This Life Is Your Life, And Yours Alone

Your life is your life. You alone can live it.

You alone know how to live it.

No one else can tell you how - I certainly can’t.

I can try and support you in living the life you want.

In achieving your goals with maximum style.

But you’re the one that has to come through.

To do that awareness will be your greatest ally.

Self-awareness that is, directed towards how you do things now and how you can do things better.

Without awareness you just bumble around in the dark, doing things the way you’ve aways done them.

Without awareness things control you. You have no say in the matter. You’re like a monkey on a chain, being jerked here and there.

It's a bit harsh, but it's true, is it not?

But with awareness you have choice. You have control. You can take charge and head in the direction you want to.

How’s your levels of self-awareness?

It’s something that you can practice, a skill you can develop.

You need to set aside the necessary time to do it, but well worth while it is.

Like a woodcutter stopping to sharpen his axe, or a musician taking time to tune her instrument, it becomes something that needs to be done.

A must, a necessity.

Because then your limiting reactive habits don’t get the better of you.

You don’t lose yourself in the busy-ness of what you need to do today.

The beliefs that say you’re no good or you can’t do it or you don’t care anyway - well, they don’t take over and mean life becomes a little bit smaller.

You don’t get stressed, you don’t snap, you can stay calm and clear and content, focussed and happy.

You can focus on the moment, on what you need to do and blank out everything that says you can't, that you might get hurt.

That kind of headspace is worth everything to cultivate.

Having awareness is the key to more of life, to greater adventures in the outdoors, having the kind of relationship with your partner and family that you want.

And you can do it - you just need the right tools and the time to practice them, really you do.

Mountain Mindset Begins On August 4th I start my Mountain Mindset programme. I’m super proud of this programme.

I’ve tweaked what I’ve been doing for the last 13 years to a point where it’s really, really good.

I'm confident it's great - I just need some feedback before I unleash it on the public.

Specially designed for you who know there’s more in terms of performance and enjoyment - in the outdoors and in life.

It will give you the tools to bring more clear, cool awareness to anything that you do.

And hence I need some volunteers to test it.

You want to be one?

It won’t cost any money, but I do need you to do certain things for me.

Most of them are to make sure you get the most out of the programme, and some are to tell others (once you’re finished) how great it was.

There’s only room for 8 (perhaps 10 if I’m begged) around the table, so if you want a place I would jump on the email list so you can get more information:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/ Have a great day, stay aware! Arjuna

PS. I know I write a lot.

I figured that since you are reading this you must have at least a passing interest in being less so-so in terms of your mental fortitude and fitness.

That part of you has just had enough, and wants more.

(Good on you for recognising that, by the way - not many people do)

And so a big chunk of overcoming that struggle is staying reminded and inspired.

Hence writing just about every day.

Oh, and here’s what you need to do to stop stopping, to stop being trapped by self-doubt and seriousness.

Get on here: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/ But if you, at any time, have had enough inspiration and motivation and guidance, then you can unsubscribe at any time.

No worries at all.

Touching Perfection

You know the Zone, you know it well. The reason you do the things you love is because it brings you there.

You forget your worries for a while and you settle into a state of heightened perception.

Where everything comes alive.

The beauty of nature sparkles.

The body moves fluidly, everything is timed perfectly.

There’s a connection, a melding, you become immersed in the experience.

The doubt, the anxiety, worry? It fades into nothingness.

Just an expanse of experience.

Nothing but space and possibility.

Smiles a mile wide.

Sometimes the intensity is huge … you may even touch perfection.

That feeling of being so alive, it's soul nourishing on a huge level…

They wonder why, and even you might not be able to put into words why you do it.

But it causes the search, the itch, the chase to get it, to have it once again.

The sublime state of total absorption, in the moment, in the activity, the hunt for more and more Life.

Trouble is, you don't know how to make it happen.

You can't just choose for it.

It happens, or it doesn't.

But what if you could be given some simple tools, techniques, a practice ... ?

Imagine if you had a simple training plan so you could get the skill of being in the Zone at will?

Well, you're in the right place.

I have such a plan.

A simple and effective means to being completely alive, content, full up - no matter what you are doing.

I’ve been teaching people how to do this through meditation and mindset for 13 years and I'm super proud of this programme. Can't wait to see what you think.

I want to teach you it, if you’re committed to putting your heart into it.

Don’t want anyone who's not serious, a bit half arsed about doing what it takes to have more Life in them.

If you are?

Go here to get a place:

https://arjunaishaya.wufoo.com/forms/please-read-the-terms-conditions-closely/

Don't dilly dally because there are only a few seats available.

Get in to the one thing you'll wish you did years ago.

Have a great day.

Any questions? Fire away!

- Arjuna

PS. Mental fitness? Flexibility? Fortitude? Freedom?

So many 'f's'!

Here's how to get all of them:

https://arjunaishaya.wufoo.com/forms/please-read-the-terms-conditions-closely/

Imagine if there really was a simple method, a simple way of training to live from the Zone?

Wouldn’t that be cool?

What? It's all changing?!

Indeed, it is all changing. Some time ago, and more recently too come to think about it, I said that I was teaching a lot of sports men, specifically outdoor athletes (actually a lot more).

Hence the arrival of the new guinea pig trial I’ve been telling you about.

Now if you do love the outdoors you may choke a bit at the word “athlete”.

It seems too “serious”, or “competitive”, even though I know for sure some of you are more competitive than say, an English footballer (which isn’t hard. Ooh - low blow but being a New Zealander I got to get them in). Indeed, with you perhaps that fire is just directed inwards more.

But the thing is I don’t have another word other than athlete.

Aficionado I have trouble spelling.

Enthusiast just sounds creepy.

And “outdoor men” just sounds like lumberjacks with beards.

So yeah, I’m having trouble with naming.

Anyhow - things, and the times, are changing.

Since these guys are knocking on my door so much, I’m going to directly talk to them way more.

Part of that is this new trial that I’m doing in Darlington, which is very exciting.

Link here, if you fit the bill:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/

But the other thing is that I’m creating a brand new email list.

This one is coming to an end.

Closing down (very shortly).

It’s not that I haven’t enjoyed myself (I have).

It’s just time for something a little different.

And it’s time to do some house-cleaning too, see who actually opens these here emails.

If you’re interested in daily tips and emails and bad jokes all wrapped up in meditation and outdoor stuff and sports, then you may be interested in joining us:

here:

http://eepurl.com/b6dYrb

(you might have to click on a link in your email to confirm you want to)

But if not, thanks for your attention, your reading, your comments, your everything.

It’s been swell. But now the swelling has gone down.

If I can leave you today with one tip:

Make the time to make yourself better, in as many ways as you can see. Nourish you, and everyone wins. When you’re half arsed, no one wins.

Don’t fool yourself either - honestly look and see where you need help and go get it. A coach/teacher/mentor saves soooooo much time and effort.

That’s not just me selling my services, that’s me saying don’t try and do it by yourself like I used to.

Have fun! Arjuna

PS. yup, so new email list that will start to crank up in the next few days

The right stuff on greater performance and enjoyment in the outdoors.

It will be different. It may not suit you even.

Here’s the link if you want more on ditching self-doubt and fear and enjoy way more confidence, clarity and focus in the outdoors in the North East:

http://eepurl.com/b6dYrb

Remember to find the email and confirm you want to get emails from me. Otherwise you won't.

Sneak preview of "guinea pig" trial for outdoor athletes

Sometime ago I was telling you about how I was devising a "mental fitness" plan for outdoor athletes because more and more outdoor people - actually men in particular for some reason - are coming to me and saying, "well, what have you got for me?" The mind is central to enjoyment and performance in the outdoors. In fact that’s the whole reason for outdoor education - the idea that being in the outdoors “educates” you - perhaps along the same lines that cold showers build character?

And I can assure you that cold showers do indeed build character. How much character do you need? I say as much as you can handle. (But you can don’t have to sit in freezing cold water to get it, if you don’t want to.)

But the very reason I learnt The Ishayas’ Ascension was because I used to spend a lot of time in the outdoors. And I realised my head was the difference between meeting my goals and not, between having an amazing time and being miserable, between being bold and terrified.

A little bit of character, of mental fortitude, the ability to point the mind in one direction and ignore everything else, makes a huge difference.

And you know this already. This is nothing you don’t know.

You know when you’re full of self doubt and fear and worry and what that feels like and what that means you do and don’t do.

Equally, you know when you are clear and present and able to weigh up doubts with great equanimity (good word that one) and what that leads to.

The outdoors reflects this very well. It is a great arena to get to know yourself better, for setting yourself a challenge and going after it. A little mental fitness goes a very long way.

But that fact is that character and mental fortitude and equanimity is rarely taught in a structured way.

Hence I wrote this “mental fitness” programme for outdoor athletes.

I've been working very hard at my coffee table office, and the time has almost come when I can declare it ready to launch.

I’m proud of it - the plan is a good one, and I'm super interested to see how it goes before I set it loose on the unsuspecting outdoor public.

I wanted to tell you first before I release it later this week because we've been through a few things you and I, and you may well be an outdoor aficionado yourself, or perhaps know one.

--

I need experimental lab rats! But in order to test it, I need a handful of Guinea pigs, lab rats who I can run through a maze or two.

These Guinea pigs need to be able to follow instructions precisely. I need to be somewhat scientific about this, so as you will understand, compliance and the ability to follow a plan is high on the list of attributes necessary.

I'm looking at men specifically for this trial, just because, well, they’re knocking on the door at the moment. It’s based in Darlington, and it covers 5 weeks.

It will be free for these volunteers - but it won’t come cheaply. I’ve got them doing a host of things in exchange for what I believe will be a life changing event.

The programme itself promises to give anyone the ability to:

- seriously up ones mental game a considerable notch or two - rest deeper, recover faster so you can have bigger and better adventures

- have a mental “reset button” so that you can stop looking back, start fresh and go with confidence of a new moment - be in that sweet “Zone” of heightened skills, sense, and serious “I’m alive” wow factor

- ignore fear and self-doubt and be full of clarity and confidence to do what you want to do, go home satisfied and tell great stories

-- If you’re interested in more information, or you know someone in the North East who might be, then here is the link to sign up: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/

You’ll get a little advance preview before it goes live on Thursday. So excuse any mistakes while I do the ironing and get rid of any wrinkles.

If you’ve already learnt the Ishayas’ Ascension - don’t worry - you don’t need this.

You already have the very best tools in the world. You just have to use them, innocently. If you ever need any help with that, just hit reply. I want to help so you just have to ask. In fact I can’t help if you don’t ask. OK?

Take it easy and talk more soon, Arjuna

PS. feel free to share this trial with anyone you think might be interested. I’m very excited about seeing what results will come from it.

It’s located in the North East, and the trial is specifically designed for outdoor men (at the moment)

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/ It goes live Thursday and the deadline is the end of July, though I may well find the fellows I need sooner than that. So if you’re interested in more info, don’t delay!

Why I try to avoid turning left when I go for a run

There’s an amazing little life tweak that I was taught some years ago. I would call it a “life hack” but I’m an Ishaya monk and we don’t do hacking, we do tweaking.

(It’s a long story that I’ll tell you sometime.)

This tweak means that when I go for a run, I always try to avoid turning left.

Let me explain:

Have you ever considered why you do what you love to do?

What component parts add up to you “loving this”?

I have, often.

You see, I figure if you know what ingredients make you come alive, then you can replicate those ingredients more often.

The “alive” factor doesn’t have to be when you are doing that one or two things that you love, it can be all the time.

Does that make sense?

For example, I know that a couple of my ingredients are exercising and being in nature.

There’s something about these that gives me a boost beyond words.

Now, when I go for a run I can turn left out my gate and do some laps of the town and tick one of my ingredient boxes (exercising).

Or I can turn right and get into the forest, run by the river, jump over some rocks, get dirty and tick two or three, since adventure is also an ingredient.

Turning right takes longer but the pay off is way more, way more life.

So I make sure I get out the door and turn right 95% of the time.

The reason I meditate is exactly the same.

I realised that all of my most memorable moments - when I was the most alive, the most immersed in what I was doing - I was also the most present.

I figured if I could learn to be more present then that would automatically mean I would spend more time with that sense of aliveness, no matter what I was doing.

Do you see?

The ingredient is presence and when I throw that in the cake mix that is my life the whole thing comes out sweeter and more substantial and yet lighter.

It pays to choose to have good quality ingredients, huh?

And why not? Such a small investment of time and it brings so much more.

Have a super day Arjuna “getting better at baking cake”

PS. There are only a few days left until the next Ishayas’ Ascension meditation weekend.

Three in fact.

I believe there is also a bed or two still available if you want to make it into a mini-retreat.

Although I’m not teaching, I can recommend these fellows highly. I will be around so bring your running shoes and we’ll turn right.

Here’s the linkage:

http://www.thebrightpath.com/courses/first-sphere-richmond-mini-retreat-option-also-available-richmond-north-yorkshire-2016-06-24

Inspiration for a blah day

Was having a bit of a low day - no energy, no motivation, a bit blah, perhaps my moon was in conjunction with Uranus, I’m not sure.

But whatever, I turned to my trusty inspiration pack:

The internet!

It can be such a time sink, but I think it used wisely - just like the Force - it’s such a source of inspiration.

And inspiration is gold.

I live to be inspired.

Found a video by Will Gadd. Will is a climber, and awesome at it.

He’s also a forty-something, like me, and is still charging at an extremely high level. That to me is inspiring. Here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCpowcXopKE

So his thing is to move. And I love to move, I love to do, to be active, to fill my days with amazing experiences.

But as right as Will is, equally important are those times to do nothing. To regroup, to rest, to recover, to learn to do nothing at all.

Doing nothing means doing something has a foundation. Without doing nothing action is hollow. It lacks meaning and presence. You can become like a blue arse fly - buzzing around without substance.

Both doing and not doing are important - balance is important.

I watched his video and it reminded me of how much I love to do, but it also reminded me of making the most of each and every moment, even when I feel blah.

Squeezing the most out of each day is not only an action, it’s an attitude; it involves your active attention and presence to whatever is right in front of you.

Close your eyes, every day. It’ll give you that presence that fills each moment

It’s as important as achieving and doing and becoming.

The Ishayas’ Ascension is a brilliant way to show you how:

http://www.thebrightpath.com/courses/first-sphere-richmond-mini-retreat-option-also-available-richmond-north-yorkshire-2016-06-24

Have a fun day

• Arjuna

PS.

I’m not teaching the course, but have some fine friends who are. I can fully recommend them. I’ll be about, helping in the background so it would be great to chat.

And remember! If you’ve previously learnt to Ascend, you can repeat for free. Well worth while.

http://www.thebrightpath.com/courses/first-sphere-richmond-mini-retreat-option-also-available-richmond-north-yorkshire-2016-06-24

The biggest thing about marriage

Howdy! I’m back after a while on honeymoon on a Greek island.

I did have intentions (small as they were) of writing to you while I was away, but I didn’t.

The great thing about life is you can always start again.

And so I’ll take that reset button and go again.

So: back in action - and amazing what a small break has done for my motivation.

Marriage.

People ask me if it’s different being married, and at first I said nothing had changed.

Then I realised that on a subtle but powerful level something big had indeed changed.

But before I get to that …

Do you know what all your relationships have in common?

Every single one - from your romantic partner to your family to work colleagues to your local shop keeper?

The common denominator in all your relationships is you.

Want a better relationship?

Ask yourself …

“What can I do to give more to this relationship?”

You see, that’s what I realise has changed.

Since being married I realise that now I’m in for life, no matter what comes.

Before there was a sense of it not mattering if the relationship didn’t work out.

There was a back door of "I'll let her work it out, because there’s plenty more fish in the ocean”.

Now I know every interaction counts.

It matters.

There’s a real sense of wanting to make the most of each moment with her.

If there’s a misunderstanding, I want to do what I can do to reach out and come to a level again.

If there’s down time and she wants to talk, I want to put my phone down and be fully present with her - not just nodding “yes dear” as I go for that high score.

Being married I realise even more my role in making the most of my relationships.

It involves awareness of my own triggers, of the intention to give, to make choices where everyone wins.

The Ishayas’ Ascension meditation helps me so much in this.

It gives me the ability to see myself clearer and clearer.

To reset and go again.

It gives the foundation, and the motivation, to live the best life possible.

And the contentment that comes with being fully present, right here in this moment.

If you've learnt, make sure you practice. It asks so little and gives so much.

If you haven't learnt, you're missing out on the one thing that makes all life so sweet.

Why not dive in? You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Hope you have a great day.

Go well - Arjuna

You ever wonder if there is more? And how you get it?

You ever wonder if there is more to life than what you are living? Do you ever think, “you know, my life is great, I have so much and I enjoy a big chunk of what I do, but there feels like there is just something missing?”

I did, constantly.

I pushed my way past this feeling that something wasn’t quite right by filling up with working harder: 

I took over my flatmate's garage based business resoling rubber rock climbing shoes for a spell, I would throw myself into adventures in the outdoors, I would travel, read and learn and explore, I would do as much as I could.

Life was really full up - and I found that I could cover up this hollow feeling inside pretty successfully, but unfortunately only temporarily, only short term.

It would spring back with a vengeance, the feeling being right in my face. “Something is lacking.” “There’s more to life that you’re not living.”

Tough times indeed, because I looked around at everything I had and I did, the people around me, and I knew I had a wonderful life, truly wonderful.

But why didn’t a wonderful life match internal satisfaction?

Why was I always hunting for more?

Why did it feel like I could never rest, content and enjoy what I had?

Why was I never happy?

It’s tricky when an external world doesn’t equal internal fulfilment.

Nothing in the world can fill that hole, nothing. No amount of achievement, or boldness, or distraction or sedation.

I read an interview with Sylvester Stallone and he said exactly the same thing happened for him.

He thought fame and fortune would give him what he wanted. When he got fame and fortune, and found that it didn’t fill the need in his heart, he said it was one of the worst times in his life.

The only thing that gave me internal satisfaction was learning Ascension meditation.

Somehow these simple little techniques that I was given meant I found peace.

A peace that meant I could finally enjoy each and every moment - no longer looking for the next thing.

A practical peace too - although I stopped trying to tear the world apart looking for satisfaction, the fullness and perfection of this moment meant everything I did became more effective, and more enjoyable.

It was truly a life saver.

The funny thing was I thought I was the only one to have this feeling. After becoming an Ishaya and starting to teach, I met many many more people just like me.

It was, and is, so wonderful to give them the keys to the other half of themselves.

Meditation really does add more to you, it really does "fill" you out.

Some friends from New Zealand have made a documentary all about the changes in people’s lives from learning Ascension meditation.

The trailer is beautiful, you can see it here:

http://www.choicethefilm.com/en/trailer/

Whatever the question, the answer is always within you. Learning to find that, to listen and get clear isn’t difficult, it just requires pointing in the right direction, and a little practice.

Enjoy the trailer: http://www.choicethefilm.com/en/trailer/

Have a wonderful day, - Arjuna

What to do when your past keeps coming back

When I started meditation I wanted my past to go away. I haven’t had a bad life in comparison to many, but that doesn’t matter.

When it’s you and your mind, comparison to others is useless.

When the mind bites, it bites. When the head starts to fear or get anxious about something, it can be torture.

What I found through Ascension meditation was not the ability to make my past go away.

Instead of forgetting about it, it gave me the means to come to terms with it, as it was.

If you’re willing to accept and allow and learn and use the past as a springboard for the future then you are golden, and unbeatable, no matter what life throws at you.

And you can help others directly through your own experience.

If you aren’t willing to accept and allow and learn, if you see yourself as a victim to the circumstances and situations, if you think you have no choice because of your past, if you hide and sedate in an attempt to ignore, then everything is going to hit you hard.

In coming to terms with it, it means any past becomes like an intense movie you just saw.

You remember it, you may shudder even, but it’s somehow now separate from you. It doesn’t affect your being, now.

The fact is no past need define your present.

You get to decide who you are and what you do next. No one can take away your hopes and dreams for life.

It’s never the cards you are dealt, it is always how you play them.

And all of that simply takes the right tools and the right understanding, and the right practice.

All of the above is what I wanted when I started meditation, and that’s what I got through Ascension meditation.

I don’t really care what you do, as long as you have something to help you through.

A vehicle to rely on when the mind gets intense makes all of this so much easier, so much simpler.

And having a community and guidance where you know they know what you’re talking about so you can get help.

I wouldn’t be here today doing this if it wasn’t for other people I could rely on for help.

Life is short, it really is. Make the most of each and every moment. Squeeze it dry.

That all comes from within. It all starts with your attitude and mindset.

If you want to learn Ascension meditation with me, I would be honoured to have you along. It’s happening 15-17 April.

Click here for details, or email me:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Need anything? Just email moi.

Take care - Arjuna

Who Else Wants Freedom?

Every one wants freedom. Everyone. What do you want freedom from?

I think it’s an excellent question to ask yourself.

Try it now.

Because, if you are honest, there is very very likely to be something there that means you don’t feel quite free.

I’m not talking about agreements and compromises and giving that is walked into fully conscious, that you want to do because, at least on some level, it brings you joy.

Like getting married for example.

Some talk about marriage as an end of freedom.

I’m not ashamed to say I cried like a baby when I asked my lady to marry me.

Because it meant so much to me.

So I’m not talking about things you freely agree to do, or things you set in place because they’re actually of benefit to you …

I’m talking about everything else. Stuff that you don’t want, or things that make you feel constrained.

So ask yourself, what do you want freedom from?

You know the answer to this - it's the stuff that bugs you constantly.

OK, so, my take is this:

Freedom begins in the mind.

Your negative mental patterns and resistances and fears are the first place you can free yourself.

By seeing them clearly, by letting them go, by not going around and around in them. By not indulging in doubt and worry and fear.

From there you can make different choices, make change in life.

A free mind is a foundation for the best possible life.

But often, so so so often, by finding freedom internally you don’t need to make any change.

You will find that the problem was in your head to begin with. You change your mind and everything changes with it.

Plato once said something similar:

"One cannot make a slave of a free man, for a free man is free even in prison”.

Inner freedom always comes first.

Want freedom?

Try my Ascension meditation course. 15-17 April: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

It is the greatest thing you have never done for experiencing inner and outer freedom.

Questions? Try me!

Have a great day, - Arjuna

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Did you hear about the guy who worked himself to death?

The people that I admire in this world seem to have a perfect balance. They are efficient and focussed. They get in to their work, do the things, make the decisions, have a laugh, and then they get out.

They leave it totally behind and are fully with their partners or families.

They take time to do the things that they love, that nourish their souls.

They are committed to being healthy, setting aside time to make quality food and exercise well.

But these people are super rare.

Maybe I’m too romantic in my notions, but I don’t see my ideal often. But when I do I sit up and take notice.

So many people are imbalanced. They typically push and push in one area of their lives to the detriment of everything else.

And it’s all about security, or proving something to someone, or caring too much. I know this because I’ve been through it myself.

Fear that I can’t let go of work because I need to provide. If I don’t look after my family, my retirement etc etc, who will … ?

Or, if I don’t do it, who will look after x, y or z? Muggins here will do it.

Or, I’m not in a place where I can cut back my working hours just yet. But soon I will be able to. I’ll get things in a place where they can run themselves and I can let go …

Or the old chestnut of doing it because everyone else seems to be doing it. Working so hard their eyeballs are bleeding, and after all, I can handle it.

Or, I’m a success and I’ll show the world (but through pushing so hard actually you’re beginning an obsession).

It’s a horrible little hamster wheel, but when you see it, you can get off.

I was talking about this on an Ascension meditation course the other day and they were connecting the dots.

One guy said he started to realise something was way out of balance when he sent an email at 2am and received a reply.

They were all working 16 and 18 hour days, with families and hobbies they are busy ignoring.

Maybe you can push for a few months, maybe years, but what is inevitable is that you will snap. Or your relationship will fail. Or you get so overweight it’s difficult to play with your kids.

You need balance. You can’t do anything without balance.

Making this kind of change takes courage, it takes seeing your mind and behaviours clearly.

And it means going beyond the fears of your mind.

It takes prioritising what is important to you.

This is your life and you need to decide how you want to live it.

The choice is in your hands, ok?

If you want help living a balanced and fulfilling life I know of a course that will help.

You can, and should, book on here: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Ascension meditation makes everything simpler and clearer. Honest, been doing it for a long time, and it works.

To save yourself a seat go here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Any questions, fire away, I would love to help.

Keep the Peace! - Arjuna

How Richard’s Life Went Through The Roof (In A Good Way)

I got a sweet email from Richard Evans this morning - I taught him Ascension meditation about three weeks ago. He’s pretty chuffed with Ascension: _________________

I just want to thank you by the way, from the bottom of my heart, what you have brought into my life is amazing! Truly, I can't tell you enough what a calm mind for a week has done! Genuinely it's actually changing my life! Thank you!

_________________

I would love to take credit for being an amazing teacher, but the fact is that really I know I can’t up myself.

The brutal (to my ego) reality is that it had nothing to do with me.

The fact is that Richard’s results are simply because he put the plan into practice.

He listened to the oh so simple instructions and followed the process.

Following the process means he got the results.

And there’ll be ongoing results and discoveries and goodness for him, simply as long as he keeps doing his practice.

And that is the very reason why I became an Ishaya monk...

...it is the very reason why I have kept doing my Ascension meditation every single day since 2003.

It is why I can stand in front of people and say to them, hand on heart, do this and you will find your way beyond the worrying and fearing and whining and reacting of your own mind.

It matters not if you believe it will work, or if you are the biggest skeptic in the world.

If, and that is the key point, IF you do the practice, you will blossom.

You will be able to step beyond any self-imposed limitations - ones that you know are there, and the ones that you have no idea about, the blindspots.

You will be able to live as the very best version of yourself, constantly.

Just by following the simple and enjoyable process.

And therefore it is not for everyone.

There are some people who just want a magic pill. They want to transform the quality of their life just like that, without any personal investment on their behalf.

If you are one of these people then Ascension meditation is not for you.

In fact, this email list is not for you either. I would unsubscribe - link at the bottom.

You can lead a horse to the sweetest of waters, but if they don't drink, they don’t drink.

But if you are interested in doing the small amount of work in order to reap the rewards, then welcome.

I am here to help.

If you want what Richard’s got, come to an Ascension meditation course, and soon: 15-17 April. £200 (which includes all the followup you need for the rest of your life)

I am so confident that you will not only find the weekend super enjoyable and powerful, but the ongoing practice super enjoyable and powerful, should you disagree I will give you your money back.

Isn't that good of me? I just want to make it as simple as possible for you to come and give it a go. I know you're going to love it.

Send me an email if you want in.

Excellent stuff.

Enjoy your day! Keep the Peace. - Arjuna

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FREE ebook and email coaching on meditation and mindset for ending stress and self-sabotage, and living an exceptional life:

www.arjunaishaya.com/discovermeditationandmindset

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Friends with Benefits: Arjuna’s Casual Sex Agony Aunt Advice

So I get asked a lot of advice, and some times I can give it because I’ve lived through the same situation.

One such situation I want to share with you is about casual sex.

I bring sex into this email not only to titillate but because it’s important to have a healthy relationship with it. And for years I didn’t.

Meditation for me is about inner peace and clarity yes, but it also needs to give you the awareness so you can make better choices.

Meditation is useless if it doesn’t help you live your life better.

A young fellow, in the prime of his youth, emails me asking about a “friends with benefits” style relationship. Meeting up for sex, and sex only.

See he’s stuck, just a little bit.

(Good sir, if you are reading - all my words here, so excuse me if I mix this up)

His mind says “yes!” - this is the perfect thing that you have always wanted. Sex without commitment. Hurrah!

His heart says “No! This feels hollow and horrible and unsatisfyingly temporary”. Boo hoo.

We come to a place many of us find ourselves in - switching and swopping between a “yes!” and a “no!”.

What to do?

I too always thought casual sex was my idea of heaven, but ultimately it just felt hollow and pointless.

There's that social idea though, that men should go wild especially when you're young.

But I tried it and was disappointed.

Thick as I am, it did take some time to catch on.

For me, the connection between the two people has become much more important.

And how am I going to get that connection without some kind of commitment, and work?

What I realised, the bottom line for me, was that relationships take investment and time and effort on my part.

The more I put in, the more I get out.

The physical part of sex is a thousand times better when I’m invested in the person I’m having it with.

It may be different for you - and don’t let me tell you what to do - but I’ll put myself on the line here and say it is the same for everyone.

If you are truly honest with yourself, the thing that you (and everyone else), squirm away from the most is commitment and persistence and long term work.

It is easier to run away and sedate than face yourself.

Cos that’s what’s happening when you are in a relationship. You get to clearly see all your “stuff”: all your insistences, all your neediness, all your negativity, all your patterns.

It’s easier to hide than transcend.

But rising above all your stuff is the only way to grow, the only way to make sure you live a life worth living.

And that’s what life is about. Living large.

A little deep, but just what was needed this morning I guess.

Don’t compromise a fully rich and satisfying life. It takes work, but it’s worth everything.

If you want the tools to do this, email me. I got them, I can teach you simply.

15-17 April. £200. Done.

Word!

- Arjuna

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FREE ebook on meditation and mindset for ending stress and self-sabotage, and living an exceptional life:

http://www.arjunaishaya.com/discovermeditationandmindset

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Are You Merely Surviving, or Really Thriving?

“If you don’t know what you want, you end up with a lot you don’t” - Chuck Palahniuk

If you’ve been reading for a while you know how much in esteem I hold Chuck.

The author of the “Fight Club” seems to speak directly to my being every time I see a quote from him.

He never settles for less.

And today is no different.

What is it that you want from this one and only life?

Past all the day to day must do’s, the distractions of merely surviving, how do you want your life to look?

What do you want to achieve?

It’s so important to know what you want the big themes of your life to be. Otherwise, just as Chuck says, you end up with so much you don’t want.

Where are you heading?

Just round in circles, surviving?

Or making steps to getting where you want to be and do, and thriving?

Thriving can’t just be in one area.

You also need to concern yourself with the how: How do you want to achieve those things?

With style and balance and enjoyment?

Or stressed, struggling, straining your relationships, giving no attention to your health or your fitness?

It’s an important question, equally important as to what you want to do.

What if you could have your cake and eat it too?

You can indeed have it all, even if right now you know you would like something to change, but you don’t know what it is.

What having it all needs as a basic is consistent clarity and the ability to be totally present. And you can simply have that, if you know how.

First thing I do every day is not charge into the day, but stop and take stock.

I use my Ascension meditation techniques, then grab a coffee and map out the day from a space of clarity and calm.

It sets the scene and makes sure I get more of what I want and not what I don’t want.

When I’m done at work, again I stop, settle down and use the Ascension meditation techniques.

It means I can let go of the day and embark on the evening that I want to, and not carry the day.

In bed before sleep, again I use the techniques. It means I can sleep well and wake feeling good, not anxious or worried or un-rested.

Simple rituals, but they make sure:

• the day is enjoyable and effective, not stressed and spinning on the spot
• that the evening is what I want it to be, with nothing lingering from work
• and sleep is deep and restful so you can recover and go again

This quality of life and of perspective is simple to come by. You just need a few things:

To give the time to yourself to get that. And the right tools and the right understanding.

If you want these, join me 15-17 April, Ascension meditation course. £200 and you get to resit as many times as you like for free for the rest of your life as well as getting all the support and follow up you need.

Email me for a place.

Take it easy

- Arjuna

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FREE ebook on meditation and mindset for ending stress, struggle and self-sabotage, and living an exceptional life:

http://www.arjunaishaya.com/discovermeditationandmindset

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I never want to tell you what to do, only how to do it

I was surprised - my little email on marijuana caused a small flurry of indignation from certain quarters.

I feel misunderstood. (Poor me. Violins?)

My intention was never to tell anyone what to do.

Your life is yours to do whatever you want with it. I don’t know what makes you tick.

But I do know that so many people easily get stuck in a rut.

I do know that many many people only live in the past and the future. They are never present.

It is certain that struggle and stress and self-sabotage is rife on this planet.

People are living half-arsed, sedated, resisting and running from reality, not following their dreams.

How do I know?

Because I see it everywhere. And I was there, for the longest time: unconscious and full of compromise.

What made it worse was that I said I never wanted to compromise, and yet when I looked clearly it was obvious: I wasn’t walking my talk.

My life was great, but I realised it could be greater.

The intention behind my marijuana email wasn’t prohibition.

It was to tell you that you don’t want anything in the way of being clear and calm and centred.

You don’t want to rely on anything external for that. Even that app.

The number one priority in your life should be learning how to live as the master of your own mind.

From that foundation everything and anything you choose to do is bolder, brighter, more fun.

You are filled with purpose, life has true meaning, you can really make a difference.

Without that foundation you are like a monkey on a chain, pulled to and fro. Lost at sea. Stranded without a way home.

I never want to tell you what to do, only how to do it.

If you want to know how to do everything with style, peace and panache, then you owe it to yourself to get yourself a seat at my weekend Ascension meditation course: 15-17 April in Richmond.

Simple, and effortless.

But if you like being offended for the sake of being offended, if you like to live life constantly feeling hard done by, then perhaps unsubscribing is the way for you to go.

The link is just down there.

If not, be free: be truly the master of your own domain.

- Arjuna

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FREE ebook on meditation and mindset for ending stress, struggle and self-sabotage:

http://www.arjunaishaya.com/discovermeditationandmindset

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Why regret and worry can seem like your friend, and why they aren't

I used to spend a lot of time in regret. As a percentage of my time it probably wasn’t a lot but it felt a lot because the things I regretted were important to me.

The biggest thing I would regret is behaving in a way that felt rude, or impatient, or not kind or compassionate in some way.

I had pretty high standards, but some times I would just react, fire off, and hurt someone’s feelings or just feel like I was an idiot in front of someone.

It was so much in my head, the whole guessing what someone else might actually be feeling or thinking about me, but the fact is I really wanted to be as “good” a person as I could be, and it hurt when I felt I wasn’t.

These days it’s easier because I’ve learnt not to second guess and think about it, if I do think I’ve said something stupid, then I ask. Saves staying awake at night.

I also don’t react as much as I used to. I feel like “button pushing” moments are getting rarer these days, and I’d put that down to my Ascension meditation practice.

It has a great way of making you like teflon - you find it difficult indeed to have anything stick to you.

And the other thing I’ve gotten is just better at not carrying the past.

I still strive to be the best possible person I can be, and in many ways it’s still true that “I don’t fear dying, I fear not living life fully” (Wim Hof) but I’m without the striving part.

I know that a full rich life can only be lived now. Noble goals are made up of small steps. The best step is the one that you can take now.

There’s not that double sided coin of fear/punishment driving me, so I can relax and enjoy as well as push some boundaries, if and when they’re there.

What I want to say to you, if any of this resonates, is learn to overcome regret and worry. Don’t indulge in it - even if something is worth worrying or regretting over.

It just doesn’t help.

Keep starting a fresh, do your best but carry nothing.

That in itself will mean you evolve as past as possible, you’ll squeeze everything you can out of this life. You don’t need to struggle and analyse “how to”, you just need to learn how to stay very very present.

Everything will come from right here.

Have a great day. As always, if you need anything, I'm here. Right here (just a little metaphysical joke).

- Arjuna

PS. The Bright Path Ishayas' Ascension meditation weekend interest you? 15-17 April (we begin at 7pm on the friday)

It's the single greatest thing that I have ever done. And I know I'm biased, but if you want a way out of regret and worry, to step into a happy, free life, then come along.

Get in touch if you want a seat.

________________________

FREE ebook on meditation and mindset for ending stress, struggle and self-sabotage:

http://www.arjunaishaya.com/discovermeditationandmindset

The secret to life lies in the things you love

I’m writing this to you from Bergen, Norway. It’s a spectacular place - my kind of town. Surrounded by water and by hills, wonderful.

It’s a bit spooky though. All the people are spectacularly beautiful. It’s like they did away with the “not quite perfect” folk. Don’t worry, I won’t let them get me.

But everyone has been very kind, even speaking better english than I, which is a definite boon considering that my Norwegian is limited to being able to say “thank you for the fish”.

They loved Ascension meditation, which is always nice but really shouldn’t surprise me any more. Everyone leaves with a smile on their face. Whether they keep it on is only down to whether they put the small amount of time in and practice every day.

So simple - practice and reap the rewards.

Bergen is my kind of town because it looks like there is the endless opportunity to get into nature here.

I used to be an outdoor instructor you see. The reason being was that I loved being in the outdoors, and I figured working and love might go together.

I love the outdoors for it’s ability to impress you, always with something. The beauty, the scale, the ferocity of the weather. It has the ability to give you a lot of joy, and scare the pants off you.

Correctly managed, it’s a wonderful place to push your boundaries, become bigger and better. Internally and externally. More courageous and more patient. More understanding and more relaxed, able to better weather the storms of life.

What I noticed was that it was all about my mind.

Nature would usually take over and give me peace of mind, clarity and peace. I would then take that home, for a little while.

Some days though, nature wasn’t enough. I couldn’t let go, I couldn’t be absorbed. The thoughts were just too much. I couldn’t find that state of being that I loved so much.

Do you have that too?

The things you love to do, you do them because it gives you a quality of life that continues, that carries you through the drudgery.

The immersion and absorption in the act, in the moment, in life itself is worth everything. It is what everyone is chasing.

It’s actually trainable. You don’t need to rely on Nature - or whatever your arena - to give it to you.

You can have it all day long, even in the middle of work - if your work is lacking love.

And that is why I became an Ishaya monk - simply because I wanted that all the time, and I didn’t want my mind to stop me from fully living in each and every moment.

Ascension meditation has given me that ability.

If you also want that, an end to drudgery if you like, or the beginning of consistent “betterness”, come and learn to Ascend with me. 15-17 April.

Simple, and rewarding. I’ll give you the treasure map, everything you need to follow and make your life sweeter.

Email me and we’ll discuss details.

Keep the peace, and enjoy each and every moment.

- Arjuna

“A pound of happiness please”

Think for a moment - if you could walk into a shop and buy a day of utter contentment, how much would you pay?

Maybe the store would have a selection of experiences you could shop:

“A day of simple joy? Certainly sir”;

“In love with everyone and everything? Coming right up”

“Wonder and awe at the miracle of existence? Here you go”

“Gentle but absolute focus and inspiration so you can knuckle down on that project? Third row on the left”

How much would you be willing to pay for such a day?

I think before I learnt to Ascend I would pay quite a lot, it would be money well spent.

However, the fact was that I thought no one knew how to have such a day. There was not such a shop.

I thought - and many people think this too - that you have to take the good with the bad. That down days are part of the human condition. That suffering is, alas, part of life.

But what if we were wrong?

What if it were possible to transcend suffering?

What if it didn’t require any great hardship? What if you didn’t need to run off into the wilds, abandoning civilisation? What if you could have it all - your comfy chair and a means to experience inner peace?

What if you could have your bacon sandwich and eat it too?

I say yes to having a bacon sandwich and munching on it.

The people that I teach to Ascend tell me that they become happy for no reason.

They say, and they are, in a sense, the customer and the customer is always right, that Ascension meditation doesn’t take problems away, it just makes the way forward clear.

They say that the simple tools give you a choice in which thoughts are dominant in your head. Ones of worry, doubt and stress? Or thoughts of contentment, clarity and calm? They say it becomes their choice.

If you want to live like that, come and learn to Ascend. It will be the best decision you’ve made.

Don’t get me wrong - it’s not like taking a pill: you have to practice, you have to do the work, but such simple, enjoyable, relaxing work it is.

It’s the difference between trying to get somewhere by walking or taking a very comfortable chauffeur driven car.

Want a (comfy) seat? 15-17 April, Richmond, North Yorkshire. Email me to save a place!

Til then - make the most of each moment. You don’t really know how many you may have.

- Arjuna

Why you need to be careful with comfort and convenience

Something was pointed out to me the other day, you know when you know something, and then someone puts it into words and it just brings so much more clarity and understanding?

I had one of those moments the other day. A very wise man pointed out that humanity is wired to comfort and convenience.

We largely only do that which is convenient and comfortable.

When you want to do something new, you need go beyond the habitual nature of that comfort.

Take a new diet, say you decide to cut out sugar and all processed foods from your eating.

The first thing to do is empty your cupboards of everything that isn’t on the diet, and fill the empty space with good food that is.

You make it convenient to eat the food that you want to.

If it’s convenient to you, it will be simpler to stick with the diet, the diet will then become a habit.

You only need discipline until the new way becomes habitual.

Habitual is another word for comfortable.

You don’t need discipline when something is habitual, because it is comfortable to you, it is more natural.

With our diet example, there is a point where you notice it’s more comfortable to eat well then eat the sugar.

You’ll bite into some Ben and Jerry’s and realise how a tablespoon is now more than enough for you, the 2 bowls you used to eat just make you feel sick.

But until it becomes comfortable you need a little discipline, and you need to make it convenient.

Preparation is everything.

It is the same with your practice of meditation (or whatever your plan entails to be awesome in 2016).

You need to overcome the habit of not doing it. You need to prepare and make it as convenient as possible to do it.

I set a time. Every day I knew that was the time I went to close my eyes.

I set up a little log so I could be accountable. I read inspiring books, kept myself immersed in the world of meditation so it was right in the front my awareness. I told my friends, I did everything I could think of to make sure I sat everyday.

And now I can’t go a day without it. It makes my life more comfortable, the rewards are very convenient.

Meditation has become a habit.

Awesomeness is just a habit.

You get to choose your habits. You get to choose what is natural to you. What is natural is simply what comes easy to you. All easy takes is a little practice. All habits take practice.

How to be totally awesome in 2016

How is the plan to be totally awesome in 2016? To live as the best version of yourself?

Perhaps you already are. Perhaps there is nothing left to achieve. Nowhere left to go. Nothing left to know or do.

Well done… but I don’t think so.

What do you want to do with your one and only life?

I think a wonderful intention is to be whole-arsed. To be awesome in as many ways as you can. Or to not be half-arsed.

But the critical thing is always to be specific.

Without specificity, there is a general, vague, idea that never gets achieved.

Being specific means you start to get clear. Being clear means you can follow that up.

In order to follow it up and become it, you need a plan.

To help you along, for each and every specific thing you want to do or achieve, ask yourself the following questions:

• What are you going to do?
• Why is it important to you? (don’t skip this step)
• How are you going to do it?
• What barriers can you expect?
• How are you going to make sure you get around those barriers?
• Who are you going to enlist to help you or to hold you accountable?

I love the last question. I know someone whose idea of accountability is donating money to his least favourite political candidate (he’s American, and it’s Donald Trump).

All his friends know that if he doesn’t do what he says he will, a chunk of money is heading that way. I would say that there is substantial motivation, don’t you?

What’s motivating for you to do what you said you will do?

A scheme is necessary, simply because otherwise what is comfortable and convenient takes over.

Any change, any living of whole-arsedness, needs to develop momentum to overcome whatever half-arsery is happening at the moment.

Be clear! Make a plan, then follow through.

And then enjoy the awesome whole arsed nature of your life.

Have a superb New Year too, thank you again and again for being here, for being who you are.

As always, if I can help with anything please let me know.

- Arjuna

ps. personally, the greatest support for being awesome, for being calm and clear, for seeing your limits and your bad habits, for an end to all struggle is the Bright Path Ishayas’ Ascension.

You just do it and your whole life gets easier, simpler.

It just works, I promise.

If you don’t Ascend already, make it your goal to come to a course in 2016. I’ll be having plenty, but there are many, up and down the country.

If you already do Ascend, practice! Don’t take how awesome you are for granted. Don’t wait to have trouble, just get going. Choose!