What? It's all changing?!

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

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

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

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

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

Aficionado I have trouble spelling.

Enthusiast just sounds creepy.

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

So yeah, I’m having trouble with naming.

Anyhow - things, and the times, are changing.

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

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

Link here, if you fit the bill:

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

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

This one is coming to an end.

Closing down (very shortly).

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

It’s just time for something a little different.

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

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

here:

http://eepurl.com/b6dYrb

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

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

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

If I can leave you today with one tip:

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

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

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

Have fun! Arjuna

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

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

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

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

http://eepurl.com/b6dYrb

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

Where did "I'm such a stupid loser" go?

Had a sensational morning this morning. Actually, I know how hearing about someone's "amazing" morning is about appealing as hearing about someone else's "amazing" dream last night.

Which is to say, not much, not at all.

But bear with me. 

Went for run down through the forest and everything was bright and shiny and just peachy.

Sun on my skin, I had this heightened sense of perception - it seemed like I was aware of all this life around me as I moved through the trees, jumping rocks, skipping across the ground.

Loved it.

I live for moments like that. It means life makes sense.

I know you don’t have control of those really heightened sense of wow, “I’m alive” moments but the more present and aware I’ve become, the more often those moments have come.

And equally the less that sense of heaviness and drudgery and greyness is there. Less those thoughts of how stupid I am.

I used to have those ^^^^ all the time, and this morning I realised they just don't come so much any more.

In fact, there are way more "cool" moments than "stupid" moments. Which is very nice.

More “wow” and less “I’m a loser” is such a better, happier, healthier (and probably more productive way) to live.

And you can have that too. I’m not special, just stubborn.

The reason I’m still practicing and teaching meditation after 13 years is because it is ever increasingly clear and obvious:

All anyone has to do to have a better attitude, a better mental approach, a better life free of doubt and worry and fear is to be more present and aware.

The secret to life lies in awareness and presence.

In presence and awareness the thoughts that create mayhem become more obvious.

In their obviousness they can be optional, not a reality.

Because they are optional you get a choice in what actually is your reality.

In other words, what you focus on grows.

And when you focus on something else? What happens to whatever fears and doubts and limiting circuits you have in your head?

They just lessen over time. They just lose their juice.

They were never real, its just that they had appeal in the past. They seemed like they might be true so you listened.

They’re not true at all - with awareness you get to see that.

All awareness and presence takes is practice. That’s all.

Simple practice.

So be stubborn. Work out how you want to live, and practice what it takes to get you there.

Experimental “guinea pig” trial goes live tonight!

My guinea pig trial is almost ready to go live to the public.

I think I’ll have everything together by tonight, which is awesome and very exciting.

The sole purpose of this trial is to bring my methods to Darlington based outdoor enthusiasts.

I’m looking for 8-10 men aged 27-47 who want to up their mental game in the outdoors a considerable notch or two who are willing to follow instructions.

I promise these volunteers less doubt, less fear, more confidence, more clarity, more fluid skills, more adventures, better stories.

More wow moments in fact - and both in the outdoors, and in daily life.

If you want to be involved, or may know someone who would be a perfect candidate, then click the link:

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

I’m really excited about the whole programme, it’s a doozy.

If you already have learnt the Ishayas’ Ascension then you have everything you need. Just practice it!! Every day.

The hardest thing about Ascension meditation will always be finding time to sit down. And that’s the way it should be. Ascension meditation is never hard - its just hard to break the habit of being too busy.

Questions? Email me if you need anything. Have a superb day, Arjuna

PS. Did you know that the reason I meditate is because of the outdoors?

Spending time in nature brought me to a meditative state.

I decided that it would be nice to have that all the time, not just when I was up a river.

I wanted that heightened perception, aliveness, absolute presence and feeling of “flow” all the time.

So I went out and found out how to have it, all the time.

If you want the same, here’s the link:

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

The truth can be found in a good cup of tea

Seems like every time I open the newspaper there is a fresh article explaining how the UK is going down the drain - but perhaps that’s just the papers I’m reading. I’m sure there’s some papers who are saying good things. Perhaps the country is going up the drain? I don’t know. Do you?

Any how - I do know that I have a hot cup of tea in my hand and it’s a particularly good one. This one thing is a statement of fact. I know this to be true.

The ex-fiancee (don’t worry, she’s now my wife - she likes my little jokes) tells me I make a fine brew, so she must think it’s true too.

But that could well be a particularly clever strategy to keep me motivated to make tea for her. Hmmmm…. she is tricksier than she looks.

What is true?

You ever think you were hungry, get distracted by something and then realise you are no longer hungry?

I have.

Actually, you ever not been hungry, and then started thinking about food - I don’t know, maybe you were writing about food, and even though you are not hungry all of sudden you’re at the refrigerator door?

Yup, I have - almost got up in search of a bacon burger just now.

Ever think: “there’s no way I can go on?” And yet you hitch up your trousers and carry on?

Yup, me too. Both when I was lost out walking (the ex-fiancee was not impressed); and lost out in the wilder regions of my own mind.

Finding a way back to the clearing - both times - was such a relief.

But here’s the thing:

Your thoughts do not have to be your reality.

They can be optional, they can be a fleeting movement of opinion floating through your awareness.

The result of believing your thoughts means that you become them.

That’s fine if they’re good thoughts - all is well; catastrophic when you have bad thoughts. You start ducking and diving, weaving and jabbing - like some kind of deranged Muhammed Ali in a running battle with your own head.

Hard work.

You can’t control your thoughts - you really can’t. I’ve tried stopping them, and it almost caused me a nosebleed. You can try if you want, but make sure you have some tissues ready.

Much much easier is to learn how to let them go by. Develop an attitude of “I don’t care” - and learn to watch and observe.

Then you’re free. The most awful thought in the world can continue to pop into your head and because it isn’t the truth, just an option, you breathe easy.

And that is the biggest secret of meditation. Learn to ignore, put your attention on what you want to grow.

It gets simpler through practice, and the right tools, promise you that.

And the practice is quite nice too. Relaxing and rejuvenating.

Need anything? Send me an email. Till then, take it easy - Arjuna

Mountain Mindset - mental fitness programme for outdoor fellas.

I’ve been busy putting the final touches on my experimental trial for outdoor athletes that I was telling you about yesterday.

I’m on the hunt for some guinea pigs - I really want to see what the results will be for these guys who get selected when they do exactly what I ask them.

I’m predicting the ability to ignore doubt and fear and launch into the outdoors with heightened awareness and heightened skills. Relaxed but focussed. Setting the mind to one side, and "just doing it". Total enjoyment and satisfaction. Coming home completely content.

If you think you might be one (you have to be male, between 27-47 and be in easy access of Darlington) or you think you might know one, here’s the link:

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

Places are limited!

Sneak preview of "guinea pig" trial for outdoor athletes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

--

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

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

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

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

The programme itself promises to give anyone the ability to:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Take it easy and talk more soon, Arjuna

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

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

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

Bad day? What to do about it before you make it worse

I woke up this morning nice and early to do some exercise. It was tough - waking up that is, because I didn’t want to be awake and get out of bed early. But I did, being a dedicated sort of fellow.

Perhaps I should’ve stayed in bed. You see, warming up I tweaked my back. Not much, but in that sort of way to let me know that if I did more movement of a vigorous nature I would regret it later.

So being smart - actually I think I’m finally starting to learn after repeated examples of ignorance - instead of pushing through, I quit. Some light stretching and a walk for me.

That wasn’t at all in my plan for this morning.

Was it a bad thing that I didn’t get my way?

Who knows?

The point I want to neatly segue into is that bad days don't just happen.

A bad day begins when things don't go the way you planned them.  A bad day simply is that reality hasn't met your expectations of what "should" have occurred.

But then the degree to which it is a bad day, ranging from merely difficult to complete disaster, depends on how much you were fixed on sticking with your plan - i.e. how much you resist what is.

Life isn't good or bad, it isn't out to get you sometimes, it just is what it is. Life is constant change. Can you be fluid enough and adapt?

How flexible and fluid you are with what is happening will determine how much freedom you will experience. If you can cultivate an attitude of "how fascinating!" to everything that happens to you, life will become an absolute adventure and never ever "bad".

The end of bad days is all in your attitude.

You can step out the door with a plan, but surrender it to an attitude of adventure: "OK! what is going to happen today? Bring it on! I'm ready. And if I'm not ready, I'll just be surprised".

Do this and you'll never have a bad day ever again. I promise you.

And you’ll be much more present to this moment too.

Have a great day, and a superb weekend - Arjuna

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

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

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

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

Let me explain:

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

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

I have, often.

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

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

Does that make sense?

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

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

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

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

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

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

The reason I meditate is exactly the same.

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

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

Do you see?

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

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

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

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

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

Three in fact.

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

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

Here’s the linkage:

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

The world champions who sweep the floor

So after the other day’s little whine about a certain football player of Portuguese origin - I still don’t know how to spell his first name, and I’m not that interested in learning. oooooh! I'm such a ... I thought I would back it up with another little story, a good story about the value of humility and putting others first.

I’m actually not really a team sports guy. I tried when I was young and I didn’t like letting people down. If I made a mistake I took it pretty hard.

It’s different now that I meditate. I’m nowhere near as hard on myself as I used to be.

I’ve learned to love the team. I like what I have in kayaking - it’s individual, totally up to me whether I do or don’t, but it’s also undeniably a team supportive thing.

If I run a rapid and I mess up then a) I rely on my team who will try and save my sorry arse (hopefully - if they like me), but also there is the fact that b) if I die, I’m fine - it’s the guys who are left behind that have to cope.

I can’t be selfish. If my game is off, I owe it to others to take an easier option, even though my pride might suffer. I learnt that the hard way by seeing a buddy do something he wasn't ready for.

Anyhow - read an article about the All Blacks. World Champion rugby players.

Back in the old days when professionalism was just coming in quite a few players started to get an ego, a very high opinion of themselves.

Don’t know about you but the people I remember, always, are the ones that are the complete opposite of arrogant.

These are the guys that inspire, stay in my head and motivate me to not only be a better kayaker but to be a better person.

Nothing worse than someone who has so much natural and hard earned talent, who is totally up his own arse.

The All Blacks coaching and management saw heads starting to crawl up butts and decided to do something about it.

You see, the All Blacks aren’t just a team. In a small country they are owed by the country.

It’s kinda like what I see in football here in the UK but more so.

The chances of meeting an All Black down the street is huge in New Zealand. I went to university with several.

Back when I was a swimming instructor I even taught one how to swim (like teaching a 7 foot 110 kg brick to float).

And so in a small place if the All Blacks started to get arrogant, it shows pretty quickly in the kids. And if the kids and the up and comers are arrogant, it changes the whole feel of the game and, believe it or not, the country.

So they started making changes.

One of the things they did was start introducing chores to the players.

Sweeping the changing room floor or collecting the jerseys after a match in a bag so they could be taken to the laundry, that kind of thing.

Purposely menial jobs that every single player, no matter who, was rostered to do.

Imagine Ronaldo picking up the boys’ jerseys after a match? Nope.

But it was all about service and humility and about giving to a larger picture than just yourself.

The foundation for all these changes in the team was, and still is:

“Better people make better All Blacks”.

And these changes shows in the team and in the players - their winning percentage has risen from 84% to 93% in the last 5 years - and I would say it shows in the country too.

I mean, isn't that awesome? The most dominant team in the world - 93% of their matches are wins - and they sweep their own changing room floor.

Awesome. And true.

Better people are better at everything.

Now how does this relate to meditation?

Meditation shows you any blindspots. It makes blind reaction obvious.

It shows you where you can make better choices. And it makes making better choices easier and natural. By making better choices you become a better person.

By being a better person, by overcoming your own internal limitations, every part of your life blossoms - it doesn’t matter if you are a rugby player or a dad, a rock climber or an office worker, or indeed, all four.

You win, your partner and family win, your friends win, your community wins.

Meditation gives you choice. And in choice there is freedom; freedom to do what you want to do and be who you want to be.

So practice. Close your eyes. Get some clarity and calm before you launch into action. You won’t regret it.

A long story for the weekend, but one hopefully you get something from.

If you want to learn the Ishayas’ Ascension meditation, the next course is next weekend - starting Friday night so don’t dilly dally.

Book here:

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

Enjoy! Arjuna “sports mad lately”

Is one of the best athletes in the world the worst sportsman?

OK, so one thing first - I’m not a big football fan, being from New Zealand rugby’s more in my blood, but I love sports, especially when the underdog does good.

To catch you up if you didn’t know - as I write, tiny little Iceland just drew against Portugal. Awesome. Love that.

Ronaldo had a little hissy fit after the match …

I’m not a big fan of Ronaldo anyway (I attempted to spell his first name and gave up in laziness), he’s a bit too shiny and well manicured for my liking.

If we’re talking football players, Messi is more my cup of tea. He is amazing and yet seems so modest and humble.

And I guess when you’re in the public eye every moment, every word, every action is out there, you can’t hide, everything is up for misinterpretation.

And it’s so easy to point fingers from my little coffee table office.

But Ronaldo man showed me again why he’s not my personal number one guy.

He had a little whine and a moan, said the Icelanders played a small game. From what I read he said they didn’t play properly.

In other words “I couldn’t win, because they didn’t play the way I wanted them to”.

One of the greatest players in the world, and he says, like a victim, I couldn’t win because of what they did.

Passing the buck.

The biggest lesson the Ishayas’ Ascension meditation has given me is to know when I’m passing the buck, and blaming other people or my life situation or my head or my mood or whatever for why something didn’t happen.

To be clearer on this point: it’s given me the experience that life works better when I take full responsibility for every single thing that happens.

Try it.

When you assume responsibility for everything that happens, you’re in control. Destiny isn’t forced upon you, it becomes about you making the most of what you’ve got.

You live life, rather than life lives you.

It cuts the whining, it cuts the inaction, it cuts through so much rubbish so many people have going around in their heads.

If you want to have a better life the fastest way is to take responsibility for your results.

Then you can’t point the finger and blame and whine.

It’s a big choice, but huge in that it sets you free. And whining is so comfortable sometimes…

Perhaps Ronaldo didn’t mean it the way he said it, perhaps he was just grumpy in that moment, but it certainly was a nice reminder for me this morning.

And for you?

The next Ishayas’ Ascension course begins in just over a week. Don’t delay: Get in before you put it off for the next next time.

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

Have a great day now

- Arjuna “I don’t want problems, Ronaldo, I want solutions” Ishaya

Watch out for that there rock!

Many years ago I learnt (actually I lie, I’m still learning) to kayak on rivers.

Rivers are wild things. They’re a bit like life, really.

Philosophical metaphor stretching bit coming up …

They can look innocent yet carry hidden dangers, like rocks and trees.

(Trees and rivers are not good when you add a kayak to the mix - see, water goes through trees, kayaks and people don't)

Or they can look outrageous and big and noisy, but really when you get in there it’s nothing but fluffy and bouncy and fun.

But the key thing I learnt in my kayak is that you have to look where you want to go.

If you look at the thing you want to avoid - which seems very sensible…

…but really not so sensible cos it takes you directly to that thing as if it was magnetic.

Now I hit a lot of rocks simply through trying to avoid them.

It’s about as much fun as it sounds.

And then someone pointed out to me to learn to focus on where I want to go, to the exclusion of everything else.

It changed everything for me - all of a sudden kayaking got simpler.

And I would say the same rule applies true for life, and for meditation.

What you focus on, grows.

If you’re focussing on all the thoughts you’ve got, or all the things you have to do, or what could go wrong …

Then that grows.

If you focus on this precise moment in time, then this grows.

If you focus on what is good in your life, that grows.

If you focus on exactly where you want to go, you end up going that way.

Does that make sense?

Learn to focus on what you want, and ignore everything else.

Best way forward ever.

So kayaking can teach you how to meditate, and meditation can teach you how to kayak, or mountain bike, or ski/snowboard or motorbike or live...

That’s the whole purpose of meditation - to learn to develop choice, to focus on what you want.

It’s not a harsh violent focus, more a gentle definite persistence to return time and time again.

Want help with that?

Ishayas’ Ascension meditation course. Simple, powerful, relaxing tools that meditate for you:

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

Watch out for dem rocks!

- Arjuna

How to be more present

Here I am once again in my little home office (read coffee table on the floor). Coffee in hand, sun coming through the window.

All is well in my world. Which is the way I like it.

The more I do this meditation malarky, and the more I do my best to help others too, the more obvious it seems to me.

The bottom line to all happiness, all calm, all contentment, all stress and struggle free living, to all being a better person …

… is simply down to whether you are in your head thinking about stuff or whether you are present and alive to this moment.

Simple.

I get it - simple, but perhaps not easy.

People tell me it’s hard to be present.

It’s actually not hard - you can be present right now, anyone can be present now, right?

What people find hard is being constantly, continuously present.

To make it easier - and the conclusion you will come to anyway:

You only have now. Now is the only time you can do anything, including being present.

You will drift, you will get distracted, you will.

No worries!

It’s only a problem if you make it a problem.

Wondering where you were, or beating yourself up for not being present a moment ago…

It’s worthless. Don’t waste a moment. Just jump in, right here, once again.

Make this more important than anything else.

Immerse yourself in this moment, in what is right in front of you.

The more you get used to this return, the stronger the experience gets of being here.

Notice when your head wants to think about something else - something that you can’t do anything about right now - and gently but definitely bring yourself back.

If you know the Ishayas’ Ascension attitudes then you have a great tool. Put more attention on those words than anything else. They will help break the loops and habits of certain thinking patterns quick.

The habit of drifting and thinking and worrying just dies. It does.

But it dies quicker when you treat it all as a game. When you make this moment more important than anything else.

OK? So take it easy and enjoy yourself.

If you want to make things easy for yourself, come to the next Ishayas’ Ascension course (remember you can repeat for free):

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

Let me know if you have any questions about any of this stuff, I'd love to help out. - Arjuna

My mother in law's attitude

This won’t be your typical mother in law joke email. Sorry about that.

It's just that I can't complain. Quite the opposite, actually.

I’ve got the excellent good luck (is it luck?) to have amazing parents in law.

They both teach the Ishayas’ Ascension meditation. Which makes things super easy, and fun, and loving between us.

It’s my wife’s mum’s birthday today.

She is truly an inspiration. I’ve known her for longer than I’ve known my wife, so I have a lot to thank her for in that department.

She has also taught me so much about life, and the difference an attitude makes.

The fundamental thing that I’ve learnt from her comes from her approach that nothing is wrong.

Nothing is wrong - only an attitude makes it so.

She lives her whole life as if the whole of creation wants to show her how to have a better life.

When something happens that is unexpected, it isn’t wrong, it’s just that she doesn’t see the good in it yet.

She’ll exclaim “how fascinating!” rather than get down in the dumps that things aren’t working out they way she expected them to.

She’ll stay so present, because only the future will be uncertain. The present moment is the only certainty.

Of course she makes decisions and plans - but it always based around excitement and possibility rather than fear and worry.

Isn’t that an amazing attitude?

And it really works for her - she’s had some serious health issues to really test the strength of that attitude.

Living with cancer for over ten years and staying away from fear is a marvellous example to me.

It’s one thing to say this stuff, it’s a completely different one to live it. And she lives it supremely well.

Puts my little troubles in perspective when my whiney little head kicks off.

Your attitude makes an incredible difference: You can see the glass as half full or half empty.

One perspective creates fear and worry and stress, one creates hope and possibility and joy.

Life is going to happen in mysterious ways anyway, you might as well enjoy it.

Anyway - that’s my little tribute to my mother in law, an inspiration and a guide in so many ways.

Now an attitude like that doesn’t happen over night - it takes persistence to be present and see the good in this moment.

Your limiting attitude habits will be the opposite of that so it takes a little practice to overcome those habits.

Simple though … just replace one with another.

Simple, but perhaps not easy ...?

Learning the Ishayas’ Ascension makes making a solid attitude so straight forward.

Honestly - having a practice like this makes life super simple, an obvious choice.

You want that too?

I can't recommend strongly joining us to learn:

http://www.thebrightpath.com/courses/first-sphere-richmond-mini-retreat-option-also-available-richmond-north-yorkshire-2016-06-24 Have a great day out there. Make it so. Arjuna

p.s. Learning to be present and have the greatest attitude is not only simple, you get to repeat the course as many times as you like for free.

This means you have a lifetime of support.

Not bad huh? Jump in!

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

The one thing you can stop doing that makes all of life better - for everyone

Here I am in my home office, coffee in hand, Ishayas’ Ascension meditation done for the morning.

I feel great. I feel set up, ready for my to do list, ready for all the stuff the day will present.

I love feeling this way, you know? Switched on, clear - not foggy, present and alive - not worried or scattered in the head. Makes the day super simple, and so much more enjoyable.

The thing I have noticed about people is some people you want to be around. You really enjoy their company. They lift you up and inspire you while relaxing you at the same time.

It’s a curious feeling, but its of complete contentment, acceptance and yet also of possibility. Good people are great to be around. Then, of course, there is the others that you don’t want to be around.

To make sure you are the type of person other people like to be around, in fact that help other people without saying a word, is pretty straightforward …

…though like all things needs just a little persistence.

And doing this one thing means you also create more peace, clarity and happiness in your own life.

This one thing I would say without a doubt is to stop complaining completely.

Even if you think you’re a pretty positive person, see where you are overly dwelling on what you think is wrong.

You see complaining is useless. Whining and moaning and whinging just creates more of the same.

If you can do or say something to fix a problem, go ahead and do that. But above all things, see if you can give up complaining about it.

Instant better life, instant better person.

Enjoy your day!

• Arjuna

PS. If you’re interested in joining us for a weekend to learn the Ishayas’ Ascension meditation, there is a weekend here at Ascension HQ coming up.

The best tools to become more aware of your blindspots, more relaxed, more clear and present, more alive.

Come - it’s the one thing that will help every part of your life.

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

Who is your hero?

Muhammad Ali died, of course - unless you’ve been under a rock you know. That news is every where.

The guy was hugely inspiring, and to so many people. I didn’t realise how much though until I read all the words written about him.

Who is your hero?

Who do you admire and respect?

I think having heroes is a wonderful thing. As I said the other day, inspiration is gold to me.

Other people can fire such inspiration within you - whether you meet them or not.

Though it’s important to regularly connect with bright lights that keep that fire burning within you, sometimes the idea of living heroically from a role model is enough.

But none of your heroes happened by mistake. It takes work, and awareness, and to keep going.

One huge thing the Ishayas’ Ascension meditation has given me is this.

Life is your choice. And… Don’t matter if you think you've done well or bad in the past, you are only as good as your next choice.

The past need not define you anymore.

It makes you who you are today, but if you are aware you are free to choose what to do next.

You are free to define yourself, free to define the circumstances and situations you find yourself in, rather than let them define you.

A constant reset button. You get to go again go again. And always getting bigger and better. Constant improvement.

So commitment to being the best you can be is not about how hard you go at it, but about tenacity of purpose.

All your heroes have that tenacity.

Tenacity is what you keep doing to make sure you are the person you want to be and you live the life you want to live.

So how about it?

What will you do today that will make the most of not only this moment, but set you up for the future?

For me one thing, as you may well know, is the practice of closing my eyes and meditating.

It’s essential.

If you want to know the simplest and most powerful method going, or if you want a reminder, there’s a course here at HQ:

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

I’m not teaching but I will be around. I would love to say hello, so tell me if you’re coming.

Have a wonderful day.

• Arjuna

PS. a wise man once said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

And so true is that.

What’s your single step for this moment?

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

Inspiration for a blah day

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

But whatever, I turned to my trusty inspiration pack:

The internet!

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

And inspiration is gold.

I live to be inspired.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have a fun day

• Arjuna

PS.

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

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

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

A life or A Life?

I talk to a lot of people in my travels.

Sometimes “formally” as in a class or talk situation, other times less so, like on a train or in an airport.

I love talking to people about what lights their fire, what makes them passionate. I love finding out what their greatest memories are, and why. I love discovering what they want most from life.

Obviously that requires a level of deep and meaningfulness that doesn’t regularly happen in an airport, for example, but it’s amazing how often I can steer the conversation that way.

People love to talk about this stuff because its not talked about enough.

Life can so easily slip into a kind of drudgery and hence being reminded is like a ray of light.

My memories of the high times in my life are the reason why I learnt the Ishayas’ Ascension meditation in the first place.

I knew life could be amazing because I’d lived through some amazing moments. The thing was I didn’t want them to be memories, I wanted life to be constantly alive, not an up and down of happy/unhappy or alive/drudgery … you know?

I wanted the kind of life where I moved from highlight to highlight.

How about you?

Now I know the intensity of the highs is impossible to maintain. And I also saw, very much so, the role of my own mind in the low times in life.

I realised that my own mind was controllable, in a sense that the outward circumstances aren’t.

My greatest shot at living a constantly fulfilling, content, happy life lay between my own two ears.

My last email was about how people would rather shock themselves with electricity than be with their own minds.

I get that. I also know, even with seasoned meditators, people who have been doing the Ishayas’ Ascension meditation for years, they can fall into a kind of a funk and lose track of why they’re doing what they’re doing.

They forget the purpose. When you forget the purpose and then life gets a little tough it’s easy to throw the whole thing away.

So remember the why. Do what you can to stay reminded.

The whole point for me for meditation is to be fully involved in life. To make it simpler and lighter. To bring the world Alive.

Sometimes that practice of going beyond the limitations of the mind is straight forward. Sometimes its not, stuff gets in the way.

But whatever - you have to do the work. You have to practice. Otherwise life slowly becomes one of struggle and “meh”.

Which is fine if you want to live that kind of life, but really, do you?

I know for sure that I don’t.

So my commitment every day is to make sure I do the things that give me the best shot at being the best version of myself. Regardless of how I feel, how motivated I am, how busy I am.

It’s just got to be done. Because the end result, the overall result, the trajectory is becoming better every day.

If you want to know how, or need a reminder, I have some very good colleagues who will be able to show you how:

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

Whatever you do, make sure you have a spectacular day

• Arjuna

PS. It’s 100% up to you how alive your day is.

How much you remind yourself, how much you keep doing the work that creates that, how often you ask questions to remove your doubts. Totally up to you.

Don’t wait for life to be given to you.

That link again:

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

Would you rather shock yourself or be alone with your thoughts?

A study showed that people would rather shock themselves than be alone with their own thoughts.

When there was nothing to distract, nothing to do, no phone, just them and their heads …

… in that situation, people would shock themselves with electricity in order to create a distraction.

This means:

People will choose to hurt themselves rather than have a clear awareness of their own minds.

Here’s the link:

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/may/29/would-you-zap-yourself-to-avoid-being-alone-with-your-thoughts

Isn’t that crazy?

Trying to get away from your own head is like trying to run from your own shadow, right?

I get that - and I’ve tried to run as well.

I found my distraction in the outdoors.

Peace and stillness would come from the beauty and hugeness of nature. Physical challenge gave the perfect distraction to the worries of the week.

But I discovered that where I went, my head went too.

I couldn’t distract or sedate myself forever.

You have to stop running. You can’t run forever.

You have to embrace your mind, and in that, find a way around its ups and downs.

Your mind is pretty close to the core of your being.

But it isn’t you.

If you can be aware of your thoughts - if you know what you are thinking - that means you aren’t your thoughts.

Do you get that?

Becoming free of your mind is crucial to all of life.

So you don’t care what random thoughts blow through any more.

So you don't care about that past event revisiting again.

So regret and worry and fear and all that stuff becomes like a passing memory.

You want the best way to become the master of your own mind, so you’re not running?

The Ishayas’ Ascension meditation is the thing that will help.

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

Have a great day

• Arjuna

PS. I’m 100% when I talk about being the master of your own mind.

So you can focus on what you want to grow, in your head, in your life.

It just takes the right tools, and a little practice:

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

Death is preferable to thinking about taxes

Did you have a great long weekend? Loved mine.

I spend it doing my taxes.

I love doing my taxes so much that every year I leave them to the last possible moment.

I’ve found that avoidance is the key to maximum confusion as I throw receipts in the air, Scrooge Mc Duck style.

And I love being confused.

No, not really…

But instead of leaving them, I sat down and did them this weekend.

What I found was that the thought about doing taxes was much worse than the reality.

When I finally sat down it was actually okay.

It was actually nice to get things in order. To sort and file and organise and come up with a number.

You ever find that?

Something you’re not looking forward to doing, and so you avoid and procrastinate, and then you finally get round to doing it…

… and it’s not that bad. You may even see the positive in it.

Funny huh?

The mind can make hell out of anything.

Here’s a rule for life:

It’s never about the thing, it’s always about your relationship with it.

If you realise that, nothing can make you miserable because your realise that you have the power to get miserable, or not.

Wouldn’t that be a great way to live? Knowing that you choose everything?

Indeed, it is.

Now, what does freedom of choice take?

A simple mental exercise program. Sitting down and becoming stronger in what you focus on.

It doesn’t take much, just closing your eyes regularly.

The simplest, most powerful way of getting absolute freedom of choice that I know of is the Ishayas’ Ascension meditation.

The more I do it, the simpler it gets.

If you want in, the next course here in Richmond, North Yorkshire is 24-26 June.

I’m not teaching it, but some good friends who I strongly recommend as teachers are.

I’ll be around though if you want to say hi, it would be nice to catch up and chat.

The link to book is here (and accommodation is available if you’re from out of town):

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

Whatever you do, be aware of what your mind is telling you. It makes such a difference when you are aware. In awareness you have choice.

Take care Arjuna

PS. So you don’t miss out, that link again is: http://www.thebrightpath.com/courses/first-sphere-richmond-mini-retreat-option-also-available-richmond-north-yorkshire-2016-06-24

Having something that will help you deal with your own mind is so crucial.

It means you won't hurt yourself unnecessarily.

I’ll tell you about a study that showed people would rather shock themselves than be alone with their own thoughts.

Next email…

The biggest thing about marriage

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

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

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

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

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

Marriage.

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

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

But before I get to that …

Do you know what all your relationships have in common?

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

The common denominator in all your relationships is you.

Want a better relationship?

Ask yourself …

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

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

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

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

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

Now I know every interaction counts.

It matters.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To reset and go again.

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

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

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

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

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

Hope you have a great day.

Go well - Arjuna

How about a honeymoon with 78 others?

A quick one before I run off to my honeymoon. If you haven’t caught up, I got married, and in spectacular form with a spectacular gathering of family and friends to help celebrate.

It was awesome.

And now to the Greek island of Patmos for a little relaxation with she who is no longer the fiancee but the wife.

We’re sharing our honeymoon with 78 others.

It’s a European Ascension teacher’s meditation retreat you see, and I can’t wait.

My meditation teacher once told me that this is the path of joy, and he was right.

78 very happy, very peaceful people is just the thing to surround yourself with.

Of course, we’ll make plenty of her and me time…

… but immersing myself in some quality meditation teaching with my meditation teacher with 78 like minded folks is my idea of heaven.

Just got to get some last minute packing and organising done.

I thought after the wedding there would be nothing to do.

But actually it’s been just as busy - with all the stuff I’ve put off till “after”.

The top tip I’ve discovered when life gets supremely busy?

Do one thing at a time.

No matter how big your to do list is, you can only do one thing at a time.

Giving your attention to all the other things that need to be done later is the recipe for stress.

Prioritise, make yourself a list if need be, and then do the very first thing, and that thing only.

Don’t let your attention stray to what may be next.

Don't think about it, consider it, plan it.

Leave it all alone.

Just do what is in front of you.

And not only will you do that one thing faster and with more enjoyment, the other things will come with the same straight forward ease as well.

There is no need to be stressed.

It doesn’t HAVE to happen.

The more you meditate, the more you will realise this.

The more you do your Ascension meditation, the simpler and easier being stress free AND incredibly efficient is.

Find out how by emailing me, or going here:

www.thebrightpath.com

Go well!

- Arjuna

Organising a wedding - separated before a divorce is even possible?

It turns out there are quite a few things to do to arrange a wedding. I thought it was a suit, a dress, a ring or two, and a bit of a party.

What I’ve found is that the demon, as always, is in the details.

The list appears to be unending, and the day is coming quickly (Saturday)

So -

1. Apologies for the break in your usual email service. But I’ve been busy! I’ll get back to you asap (after the nuptials)

2. I can really really see how people say weddings can be one of the most stressful times of your life.

I also see why people just throw money at an organiser to do it all and end up in debt for the next 10 years paying the wedding off.

The old me would be huddled in a corner right now, rocking back and forth, murmuring to himself, strugging with so much to do, so many people to chat to.

But the new me - with the foundation of calm and clarity provided by my Ascension meditation practice - is feeling cool as a cucumber.

You see many people practice when they enter a state of emergency.

A challenge hits them so (if they’re halfway sensible) they start to close their eyes to deal with the stress.

The approach I recommend is to practice when life is easy…

…so when disaster strikes (not that I’m comparing marriage to a disaster), you sail through it.

The challenge becomes simple and straightforward...

Not complicated and pressured and too much work and overload resulting in arguments with your lovely wife to be.

Makes sense doesn’t it?

It’s the difference between managing stress and ending stress.

Do you see?

Why merely manage something when you can finish it??

I know what I prefer.

And you?

I think you know how you would prefer to live.

How about starting now?

www.thebrightpath.com Take it easy, and talk more soon! - Arjuna