I caught my wife doing it

Awful headline huh?

But it got you reading!

Sumati was saying to me she would love some time to exercise and Ascend.

I’m like: sweet!

Of course, I’ll hold the baby,

You go do the stuff you do to nurture and look after yourself.

To recharge, to reorder and reprioritise,

To step away from the to do list,

To get that “Half step back” that means everything is clearer and in perspective,

And means you don’t snap and say something you regret.

Happier, not grumpy, able to deal with one thing at a time.

She knows the importance of this -

But after 5 minutes I don’t hear any workout music,

I go check on her …

And she’s on her computer.

With my very best personal trainer/coach impersonation I tell her -

“I’m not holding the baby for fun - get down stairs and give me 20!”

(don’t worry - it was fun, but I had my “let’s get serious” voice on)

She’s “yeah but I just want to do this one job …”

You know how it is -

Jobs sneak in first, “just this one thing” happens and then you never actually do the looking after self things …

So I drag her down stairs and tell her to get changed.

(I was SO wearing the trousers yesterday - I think she liked it)

5 minutes later no sign -

I walk in and she’s making the bed!

“what the!”

It doesn’t matter she tells me.

The bed needs to be made and so I’ll do it first and then do my exercise and Ascending.

Do you do that too?

See - what actually happens is you do all the little things you think you need to do,

and you think that you’ll do the thing for yourself after -

When the job is done.

EXCEPT -

Time always runs out,

And you RARELY do what will give you the MOST benefit

I know you find it easier to operate when your head is clear of those “I must do that today” jobs,

But don’t let it be at the expense of looking after yourself,

Of doing those things that mean you are recharged and have a good humour.

You actually NEED to put that ^^^ at the top of your to do list.

Learn how to put the rest of the list down.

Then you can thrive and NOT get stressed and struggle and be grumpy and resentful.

Everyone wins when you’re on top form.

And that is NOT about clearing your to do list first.

OK?

Lecture over.

If you’re interested in a practice that is enjoyable and simple and completely rejuvenating -

In only a short amount of time every day,

So you can actually fit it into your busy schedule - 

You’re going to love what I'll show you.

Something completely for YOU.

Head this way to get started with the FREE download:

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

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

Your own oxygen mask goes on first,

Then you can help others,

Then you can do all those need to do jobs.

It's freedom from the oppression of your busy to do list!

Achieve MORE with MORE fun -

Hurrah!

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

Ed Sheeran’s hate

Ed - the singer, songwriter - you know the one …

If you listen to the radio you probably have at least one of his songs stuck in your head without even knowing it’s him,

Well - Ed’s quit twitter.

He’s gone, he’s off …

Too much hate for him.

I’m neither here or there on Ed’s music,

But he’s been subjected to SO much abuse,

He’s been left scratching his head as to why people hate him so much.

That’s hard for anyone, no matter how tough skinned you might be.

You would think fame and fortune would solve a lot of problems wouldn’t you?

Looks like it can create just as many problems as being poor and unknown.

Some of you may say “hold it!”

“I’d rather be rich and hated than poor and loved”

But I think you wouldn’t.

If you’ve ever been bullied at work, or in your sports team or on Facebook or where ever,

If you’ve tried to help your kids through being bullied at school,

You know it sucks big time.

It cripples you, unless you have strong support networks and some serious confidence gonads to get through.

The lesson?

Sometimes you have to quit bad company.

Like Ed, just get up and go.

If you can - get out of there, spend as less time with people who drag you down as poss.

I’m not just talking about out and out bullying,

I’m talking about any negativity actually.

You gotta surround yourself with fun, happy, alive, supportive people.

It’s almost as important as oxygen - but not as well recognised.

Of course, there’s always that relative that you can’t ditch - but you sure can minimise,

So you can look after yourself.

The bottom line ^^^^

Keeping good company is so important.

Seek out those people who are inspired, who laugh a lot, who don’t gossip, who make you feel good just by being around them -

You won’t regret it.

I’m really proud of our community of Ascenders -

They are all of that and more.

We get together regularly face to face, we have a Facebook group with live videos and interaction all the time,

And we thrive.

It’s awesome - and so rare actually.

Like to be a part of something like that?

Start here,

Get this FREE download of how to be more calm and content NO MATTER what's happening around you,

108 ideas on how you can be more present and mindful and stress free

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

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

I’m like Ed -

I’m not on twitter either.

I don’t know about you but I have enough excuses to look at my mobile already,

No need to add another distraction ay?!

Do you want a clean house or a happy family?

“I’ll just do this one thing …”

“Then I’ll rest, later when it’s finished…”

You know it,

It never happens.

The kids go down to sleep or off to school, you do all the stuff you think you should be doing.

Instead of looking after yourself -

and honestly - just a small amount of time is all you need -

You do housework,

Sort out that cupboard because you’re free …

Or you crack open the gin and start up Netflix and stay up way too late, again

^^^ That is a good idea actually, now and then.

(Now and then - that’s the key, not every single night.)

You see, doing the above over looking after yourself and your energy levels means you get more and more exhausted.

And with it:

More and more snappy -

So your partner, your kids, your loved ones get it:

A grumpy, irritated, resentful, tired bag of blah.

Where did your joy go?

Where did the smiles and the humour and the fun go?

Where did the sense of purpose and meaning go?

Why all the struggle and stress?

Working out what is essential and what is merely “urgent” is a big deal.

Looking after yourself?

Essential.

Doing all those jobs?

Flicking through Facebook, again?

Not so.

You have to learn to protect your core -

What is your core?

Not your abs, no -

Nothing to do with pilates and planks and hollow holds and sit ups, no …

It’s your energy, your peace of mind, your perspective and clarity, your sense of humour.

Remembering your reason for being alive, for doing all this stuff anyhoo.

That there is the baseline of your being and so often put last on your to do list.

It's not selfish!

Without it you’re lost.

And that’s what I do …

Give you what you need so that you can enjoy everything you do.

So you can be awesome and not anxious,

Fun and not frantic.

Have a profound life, not a perplexed one.

Want in?

Head here and you will get a bunch of great ideas on HOW to do this.

For free:

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

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

When you get to the end of your life are you going to wish you had done more housework?

Watched more box sets?

Or lived a profound, loving, fun, truly alive life?

It doesn't have to be an either/or thing.

Prioritise your energy and your peace and you can have it all.

How kind are you really?

Kindness:

One of the biggest things that I remember about my heroes, the people I respect.

It’s not so much what you say or do, it’s how you make people feel.

My heroes all made me feel amazing,

Often by simply being super present with me, and giving recognition and appreciation.

Nothing like a word of recognition from one of your heroes huh?

You feel ten feet tall.

It’s not like they were all mushy and had their heads in the sand -

Some of them were hard as nails -

But they had a kindness as well.

They were interested in my growth, not pandering to my ego.

That is a sweet thing.

Kindness - with what you say and do, are you attempting to build or are you attempting to destroy?

And you know what?

It all starts with you, and how kind you are to your self …

There’s a sweet spot too -

Kindness as a form of building involves setting yourself useful boundaries.

Closing your eyes and practicing your Ascension is ultimately 1000000 times more kind than say, reading a book.

(If you don’t know how to Ascend? You’re so missing out!)

So no matter how tempting it is to pick up that book first -

Or flick through Facebook or instagram or your emails or whatever -

You do your practice first, and then grab the book or the phone.

It’s knowing that actually, having that second slice of cake isn’t that kind in the long run.

That 3rd G&T? Perhaps not, considering how much more on the back foot you’ll feel in the morning.

And then there’s the times when you just blow it all away. Wahey!

It’s not a rigid, harsh commitment:

With unrealistic expectations …

Where the voice in your head goes off over every little perceived failure,

It’s gentleness too.

Knowing that building up, becoming more, you’ll face your bad habits and that negative voice.

Sometimes you’ll be on track, sometimes you won’t.

So you pick yourself up again and keep going.

Because the kinder you are to yourself?

The kinder you are to everyone.

OK?

Great stuff.

And learn to end your stress and struggle.

Single greatest kindest thing you can do for yourself and everyone else.

Here's a free guide on losing frazzle and being 100% Alive:

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

Go well!

Arjuna 

Happening TO you or FOR you?

You ever tipped your head back to the sky, and roared?

“Why is this happening to me?”

Sure you have.

I have - “Why God? Why?” is a classic …

THE classic response when good things happen to bad people.

I’ve got that the wrong way round -

Why bad things happen to good people.

(That’s better)

And it’s such a useless question, you know?

There is no answer.

It just creates such rage, such impotence, such feelings of being alone and unsupported.

Now - what can you do different?

If you can catch it - flip it around.

Ask yourself, not “why is this happening TO me”,

But - “why is this happening FOR me?”

Interesting huh?

Creates a totally different attitude with a totally different foundation for dealing with a problem or a challenge.

Now, you can’t intellectualise it - you just have to do it.

“What can I get from this?”

It makes you more present, more accepting, more like you’re on an adventure of some sort, rather than feeling like life is being done to you.

So - perhaps life IS fair after all … you just don’t know why it’s FOR you just yet.

And it’s a real key to unlock the silver lining to any situation.

The other part of this is you don’t even need to know the WHY.

Just assume it’s happening for you, let go into that experience and go from there.

So much more powerful - in a word - than flapping and punching at the sky in vain.

Give it a crack and see what happens.

And you’re welcome.

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

Like more ideas on living a less stressful and more meaningful life, simply?

Here's a free guide, giving you 108 ways:

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

-

Meditation isn't about staying angry

Had a lovely talk the other night - in a railway carriage of all places.

Super cool people, and a very good question from someone - 

All about mindfulness and feelings.

Now you might be aware that mindfulness is going off at the moment.

It’s the new yoga - 

Promising to help in every part of your life.

The NHS is getting on board,

Gym trainers doing it after their circuit classes,

Celebs like Katy Perry are giving it props,

Headspace and Insight Timer are some of the most popular apps out there, and are an excellent introduction,

But.

(There’s always a but isn’t there…?)

I’m not sure if it’s the way it’s been taught

Or just people getting confused

But I certainly hear some weird things.

This lady used to think - and she’s not the first -

That being mindful is all about being aware and feeling your feelings.

So if you’re annoyed, you feel your annoyance, and that’s the way it is.

If you’re sad, you feel your sadness, and that’s the way it is.

If you’re anxious, you feel your anxiety, and that’s the way it is.

Noticing you’re feeling a certain thing is a great first step -

However, after that you can CHOOSE to not be annoyed or sad or anxious - 

To take a half step back and be free of it.

You don’t have to be stuck with something you don’t like.

You can CHOOSE to change your attention on the thoughts that are with the emotion.

Then it can flow through and be gone super quick,

As opposed to telling yourself the same story and keeping the emotion in place - for days sometimes.

The sooner you notice, the easier it is, for sure …

The more you practice, the better you get, for sure …

But it is quite simple to go beyond being consumed and taken over by anything.

Mindfulness and awareness isn’t just the acceptance of feeling any old way.

It’s not about rolling over and giving up - 

The next essential step is to choose to put your attention on something else.

Emotions, feelings, and the thought labels that define them are just a small part of the big picture.

Learning to identify and rest in your own presence,

The source of your own awareness,

The field of infinite stillness beyond everything else,

Means you aren’t just left feeling angry or frustrated or sad.

OK?

That there changed my life, truly.

Give it a go, and let me know if you have any questions.

I have a free download if you want ideas on how to be really present and free of stress and struggle and intense emotion.

Head this way to get a copy:

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

Have a great day!

Arjuna

PS.

You are in charge of what you feel.

No one makes you feel anything.

You - through habit - choose to get involved and feel that way.

Since it’s a habit, you can make a new habit.

You CAN do it - but you have to begin! 

Exhaustion

You know when you need to pee? And you’re jumping from foot to foot,

Trying to finish off the thing you’re involved in -

Yet failing because you just can’t think straight?

Then you take care of the necessities and everything is easier?

Same same with exhaustion.

Tough night last night in our house you see -

Bubsy was waking every 30 minutes with a sqwaul and a shriek.

Early, early this morning I had a baby thrust at me by a groggy, possibly a touch grumpy, Sumati.

Both of them slept for about 3 hours straight.

When they woke?

Sweetness and light and good humour,

Singing songs in the kitchen as we speak.

Everywhere I go to speak or teach:

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a school or an office or the army -

We start off with a few relaxation exercises and just about every one in the room starts yawning.

The western world is running on exhaustion.

And when things are tough, or even just a bit “sticky”, rest makes everything better.

Easier, lighter, more fun.

It doesn’t remove your problems by any means, it just makes them easier to deal with.

Actually sometimes it does -

Because you stop trying to control the things you have no control over

You stop worrying about the things you can’t influence.

So if you want to make life easier for yourself -

Simpler, more effective, more profound too,

Get some early nights.

Learn how to meditate so you get an awesome power nap throughout the day too.

A reset to your sense of humour and your energy levels.

If you have trouble sleeping?

You’ll need those little breaks during the day.

If you have a baby?

Rest when they rest.

Don’t be all trying to get the jobs done while they’re asleep.

You need rest first.

Awesome.

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

I have a free guide to being more present and alive.

If you're interested in getting a copy head this way:

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

10 year olds have it tough

Spent this morning speaking with a bunch of 10 year olds - All about stress and anger, worry and anxiety, depression and sorrow.

About not sleeping at night,

About getting so frustrated they can’t think straight.

About putting themselves under impossible pressure.

And I thought the life of a ten year old was free and easy.

No worries, no regrets, nothing to do, no heavy expectations to live up to.

Looks like I had no idea.

I have no idea if life is tougher now that we’re in the future,

But after this morning, and sitting down to write, I now actually remember a similar time as a kid.

I was never more depressed than when I was 11-12.

I thought the world was going to end,

I only had 2 friends,

I found no joy anywhere, nothing but fear and doubt and struggle.

And the only reason I didn’t kill myself was because I didn’t want my family to be hurt.

So I suffered in silence.

At 11 years old.

How crazy is that?

Crazy. Messed up. All that stuff.

I know.

I'm actually glad for it because it made me determined to find a way out, to never go back there

But what I really want to tell you is this:

I do remember being around certain people really helped me.

There were a few teachers, my swimming coach, the mum of one of my friends …

They had a lightness of being, a warm heart it felt like.

They looked me in the eye and made sure I was seen and heard.

It wasn’t what they said or did, but how they made me feel.

I felt like they had all the time in the world for me.

Even though they must have had their challenges,

I felt a solid certainty in this world when I was around them,

An oasis of … okayness … or goodness, I guess …

A kind of force field that meant fear and worry and that feeling of the end couldn’t come in when I was near them.

Those times meant everything because I had a glimpse of what life beyond the chaos of my mind felt like.

Your peace?

Despite all the madness and busy-ness and questions in your life -

You being calm and present and content and alive,

Isn’t just for you.

You touch everyone around you.

Everyone has a chance for sanctuary by just being in your presence.

And if you only stop and give that kid a smile,

Or really listen for just a second …

You might be saving their lives.

Go well, ok? Arjuna

PS.

I’m giving a free talk tonight, over in Guisborough.

Full details here, be great to see you:

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

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

A Life or a life?

Ahhhh … been away teaching for the week. And as nice as staying in a hotel is, with steak every night if I wished,

With a chocolate “death star” globe containing sticky toffee pudding and ice-cream to finish -

(seriously good)

As amazing as that sounds? There’s nothing like being at home, with Sumati and Bubsy.

Home is where the heart is.

And it’s so true - in a different sense too:

Home is where your heart is:

No matter where you are, there you are.

I used to try and find peace in certain places.

What I was trying to do was escape my head by getting further and further up a mountain,

Or deeper and deeper into a river at the bottom of a valley -

And as beautiful as those experiences are,

As wonderful as being out in nature is,

My head went where I went.

Peace isn’t in a place or an activity, but in my ability to ignore the voices in my head,

And immerse myself in the moment.

Absorb myself in the here and now.

That is where you find peace too -

That is how you make sure life is filled with enjoyment and aliveness,

Rather than drudgery and overwhelm and anxiety and all those things …

Learn from the past and plan for the future, yes,

But base yourself, base your life in this moment in time,

In the presence you find beyond thought and emotion and action.

This is the only moment you can live.

You can postpone it by being regretful for a past moment or fearful for a uncertain future,

Yet now will always be waiting for you, when … IF you return to it.

Then you can really start living.

Here it is, where are you?

Go well! Arjuna

PS.

What to know how you can do that more?

Here's a free guide for you, packed full of ideas and ways of being more present and more alive.

Get your copy here:

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

7 days till the advanced workshop for Ascenders only.

Sunday 2 July

It’s going to be a doozy.

Want a seat?

https://arjunaishaya.lpages.co/advanced-day/ 

Wonder Woman

I went to the movies for the first time in months. Bunked off work,

And on a super sunny afternoon we strolled into the cinema.

Wonder Woman if you must know.

No great cultural masterpiece, but how wonderful and entertaining.

How cool to be out at the movies!

Set free from regularity and the "same old same old".

Skipping work and going out and playing.

Just like the old days.

Innocence, the joy of simple things, play.

I figure if you learn to enjoy the simple stuff, the big stuff will be amazing.

But you have to be in that frame of mind, in that attitude.

You gotta have your eyes open and notice.

Otherwise you just miss out as you speed from task to task.

And that would be a shame because you end up speeding through everything and missing out on life itself.

So my words for today are innocence and notice ... and play.

Take a breath, take a moment.

Be aware.

Life is good. Enjoy it.

Go well! Arjuna

PS.

Want to make it simple?

Here's a ton of ideas of how,

A free 7 page guide with 108 simple ideas to keep it simple, no less:

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

Why do we do it?

It’s funny - Everything is going great because you’ve been doing something that makes things great.

Sleeping well, eating well, meditating every day …

And because you’re feeling so great, you go:

“I don’t need to do that stuff any more”

What happens?

Slowly - and sometimes not so slowly - you go downhill to where you were before,

To the place that meant you wanted, perhaps needed, to make some different choices in the first place.

Up and down you go.

Up and down and around and around.

There’s no need.

You can stay on a level forever -

But you need to make those choices that mean you maintain that.

Here’s the thing:

So much easier to stay on the level than try and play catch up.

Catching up all the time is a drag.

Maintenance is awesome - cruising altitude, flying high.

All of life is good and easy and simple and fun.

Choices, freedom, fun, clarity, contentment.

Want to take on something ambitious?

Easy to adjust, easy to handle.

From catch up? Urrgggggh. Tough.

Don’t stop doing the work that makes your life great.

OK?

Your choices = your life

Word!

Go well, Arjuna

PS.

How?

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

PPS.

Ascenders?

You know what I’m going to say:

A whole day for you to really start flying:

https://arjunaishaya.lpages.co/advanced-day/ 

Lost your freedom?

Big thing, freedom. Songs, books, speeches all been written about it.

People will fight for it.

Interesting thing too -

When you’re feeling down about something,

It’s usually because you feel like you have no choice, no freedom in a situation.

Some research I saw said just that:

The biggest cause of stress is feeling like you have no choice, no freedom.

From being at work where it feels like you’re a small cog in a huge machine and it matters not what you do,

To a mum who is feeling resentful about their child, feeling pinned down and not able to do the things she wants to do.

So how do you deal with that?

You have to realise that all our external choices involve compromise of some sort.

You get married? You have no freedom to date anyone else.

You take a job? You have no freedom to sleep in anymore.

You quit your job? You don't have the freedom to go on holiday when you want to.

You have kids? You no longer have the freedom to do what you want when you want.

But the cause of your stress and your lack of freedom is all in where you're paying attention.

You’ve got it all wrong -

You’re focussed on the thing you don’t like -

And ignoring ALL the bonuses that come with a choice to do something.

That’s what really causes stress -

Is not lack of freedom, but lack of appreciation.

So if you find yourself in this state of "not free" —

Don’t make it about the thing,

Make it about your choices and what you can focus on.

And that is freeing.

You might even be able to discover what lays beyond thought -

That you aren’t your thoughts, your emotions, your complaints, even your appreciations.

And that is true freedom.

Like to know how?

Get my free guide packed full of good stuff for you:

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

If you Ascend?

I have a whole day for you to realise how free you really are.

Head this way to get a seat:

(Only a handful of days away now)

https://arjunaishaya.lpages.co/advanced-day/ 

When two people go to war over something small

Home from holiday, Epic journey back from Cornwall to North Yorkshire.

The sooner someone invents tele-transportation, the better.

It wasn’t just carrying child,

It was carrying all the guff that goes with child.

And to a minimalist like myself who likes to travel anywhere with the bare minimum,

Who is married to a maximum-ist,

Who likes me to carry her stuff (since I’m not carrying anything)

And can't understand why I politely decline,

It was a real test of our relationship.

Actually -

I did alright. We did alright. I got over myself.

Funny though how it’s some things that wind us up and not other things -

My father in law?

Peaceful, quiet, solid man.

Gets all kinds of twisted when the dishwasher is not stacked properly.

Will unstack it to get that extra plate in.

We’re all the same - yes, even you there … there’s always something.

And when you throw tiredness and hunger into the mix,

Travel has the potential to really blow things up between two people.

Hence a buffer zone is useful -

A degree of internal space so you can decide if something is a battle worth starting up over.

That buffer helps with everything, not just travelling,

Right?

And tiredness and stress destroy it quicker than anything else.

An eyes closed practice of meditation, perhaps breathing, just doing nothing?

Gives you that buffer -

(my typing somehow always spells it “bugger”, oops…)

So you can make the choices you want to make.

And contrary to popular belief -

You may even lose “it” from time to time even if you meditate regularly.

But you do lose it less and regain it quicker.

Well worth practicing I say.

May even save your relationship one day.

You can thank me later.

Go well! Arjuna

PS.

Want to know how to practice?

This here is everything you need to know:

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

-

Give and take

Just went for a run. I'm in Cornwall, and so of course I'm scoffing cream teas.

Cos that's what you have to do in Cornwall.

And I love clotted cream, you see.

And in order to eat many of these delights, as well as the fish n chips and all that good holiday food,

I went for a run up and over some serious coastal paths,

To help my digestion and my appetite.

Balance.

If I did nothing but ate at the rate I'm used to I'd be the size of a house.

Which is fine if I'm ok with being like that -

But I don't want to.

So balance.

Give and take.

Karma, perhaps if you like the meaning being used in terms of cream tea.

It's a necessary in every part of life.

If you're busy working and managing a family,

You need to take time to recharge.

Regularly - To recuperate and retune.

You can't keep taking from your internal "bank account" without giving some back.

Otherwise you fall over.

You don't fall over straight away, but you do start to get frazzled, don't you?

Life gets a bit serious and a bit fraught.

A bit snappy.

You miss out on the simple pleasures.

The things that make life profound.

So if you value your sanity,

If you want to choose to have a good life -

(And the good life IS your choice)

You need to stop and recharge.

How?

Head this way and I'll show you exactly how:

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

Give and take - balance.

Do and don't do ...

Makes all the difference.

Go well! Arjuna

PS. Ascenders!

You have 2 weeks until your day is here.

Why not?

You give a day of your time, and it gives you so much more:

https://arjunaishaya.lpages.co/advanced-day/

Difficult to practice

Had an email recently, It said that what I talk about is difficult to practice.

And I get that.

Being appreciative, accepting, self- loving, trusting, compassionate, patient, fun with a great sense of humour …

Is all tricky to do -

In and of themselves.

And if you already feel like you’re trying to be the perfect mum,

For example,

All of this can seem like another nail in the coffin,

Another load to add to your back,

Another standard to live up to -

Of all the things you have to do,

And are good at forgetting and failing at.

Do you know what I mean?

But here is the answer to all questions in life:

Get present,

And everything flowers from that.

Get full of your own presence and awareness,

And you become more of everything -

More alive, more calm, more content, more creative,

Less overwhelmed, frazzled, harsh and judgemental of yourself.

It’s a wonderful thing -

A “buy one, get a million things free” type deal.

So don’t worry too much about all the things you have to “be” (as well as do),

(Though if you realise you have a choice and can choose to be more appreciative? How wonderful)

Just get full of presence.

Keep it this simple,

And life transforms from that.

Hurrah for simplicity.

Here's a bunch of simple, different ways to be more present and mindful,

If you were interested:

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

PS.

And Ascenders already have the ultimate tool in simplicity,

If you’d like a whole day to remind yourself, to inspire to greater heights?

Here you go!

https://arjunaishaya.lpages.co/advanced-day/ 

Acceptance

Got sent a really nice quote, I’m a sucker for good words you see,

______________

“One does not walk into the forest and accuse the trees of being off centre nor do they visit the shore and call the waves imperfect. Why then, do we look at ourselves that way?”

~ Author Unknown ____________

Acceptance is the basis for all goodness.

Ironically too - when there’s true acceptance,

That opens up the space for transformation,

For change.

Struggling with something?

Accept - fully and completely.

It’s the stepping back that means you can get peace,

And perspective.

Then you can go from there.

Alright?

Good - go well! Arjuna

PS.

Need help with any of this?

Try this free guide, packed full of ideas:

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

Ascenders!

Don't miss this day, just for you.

They don’t come along very often:

https://arjunaishaya.lpages.co/advanced-day/ 

The one thing you might do …

If you simply stay with what’s happening right in front of you, Stay tuned into that -

Realise when you’re racing and getting stressed about it,

And come back to the level,

You’ll have a very happy, calm, effective life. True!

Losing overwhelm, thinking too much, reacting wildly, feeling guilty and regretting ...

The end to that begins right now.

That’s what it’s all about isn't it?

Living well.

Living well = attend to now.

Just now.

Keep it simple, ok?

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

Want other tips like this one?

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

PPS.

And if you Ascend?

A whole day for you to remember and be inspired about how simple this really is:

https://arjunaishaya.lpages.co/advanced-day/ 

19 Things That Don’t Work

When I was a confused teenager (and adult actually), Full of angst and self-doubt,

Looking for a tribe to belong to,

Some kind of purpose to get behind,

I often wished there was a guide book to life.

Or some sense of “live like this and everything will turn out right”.

Ya know?

Many adults are still searching for that sweet spot too -

While you actually find that within,

And so there is NO book of guidance,

Here’s some things I see that clearly don’t work: ____________

1. Bottling stuff up, not talking Resentment then explodes spectacularly, taking heads off

2. Talking too much Because there is a time to move on and talking about it endlessly is a pain in the bottom for all concerned.

3.  Forgetting what is really important to you Leaving your priorities until last (which means never)

4. Taking stuff too seriously Good sign you’re getting too stressed and/or tired

5. Focussing on what’s wrong, what’s missing and totally missing all that is right and good!

6. Ignoring what’s wrong Sticking your head in the ground in the hope it will go away just gives you dirty nostrils

7. Being harsh with yourself Go on, whip yourself again and see if that helps

8. Holding grudges Eats you up quicker than a stomach ulcer

9. Maintaining ridiculous expectations of yourself (and others actually) You are you are you and while goals are awesome, take a chill pill. And who are you doing it for anyway?

10. Comparison Not so it inspires as in “well, if she can do it, so can I” but so it hurts

11. “Should” (Could and would should be there too)

12. Spending all your time in the past or the future Because life is happening under your nose

13. Worrying about what you can’t control As useful as hitting your head against a brick wall

14. Giving into fear and therefore not doing what you CAN control Not doing and avoidance isn't a path to happiness

15. Fighting, resisting, blaming Because that helps in the face of an undeniable reality ...

16. Gossip It’s only to make yourself feel and seem better - there could be other, better ways, ya think?

17.  Feeling guilty for doing stuff that recharges you Why exercise or close your eyes to meditate or read a book when you could be scrubbing the floor?

18. Forgetting to laugh Life's too short for laughing

19. Forgetting to speak out your gratitude and appreciation They can't read your mind _______

There you go ....

And so - what shall you do about it?

I would personally:

Get present, get truly mindful.

Then that will show you when any of the above pop up.

It becomes super clear.

Your regular practice to close your eyes teaches you how to live the best version of you.

Like a block of ice melting in a hot bath,

Your habits and pattens leave you.

But you gotta get in the bath regular so it happens.

Want more help on that?

You got it ——————> https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sane-fb

Go well Arjuna

PS.

Ascenders!

No excuses:

A whole day for you.

These don't happen very often.

https://arjunaishaya.lpages.co/advanced-day/ 

A champion of the world

A buddy of mine died during the week. A fellow Ishaya, he’d kept his cancer quiet, he didn’t want anyone to know.

I just assumed I would see him again this year, but no.

So much for assumptions huh?

A sterling dude with a huge heart -

He was built like many North American guys I know,

About as wide as he was tall,

Solid as a brick dunny.

I remember coming around a corner once and bumping into him -

Bouncing would be a better word for I hit this man wall and flew back some way.

Huge man, huge smile, huge heart, huge compassion.

He had an amazing journey.

He was an US soldier and did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

What he saw and did affected him greatly,

So much so by the time he stopped being a soldier he was “a bit of a mess” -

All the drugs and the doctors and the specialised counselling couldn’t put him together again.

As a bit of a last chance effort he learnt to Ascend,

And the more he practiced the more he found he could put his skeletons behind him.

His levels of medication dropped and dropped and kept dropping until he could quit everything the doctors had him on.

At that point - when I met him - I thought he was unstoppable.

The kind of guy who would live to be 100.

Full of energy, full of fun, full of love and lust for life,

The kind of life force that you often see in people who have had a second chance,

When given another opportunity they seize it and fully make the most of each and every moment.

Now-

I turn 43 this year.

There’s plenty of things I still want to do and get better at,

Things I want to experience and become.

I hope there’s plenty of future for me.

Yet I know,

I have no idea of how much time I actually have.

In this, it’s the simple things that mean a life becomes a Life,

Now - and not when I get x, y or z.

The appreciation, the gratitude, the love, the remembering to be alive and awake to this moment, the sense of presence and stillness at the core of my being …

Without those all the achieving in the world won’t mean anything.

With them, everything I do becomes satisfying, complete, full.

And then there’s room for more. Always more.

Whoever and whatever you are, no matter your history, you always have a choice.

It might not seem like it, but you do.

Find it, make the most of that choice - it is the one thing that changes everything.

It's the one thing that will make a difference, no matter what you do.

And so I say, with feeling,

Go well!

Arjuna