Notice this moment happening, as it happens. Or gently think a favourite phrase, a reminder, or simply the word “peace” or “relax” or “good”. Think it, and watch it go. When it’s gone, no longer there at all, and you’re thinking other thoughts, gently bring yourself back to the words.

Just sit, and be at the centre of everything, just for a moment.

Do this for at least 10 minutes everyday for 10 days straight and reap the rewards. You may find you want to sit longer.

Or you may want to learn a simple technique like the Bright Path Ishayas' Ascension that makes meditating an absolute no-brainer: www.thebrightpath.com or www.findpeace.co.uk.

Taking time out means you can move forward

I’m going to Spain tomorrow to spend the (English) summer at a meditation retreat.

Three months in the mountains with people from all around the world. They’re coming from as far as Mexico, New Zealand, Argentina and Taiwan.

The weather is sweet, the food is tasty, and the vibe is very relaxed yet excited. There are some grand discoveries happening, and a lot of joy. If you're at all interested, or just want to have a snoop at the retreat, here's the page: www.thebrightpath.com/spain-mastery-retreats

I’m not telling you this to show off. Well, ok, a little bit, but more to tell you about the value of retreating.

In this busy world we think more is better. Go further, faster, stronger. The thing is that it doesn’t seem this way, but sometimes to retreat is to advance.

To take time out, to take stock, to come out of the details. Actually, just to let go of the stuff for a little while.

You need to retreat every day. You can create a little sanctuary - and you need to create a little sanctuary - just by finding a quiet place, even the toilet, to sit and take time out. To do nothing.

It doesn’t need to be long - ten minutes is a great start - just close your eyes and see what you notice. You aren’t “doing” anything, just noticing, without judgement, everything.

Try your breath. Or sounds. Or your body. Or count your thoughts. Or you can think a phrase that means something to you and watch it dissolve and vanish.

Whatever you do - take time out. It’ll make a huge difference in the enjoyment and effectiveness of your day.

Enjoying the process and doing it "better"

Don’t base how committed you are to doing something on momentary success or failure. An attitude of “well, I’ll keep doing it as long as I am good at it” will never result in anything. Everything that you do will have good and bad days - days when everything seems to be swimming along magically and other days when nothing seems to go right.

If you quit because you don’t appear to be “any good” at something in this moment, you will never get better. All learning has phases of seeming “good” and “bad”.

Don’t quit when you hear that voice.

As a baby you weren’t any “good” at walking. Did you quit?

Consider any top athlete - say the tennis player. How many times do you think they practice a particular shot? Millions of times? Probably, right? No matter what, they are out there practicing - in all conditions and in all circumstances.

They’re in it for the long game, they want to master a skill and they know it involves committing to a process.

They’re in it for constant improvement. They’re not in it to be “good”, they’re in it to be “better”.

So - Remove any idea of “doing it good” and “doing it bad” from the equation.

Instead, become interested in “how can I do it better next time?”

Enjoy the process.

A wise man once said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Enjoy each and every one of those steps for what they are.

That way, no matter what, you’ll make the next step and the next, and you’ll reach the top before you know it.

When you frame each and every action in this way, as part of a continually evolving process (= an attitude of constant improvement based in complete contentment of this moment) long term commitment is easy, the path is enjoyable, and greatness is guaranteed.

Makes life, and getting what you want while enjoying it, so much easier.

Have a great day!

How happiness is like exercise

Did you know...? Thinking too much, anxiety, worry, anger, fear, stress, actually negativity in general… all of these things are just habits.

They are something we’ve learned to do in response to things that we don’t like. The more you react in a certain way, the stronger that “way” gets and so the easier it is to respond like that.

It becomes a habit, a reaction.

It’s a bit of a bottomless cycle, a slippery slope.

But the good news is that it is just a habit. You can create another habit.

The even better news is that you don’t need to work out or overly analyse why you get stressed, or anxious, or not respond to life in the way that you want.

A habit is simply a strong pathway in the brain.

Want a new habit? Make another pathway. Do something else that takes you in another direction.

A little known key to life is what you put your attention on, grows.

The more you do it, the more the new habit becomes stronger and more “slippery” for your attention, the old one less so. You become incapable of behaving like you used to, simply because all your attention is on the new way of being.

Happiness is way more attractive to the mind. If you give it a chance it will become your default.

Good news indeed. I believe it was Aristotle who said:

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.”

In this way, happiness is a lot like going to the gym  - that’s why I say the source of happiness and all good things in life as occurring when you are mentally fit, and flexible, and fluid.

You don’t need to believe a push up or Zumba class will make you stronger and healthier, you just need to do it - with good form and regularly - and the results are obvious.

Regular practice is everything then.

A fitness regime is essential. If you want a better life, some sort of regular “choice” practice - as in choosing your attitude and choosing to be present - is necessary.

You need to give it enough time to create a new habit, for it to become stronger, and the predominant way of living and being in the world.

But the more you do it, the more your life changes and so the more you keep wanting to do it.

It becomes self-propelling and motivating.

But you need to start. And you need the commitment to follow through.

Grab a buddy and make a pact, set aside a time each day. Just close your eyes. Remind yourself to see everything as being half-full. Be as present in this moment as much as you can.

If you need any assistance in this, let me know. I know some good ways.

Take care, and have a wonderful weekend! In fact, make it a habit.

- Arjuna

Being a hero

It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.- Buddha

Buddha once said that the most heroic thing that anyone could ever do is face themselves.

If you want more from life, at some stage you will have to take stock and review. If you ever look at yourself honestly, go easy. Be clear and direct but don't judge yourself harshly if you feel you have failed in some way. What is judgement but the very thing that you are leaving?

You have done the best you could, at the time. Now you're in a different position. You see clearer and know better, so you will do better.

Looking within and fully and freely exercising your choice in your life is the most rewarding journey that any human being could ever embark on. The rewards for turning away from stress and limitation are instantaneous, and allow you to see yourself and the result of your choices with even greater clarity. Awareness is a gift.

It may be that sometimes you become aware of poor choices. Wonderful. Keep walking towards what you want. Keep moving, keep making the choices that bring real fulfilment and contentment - not just for some future moment, but now.

Your dream, your vision of your perfect life can be true. It can be true! So many people have this dream. So few are willing to make sure they experience it.

I've got it good in that I'm surrounded by people that remind me of this every time I see them. You may live with people like this or you may not, but you are surrounded by them. All it requires is for you reach out and ask for help.

Reaching out and getting what you need is so simple, but how often do you not? Do it. Do whatever it takes to keep every moment filled with your dream.

Commitment - what is important to you?

Commitment is the single greatest thing that will bring you what you want.

Anything that you have now is because you made a commitment to it – a commitment of heart and soul to dream it: “Yes, this is important to me” and body and mind to follow through in reality: “I won’t let anything distract me”.

The time we give every day to something is a great indicator of its importance to us. We say so many things are important, and so often we shrug our shoulders and say “I just don’t have enough time”.

Yet if it was truly important to you, you would find the time. My fellow Ishaya Priya put it beautifully:

“’Not having enough time’ is not a reason for something you can’t do, but only an excuse for something you don’t want to do.”

Many times it’s a matter of perspective.

When you first met an Ishaya, chances are they would have asked you a question: “If you could have one thing, anything at all, what would it be?” You would have said something like, peace, love, joy, freedom. All humanity is the same; our highest desire in life is to be free and happy.

That question is powerful because it brings what is truly important to you to light.

Now, how much time every day do you personally spend making sure your highest desire becomes a reality? You say it is the most important thing to you, but I am willing to bet money that actually it ends up way down on your priority list.

Gain some perspective on what is really important to you, and commit to that, truly. Don’t procrastinate. Ensure what is important is reflected in each and every day. You don’t want to live any other way.