When things get on top of you

The last 5 or 6 days I’ve been busy …

What I’ve realised is actually -

“I’ve been busy”

Is my personal code for letting things get on top of me.

I’m sure you know what I mean:

It felt like I had a lot to do,

With not enough time to do it all in.

So I got stuck in, and certain things -

Like my Ascension meditation practice and exercise got “temporarily” suspended.

The result?

Although I wasn’t frazzled and stressed and grumpy like I would have done in the past -

(I have my eyes open Ascension meditation tools to thank for that)

I was rushing, I did start to make silly mistakes, I got run down, my throat started to get scratchy ...

Sometimes when you forget and stop doing the things that nurture your centre, your foundation -

It’s a good thing.

That contrast means you realise exactly how important it is to re-engage your rituals.

So you jump back in with renewed vigour.

The most interesting thing about all of this?

Amongst the busy-ness I still found enough time to stay up WAY later than usual reading my book.

^^^^^^

Interesting huh?

Busy, but acting like I was on holiday …

What did I do?

Last night I went to bed early so I could do some Ascension and catch up on my sleep.

I certainly did read my book, but not for hours and hours, chasing that next chapter.

I set an alarm, woke up early and made sure I exercised and again practiced my eyes closed.

I can tell you, I certainly didn’t want to leap out of bed - but I managed to stagger out.

But now I feel great. Clear, relaxed, energised.

Ready to handle the busy day.

So I know you’re all busy - you are, and how wonderful.

But busy-ness can be handled in two different ways.

You can let it get on top of you, you can spin around faster and faster chasing the end of your to do list …

Like a hamster on a wheel …

Getting snappier and more frantic and with less effectiveness

Or you can take a fraction of your day and devote it to stabilising You.

Getting clear, content, calm, focussed, happy,

And go from there.

What a difference it makes.

So you know all this and have fallen off the wagon?

Hop back on.

Short term pain of committing yourself to a few small things,

Means pretty much instant and lasting rewards come your way.

From experience let me tell you -

It’s worth it.

OK?

Awesome.

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

If you’re looking for something that will help soothe a frantic mind,

To get some deep rest, recovery, healing …

Gain a positive perspective and attitude …

Be a more considerate, nicer, happier, more fun partner, parent, friend and work mate?

(And who doesn’t want that?)

You’ll really like my FREE guide to doing just that.

You'll also get on my email list so I can remind you and inspire you and perhaps just give you some solid tips along the way:

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

Keep It Simple, Silly

People make this stuff SO complicated. Had someone come and spend some time with me a few days ago -

In order to get more better at this meditation and mindfulness and awareness stuff,

And operate from calm and fun and contentment as opposed to frazzle and grumpiness and feeling like somethings missing.

We talked, we did a few things, and towards the end …

And I love this -

She open her eyes and said ...

“This is SO simple!”

I really love that because it is indeed - so simple.

You just need to know the few, right things.

Mindfulness and meditation is sometimes taught in the most convoluted, intellectual way,

Confusing all and sundry.

But the facts are -

This is the simplest of simple things.

It has to be,

Because it -

“It” being meditation or breathing or chanting or whatever you do …

‘It’s” job is to bring you back to your natural state.

To remind you of that:

The state that you were born with,

That state that you’re immersed in, in those times when life is good,

That state that seems so far away when life is tough.

(it’s not far away, it just seems so).

It cannot be complicated because it is the truest sense of you.

All it needs is you to show up to this moment in time.

Become aware of now,

And the presence beyond that.

My Ascension meditation teacher used to say it was “Closer than your next breath”,

Which used to annoy me because I hadn’t quite trusted him fully and was still making it super complicated …

But I now see it’s totally true.

You are that.

That vibrantly quiet, still, spacious, present awareness.

Just remember to be that, right now.

So keep everything super simple, OK?

What to know more?

I have a free talk coming up that you’ll love IF you love simplicity.

Wednesday at 6pm it is.

Full details here, be great to see you if you can make it!

https://www.thebrightpath.com/courses/free-talk-freedom-and-thinking-too-much-guisborough-guisborough-2017-06-28 Go well!

Arjuna

Getting Yourself Familiar

Do you know what? I remembered something this morning.

It’s one of those cool things that makes a lot of sense.

But first -

Some of you know that I am a monk.

A modern day monk for sure,

With a family and a house and a penchant for pork pies and coffee and cups of tea.

I like music, especially old reggae dub … and I love to cook, while listening to said music.

(In fact with Sumati being on bubba duty I’m doing a lot of cooking.)

A full participant in this life -

Not hiding out in some cave somewhere.

Which is what I liked about the Ishayas.

The only reason I became a monk -

(Because it sounded full on before I really knew what it was all about)

Was because I was tired of my own head getting me down.

Sick of ruining my own party.

I used to be an outdoor instructor you see, and even though I tried to escape into the hills and the rivers,

My head came with me.

Couldn’t shake it.

Tried to - but it always came back, like some random dog full of ticks and a bit of foam hanging out it’s mouth following you home …

So I thought:

“There has to be more to life than this”

And so I jumped into doing something a little different from what other people do,

In order to find it.

This is what I can report back,

And it ties nicely into what I recalled this morning:

It’s only and will always be about remembering.

It’s all about a slight tweak into what and how you live and do things.

You don't need to change much at all.

You need gain no special knowledge because you already have what you need to free yourself of anxiety and worry and doubt.

You see, you are so familiar with the contents of your mind.

It’s addictive - you can’t let go of your own head.

You think you are your thoughts -

But you’re not.

You are the awareness and the presence that is aware of thoughts.

The secret to freeing yourself of all the erks you is becoming familiar with that awareness and presence once again.

You just forgot, that’s all.

And that there is what the Tibetan word for meditation means:

Familiarisation.

Making friends with yourself once again.

A lot easier than straining and trying and controlling

Searching and going somewhere …

You’re already there.

Stop. Make yourself familiar with what is already here.

Keep it that simple.

OK?

Go well! Arjuna

If you'd like to know more on HOW to do this easily, this is a free download that will give you tons of ideas on how: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sane-fb/

Then of course there is my webinar to get busy mums free of the frazzle,

Getting a balance between your family's life and your own,

Staying clear and calm and struggle free no matter what is going on around you:

Thursday 4 May at 8pm (GMT).

Register here and I'll send you homework and reminders: https://arjunaishaya.lpages.co/cool-calm-collected/

Apple’s Chief Designer Is Stupid

He said so himself - Sir Jonathan Ive - The guy that was responsible for designing all that slick Apple stuff said he thought he was stupid.

Watching an interview with him - he said his stupidity was the turning point in his career, and Apple’s development.

You see - when he tried to use old computers and technology back in the day, they never worked how he thought they should.

They didn’t make sense - they didn’t have a simple flow to them, they weren’t intuitive or enjoyable to use …

BUT he just assumed he was too stupid to use them.

“Bing” went the lightbulb.

In his moment of illumination Sir Jon realised it was the same with everyone who tried to use one of these computers - “I’m too stupid to get it”

And yet:

He also realised it wasn’t the users but the design.

The designers did not “get” the humans that were to use this tech, therefore missing a critical piece of the puzzle.

Sir Jon cracks on to a basic design principle (“who is going to use it and how do they want to use it?”) and Apple becomes known for its easy to use, intuitive, real people friendly gadgets -

That today means tons of people use them, and whats more: love to use them.

Now - segue to meditation and mindfulness practices.

Some of the books I’ve read and people I’ve heard talking about meditation are so complicated I just used to assume they were spouting some arcane and detailed wisdom,

And I was just too stupid to understand such information.

Turns out - like with Sir Jon - making it complicated is just another word for not really understanding your subject.

The truth is that gaining mastery of your mind and your habitual patterns is really simple, it is.

It needs to be because the truth of who you are is not very far away.

Remember how you are in your great moments?

You just need a method to remind you how to be that, now.

That’s it.

You need gain nothing.

Seriously.

You need give up nothing, learn no complicated knowledge,

Because it’s all about the experience, nothing else matters.

It doesn’t need to take very much time either,

And layers of complication and mysticism just serves to obscure you actually remembering.

So if you come across something you don’t understand, that seems so complicated in this field of meditation and mindfulness?

You’re not stupid.

It’s likely the person spouting such stuff doesn’t really know what they’re talking about.

They’re the ones that don’t understand.

OK?

A method or a tool to remember that state of being when you are the best version of yourself needs to be simple,

Because that return to your Self is simple.

It’s so close, closer than your heart beat even.

And it can be so enjoyable to return and remember:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sane-fb/ Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

This is the ONLY time I’m going to say it’s them and not you, alright?

If you don’t understand, GRILL them until you get an answer you do understand.

Simple, simple, simple. Keep it simple.

Everyday Things

What do you do every day? I imagine sleep is one of them.

Eating too, perhaps - unless you’re one of these fasting types (which is ALL the rage at the moment)?

What else?

Clean your teeth?

Errmmm … maybe!

There’s not a lot of things that you do every single day is there?

I saw a quote which brought some perspective - once again - for me:

____________ “Go 3 days without your favourite thing. Then go 3 days without sleep. It turns out sleep is actually your favourite thing.” Joel Comm ____________

For me the last few days have been spent in a whirlwind of shifting -

Taking items from one place to another.

All wanting to be in the house and set up so at least I know where my fresh underwear is.

Because … well … because the baby.

It’s all about the baby and getting ready for the wee fella to arrive.

There hasn’t been a lot of time to close my eyes and Ascend.

The local river has been going nuts and I haven’t even been down there for a little kayak.

^^^ That’s how seriously I’m taking my responsibilities as a good husband.

(Loud cheer in the background)

But yesterday I got a little more time to close my eyes to meditate …

Beyond a few seconds as my head hit the pillow last thing at night.

(or when I bounce awake in the early hours as Sumati with pregnant belly attempts the bed roll / full body bounce from one side to the other).

And the level of physical rest alone was spectacular.

Like dropping into a hot bath of my own being.

(If that makes sense??)

It showed me how there are my favourite things, like kayaking.

And then there are the things that I do every single day because I NEED to.

I need to clean my teeth because I dislike furry fangs quite a lot actually.

I need to regularly go to sleep well before 11pm because it means I operate better come the next day.

I need to close my eyes and do my Ishayas’ Ascension meditation because it recharges my battery.

It releases any niggles, any grumpiness, any of that stuff just like lifting the bath plug lets all that bath water flow down the drain.

So that is all really -

What are your favourite things?

If you want to make Ascension meditation one of them, head this way and I can help you out.

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

Or perhaps you have learnt but you’re not sure why you just don’t practice, simple and effortless as it is.

I can help you out too!

Keep the peace out there, ok? Arjuna - PS.

How come everyday things are the things - like sleep and like eating and like brushing the teeth that are “everyday”?

The things that are most important are the things we take for granted, aren’t they?

And only put in perspective when we go three days without them …

Everyday schmevery day, I say!

A Space Launch Sequence Would Be Simpler

In the new house with the plumber - He’s trying to instruct me in the ways of programming the thermostat.

But it’s so complicated he doesn’t know either.

Why is something like heat made so complicated?

Of course there is no manual supplied.

We do a google search and come up with the manual,

And it’s a nightmare.

Need a degree in engineering just to figure it out.

All I want is a simple switch, with a simple manual.

A “Hot Or Not” switch would be the best …

Remember that website from back in the day?

(I only needed 30 seconds to know that was the last thing I wanted in my life).

Alright - so back to heating.

I know I’m getting to the age when technology starts to out strip my intellect.

My dad always got me as a 13 year old to programme the video tape machine.

But really, learning how to set the temperature on these thermostats is harder than programming a space shuttle launch sequence.

(I am guessing - I haven’t actually done that. But you get my analogy).

The thing is it’s exactly the same with meditation.

It has become soooo complicated.

With over the top techniques and manuals and books and gurus and belief systems and apps and brain wave measuring devices,

That it’s lost it’s simplicity.

You come along just wanting some peace,

A clearer state of mind,

A way of taking things less seriously,

And being less reactive and losing some bad habits …

And it’s difficult to know where to begin.

I got you.

My job is to make it all so simple for you.

I strip it all back to the essentials that you need to know and do so you’ll actually stand a chance of knowing and doing them.

What if you do know what to do but you realise you’re just not doing it?

I can help with that too.

Been there, done that, so I can hand you a way out.

Go here and I'll show you just how simple we can make it:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sane-fb/ Go well!

Arjuna - PS

The truth is the more complicated a meditation system gets, the further away you travel from what you actually need.

The return to your true nature is supremely simple.

If it’s not simple, it’s not true.

OK?

Quick Meditation Tips To Lose Mind Flab

Mind flab?

It’s a scientific truth. A certainty.

How do you rid yourself of unsightly mind cellulite?

Buddha there doesn't have it, because he meditates.

Enter my 5 page Quick Start Guide To Meditation, which you can have for FREE.

I like it a lot - it’s many years of personal experience teaching and practicing squeezed into only a few pages.

Because you want quick and simple, and actually - that is ALL you need.

Don't over complicate something that is so simple (meditation).

Many people just do this all their lives. This is as advanced as it gets in many meditation traditions.

It is the culmination of thousands of years of monks tinkering with it.

I may even be making them mad by letting you in on the secret. Mad monks are quite the sight I can tell you.

If for some reason you don't have one yet/or the dog ate it, go here, opt in and I'll send you one:

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

You have the means, now get cracking and practice.

Practice shows you so much.

Mastery of the small, whiny, scared, frustrated, confused part of your brain -

(deny it as much as you like, we all have this part - see mind flab, above)

Comes from putting the time in.

I wish I could do it for you, but I can’t.

And actually, IF you practice every day you will find it is rather enjoyable.

Just the amount of rest and recovery on a simple physical level you get is quite significant. Lovely even.

You’ll gather some momentum on your practice just from that.

But you have to get started.

So!

Given what you know right now -

How do you meditate better?

Better! Faster! Stronger!

1. read the FAQs (Quick Tips) that are in that Quick Start Guide.  They will help you so much. In fact, much of below is a re-hash of those, complete that they are.

2. Just friggin do it. Everyday. If you didn’t do it yesterday, definitely do it today.

3. Don’t strain, try, control - it’s not necessary

4. You have thoughts - but if you can witness thoughts it means you are not them. Hmmm … what are you?

5. You will get distracted. Don’t make it a problem. No deal. Honestly.

6. Get comfy. No need to physically strain either.

7. If you feel agitated, chill out.

8. if you really feel agitated, try taking it up a step. Do some deep breathing for example. Head back in when you’re ready.

9. You can’t get this wrong. Really you can’t. See those thoughts that say you’re getting it wrong, and ignore them.

10. Don’t change thoughts - ignore them. Focus on the technique.

11. Do it with your eyes open throughout your day.

Oh - and take nothing seriously.

You’ll end all your problems right there with that one.

Questions?

Fire them at me!

Go well, keep the peace, and make every day a little more awesome. Arjuna

PS.

Don’t you love tips?

I do.

But you can have tips coming out your ears and still do nothing.

The truth is you need no more tips.

If you want to be the best version of yourself, the key is to do it.

No one will do it for you.

-

Efficient, Focussed, Ruthless - Like A Laser?

Some of you guys have pointed out that since my emails go out incredibly early in the morning, I must be some kind of machine. Efficient, focussed, ruthless like a laser.

I like that, but actually -

I write the email the day or two before and then schedule it to go out so you have something to start your day with, if you wish.

I hate to ruin your image of me,

But the truth is mornings aren’t my best time. I’m actually a bit groggy.

I can do them,

However I’ve learnt that other things than writing are best for first thing.

I do things that don’t require me to be too switched on.

It’s exercise and meditation and admin.

That routine helps me wake up and get going and have a good base for the day.

I have tried to force myself into a kind of pattern that I was told was best by someone else -

But experience told me different.

So I changed to what works for me.

What works for you?

When I teach people Ascension meditation I’m very aware that the techniques are one thing,

The getting into the habit of using them is another.

And that ^^^ is quite a personal thing.

I used to be “you MUST practice meditation for these many minutes at these times every day to get the benefits in the shortest amount of time".

But I have realised that is just not realistic.

And that’s one of the reasons why I like working one on one with people - we can work out what works best for them.

I now always get people to do what they can do easily - and build from there.

20 minutes is a good goal to get to.

(if you’re in a hurry to see benefits, 20 minutes twice, or even three times, daily will really mean things start shifting for you)

Things seem start to happen quick when you’re able to sit for 20 minutes.

(if you’re just starting - don’t worry, it doesn’t take much to get to)

But if that seems impossible, start at say 10 minutes and work up, as slow as you like.

Meditating, like any habit, becomes more enjoyable the more you do it.

It develops a momentum.

You see the rewards of being calmer and clearer, reacting and losing it less, you’re more productive and more fun to be around -

And so you want to do it more.

But if forcing yourself to sit for 20 minutes is really hard work for you, you’re not going to get to that point of momentum and enjoyment are you?

Dial it back.

So much better to have a good balance between persistence and realising what and when works for you.

The great thing is making people realise what they can do on their worst day.

So if everything falls down around your ears you know you have at least one “backup” session.

Often that works as last thing at night - perhaps even in bed.

Everyone has to close their eyes sometime to go to sleep, right?

Why not head off slightly earlier and meditate off to sleep?

Even if that’s 2 minutes of conscious meditating and a lot more drifting - awesome. Not bad for a worst day scenario.

I love meditating in the mornings because it sets me up so well.

But sometimes I realise you’re not going to get that.

If you’re not a morning person (like me) do try and work up to it because it will make your whole day more enjoyable and effective.

But also make a plan and realise what you can do on your worst day.

Does that make sense?

There’s no point in trying to be a machine about this.

Get that balance between being focussed and committed and persistent and realising that you will also slip.

No deal.

It doesn’t really matter if you stop, just pick it back up again.

OK? Go well!

So - If you’d like some help through the initial habit forming phase,

Perhaps you’ve already learnt but stuck in a stop/start cycle - you know what to do but you don’t know why you’re not doing it,

Or perhaps you want to learn to meditate “properly” and no longer rely on apps and people talking in your ear,

Or perhaps you’d like someone on hand can clear all the obstacles out of your way, answer all your questions and make meditation supremely simple, enjoyable and perhaps even more profound,

Opt in here and I'll give a you my excellent Quick Start Guide To Meditation:

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

Have a great day! Arjuna -

Heroic Slacker?? - (Don’t Do Something, Just Sit There)

Those people who want more from their life are rare. Rarer still are those who are looking to do something about it.

Infinitely rarer than that are those who ACTUALLY follow through and take steps.

It’s so easy to point the finger and blame everything else why our lives are the way they are.

It’s the economy, or it’s my upbringing, or it’s my partner, or it’s my children, or it’s my …

It is rare, and actually heroic, to find someone who takes responsibility for not only what they say and do -

But also the way they think and feel.

The trouble is this, this last small group are usually warriors - 

They’ll bash their heads through brick walls if they thought it would bring them what they wanted.

I’ve found that’s also why the middle group -

The ones who want to do something about having a better life shy away from jumping in and actually doing something, because -

It seems like monstrously hard work sometimes.

You might have to become a fanatic.

You might have to be perfectly dedicated, with hard as nails focus, never slacking, never having off days …

And who is like that, really?

Take meditation for example.

I thought it meant changing my life, as in becoming a vegetarian and fasting regularly.

I thought it meant sitting on the floor with my legs crossed and enduring hours of discomfort and boredom.

I thought it meant stopping my mind.

I thought it meant discipline and focus and hard friggin work to get a leash on the small grey parts of my mind.

All of which I was prepared to do because I wanted freedom from said parts of my head.

I wanted calm, I wanted perspective, I wanted more fun.

I wanted an end to the depression, the worry, the foul moods I would find myself in.

I wanted to stop sabotaging my relationships and make them so solid and nurturing and fun.

And so I did what I thought it took.

I can’t say how grateful I am that I found specific meditation technique that I now practice, every day - The Ishayas’ Ascension -

Because hard work is not necessary to get what you want in terms of meditation and mindset.

As I think Bill Gates noted, give a hard problem to a lazy person and they’ll always find the easiest, the quickest and most efficient solution -

Simply because them slackers want the easy life, they don’t want hard work.

^^^ I think Ascension meditation was invented by these guys ^^^

Don’t get me wrong - you have to be a touch heroic, simply to want to change yourself.

But a heroic slacker attitude is perfect.

Why drag yourself over hot coals when you can sit in a deck chair, sipping a drink with a small umbrella in it?

Character?

Oof.

Just turning up and being consistent takes character enough.

Life is busy, and tough sometimes.

Make it easy on yourself.

Choose the easy, fast, fun path.

You want less anxiety, depression, mood swings?

You want more fun, more peace, more focus?

You want to be the great parent, not the grumpy, distracted, snappy one?

You want to stop sabotaging your relationship, even just through taking it for granted?

You want to a way to be able to sail through tough situations?

If I can be brutally honest:

(and I know it’s not so politically correct to say this, but …)

Not all meditation techniques are the same.

They aren’t.

If you are a heroic slacker - like myself - and want the easy (and yet quick) path to results,

Learn Ascension meditation.

Find a Bright Path Ishaya - I can vouch for our teachers - and learn.

They’ll teach you right.

I can’t recommend this enough -

And I’m not doing this just because I want to make money off you,

I’m saying this because I want you to have an easy, fun, awesome life -

And this is the easiest, fastest, most transformative way of jettisoning all the mental and emotional rubbish you’ve picked up over the years that I know.

Are there other ways? Maybe. But this is what I know for sure.

It’s the one thing I’ve been doing every single day for the last 14 years.

There is a link in the PS if you want to know more about what I have to say, but really, I honestly just want you to be outrageously happy.

Whatever you do, make it easy, OK? -Arjuna

PS.

If you want to know more about these heroic slackers ways, opt in here:

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

Defeating The Beast That Is Your Inner Child

Sometimes people ask me, 'What IS the point?'

Not the metaphysical, "what is the point of life?"

But what's the point in meditating?

Perhaps they've given it a quick go and aren't really sure why or what they're doing.

For the sake of explanation, assume you have an inner two year old (with all the worst aspects and none of the good).

That guy is the one that ruins everything.

Tantrums, wanting instant gratification, so reactive, no reasoning, dramatic, cry baby, selfish, confused.

You know that? (I most certainly do).

And throw in some good old self violence and “I’m no good” for good measure.

(Don’t think many two year olds have that yet)

The job of a good meditation technique is to bring you back to your adult “true” you.

So one way of looking at meditation is to do the opposite of whatever the two year old comes up with.

It’s training you not to react, to not be whiny, to not lash out, to not get frustrated, to not want something different from what you have right now.

And so doing the opposite actually involves doing very little.

Because:

The biggest thing is that your two year old wants to DO something.

Different, always different.

Your job, the purpose of meditation in many ways, is to DO NOTHING.

Just to sit, and be aware, patient, and content.

You’ve been DOING stuff all your life.

Your mind, run my your two year old, is constantly busy.

It’s exhausting.

That’s why you have to learn to stop, and just sit, and do nothing.

Just rest, be comfortable, and sit.

Return to the object of meditation - the breath, the heart, the body scan, the Ascension Attitudes.

If you have these Ascension meditation techniques you're in luck because they take you to the heart of the matter, immediately.

Whatever you do, start with just ten minutes and you’ll find you have a different perspective on your mind.

Clarity is the word I like.

Instead of instantly following your two year old mind, the ability to see it AND ignore it means you’ll have more and more choice.

This means you can do what you know is best, rather than blindly reacting.

You’re cultivating freedom from all kinds of negative patterns and habits.

And you’re able to focus on what you want to grow in your life.

All so you can be a better you.

Better partner, better parent, better at your work, better at your play.

Truly.

Isn’t that worth a small amount of time in your day?

I’d say so.

Go well - practice makes all things clearer.

Arjuna

PS.

If you want more from your practice in any way, I can help make things supremely simple.

Perhaps you’ve tried to meditate in the past and have just gotten a little confused so you feel like you’re not sure what to do, or you’re missing the point?

Perhaps you know precisely what to do, just can’t seem to do it?

Perhaps you want meditation to be more enjoyable, more satisfying, more simple in some way?

I can help, for sure.

Opt in here:

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

Brain Training

I learnt something interesting today. Do you want to hear it? It explains why I wanted to learn to meditate in the first place.

I couldn’t understand why some days I could be fun and content and focussed so easily.

Why I could apply a little discipline and get things done that I wanted to, simply.

And why some days I was grumpy and sullen and frustrated and everything seemed to be rubbish …

Why I’d throw away my goals - perhaps in fitness or improving my kayaking or my diet or being nicer in my relationship.

And nothing I did seemed to help, or change it. The way the brain works explains it all.

Being overloaded, overwhelmed, over it’ed (not sure if that is a word but hopefully you know what I mean)

- in other words, being stressed -

Physically changes the way your brain works.

Your reasoning and rational brain centres (pre-frontal cortex) are bypassed in favour for the more emotional, reactive ones (amygdala).

You lose the ability to act reasonably, you react emotionally more quickly.

You lose perspective, and the ability to see what’s best on a long term scale.

You start to sabotage your goals for short term emotional ease.

You turn to over indulgence in alcohol, fatty and sugary foods, drugs, box sets, porn, surfing the internet all hours of the night just because it’s an emotional quick fix.

You get less quality sleep.

It also means you don’t realise how stressed you actually are.

So it becomes a vicious cycle.

Until you take a step sideways and do something different.

What does this mean for you?

I know you’re busy.

But I also believe you want to be more effective in what you do, AND enjoy it more.

In order to do that you have to realise that living in this world is stressful.

It just is.

You probably put yourself under a bit of pressure fairly regularly as well.

The first and last thing you can do to help every single area of life is to deal with this potential for stress.

I recommend meditation simply because it’s simple and easy and gets the job done quick.

It creates a foundation of solidness so you can use your brain in a way that will help you, not hinder you.

Your brain works differently when you meditate regularly.

Calm, clear, focussed, fun. Emotionally resilient. Able to sail through tough times.

It’s brain training.

Why not start off with 10 minutes a day?

Building up to 20 minutes is a great aim - but do what you can.

If you already meditate and life seems to be a little bit tougher, not so easy?

You've probably let your practice slip. Crank it up again and I bet you'll be back on a even keel.

If you need anything, just get in touch.

Or if you’d like to know how to meditate properly,

And make it an enjoyable, regular, non-negotiable part of your life,

Then opting in here will not only provide you with emails like this one, but a Quick Start Guide on how to meditate (perfect!):

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

Take it easy now

Arjuna

PS. Any ideas on what I can get my wife for Christmas?

I thought a new kayak was a great idea but when I subtly suggested it she said it really wasn't really going to cut it.

I think she needs to meditate more. -

Sticking To It

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

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

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

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

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

The best diet? The one you stick with.

The best gym training programme? The one you do.

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

Adherence is the large word he used.

Adherence is the key to any kind of change.

Sticking to something.

Following it through.

Going beyond the dip in excitement that comes with everything.

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

Gotten so excited about something, and then dropped it.

Dip and then out.

Expecting this dip process is part of beating it.

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

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

Resolute. Determined. Motivated.

And then what happens when that runs out?

That’s right … back to the old ways.

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

Give yourself a score so you can measure progress.

Then look to improve your score.

It's about progress and self-improvement.

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

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

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

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

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

You’re much much more likely to keep going.

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

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

You just do it.

Alrighty?

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

And it’s been going great guns.

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

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

Kind of obvious, isn’t it?

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

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

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

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

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

Keep it easy out there. Arjuna

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

Interesting huh?

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

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

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

Genius!

Here's that link again:

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

-

Thinking The Wrong Way - and Advice From Deep Sea Divers

Generally -

unless you’re learning a new skill …

Your body already knows what to do.

That’s the whole purpose of practice, of training - is to come to a state where you can do something without thinking.

Your best performances were when you let your body to what it needed to do. Simply.

Right?

Now -

Even learning requires only the right kind of thought, and not much of it.

The right kind of thinking - even for learning - is less analysis and details and more wide open awareness.

Not many people know that.

When you’re learning a new skill your mental and emotional “chatter” just slows down the learning process.

Over thinking just gets in the way of physical awareness.

Without that awareness you have no feedback on what is where, and where it should be.

There’s no intuition, or feeling your way into the movement.

The senses become “tunnelled” and not wide open, not subtle.

Thinking the wrong way means the ability for the skill to become embodied, to become “auto-piloted”, is slowed.

You also recover slower because of thinking too much, which again affects learning -

Deep sea divers know this - the brain is one of the biggest consumers of oxygen in your body.

Before their event they meditate or do yogic breathing to get the highest degree of focus.

Being focussed and in the Zone means all your resources are available.

It means you can rely on autopilot and the bodies instincts to take you where you want to go.

But if you never practice the right way to think?

Everything will stay the same.

It’s the most misunderstood aspect of all of life - the mental game and how to play it.

I’m doing a seminar on this very thing that I think you will enjoy immensely.

Not only will it be a lot of fun, it’ll be super informative.

It’ll give you everything you need to master the right way of thinking so you can get the results you want.

I’m talking about sport (but it’ll also apply to life, work, relationships, everywhere)

Go here to get a seat and for more info:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/mindmastery

Keep the Peace!

Arjuna

PS.

My swimming coach from back in the day often said he wished he could cut our heads off.

He wasn’t particularly sadistic, but he wanted to bypass our thinking processes.

He saw the difference between when we were THINKING about what he said versus DOING what he said.

I now know exactly what he means.

Go here to find out how to DO:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/mindmastery

-

The WHYS of Teaching The Army Meditation

I just finished a course I run with the Army bomb disposal. It was fun - the guys were completely down to earth, told some very funny stories, and weren’t shy of letting me know if I was full of crap.

The great thing I love about these courses is that I know I have to “sell” it in order for them to practice it.

I know if they practice the simple techniques I teach - even if it’s only 15 minutes a day - they will get calmer, more focussed, more happier, more able to live their lives in the way they want to - but they don't know that. Yet.

So I have to convince them - which makes me get very clear on what the benefits are.

Increasingly word is getting around so it’s taking less convincing and selling, but I love getting clear on the “why?”

Why would you?

If you’re busy, you have a family, you have the hobbies and sports and everything you want to do …

Why would you want to sit still for 15 minutes with your eyes closed?

Since it’s fresh in my mind - let me tell you!

Meditation gives you the ability to not react. It gives you headspace so instead of snapping and saying or doing something you regret later on, you can CHOOSE to do something more “evolved”.

Meditation gives you the ability to deal with stress so you don’t lose it and flap around like a headless chicken.

I did that once on a caving trip and I regretted it straight away.

I looked foolish and immature, like I couldn’t handle myself.

I was a little ashamed.

Meditation gives you the ability to CHOOSE to stay calm and not lose it, to not let stress build to a point where you do something embarrassing.

Meditation gives you the ability to focus - to bring your attention to whatever you need to. Why? Because sometimes you need to ignore distraction, ignore the myriad fears and “What ifs?” and focus on the plan and carry it out.

Focus is effortless and brings great satisfaction, as well absorbing you to a degree where you enter the Zone simply.

Meditation gives you the ability to CHOOSE your focus and what you put your attention on.

And what you put your attention on, grows.

Meditation also gives you the ability to take things less seriously. Life is put in perspective.

You change the things you can and accept the things you can’t.

You are given the wisdom to know the difference.

You have the ability to CHOOSE to be wiser.

And who wouldn't want that?

If you want to know how what I have to teach affects your sporting / physical performance AND what to do - come to a talk I’m giving.

Wednesday 26 October 7.30-9pm, in Darlington

All details here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/mindmastery

Take care out there! Arjuna

PS.

Be the boss of your mind, rather than it controlling you:

Wednesday 26 October 7.30-9pm, in Darlington

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/mindmastery -

I Was Hit By Lightening

I had an epiphany the other day. An epiphany - as I discovered - is a moment of sudden and great revelation or realisation.

(according to my trusty Mac’s dictionary)

A veritable bolt of lightening,

A switching on of the lightbulb,

A penny dropping.

What was it?

I realised that I would rather look good than be seen making mistakes.

I would rather maintain a facade (a thin facade at that) of seeming totally competent and in control …

Than going out on a limb and making mistakes and learning from those mistakes and ultimately improving fast.

All because I valued looking good to others more than progress.

I saw it on the river - and it meant in the past I wouldn’t try new things. Just the old trusty ones I knew I could pull off.

I saw it in my business - and it meant I wouldn’t speak in case I was wrong, it meant I wouldn’t do something new and uncomfortable in case I messed up.

People always talk about a fear of failure. ____________

“The real fear is NOT of failure but of 'looking' like a failure or 'looking' silly”. - Paul Mort _____________

He’s right - the real fear is indeed a fear of looking stupid, of looking like a failure.

Well today I celebrate - because I see the little sucker, that little programme thats been stopping things before they even begin.

Now I’m aware of it, I can do something about it.

Awareness of this stuff is the only way forward.

Because now - despite what the thoughts may say - I know about it. I can ignore it, and do things anyway.

I’m now prepared to possibly look stupid for the sake getting better, faster.

Because I can actually handle looking a bit dumb but I can’t handle not making the most of my time here.

Bring it on!

Arjuna

PS.

The reason I love the meditation I teach - and what I have practiced myself every single day since 2003 - is it gives anyone who does it greater awareness.

In awareness you have clarity so you have free choice.

It gives you calm and focus so you can carry out that choice, even if it requires courage.

In choice you can change and improve.

And when you improve you feel fantastic, and the whole world opens up a little more.

If you'd like to join me, I have what you need right here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Religious Experience In the Fish and Chip Shop

My first religious experience was in a fish and chip shop playing the video game Gauntlet. You may know it from your youth?

(Showing my age here)

But the point is, Time seriously stood still.

There was no “Valkyrie is about to die” (she was the best) because I couldn’t lose.

I was so calm, and so tuned in, and so full of quiet joy.

Skills and senses met perfectly the challenge of the little pixels.

People came and went, I was immersed in the one constant.

And I knew what a religious experience was, at the altar in my little fish and chip shop church.

Life made perfect sense, you know?

Life came Alive.

Trudging home on a rainy night, the pavement shone.

I was just happy, for no reason.

And after that night, that was all I was really interested in.

Finding that again, being that again.

It’s the reason I love being in the outdoors -

From the very first moment I was taken on my first outdoor camp as a kid, it’s always been about getting into this Zone of complete fullness.

I didn’t have the language then, but I do now.

It’s all about being so present and alive.

Having heightened senses and buzz and contentment and ALIVENESS.

Everything slotted into place, everything making sense, the whole rat race, the whole of meaning and purpose found in one moment.

And I’ve tried drugs - it seems the psychedelics replicated that sense of Zone and flow the best.

But were ultimately unsustainable and unpredictable.

Hence why I kept looking and eventually found meditation.

Ascension meditation that was simple and powerful, and didn’t mean I had to believe anything, or change anything,

Just gave me a tool to go beyond thinking too much, beyond regret and fear

And be perfectly, completely present and immersed and alive.

Now - I don’t want this to be self-indulgent.

My aim is to make these ramblings about you - and how your life, sport, career, relationships, etc can be bigger and better.

Because we humans settle for so much less than is possible.

And I, in my small way, can help that not be the case - if that is of interest to you.

Let me know if it is.

Take care out there, go well, live fully.

Alright?

Arjuna

PS.

You might be interested in learning meditation from me.

I’ll teach you how to find your church - in the Faithless "God is a DJ" sense.

Really showing my age today.

-----> The place where everything makes sense.

Where you find sanctuary, and rest, and Life.

You don’t have to believe a single thing I say. It doesn’t matter if you are religious or not.

Just be open minded, and commit to practicing a few simple things.

Go here for a taster:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Gandhi Was A Time Bender

You ever know anyone who is everywhere, doing everything? Seems like they know how to bend time in that they get so much done -

And yet they have the same 24 hour day as everyone else.

I know a guy who is awesome in this sense.

He has his own (great) business, an awesome family life, takes regular holidays, and manages to keep super fit as he’s a boxer (no small thing).

He ticks off goals at a rapid rate, and yet also has balance - he doesn't ignore his family, his health or his passions.

My complaint was that there was never enough time to do all the things I wanted to do.

And then I met my friend and he showed me that was just an excuse.

At the same time I read a biography on Gandhi.

Gandhi was no slouch, he did so much stuff - on an international level.

And do you know what?

As well as making sure his priority in each and every day was peace and calm,

He had a whole day of complete silence.

So no one could bug him.

(I think they still tried)

My friend above? - Very similar.

As well as practicing the mediation I taught him every day, and having the weekend,

He also has a whole week day to himself, to do whatever he wants with it -

As long as it’s completely non-business related.

You can’t just keep charging and expect to do things at a high level.

In fact - like Gandhi and my buddy - if you want to do a lot, AND maintain great health and a great relationship, you need to take time out.

Gandhi said that taking time for himself, taking time out, meant he had MORE time in his day.

No longer was he running around like a blue arse fly,

(not sure if Gandhi ran around like that, but you know what I mean)

Instead he found clarity and focus and calm and could execute simply and straightforwardly.

Meaning the same job took less time.

I don’t care if you’re interested in business or simply making it in good shape to the weekend for your next mission -

Don’t get busy and get busier.

You’ll just run around in little circles being less and less effective.

If you want more time in your day, take regular stoppages …

To do absolutely nothing.

Now - I recommend meditation because it rests your body to a huge degree,

Resets and rewires your head through getting rid of limiting thought patterns,

Means you can be more present and alive, anywhere you find yourself,

So that you have way more fun and less stress than anyone else around you

Want to learn?

If you go here, I'll give you a super simple yet powerful meditation practice, and we can continue the conversation:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Simple.

If you need anything, if you want to chat through your goals and how I might help, just ask.

Take it easy!

Arjuna

PS.

A whole week day off - isn’t that somewhat ballsy?

You may not be self-employed and in a position where you can do that

But you could take ten minutes, twice a day to let go of the rubbish and tune into what is important.

It’s well worth it.

And if you want help knowing how to “let go”?

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

-

-

The Queen Is A Giant Lizard - From Space!

I heard the Queen is a giant lizard from outer space. She and her ilk are controlling you, right now, keeping you docile and sedated.

Locked into a pattern of TV dinners and Strictly Come Baking.

Then there’s the Illuminati,

(I’m not sure if they are lizards too)

But they are definitely in the control game.

An aside - but I actually met a lady who saw people as animals.

She could see them as humans, but could flick a mental switch and see them as animals.

She really did see some humans as lizards. People sized things - walking like T-Rex or something.

She was kinda shy about it, and fair enough too - her dad was put away in a mental hospital for a similar reason.

But once she opened up it was great fun.

I had some sort of shield on so she couldn’t tell me what I animal was.

Boo hoo.

I CAN tell you that I have a set of angel’s wings. Someone else I met saw them. They’re edged silver and black.

Cool huh?

Got a little side-tracked, where was I?

OK - so this world can get a little bizarre.

I think it’s all a bit of fun, as long as you don’t take any of it seriously.

My word, but how some people take it so seriously.

There, in some quarters, is rampant fear about control and domination by outside influence.

Even if it’s “all the Government’s fault”.

(I do get it - things could be better, for sure)

PERO (that’s Spanish for but, by the way) ...

If you master your mind, no one can control you.

You have the one thing no one can take away from you:

Freedom of choice.

Which is untouchable.

You rid yourself of all chains, at least all the chains that are relevant.

The might Plato once said: ____________

“One cannot make a slave of a free person, for a free person is free even in a prison” ____________

And Bob Marley (who may or may not have been a better singer than Plato, we will never know) -

“Free yourself from mental slavery”. Good advice, methinks.

You can now stop blaming giant lizards and the Government for your life - and gain true independence.

I can help with that, if you’re at all interested in freedom.

Go here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

You get more information, a "Quick Start Guide" and everything else you need.

Concerns? Queries?

Get in touch, I’d love to help

Arjuna

PS.

I asked the lady I told you about above about the lizards tails - wouldn’t people be standing on them all the time?

She said that was the most surprising thing to her -

Just as someone was about to stand on one it would swish out the way.

Love that.

Selfishness is Good

Here's one thing I know to be true: Humans have life so back to front.

Rest and recovery is treated like a reward for hard work.

In reality,

Rest and recovery is necessary for working and living to the best of your ability.

It is a prerequisite for exceptional performance.

It is the right kind of selfishness.

When you’re at 100% everyone wins. When you’re not, no one wins.

The most efficient way of getting rest and recovery is:

a) sleeping well at night.

Here’s works for me:

No caffeine after 8pm, dark curtains/eye mask, eyes closed before 10pm, and no screens 30 minutes before sleep.

Them screens mess up your sleep chemicals.

And usually you’re too involved in a screen when you could be making your relationship deeper and stronger (in whatever myriad ways you can think of. Talking is one of them)

b) meditation

It’s a super recharge for your mind and body. A “defrag”, putting everything into it’s proper place.

If you can make it a habit to get a session during the day, you’re going to love it.

The bottom line is:

During the day, you have to stop.

And not just mess around on the internet or play Pokemon Go …

You have to get well out of what you are doing.

I strongly recommend that you close your eyes and meditate for at least 10 minutes, preferably more.

You have to find the time to recharge, resharpen, and restock your energy, your clarity, your patience, and your sense of humour.

No one else will do it for you!

99% of everyone else is on the same rat race, chasing their tails in smaller and smaller circles.

If you want more than that, you have to be prepared to do things differently from everyone else.

Even if that looks a little strange, like closing your eyes in the middle of the day - so be it.

Even if it feels a little selfish to begin with - so be it.

OK?

Don’t get sucked in. Do whatever it takes to remember.

There is a right kind of selfishness - All so you can give more, and enjoy it all more.

Don’t know how?

I have for you:

A free quick start guide to meditation for “athletes” - but not just athletes, anyone busy and active.

Get it when you opt in to receive my daily emails - just like this one.

Claim your free copy here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports Jump in and tell me how it goes.

As always, if you need anything just email, I’d love to help.

Arjuna

PS.

You can, and should, claim your free copy of this quick start guide to meditation for busy and active people right here;

Opt in to receive daily emails like this one and get it free to get you started:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

but it ain’t no magic pill.

You have to do the work. You have to practice. Otherwise you won’t get any good, now will you?

Any questions? Send them my way, let's chat.

Enjoy!

Meditation - “How To” Quick Start Guide For You

You may have no idea how to meditate. I know what that’s like. I wanted to, and people said it’s so simple, and yet - how do you even begin?

Good news is that meditation IS super simple.

What I’ve done is written a Quick Start guide to help you on that.

Just 4 pages of no nonsense “what you need to know” to get going Only 4 pages - who has time to read sooooo much guff these days when you just want to give it a try?

The link and more on that in a moment.

Now there are a ton of apps out there.

I’ve never used one so I can’t comment.

But I like the idea of not needing something external to yourself.

The great thing about meditation is if you get the right tool,

And practice it…

(That there is the most important factor …

Spending time actually DOING it)

You don’t need anything, you can do it anywhere, anytime.

The practice will give you rest, a sense of calm in the chaos, it stops you reacting, it detaches you from negativity, and helps you become present and focused and alive.

Now - What happens if you’re on the top of a rapid, or before a race, or about to walk into a presentation, or your have a second more of this and you’ll explode (and it’s not a good time to lose it)?

If you need to attach to your phone to dial up the app every time you want to do that,

You’re a bit stuck, aintcha?

Using something like the breath is an excellent way to begin.

Because you always have the breath, no matter where you are, no matter what you’re doing.

When you practice using something on you, you’ll always have that to come back to.

The core of the Mountain Mindset programme (Ishayas’ Ascension meditation) is the same - you just need to be able to think.

If you can think, you can do Ascension meditation.

And some thoughts are awesome in their power.

I only teach this face to face though - to make sure you get the subtleties and the simple nature of it. It’s well worth learning at some stage.

But back to the Quick Start guide.

I have just written it. It is brand new so you’re some of the first people to see it.

I’ve called it “for athletes” because I like working with athletes, and athletes need this stuff.

If you are doing anything physical, in the outdoors or otherwise, you need to learn to master your mind.

But if you’re not an athlete at all, no worries. It’ll still work for you.

Read it (it’s super short) then PUT IT INTO USE.

No use just sitting on your hard drive.

I’ve got a challenge in there -

to meditate every day for 28 days.

Because if you do?

You’ll be unstoppable.

If you don’t?

Your mind will be stopping you.

Same as always.

Want a change from “same as”?

(this is just for you guys because you take the time to read this. And if you’re reading this it probably means you are more than a little interested in being more awesome. And awesomeness is something I want see more of in the world - so, thank you)

Get your copy by opting in here: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports Any questions on anything in there, just email me (arjuna (at) arjunaishaya.com). I’d love to help.

- Arjuna

PS. If your friends want a copy?

Tell them it costs an amazing amount of money and you couldn’t possibly share it because it’s your secret weapon. Or something like that.

Then let them stew (a little bit).

But if they’re serious, tell them to sign up here and they’ll get a copy.

The link:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports