Overwhelmed? Yah, that is a possibility!

I have seen that the difference between overwhelm and an adventure is all in the way that you look at it. Isn’t it just?

One person's “awesome” is another's “OMG!!!!”

Now currently there is a situation in my life that I never thought would ever happen.

Even now, I could ponder and scratch my head and think “how DID that happen?”

Of course, I know the mechanics of how it happened,

But more the question is of a philosophical nature of “how did I come to this point in my life?”

You see, my wife informed me a while back that I am to become a father (in 5 months or so, now).

It was far too easy.

Surely there should be at least a written exam for something like this?

Some sort of warrant of father fitness?

Of suitability for raising the future?

Apparently not.

Now - younger me would have cried out in horror “but what about me?!” as a world as I once knew it looked like it would end.

Now, these days, instead of overwhelm, the choice invariably is for adventure.

A “how fascinating - bring it on!” type approach.

And it's the same here.

I mean, how hard can it be?

It’s not like I’ll lose any sleep or anything, right?

I’m sure we’ll train the little fellow to start contributing to its upkeep soon enough with simple tasks like fetching the paper and sweeping the floor.

heh heh.

Honestly the coolest thing is the staying absolutely present and not going into overwhelm.

Not going into the “what ifs”.

Because being around a pregnant lady is a minefield.

No smelly cheese, no sturdy sausage products, not too much coffee, no hot pools, no lavender even ...

(I had no idea lavender was so, well … aggressive).

So much could go wrong.

And yet, so much could go right.

When did any one stay awake at night thinking too much about what could go right?

Exactly.

So I’ll leave you there with those thoughts.

Your mind loves overwhelm, and what has to be done, and what could go wrong, and staying with what it knows.

But if you can embrace change, and excitement, and what could go right, well, there you have adventure, and the time of your life -

All through a shift in perspective.

Take it easy! Arjuna

PS.

You realise I’ve worked this in - just casually mentioning it - so you can buy me an ale if and when you see me next?

PPS.

I am so glad I have the ability to meditate.

Something tells me calm and a steel mindset is going to come in handy.

I’ve done it again haven't I?

Casually worked it in so you can realise how useful meditation and attitude and mental fortitude would be in your own life,

And how opting in here would give you the best meditation and mindset "how to" advice you could ever find:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Whoops! Shameless. -

How To Be Fearless

I wrote that title first - and I’m instantly not sure about it. I don’t really trust anyone who says they have “no fear”.

I think they’re not being honest, least of all with themselves.

Or maybe they’ve never placed themselves in a position where fear might come.

Regardless -

Although fear or at least hesitation may (perhaps??) be there forever …

… you don’t have to entertain it much at all, let alone allow it to control you.

I think,

(once again - I’m open to be wrong on all of this)

That a little fear is actually a good thing - and if you’re feeling it, it means whatever you’re about to do is important to you.

Needing courage then is a great sign.

Because you’re doing important stuff, you’re stretching your comfort zone.

You’re not staying the same, stagnating in a pond of your own making.

That is the very reason why I love the outdoors - in fact any physical activity.

Because you can always find something bigger to do.

And in that challenge it can be a little intimidating.

Here’s what you can do about it:

Stay absolutely present, completely here, in this moment in time.

You see -

Fear only exists as a response to thoughts about the future.

You stay present - there is no fear.

You’re afraid?

Get really present - and the fear rapidly vanishes.

If you could stay present forever would fear end?

That would be well worth finding out, huh?

It is never the actual thing that causes the pain, it’s the thinking about it that kicks you.

You gotta see that.

It’s the thinking about the future scenarios, the “what if I fail?” that brings fear.

and while it’s important to realise the consequences of your actions -

It’s the continual regurgitating of those scenarios in your head that creates overwhelm and paralysing fear.

And so you don’t make that move or you don’t climb that hill or you don’t attempt to lift that weight or start that business or publish that book.

Even though you really really want to.

So it’s in your head - and down to what thoughts you pay attention to.

Choose wisely!

If you’d like help with that, I can help.

In fact I’m running a whole weekend devoted to this “mental game”.

I’ll give you all the tools and understandings to get to a place super clearly where you see how you create the overwhelm and fear and anxiety that comes from listening to your thoughts.

And how to get out of this overwhelm and back into calm and clarity.

Go here to get more information, and how to get going:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Take it easy out there

- Arjuna

PS.

I actually do know a few people who are so present and in the zone they are fearless.

At least they say they are - and I trust them on that.

And at least one is a motorcycle rider so I imagine he knows a little about the fear/challenge/courage balance.

The key for me is the potential, the possibility that and end to fear's grip may be so.

I can say from my investigations into thinking and fear even a little progress gives a sensational amount of freedom.

Why not give it a go?

You’ll have your own head for most of your life - you might as well investigate it closely.

Here's how:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Bored At Work? Sue Your Boss

So there’s a guy who is bored of his job -

... and so he sues his employer.

Awesome!

Pass all your responsibility on how you feel over to someone else.

I actually can’t believe this happened.

But the BBC reports it, so it may have a smidgeon of truth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36195442

I get it too - who hasn’t been bored at work?

Who hasn't wanted to sue at least one employer for something?

You know,

Maybe it’s a good thing -

Sounds like all these people got so bored of the treadmill of unfulfilling working life they did something about it.

The article is all about how they went off and became teachers or writers or potters or travelled or whatever.

And if you’ve been reading these ramblings of mine long enough you know I’m the first to encourage people to break loose and go and do something different or bold.

However!

We are sold - conditioned if you like - the idea that your happiness comes from something, something external to us.

Like a job - it’ll give you happiness.

Or money from that job will buy you happiness.

Or a relationship will make you happy. Or a car, or holidays, or more TVs, or a newer phone, or that kayaking trip.

Not happy?

Change your job. Or get a new relationship, or car, or TV, or phone.

That fact is:

- and it seems like people are starting to wake up to it -

Nothing can make you happy.

It is a personal choice to be happy or not -

You can be happy anywhere, anytime, doing anything.

Same with boredom.

It’s a choice.

You may not currently know how to make or unmake, but happiness and boredom are both choices that you make, constantly.

If you’re looking for something or someone outside of yourself to give you constant excitement and stimulation?

- Well, good luck.

Because you’re not going to find it.

And you’ll spend your life a little bit lost, searching for it.

Want an end to boredom?

It’s all in your attitude.

And then everything you throw on top of that attitude will be even better.

That new career path, that holiday, that new house …

Or even just sitting in that cubicle, shuffling paper.

Even better.

Don’t let anyone or anything take away your own happiness.

OK?

Job done, meaning of life found.

(Don’t say I never do anything for you)

And have a sweet day, Arjuna

PS.

It’s true - the meaning of life is found not so much in what you do, but how you do it.

Your internal choice. Your attitude is it.

Simple.

Want it even simpler?

Get started here, with a free guide to meditation.

Quickest way to get a bullet proof attitude.

No nonsense, just practical how to:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

And - as well - I'll tell you more on the other side.

-

Going From Being A Turkey To Being An Eagle

Watched a cool film the other night - one I didn’t expect to like, even though it has my man Hugh Jackson in it:

“Eddie the Eagle”

You know - about the ski jumper back in the 1988 Olympics …

Go watch it, it’s cool and very inspiring, actually.

What did I get from it?

You can say what you like about his mannerisms, but that guy (Eddie) had some serious gonads.

The 90m ski jump is huge - it makes jumpers who have been jumping since they were 6 nervous.

I’m not so keen on heights anyways, but Eddie didn’t let anything stop him competing in the Olympics.

Not a governing body, not a lack of experience or skill, nothing.

He just kept going till he got there.

How many times have I told myself that I’m not ready to do something? That I’ll collect more skills and experience and then go?

You ever done that? Waited until conditions were right? And waited, and waited …

The best scene was towards the end (it’s not a spoiler).

Eddie is riding up the elevator with the world champion up to their jump.

The champ turns to Eddie and says they are similar.

The others are competing to survive, to not fail. They are competing for an external result.

Eddie and him, on the other hand, are competing against their lesser selves.

Failure to the both of them is backing away from a challenge that they have set.

The result is irrelevant, the personal challenge is everything.

And in comes Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympics all those years ago -

“It’s not the triumph but the struggle that counts”.

I love this stuff.

The result isn’t so important, but the steps you take to get there.

Keep taking the right steps, and the result comes.

It’s never so much about what you do, but how you do it that is important.

You can control the what to a certain degree, but sometimes it’s totally out of your hands.

However - you can always control the how.

And that’s the significance of life to me:

How you do this, or - your inner standing with yourself.

Because you can hide from everyone, but you can never hide from what you know to be true for you.

Right?

Keep the peace!

Arjuna

PS.

Join me in a weekend course?

One that will give you everything you need to get rid of old limiting patterns, and ignore that grey voice of doom and doubt?

Go here and I'll send you more info, as well as a starter guide to get going straight away:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Getting A Spanking And Loving It

You ever have those moments where you feel more out of control than in? Spend a whole day on Sunday feeling just that.

I was kayaking - on a more challenging river than usual.

In the warmup I was just feeling out of touch, not connected to my boat, to the river, to anything.

Whatever I did, it didn’t matter - there was no style, no power, nothing.

And so I got to the first big rapid … and got an absolute spanking.

Upside down, backwards, staring at the sky (it’s not a good thing when your kayak is vertical).

Yet thankfully, somehow flushed out at the end …

To a round of applause from a group of boy scouts out on a walk.

I’d rather be smooth as silk when I’ve got an audience.

Not this time.

As well as a bash to the ego, what it gave me was a good dose of fear.

A big chunk of the river to come, and I was feeling useless.

Feeling out of control, no skills, no balance, nothing.

I haven’t been in that position of fear for such a long time.

I’d forgotten how it eats away at you.

Your head goes wild with "what if?", your heart rate goes through the roof, your belly twists in knots.

The past failure leans on your heavily, right?

What I used to do was go into survival mode - just give up and try and get down the river as quickly as possible.

Or - I’d get angry with myself. Frustration at not being as good as I thought I was would mean I’d start swearing and hitting things.

(Not that useful a reaction actually)

Yesterday I did something I wouldn’t have done years ago - even when I was paddling much better.

I picked up my kayak and walked back up to the top, and tried again.

More than anything - given my meditation skills I wanted to see if I could better my own head, to not let that grey voice of “useless” win.

To be as present as possible, and not let the past get to me.

What happened?

It was grand.

I got another spanking, but I loved it.

Even though I was only slightly better skills wise, I didn’t let my head win.

And I remembered to have fun.

5 more times I walked back up, just to see - just to give it a go.

And that was the important thing for me in that moment - not so much being better than the rapid, but to not give up, to not let fear or frustration win.

Sometimes you have to change your definition of what success is.

Be happy with a lesser challenge without giving up.

You know what I mean?

I think that might apply everywhere in life, don't you?

Take it easy out there!

Arjuna

PS.

If you’d like to up your mental skills game you might well like to head here for a super simple, and super effective guide to getting going with all this:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

How To Fail

The thing that I used to hate the most about the outdoors was failing at something. In kayaking that means - in the beginning at least - taking a swim out of your boat.

Which is annoying more than anything at beginners level.

But the thing is:

Someone has to rescue you, you’re not as independent as you thought you were - 

And you think perhaps people won’t invite you on the next trip because you’re not reliable to self-rescue.

You can see how the thought process goes?

But looking back failing and all the thoughts around it was great because it made me want to become as self-reliant as possible asap.

Going though “failure” made me get better.

It also means I now understand the frustration some learners go through.

Hopefully you can relate this to any sport you do, or perhaps anything you do in life:

Failing is good - it means you’re pushing your limits.

If you push your limits, you’ll get better.

(if you’re smart and learn, not just do the same things and expect different results).

In kayaking at the moment there is a trend towards too much safety.

I think.

Everyone are paddling these huge kayaks which are very safe.

You don’t flip over very much.

Which is wonderful - so many beginners can build confidence and skills -

But these boats are a bit stodgy. Not that dynamic.

There’s more fun and skills and learning to be had, IF only these guys would extend their reach a bit.

To not be so hesitant to try something new.

My approach is that you can’t fear fear.

The outdoors is all about challenge -

(and I totally get people have different comfort and challenge levels)

Coming face to face with your own limits gives you so much.

So much confidence in yourself, so much fulfilment, so much perspective -

When you’ve just gone beyond your limits, every problem is put into place.

Life just becomes more wonderful, doesn’t it?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself in a position where you might fail.

Honestly, it’s the best thing you can do.

But learn from it.

Ask the experts too - they’re often so happy to talk about what they love.

Have more fun out there Arjuna

PS.

Failure is the whole reason I got into meditation and mindset.

I saw failure could be an ally IF my head was in the right place.

Fear didn’t overwhelm IF my head was screwed on proper.

I don’t just teach “meditation” as you think you know it.

It’s a whole way of living and breathing and seeing and being in life.

A method if you will, so simple, so easy to integrate into YOUR life.

It has to be simple, otherwise you won’t do it.

If you think you’d like to work with me -

Go here and opt in. I'll send you more info, and we can chat from there:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

-

Paying For Pleasure

I’m eating poached eggs and spinach, sipping on a short strong coffee. It is good.

I’ve been interested in how to eat for the most energy for a long time now.

Being in the outdoors gave me a greater appreciation for food, and what my body needs as the best fuel.

I recently tried the no/super low carbs approach - that was a little extreme, and didn’t really give me what I was looking for.

I was once a vegan too, giving up all animal products.

That was VERY extreme. Now, I did it because I thought it was the “right” thing to do.

But it didn’t suit my body. I was starving a lot of the time. And it didn’t have a big enough fun factor.

So I stopped.

When I started meditating I tried sitting on the floor with a super straight spine.

My knees, ankles and hips, oh and back too - they all hurt like a mother.

I was more grateful for stopping than I was for anything I got from the meditations.

“Right” but no fun, not enough pleasure or reward.

I only did it because I was told it was the “correct” thing to do.

Isn’t it interesting all the stuff we do because it’s the “right” thing to do?

I’m all about experimenting and honestly sticking with something if it’s good for you.

But just because something is good for you, it needs to give you a good feeling as well - right?

Otherwise you just don’t do it.

There has to be a happy medium.

I lift kettlebells, and that hurts, but it gives me a good feeling as well as a long term reward.

So there is a payment but a pleasure return too.

I don’t eat much sugar, because I know if I throw too much down me I don’t have a good feeling -  despite my thoughts about triple chocolate cake.

Again - there is a payment (not automatically reaching for the chocolate bar when I have a craving) and the pleasure is no crash and more energy.

I meditate using the Ishayas’ Ascension - that doesn’t hurt - but the payment is stopping and sitting and closing my eyes every day.

The pleasure is more Life. More freedom from the mind. Less reaction.

The point of all of this?

Experiment - try all the fads and the latest and greatest and newest programmes and regimes

But do it with a view with what works for you.

What payment / pleasure balance there is for you?

Do you enjoy it?

Is it “fun”?

And who cares if it’s “right” or not?

It has to suit you. Otherwise you won't do it.

That’s all I have today - trust your honest feelings about something. Not the second or third thoughts, they’re tricksy.

And don’t be shy of paying something to get pleasure, but trust whether the payment is worth it too.

Take it easy out there, enjoy yourself.

Arjuna

PS.

If you’re interested I can teach you Ascension meditation over a weekend.

You may find it is has the best payment / pleasure / reward balance of just about anything, this side of a good steak with a nice glass of red wine.

If you want to join us, go here to get more information, and daily emails like this one.

And a free Quick Start Guide to Meditation For Outdoor Athletes to get you flying:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

-

The Biggest Cliche Is True

The biggest cliche that rings true for me about the outdoors is this: The best at anything is the one having the most fun.

I’ve had the opportunity of hanging out with some highly talented people in my time.

The ones that I seek out time and time again are the ones with the biggest smiles.

Really - I could learn so much from someone who is serious and grumpy, but why?

There’s no fun.

And that’s why I’m in the outdoors in the first place.

Sure, I love challenge and pushing my limits and adventures, but it has to be joyful.

Otherwise what’s the point?

Hanging out with fun people has shown me something else.

Taking anything seriously in any part of my life is just a waste of time.

It means I’m missing the point.

It means life is been squeezed into submission, into a little box, and only leads to greyness and limitation.

It means I’m thinking far too much.

And that’s always dangerous.

That’s the advice I would give young Arjuna:

Don’t take anything so seriously that you forget to have fun.

In fact, don’t take anything seriously.

Life is too short for anything else.

That’s probably the common theme to all people I teach to meditate.

They report back that it’s so much easier not to take things seriously.

To not think so much about “stuff”.

They get freedom from thinking too much.

Isn’t that cool?

If you’re interested in learning how you can have that too, go here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

You'll get daily emails like this one, and all the info on the course.

Keep the peace!

Arjuna

PS.

The whole purpose of human existence is happiness.

Aristotle said that.

If it’s not fun, don’t do it.

If you HAVE to do it, learn to have fun while doing it.

Simple.

A Slap To The Dark Side

There is a force within you that stops you. It stops you improving yourself.

It stops you doing different things, things where in the beginning you will definitely fail a lot more than we succeed.

It stops you living how you want to.

It even stops you from simply doing the things you say you love to do.

Before, if someone invited me on an adventure, somewhere new and different?

"Heckity heck yeah!"

Left to me to organise my own mission?

Pffffffffffft.

^^^ That is the sound of nothing happening, like air escaping from a balloon.

It’s the sound of excuses … “too much work” … blah blah blah, as I fall on the couch and do the same old thing or go do a lap of my well known local.

You could call it the comfort zone.

You could call it resistance.

It comes from within.

It can come from without too - your family maybe, your friends perhaps.

It shows itself in the outdoors, in sports, in business, in anything creative, in relationships.

It pops up everywhere.

It exists for sure, and you need to know it exists so you can get the measure of the little fiend.

A while back, I read a fine book by a chap called Steven Pressfield called “The War of Art”.

You may want to, too, if reading appeals.

It was a nice slap in the face.

If a slap in the face could be called nice.

Part of me loved it, part of me recoiled.

Here’s his point:

You only get resistance, you only need courage, when you are faced with something that is important to you.

If it wasn’t important to you, it wouldn’t bring up the resistance to it.

Make sense?

So if you find yourself attacked by resistance and comfort zones, let it be a sign that you are onto a good thing, and to keep going.

A kind of “feel the fear and do it anyway”.

Expect it, laugh the face of resistance (with a wry ha ha ha), and keep going.

I now know my comfort zone is set to, well, comfort - and I know I need to go further on it because going further gives me such a buzz.

So I do.

Awareness means choice, and freedom, and more life!

My next course is all about awareness, and retraining your brain, developing mental fitness and flexibility, giving you calm and focus and greater happiness …

All so you can go beyond comfort zones and resistance and all limitation and do more of what you love to do.

So you can live the life you dream of.

The next course is the very core of the longer Mountain Mindset.

In fact, I'm calling it "Mountain Mindset Core".

(Thought that sounded bad arse -

And since I teach you what is officially known as "the Bright Path Ishayas' Ascension meditation and mindset techniques", it's quite a mouthful).

Where Mountain Mindset is longer and I’m on your case a lot more (giving some amazing results), in Mountain Mindset Core it’s “just the facts”.

Short, and very sweet - over a weekend, the first weekend in November.

(I know - all of a sudden my calendar is packed - but it gives you plenty of time to get organised)

If you are interested, opt in here to get more details and sweet daily emails just like this one:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

These courses aren't for everyone and so first make sure you’re prepared and up for it.

It’s simple - it just needs a little dedication and commitment.

And if you don’t have that then no worries, perhaps this isn’t for you.

But if you do?

Wow, you’re going to love what the course will give you.

Opt in here for details:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Till next time, keep the peace!

Arjuna

PS.

If you want to overcome this evil force that gets in your way?

It’s true, it exists.

The good news is you can overcome it, with the right tools and the right support.

Here’s the answer (and I guarantee it too):

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Funky Monk Athletes

Oh, the bribery, The corruption,

The politics,

The drugs,

and the politics (did I already say that?)

and the drugs (I DID already say that)

That’s right …

It’s Olympics time again!

But isn’t it a spectacle?

I love it. I love the drama, the winning, the losing.

I love watching the faces of athletes upon realising a lifetime of effort and sacrifice.

Or not.

What I love most is watching the head games.

Such an important event, and everyone’s prepared as much physically as they can be.

The difference is all down to what goes on in the mind.

My favourite athlete there is Michael Phelps - the US swimmer.

He’s been dominant for so long - but now, his last games, and he’s come out of drug rehab

- not for performance enhancing but RECREATIONAL drugs -

Who knows what’s been going on in his head…

The ups AND the downs - he’s been a monk athlete for so long (over 16 years).

And that’s what they are.

Monks and nuns - totally devoted to one thing.

He said:

__________

"If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.”

__________

Too true.

But that’s got to wear on you after a while.

I’m not prepared to do half of what he does. Are you?

But by far and wide the exemplar of that quote goes to another swimmer, Yusra Mardini.

Who?

She’s part of the Refugee team.

Escaping war torn Syria in a boat - made for 6 but containing 20 - when the motor broke and water started to come on board.

She and her sister jumped into the water and towed/pushed the boat for THREE AND A HALF hours to get to Greece.

Have you ever tried towing anything whilst swimming?

Let alone for three and a friggin half hours in open water.

Awesome.

Sometimes if you want to live, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.

__________

“Life will not stop for you because of your pain," says Mardini. "You have to move on.”

“You are stronger than you think”.

___________

This 18 year old girl - is she talking about physical strength?

Nope.

Just mental strength, “mental toughness”.

Which isn’t really tough.

It’s just the ability to direct your attention to one thing, and ignore all the doubts.

It’s more like gentle, but complete, focus -

- Sometimes on winning a gold medal, sometimes it’ll be on getting out of bed in the morning.

Focus is super rare. Humans are so scattered, they simply can’t focus when they need to.

People are much too swayed by the the negativity in their heads.

That’s where I can help. Focus is one of the benefits of practicing what I teach.

And I’m looking at doing a weekend course sometime very soon.

Instead of 5 evenings spread over 4 weeks, would a short, core course over a weekend be of use to you?

If you're at all interested,

could you email me on arjuna (at) arjunaishaya.com and put “weekend” in the subject?

No obligation, just if it’s of interest.

Thanks!

- Arjuna

PS.

Would you like a starter on how to meditate?

Just a quick guide to get you going?

I’ll have what you need tomorrow - for certain this time.

Until then -

What do you prefer?

Learning over a weekend (short, sharp, just the facts?)

or over 4 weeks (5 evenings - more time with me, more accountability, more guidance and coaching)

No obligation whatsoever - but if a weekend is of appeal,

could you email me on arjuna (at) arjunaishaya.com and put “weekend” in the subject?

Word!

Who Needs A Parachute Anyway?

You don't need a parachute. It's just been proven.

And I’m excited.

Which means I’m probably feeling better.

Had some man flu over the last few days.

I wasn’t feeling super excited. But I did take some time to rest and heal up.

I’m not a fan of being sick because I can’t do stuff.

However I know if I push on though, the sickness just sticks around longer.

And sometimes even comes back stronger.

Boring.

So I rested. Meditated on my couch - super good for rest, recovery and healing on a physical level.

Will tell you more about that later on.

That aspect of meditation and the mind is super exciting to me.

(I really am excited - I must be feeling better.)

I also took some time out over the weekend to read and to watch some inspiring videos.

Nothing like inspiration to give your body a lift.

With the Olympics coming there is no shortage of excitement and inspiration around.

I love the Olympics and the whole mind over matter nature of elite sport.

Will tell you more about that too.

(Got so much to tell you! I’m like a kid with a bag of sweets in his belly).

Saw that a guy has jumped from 25,000 feet WITHOUT a parachute.

Travelling at 150 miles/hour, he landed in a net sized 100 feet by 100 feet.

That’s some gonads right there.

Not only did he jump without a back door, no safety whatsoever ...

But he had to make sure he landed in the right spot.

That gave me a lift, for sure.

Considering I’m slightly (ok, very) terrified of jumping off heights.

Jumping off stuff requires a lot of mental vigilance on my part.

Can’t let the fear in for a second because otherwise it runs rampant.

But THE most inspiring thing I watched was this:

A guy, a paraplegic, (so paralysed from the waist down),

Who is a whitewater kayaker.

That’s taking jumping without a parachute to a whole different level.

Now - Being on the river is hard enough without hip and leg control.

But just getting to the river?

Where his wheels can’t take him?

His buddies carry him on their backs. Awesome.

It is so inspiring to me, on so many different levels.

So I just had to shake off my man flu and get going on some things.

That’s all from me, go well!

I’ll let you know how the guinea pigs on the trial are going later on.

AND when the next course is.

Take it easy out there,

If you need anything, have any questions?

Please just ask. I’d love to help.

Especially now I’m feeling better

Arjuna

PS. The link to that paraplegic kayakers video I was talking about is right here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GqO1dHy3wY

Enjoy!

What are you watching that’s inspiring you?

Why I broke my number one rule

So yesterday I was sick as a dog.

Could not be bothered even showering.

“Yuck” says wife.

She’s right (for once).

Still not feeling that hot, actually.

I know from experience that when you’re low, it’s important to protect your energy.

To rest when you need to.

It’s why I did just about nothing yesterday.

It’s also why I practice what I preach every day.

It’s why I close my eyes and meditate.

Because it gives me more energy and clarity, and truthfully:

It gives you MORE time.

So why did I email you when I really can’t be arsed?

When I needed to rest?

Because it’s actually kinda fun to declare it.

It’s my way of not taking myself seriously.

You know?

When you feel rubbish and get to laugh at yourself and it just takes the load off?

It means you don’t fight it, you don’t think you should be feeling “great” when you’re clearly not.

But also I know the power of doing the one most important thing anyway.

Even when you really can’t be bothered.

What I also found was that the thought about something is ALWAYS so much harder than the reality.

So I decided to give it a go.

You know that trick right?

Just do it for 5 minutes and see if you REALLY can’t be bothered…?

(Works with everything)

The result?

I wrote 2 emails in 15 minutes.

I had a little whine, AND got the job done.

Now I’m off for a shower.

Because it’s way past time.

And I actually feel like it now too.

Mindset and attitude and thoughts?

Fascinating things they are, are they not?

Want a simple and powerful way of overcoming the limiting aspects of your own mind?

Last chance!

Be a guinea pig in my new trial programme!

Tonight is the night we start.

And if you’re a good fit, you can begin tonight if you wish.

But you can’t join late.

So don’t wait.

Details and application form when you opt in here:

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

Not to mention daily emails like this one - keeping you inspired and set up for the day.

Keep the peace.

Arjuna

PS. I’m excited about the Mountain Mindset programme beginning.

The guys are going to get so much from it.

And I get to try out a few things that I’ve been mulling over for a while now.

Before I bring them into action to the “public”.

Here’s where you get more info, and daily emails, if you want to be on the cutting edge of calm, clarity, contentment and confidence:

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

Awesome, it will be.

Failed? Or Research For Next Time?

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.

Ditch any idea of failure and success.

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 so much easier.

The tools and understandings to make your mindset one of “better” rather than “failed again” are simple yet not widely known.

I’m teaching them in Mountain Mindset

- which goes live in 5 days -

And if you’re up for helping me out as a volunteer to help me test it, apply here:

Opt in and I'll send you more information, and daily free email coaching:

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

But don’t mess around.

5 days, clocks ticking.

Have a great day. As always, if you need anything, I'm here.

- Arjuna

PS. Nothing here today.

Just apply if you’re interested, because otherwise you’ll get nothing too.

Heh heh, I like that one…

More info on this trial, and FREE email coaching:

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

Swearing At Foreign Police Is Not So Smart

Did you see the Ju jitsu guy from New Zealand who got kidnapped by policemen in Brazil and taken to a money machine so he could be relieved of a chunk of cash? Go Rio! he wrote.

He’s not competing - his sport isn’t at the Olympics.

But when you go to something like the Olympics you don’t expect to have to deal with the flora and fauna of the country you’re in. It’s just about competing. In theory.

Unlike the outdoors where an expedition means that sometimes you get into some dodgy scrapes just getting to where you want to start.

Some friends told me of bribes to various officials when they were getting around deep Turkey in order to get to the river to go kayaking.

At one point when talking to yet another official, deep in frustration and sick of it all, one member of the party yelled, “You c*nt!”

Luckily the official smiled at him and said “Yes, I can”.

Heh heh. Close shave there, me thinks.

The getting there is all part of the adventure though, isn’t it?

That kind of trip requires a different mindset. It stretches you, it makes you a better person.

Think you have a limit? A line where enough is enough?

You always get asked for more on expedition, in any kind of travel.

Even if that’s just getting to say, Wales or the Highlands, come to think of it.

But in overcoming a limitation within yourself, of knowing no matter how shattered you may be, you can drag up a little more …

In doing that you do MORE than find hidden depths,

You chip away at the very idea of ANYTHING being too much or too big.

You see “enough” is a mental choice that you make.

Which is fine - your choice is your choice …

IF you are aware of that choice AND are happy to say that this is enough for you, for the moment.

But whatever, in facing “yourself” when you come home the dramas there are always smaller.

They’re the same, but in perspective. They don’t play on your mind like they did before.

You have reordered your priorities, and worrying and being frustrated slips well down the list.

Nothing’s changed - only you have.

Now - it is possible to constantly “grow” in the sense of your mindset and perspective.

It takes a regular practice but it’s simple.

You don’t have to travel to Rio or to Turkey - as fun as that is - to get it.

You can develop a bullet proof mindset, strong but fluid, able to change and adapt - without even leaving your house.

SO that when you do leave your house, you can do more with bigger smiles.

Stronger mindset, bigger choices, better life, more fun, cooler stories.

It’s a great equation.

Want that?

Go here for a seat at the course that will give you it.

Volunteers needed to help me test it.

Time is ticking. Don’t sit on this one.

For more information on the trial, and free daily email coaching, opt in here:

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

Arjuna

PS. Apply now, because if you delay,

I might find the guys I want to work with.

And you’ll miss out and be disappointed.

I hate disappointing people.

So don’t make me disappoint you.

For an application form, more information on the trial, and free daily email coaching, opt in here:

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

OK? Cool.

Ditching Overwhelm In The Outdoors

The greatest skill you can have in the outdoors is a cast iron mindset. One that means you can be super focussed on the thoughts that you want to let in, ignoring the doubts, the thoughts that you can’t and you’ll get hurt.

My biggest challenge in the outdoors has always been overcoming the fears of my own head.

I used to have a friend I would paddle with back in New Zealand.

He was ballsy, no fear, even though I had better skills, he would run stuff I wouldn’t.

Now some might say he could probably do with a little more discernment, but the point holds.

Your own mind is the thing that you’re face to face with in the outdoors.

It’s the thing that means you do, or you don’t.

It’s amazing to me how once you start thinking negatively it becomes harder and harder to pull yourself out.

Once anxiety gets going it can build up some serious momentum.

I used to know I guy who would be throwing up the morning before a big river.

That’s some serious nerves right there.

But it’s found everywhere. You’ll certainly be familiar with it in your work life or in raising a family.

Overwhelm destroys everything, you fall to pieces, you snap and react - unless you can keep a cap on your thoughts that lead to that feeling of wanting to run and hide.

But if you can manage all the internal goings ons, the rewards are incredible.

It’s such a sense of freedom when you’re able to do something even though your head is against it.

There’s a real sense of achievement, of overcoming not only a physical challenge, but also a mental one - isn’t there?

Sometimes you even get so immersed in what you are doing there is nothing but a sweet flow.

You almost know the next moment before it arrives.

No thought, just action.

Certainty and clarity, coming together move by move like a well played chess game.

Now if you are at an elite level you may well be taught some skills that can help you manage the overwhelm factor.

But even the elites have trouble with their own heads, despite everything the psychologists throw at them.

If they knew what I have to teach in Mountain Mindset - this new programme that I specifically written for outdoor athletes?

I don’t want to sound arrogant on this one, but even the elites, with all their whizzo psych skills would be amazed at the results.

Because they don’t have what I have to teach you.

You want a piece of that?

I still have a few seats left for volunteers to help me prove what I already know:

To give me some real life walking talking guinea pigs that have conquered their own minds.

And are having incredible times in the outdoors, and in every aspect of their lives.

We have less than 2 weeks before launch so don’t mess around on this one.

For more information, and regular tip packed emails like this one:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/ Have an awesome day out there.

Arjuna

PS.

4 weeks of up close and personal coaching and accountability and amazing results?

Who wouldn't want that for free?

Go here for more info, and regular awesome emails like this one:

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

How To Make Sure You Don’t Waste Your Life

Life is a curious thing. As humans we spend a lot of time running around in circles, not really getting to the heart of the matter.

Just missing the point, only just.

We say happiness is the most important thing, yet don’t really know how to be happy.

I mean truly happy, always happy, constantly happy.

Happy no matter what.

Humanity thinks happiness lies in things.

We strive to get things to make us happy, fulfilled.

Money, possessions, sex, love, holidays.

Yet they never really fulfil, do they?

No matter how hard we try, humanity never stops chasing happiness, no matter how many things we collect.

Being permanently happy always seems just around the corner.

Do you know what I mean?

I did.

Life is great, but there’s a sense there’s more.

You get angry and stressed and frustrated in the chase, when it doesn’t go right or you don't get what you want.

You forget the reason why you work, why you’re earning money, why you’re here.

You do everything simply to be happy - and yet there is always a middleman to this happiness.

I will be happy when …

… She stops being so narky.

… My boy stops misbehaving.

... I'm on holiday.

… I can finally get out on the water, the rock, the trail.

But why not be happy first?

Be filled with contentment and gratitude for life, as it is, right now.

The outdoors taught me that life is short.

That you have to make the most of it.

You have to be present and alive now, otherwise you miss out.

Make every moment of it worthwhile.

Don’t wait - there are people at the end of their lives all around the world and a huge chunk are thinking “If only I …”

Squeeze it dry.

You don’t know how long you have.

And if you want a simple means to help you get your head in the right place so you can be constantly stress and struggle free?

Here’s the link for more information, and regular emails like this one:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/ Have a great day, ok?

Make it count. Arjuna

PS. What if there really was an end to the “endless” chase?

What if there was an end to being stressed?

What if you could be fulfilled, and content, and happy - no matter what?

You can have all of that. Truly.

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

“Your Ego’s Writing Cheques Your Body Can’t Cash”

Classic line from Top Gun.

“Your ego’s writing cheques your body can’t cash”

We used to say that to each other all the time with mock seriousness.

A great reminder too.

Went kayaking a few weeks ago (dam release), and there was a friend of a friend who came along.

Nice guy, but he loved to talk.

Waiting for the shuttle car to come back from the bottom of the run and I couldn't decide whether he was a legend paddler or just had a huge mouth.

Turns out he just told big stories. He delivered little on the river.

Which I don’t mind, I love heading out with anyone who is up for a good time but when you’re telling stories about that bus eating wave on the Zambezi in Africa, or that expedition in Pakistan, it’s just hollow.

There are so many people who talk big but deliver little.

Don't get me wrong, I love telling stories. Sometimes I tell the same one over and over - just ask my wife. She's heard them all at least 12 times.

At least I’m amused by them.

But isn’t it better to deliver much much more than you say you do, or will?

Letting your actions speak much louder than your words, to me at least, is the seemly and gentlemanly way to go about life.

All the people I admire the most have found that quiet confidence within them. It’s not about other people knowing how great they are, their compass is an internal one.

Their success quotient is based on achieving and living up to some truly lofty aspirations, but their success isn’t about who knows about it, or even so much an external measure.

Indeed, success for some is simply getting out of bed in the morning.

Success and achievement is based in that they overcame something within themselves.

And overcoming yourself is more than enough heroism for one lifetime.

That’s why these guys and girls are so inspiring to me. Because the confidence is based on something real.

That no matter what they know the depths of themselves, and in a challenge won’t shy away from doing their best to overcome it, and their fears and concerns along the way.

What do you think?

And probably more importantly, how do you want to live?

Want the mental skills to tick your goals off much easier?

For getting such heroic mental fortitude you may well be interested in the Mountain Mindset programme that I need volunteers to help me test.

It’s designed to give you a foundation where you have "mental fortitude":

- Negativity gives way to positivity. Life is just rosier, "lighter". No matter what you laugh more, and decide to do more. - Fuzzy, “not sure what to do” gives way to clarity and certainty. Problems still come but you know how to deal with them - Dissatisfaction gives way to contentment. You let go much easier, you enjoy yourself a lot more. - Worrying about the future or regret for the past? You live much more in this moment, where you can actually do something about it. - Fear and self doubt is not so much conquered, but ignored. Put to one side once the decision is made to transcend it. It gives you the ability to balance your life - so you nurture all aspects of your life.

It’s said that men in particular work too hard, forgetting the very reason why they work.

What good is building a fine empire if, when you finally return to the castle, it’s empty?

Although the trial programme is free, none of this will come without you doing some work.

There’ll be a load of support and guidance from me and the rest of the guys on the programme.

I’ll give you the right tools, but you will need to use them. Just so you know.

If you want more information about getting a seat - and super regular email just like this one, opt in here:

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

And have a great day.

Get in touch if you need anything, anything at all Arjuna

PS. No really - have a great day. You just don’t know how much time you actually have.

The Grandma With The “Steel Trap Mind” Beating Athletes A Third Of Her Age

(Photo: Catherine Opie/NY Times)

Diana Nyad has her autobiography out very soon.

If you’ve never heard of her, I’m not surprised.

At 64 she is the only person to ever swim the 110 miles from Cuba to Florida.

That’s more than 5 times the Channel.

53 hours without sleeping or stopping.

But where the Channel is kinda nice, this swim is nasty.

The tides and currents are dodgy at best.

There are sharks and other things that aren’t happy with you being on their turf.

Like the most venomous animal in the world - the box jelly fish - who live there.

If you are most people, they sting you, your nervous system goes into instant paralysis, you stop breathing, you die.

She got stung, she kept swimming.

She said the pain was the worst pain she ever felt.

Did she stop? Nope.

So many people have tried this swim, she at 64 years old succeeded.

Her secret?

At that distance, with those tides, with the viciousness of the jellyfish...

The swim is no longer about age or gender or anything much physical.

She said:

_________

"It becomes much more about who can resist pain, who can manage their energy, who has a steel-trap mind to be able to withstand it."

_________

A steel trap mind. Awesome.

When she landed on the beach in Florida she got swamped, people crying, people wanting to touch her:

_________

“I realised afterwards, they weren’t weeping because somebody finally made it or somebody set some sports record.

They were weeping because they saw someone who refused to give up.

And everyone has experience of that, whether it’s fighting cancer or raising a difficult child or whatever.”

___________

Isn’t that the truth?

That is the most beautiful thing I have read for a long time.

Life isn’t about what you do, but how you do it.

Whether its a physical endurance slog fest or lifting that weight or making that line or landing that trick or creating your business or finishing that book or being the best gosh darn person you can be.

It’s all about your state of mind.

And about whether you give up, or simply gather whatever resources you can and keep going.

So many people give up too soon.

Get the help you need, and keep going. You can do this!

Take care. - Arjuna

Everyone has that voice that says that you’ll never make it.

That you’re stupid and a failure.

I have that voice.

I bet Diana Nyad has that voice.

Everyone has that voice.

It’s not about the voice, it’s what you do with it.

Whether you listen, or ignore it.

What you focus on, grows.

For more information on skills and tools to make that ^^^^ simple,

For regular emails like this one,

Opt in here: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/ If you need anything, any questions, just ask.

More Passion Than A Dodgy Tattoo

I was in town yesterday and saw a young lady with the Red Bull logo tattooed on the base of her neck. Huge, it was.

I know it gives you wings, and is all about pushing the boundaries and being extreme and all that but isn’t doing that like getting Coca Cola tattooed on you?

And why would you do that? What has Coca Cola ever done for you?

Maybe I’m getting old and sensible.

When I was a boy there was a guy who hung around the town bus stop who had the Ford logo tattooed on his forehead.

It went from all the way from temple to temple, eye brows to hair line - you couldn’t miss it.

It was quite something.

I always wondered, as I tried to avoid him noticing that I was staring, the story of that tattoo.

The why and the where… was he drunk, or did he really love Ford? Maybe Ford saved his life?

Maybe I should have just asked.

I have nothing against tattoos, I have a couple myself.

My first one, at 18, was inspired (directly copied) from the bass player in my favourite band at the time.

(The Hard Ons, if you must know their name. I took great pleasure of wearing their t-shirt down town, as you do when you’re 18 and happy to cause some kind of shock).

I am still relived he had a lizard and not some monstrosity that I, in a blaze of youthful enthusiasm and passion, would have etched in my skin, such as a Ford logo.

But passion is a valuable thing, if carefully directed and maintained, well... it can change the world.

What floats my boat these days is those people who want more in their lives, and who are actually prepared to do something about it.

Plentiful are those who want more, but aren’t doing nuttin’ to get it.

You’re here because, even if you don’t know where to begin or perhaps you just feel like there’s something deeper than what you are already doing, you want more and are happy to do what it takes to get it.

You have a passion for Life, with a capital L, and maybe you’ve gotten a little lost over the years, or you just aren’t sure what to do next.

Maybe you just want a sure fire way of detaching from that grey whiny voice in your head - the voice of anti-passion.

I can help.

I have a very good system, with simple, easy to use tools for getting mentally fit and flexible and resilient.

All you need do is use them.

The only people who these tools don’t work for are the people who don’t use them.

You see, some people come along and learn and then …

They just stop, for some bizarre reason, even though their lives are smoother, easier, lighter.

They’re laughing more, stressing less, are way nicer to be around, are clearer and bolder and are getting more rest than a happy cat.

They’re doing exactly what they want, ticking off goals like a shopping list, and are more in love with their life than ever before …

Their wives and partners are saying “I got the man I fell in love with back!”.

And then they stop.

Why? Who knows? Maybe life was good enough.

Good enough?

Oh well.

You’re not after mediocrity - and neither am I.

Good enough is not good enough for me, or you.

Why I’m telling you all this is this?

No matter who you are, if you’re willing to do the work and trust the process, this will work for you.

If you don’t settle for less, if you have continuing passion for more, they will continue to work for you - for as long as you use them.

With a passion for more, there is no ceiling here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/ The programme that I talk about there in - in exchange for your complete commitment and some small tasks that I want you to do for me - is completely FREE to 10 volunteers.

Get in, because I can only take 10 guys, maximum.

Word!

Have fun today, ok? Arjuna

PS. If you have the passion for more, I can help direct it.

Not sure where to go or what to do, you just know that you can have a greater mental game, more fun, more focus, more love for every aspect of life?

I can help, honestly I can, I’m not just saying that.

Go here, to get emails like this to your inbox and to get more information on this free trial, opt in here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/ See you!

Give me some skin! Or, why a £200 deposit for a free trial?

There was a comment raising this very question on the good old Facebook, where I have been telling all and sundry about this FREE mental fitness trial for outdoor fellows … All ye who love getting out and about, maybe in a boat, maybe on wheels, maybe on some kind of slidey planks, maybe just on the hoof, made of sticky rubber or sharp talons for gripping mud or ice …

Those who know that experience of leaving it all behind for some wonderful goal ticking fun, enjoying divinely smooth skills complete with shrieks of joy in the wilderness - satisfaction and peace be upon you.

Or being sloppy, weak, disjointed, frantically grasping at something solid, for something to work, and finding nothing to hold onto, getting worked over and frustrated too …

You know those times -

And you know if you could just get your head in the right place then everything would be so much easier.

You’re correct - and that’s why mental fitness is everything to all that you do and it’s why I wrote this programme.

On Facebook, someone pointed out the apparent discrepancy between a FREE trial and having to pay a £200 deposit.

At first glance it does seem weird, but there is a perfectly rational explanation.

I'm not scamming anyone.

The reason all lies in SKIN.

When you have skin in the game, you care and it matters and you’ll do what it takes.

When there is no investment, even if you have the best of intentions, it's sooooo easy to slip.

It’s a universal rule of life.

Bought some £120 trainers last year. Really splashed out - which I have never done before.

Did I look after them? Oh my golly goodness, did I what.

My babies.

Investment you see. I have some serious skin in those shoes, and they matter to me. I look after them.

It's the same with everything.

So - I AM giving this whole course - 28 days of the greatest tools, complete with ongoing coaching and instruction and support and expertise - completely for FREE.

But I need you to invest in this programme. I need you to be accountable.

Because then, and only then, you’ll get the very best results - for you.

You’ll follow through with what you said you would do.

That is the sole reason for the £200 deposit, and why upon full completion of the programme you will get your deposit back.

In the past I’ve genuinely taught for FREE and people got the FREE results. Which was all over the place.

So I never will do it again. It’s not good for me, and it’s not good for you.

This programme is FREE, but it isn’t cheap.

But it is simple, and it could well be life changing.

You’ll also help me out in a big way.

Wan to find out more? Of course you do:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/outdoors/ Any questions? Just email, I’d be happy to help.

Arjuna

PS.

Time is ticking.

We don’t begin until 4th August but I am finding the men I need.

They’re applying, and I’m liking the cut of their jib - they are a great fit for this trial, and so they are in.

To get more information, and the application form, go here:

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