Be Responsible or Be Free?

You may be aware that I love kayaking.

It is one of my favourite things to do in the whole wide world.

When I was a young fella I could pretty much go kayaking as much as I liked.

Being single or flexibly attached there was no one telling me I had to stay at home,

How wonderful.

Fast forward a few years and I find myself attached.

Sumati, the mega-awesome wife -

And Bubba, the little helpless creature that must be entertained and looked after.

Attached and with Responsibilities with a capital R.

Last night I was casually looking at the river flows on the internet,

My local river was at the perfect level.

Perfect - and it hasn’t been perfect for months now.

Given that I've been working all day long,

A nice reward would be to head out for a couple or three hours and kayak the evening away.

But -

There’s always a but isn’t there?

Bubba is teething and cranky and Sumati, by the end of the day, has had enough.

I can’t run off. I can’t just do what I want to do. I need to be Responsible.

Now - here is the point:

I can choose to resent my Responsibilities.

“Life was so much better when I was young and carefree …”

(I hear some of you say that too, so I know I’m not the only one with that thought)

“That time when I could do exactly what I wanted …”

(Which is a lie, you’ve rarely been able to exactly what you’ve wanted to.

The golden wave of nostalgia gives you selective memory as there’s ALWAYS been a tradeoff,

there’s always been some responsibilities - even if  they have a small “r”).

Or …

I can realise that my Responsibilities are there because I CHOSE them.

My choices in the past have led me right here to this moment in time.

I can get all pouty and grumpy and try and blame my lovely wife and daughter for ruining my freedom …

Or I can simply accept that life is different now.

And I chose it. No one else.

Instead of trying to maintain a nostalgic vision of a past version of me,

I can crack on and enjoy what I do actually have,

Who I am now.

Of course you can always backtrack,

Make different choices so you’re living that life without Responsibilities.

If you wish …

But freedom never exists externally.

Never.

You will always find a trade off.

I had a job as an outdoor instructor because that was my love, and I thought getting paid to do what I loved was an excellent idea.

Because of my poor attitude at the time all that happened was that my hobby and my passion became work.

I resented going kayaking because I wasn’t free to do what I wanted.

You see how it works?

Freedom is an internal state of being.

It stems from fluidity, from acceptance and allowance.

It’s not in resistance or resentment.

It gives you the conscious making of choices.

The best thing to gain internal freedom despite the circumstances of your life?

Meditation, specifically the form I teach and practice -

The Bright Path Ishayas’ Ascension.

Meditation at it’s simplest, most powerful, relaxing and enjoyable.

If you think stepping up into true freedom sounds like a good idea?

Head this way to get your FREE guide to doing and being just that:

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

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

I know some of you are advanced meditators.

You do this a lot, every day even.

But you have to start bringing that conscious awareness you get from meditation into each and every moment.

Then your meditation practice starts to really fast track your life.

And that’s exactly what I teach you to do:

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

When things get on top of you

The last 5 or 6 days I’ve been busy …

What I’ve realised is actually -

“I’ve been busy”

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

I’m sure you know what I mean:

It felt like I had a lot to do,

With not enough time to do it all in.

So I got stuck in, and certain things -

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

The result?

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

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

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

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

It’s a good thing.

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

So you jump back in with renewed vigour.

The most interesting thing about all of this?

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

^^^^^^

Interesting huh?

Busy, but acting like I was on holiday …

What did I do?

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

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

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

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

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

Ready to handle the busy day.

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

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

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

Like a hamster on a wheel …

Getting snappier and more frantic and with less effectiveness

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

Getting clear, content, calm, focussed, happy,

And go from there.

What a difference it makes.

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

Hop back on.

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

Means pretty much instant and lasting rewards come your way.

From experience let me tell you -

It’s worth it.

OK?

Awesome.

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

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

To get some deep rest, recovery, healing …

Gain a positive perspective and attitude …

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

(And who doesn’t want that?)

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

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

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

The Search is … What The? (I messed up)

I am sorry.

Despite my best efforts I remain a little technically …

How shall we say?

Sometimes I'm a disaster area.

Yesterday - and I didn't even realise it until someone told me ...

I sent my email list the wrong email.

I hate spam, and I was spamming my heart out ... through ignorance of course, but nonetheless ...

You see, I have a list that give advice, tips, inspiration, know how, funny stories -

All about meditation and mindfulness,

About losing stress and struggle and confusion,

About mastering the mind and getting calm, focussed and happy,

And about discovering what it means to truly be alive.

(Sign up here if you like the idea of that:)

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

I invited everyone on that list to a live Facebook event

But unfortunately…

I sent it to the wrong email group.

You see -

If you haven’t learnt to Ascend, you can’t come.

It’s members only.

Whoops.

One of the perks of learning The Bright Path Ishayas' Ascension.

We as teachers provide all the help and support you want and need.

My way of doing it is live video so I can answer people's questions on a one to one basis,

But everyone wins because they usually have something similar going on.

All this support - for free - to me is amazing.

And I benefitted from enormously when I was learning the ins and outs of Ascension meditation.

I know I do it because I love it,

And there's nothing better than helping people make the most of what you've just taught them.

Seeing the light switch on in their eyes and stress fall away is ... priceless.

The most simplest and powerful techniques for mastering your worries, doubts and stresses?

Check.

The tools to stay present and focused and calm and content and alive no matter where you are or what you are involved in?

Check.

Person to person support as an ongoing additional to the initial course?

Check.

The ability to repeat the course for free, anywhere in the world, as many times as you like?

(Something I very much recommend, by the way …)

Check.

Very cool.

It’s like a lifetime membership so you can constantly and never-endingly learn and grow and be inspired …

It really is the end of stress and struggle and discovering what it is to truly be alive.

But I do apologise.

Without coming to the initial course ...

(Which actually you can do - and why not?)

I can only help you on a limited basis.

The best I can do is we can arrange a coaching call about some simple things you can do straight away -

Which is actually super cool in itself.

My recent ones have been really satisfying in that the guys I've talked to have been getting a lot in a short time.

It’s free - so if you’d like to take advantage of that, head this way:

www.arjunaishaya.com/contact/

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

I do apologise, once again.

I don’t like to promise stuff and then take it away.

But …

since it’s out there,

If you are an Ascender?

On Thursday at 8pm UK time,

For an educational, entertaining and enlightening 45 minutes or so

Be here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukascenders/

Apply early so I can add you before the event.

It *should* be recorded so you can watch it later,

Though given my propensity for technical disaster, we shall see ...

Star dust people

So your quirky, slightly out there friend had it right.

You ARE made of star dust.

Scientists have recently found that at least half of the atoms that make up our body have come from the other side of the galaxy.

That’s pretty cool.

But let me ask you something …

Do you LIVE as if you were made up of star dust?

Or do you live as if you were the dust of stars left under the couch by the cosmic cleaner?

Perspective is everything.

Your attitude changes everything.

Glass half-empty or half-full?

Changes the whole game.

It’s such a simple choice but it has huge knock on effects down stream, in all parts of your life.

I saw another serious science study -

If you thought you were anxious and overwhelmed by something then you performed badly,

But if you labelled the same physical symptoms as “excitement” -

You performed much better than when you told yourself you were anxious.

Cool huh?

Your mind filters and transforms everything you see.

It interprets it all and creates your reality.

Star dust or couch dust?

Up to you.

So being more positive is the first step -

Because it rearranges all that internal programming and filters of negativity and overwhelm and guilt.

The next step is to get in touch with that experience of presence and stillness beyond thinking.

Then you can experience life AS IT IS rather than as your mind tells you it is.

It’s not that hard to do, actually.

Be present to this moment.

Rather than tune into the things around you, or even your body,

Relax back into that sense of You -

That sense of awareness and presence that is the source of your senses.

The You that hasn't and won't change ever.

The core of your being.

There …

And if that DOES seem like hard work -

Or you can’t do it when and where you want,

I would start with my FREE guide to doing just that.

Get your copy right here:

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

Go well, star people!

(never thought I’d write that - heh heh)

Arjuna

PS.

The other option for you if you want to learn to master your mind?

You and me get on the phone and we talk some things you can do straight away through.

Simple, easy, fun and free too.

www.arjunaishaya.com/contact/ 

Get stupid quick

That’s what my Bright Path Ishayas’ Ascension meditation teacher says.

It surprised me the first time I heard him say it.

Isn’t it best to get smarter?

Well - he’s right.

In that many many times in life, the more you think things over, the more likely you are to mess them up.

You see, if you have ever read Terry Pratchett you may well be aware that there’s first thoughts -

They’re kind of like your intuition, what you REALLY want or need to do or say …

And quite often if you’re speaking these thoughts when turned into words are really funny - even though you had no idea of their humour

Then there’s second, and third thoughts.

They’re the ones that come in soon after telling you why you shouldn’t, couldn’t or wouldn’t.

Where first thoughts are simple and quick, second and third (and fourth) thoughts go on forever.

You wake up the next day and you’re still on them.

They’re what lead to regret and guilt and worry and panic and all of that.

While John Lennon was well true when he said that life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans,

Life is what happens to you while you are busy having second and third thoughts.

Try and catch the first thoughts before they get swamped and you lose them.

Awareness and presence is key.

A meditation practice, such as the one I do, is the greatest thing for awareness of first thoughts.

It’s a great thing for getting stupid quick -

Rather than thinking things over so much you miss the pure simplicity and boldness, creativity and inspiration of those quiet first thoughts.

Or even being paralysed by indecision over which thoughts to follow.

Used to happen to me all the time.

Alright?

Sound good to you?

If you’re ever interested in this stuff, and would just like to talk it through a bit more?

I’m available for a free coaching type call on meditation and mindfulness.

And we'll get you stress and struggle free, calm and centred in a jiffy.

Head this way:

www.arjunaishaya.com/contact/ 

If you have any questions?

Just let me know, I’d love to help!

Go well,

Arjuna

The thing I’m not good at

Just bought me and the family a new second hand car.

I know nothing about cars,

And I have met some shady characters when I was looking.

So it’s already brought me lessons.

Which I'll tell you about:

But first, let me ask you something:

When someone does something obviously that adversely affects you, or will in the near future, do you:

a) get angry and in a loud voice tell them and everyone around you how much of an idiot they are, and spend the next 3 days stewing over that moron … ?

b) tell them immediately in a calm clear manner, expressing what you would like them to do?

c) think you might have misheard them, perhaps they aren’t being deliberately this way, maybe you did something wrong, and it doesn’t matter any way, I’ll just let it go … then spend the next 3 days rehearsing the conversation in your head the way you wished it had gone … ?

Which one are you?

Let me tell you something for free -

People who can pull off b) are very rare.

Very rare indeed.

Speaking up, not losing their cool and getting all dramatic but not being a walk over either.

That balance is a wonderful thing.

Now I’m by nature a classic c) -

Swallowing everything I have to respond and then regretting it for days after.

Bottling up what I really wanted to say because …

Well - because I, and if you’re like me you know this, don’t trust or value what we have to say -

And perhaps we don’t want to hurt anyone,

But basically it’s shying away from confrontation.

My foray into buying a car -

For a variety of reasons -

Has meant I’ve had to pull by big boy pants on and speak up.

It’s a fascinating thing actually:

Seeing where I need to say something -

And how my mind just squeaks and hates it.

It would rather I stay safe and not say a word.

Now - 

From experience I know it’s a bad way -

I just end up frustrated and angry and stewing,

It's so much better to let it out there and then.

Difficult conversations are best had when and where they come up.

Delaying and avoiding is not the way forward.

No sir-ree.

It’s an interested thing -

Because my Ishayas’ Ascension meditation practice has allowed me to see that I NEED to speak up.

Meditation isn’t - as some people think - avoiding action,

Or becoming a walk over -

It’s about being more truthful to yourself.

For sure you become less a) and more compassionate and patient and forgiving,

But when you need to say something you sure know it.

It becomes so clear.

And so you speak up.

So if you’re an a) and need to moderate your reactions

Or like me and a c) and need to speak up more often …

I think you’d really like Ascension.

It’ll give you the awareness and the clear mind and the boldness to start doing what you need to do.

But if you’re not ready to make all of life fun and effective and filled with peace just yet?

Just try and stay aware of what may appear difficult in the short term but will be long term excellent.

Don’t take the easy way out and fall into unconscious reaction.

Calmly and consciously choose your response.

This FREE guide will help enormously:

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

Go well

Arjuna 

PS.

Or perhaps you would like a free coaching call and I can help you apply this stuff to your life immediately?

www.arjunaishaya.com/contact/

Watching car crash TV

I’m in the waiting room of my mechanic -

And there’s Jeremy Kyle on the TV.

I’ve never seen Mr Kyle’s show before,

What a treat!

If you haven’t seen it, or live outside the UK, how can I explain?

A talk show where family members, friends … people … get on and discuss a problem.

But of course it’s sensational .. people shout and argue, walk off, throw things, fight.

Many times it’s humanity at its worst.

I told the receptionist I’d never seen the show and she was all mock shock and surprise -

She loves it you see,

When she watches how terrible other humans are,

How bad some people’s lives are,

It makes her life seem alright.

It makes her appreciate her own life so much more.

I see what she means …

But what if you could appreciate and be grateful for your life without comparison?

You see, comparison can become the thief of joy -

Because if you’re comparing down in some sort of social strata -

You’ll be comparing up too.

And that can hurt.

Comparison can be great -

Having the perspective that you have a wonderful life sometimes comes from seeing others struggle.

BUT -

What if appreciation and gratitude became your natural way of living life?

A choice for sure, but a choice that became automatic?

There are two ways you can make sure of that -

When you notice that you’re harsh on yourself,

When you’re focussed on what is wrong, on what is missing or lacking,

When you’re judging and condemning yourself or others,

Put in place the opposite, “upward spiralling” thought -

Find something to appreciate.

Find something to be grateful for.

Help someone out.

And …

Be present, be in the here and now.

Becoming more aware of your own presence in this moment,

Being more immersed in what is right in front of you,

Being in your body as opposed to being in your mind, thinking your life away …

This is the root of becoming automatically appreciative and grateful -

Without needing someone else to be doing worse than you.

Those people who Ascend and are reading this know what I’m talking about.

Because it makes that choice automatic.

It takes away the habits of judgement and focussing on what is wrong.

It's a super simple and yet powerful way of changing the foundation of your entire life.

If you have no idea of what I'm talking about?

Start right here with my free guide to being more present and positive:

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

or if you want me to guide you through with a quick,

And free coaching call about all this stuff,

head this way:

www.arjunaishaya.com/contact/

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

One top tip for a happier life is ...

To limit the amount of trashy gossipy magazines and TV you get yourself exposed to.

Think of it like fast food for your soul,

Tastes good for about a second,

THEN you feel it.

Everyone loves a cheeky binge of junk food every now and then for sure,

But all the time? Not so good huh?

Feed yourself good stuff!

What’s my name again?

My Dad is a wonderful bloke,

I mean, he made me didn’t he?

heh heh

But for a while now he’s been over the top worried about losing his memory.

I laugh (a little, on the inside)

Because one of the things that happens when you detach from worry about the future and regret for the past …

When you get more and more present -

Any other moment becomes further and further away in terms of “reality”.

It seems like ancient history.

Which means sometimes I can hardly recall what I ate for breakfast this morning.

It’s all a bit funny - (and don’t worry, in many ways you have a BETTER memory simply cos there’s not so much stuff fighting for attention in your head)

But he was worried, getting more and more anxious when he can’t remember stuff …

Then I catch up with his sister, my aunty …

And she’s the same.

My cousin explained it all -

The reason for the almost paranoia is that there's a family history of dementia,

And my dad and aunt are looking for signs of it in their own heads,

So no wonder they’re going a little demented just with anxiety.

You know what I mean?

Anxiety - doesn’t help no one.

Least of all the things you want to avoid.

The anxiety about a thing possibly happening is far worse than the actual thing.

You know?

You spend your whole time in your head,

Thinking and planning and counter planning, predicting and counter predicting,

About something that MAY NOT even happen,

All the time unable to enjoy what’s going on right in front of you.

And here’s what I’ve realised:

Very little of what I’ve been worried about in the past has actually happened.

And:

If it did happen, it was never as bad as my mind made it out to be.

There’s a fine line between doing what you can actually do right now,

And letting all the rest go.

Something like dementia?

What can you do?

I’m no expert, but stay active, eat your fish oil, challenge your brain, don’t eat out of aluminium …

Meditate for sure (Bright Path Ishayas’ Ascension is my practice)

The rest?

You gotta just stop thinking so much - let it go and enjoy what you do have.

Alright?

Go well

Arjuna

PS.

My suggestion for the greatest thing to do to create the habit of being calm,

Of not being anxious and worried,

Of letting go the stuff you have no control over?

Is right here, and is FREE.

A free guide to being free of anxiety, calm and content.

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

The Question That Ends Stress and Misery

I was tapping into some of my sources of inspiration and “remindering” today -

And besides getting a touch sidetracked -

By footage of Michael Phelps the legend Olympic swimmer racing a shark

(That’s certainly a novelty event, is it not?)

I found a great question that I want to ask you, in a minute.

But first:

Remindering?

It’s not actually a word, no ...

As you may have guessed because likelihood is if you're reading this, you're pretty darn smart,

But it IS the art of putting yourself in the way of remembering what is important.

Part of making sure you keep peace, happiness and contentment as a priority in your day,

Is simply staying reminded.

That “oh yes - that IS important to me”

“The reason I work so hard is basically so I can be happy.”

“Let’s see if I can choose to be happy first and then I won’t NEED to work so hard … but may well WANT to”

“But I definitely won’t get so stressed trying to secure happiness only by getting something”

You see how it goes?

We live our lives in such a blur of activity, we lose track of life as it is, right now.

Our minds whisk us away to uncertain futures,

To happiness being caused and not chosen for, independent of external circumstances.

And those things cause us stress.

SO - in my remindering this morning,

I found a wonderful question you can ask yourself when you’re in the middle of that,

If you can get presence of mind enough to ask yourself it.

Especially before it all gets too blown up.

If you’re lucky, and you have someone who can ask you it when they notice you’re slipping into stress?

All the better.

It’s from a guy called Dax Moy who I’ve just found and seems to be very good if you’re a coach/teacher/mentor/parent of any sort.

He says why not ask yourself when you’re getting stressed,

Or know you’re headed to a challenging time:

__________

“How can I enjoy this more?”

__________

How wonderful …

Puts things into perspective, no?

It makes the baseline of this moment more joy.

And that is always a good thing, even in serious moments.

Dax talked about his family using it even at his relative’s funeral.

“How can we enjoy this more?”

A conscious and aware creation of each and every moment of your life, all wrapped up around more joy.

So - give it a go,

And go well!

Arjuna

PS.

Want a free guide to meditation and mindfulness?

A great place to start on practicing remindering yourself

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

or, even better:

A free coaching session with me on being stress free and joyful super quick?

Head this way:

www.arjunaishaya.com/contact/

Ordinary Heroes

Spent last week on a course with a bunch of awesome people.

Only on the night before we finished do I find out that:

One has an MBE

One was in the French Foreign Legion

One played rugby at a national finals at Twickenham, the home of English rugby

One had foiled a master (and rather nasty) criminal

One is a single mum with 5(!) kids and holds down a full time job to support them all

(she wants more but can’t find a car big enough to carry them all - haha!)

One was blown up and had to have his nose sown back on

One at 40 has just found out they have Parkinson’s

Wow, huh?

All had incredible stories that made us laugh and gasp and wonder …

And “nothing special” they all said.

Just a room full of ordinary people - shrugging their shoulders and living their lives.

The ups and the downs,

The wows and the whys.

Dealing with life and all it throws at them as best they can.

Heading towards what they want as best they can.

And that is the fact of life.

It’s full of ordinary heroes.

Nothing special - but really - actually - it is a bit special isn’t it?

We are a talented bunch, but we just don’t realise it.

Now - All of these awesome people were in that room because they wanted a way of getting on top of their minds.

So they can live a life of quality.

Because they all have realised that the single biggest handbrake in their life exists between their own ears.

Thoughts, reactions, attitudes, expectations, plans …

All of that stuff that goes on in your mind.

So no matter what your life has been like.

What HAS happened to you,

What IS happening to you,

You can learn to have a choice.

A choice in whether you struggle and fight and let yourself be swayed by bad habits,

Or are calm, centred, content and full of enjoyment.

And what a difference that choice makes in living a productive and profound life.

OK?

So if you'd like more?

If you’d like a way of dealing with life’s curve balls with more style?

If you’d like a platform of being the best version of you, always?

I have a free guide to doing just that.

Get it here:

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

Go well!

Arjuna

The great kind of reminder

You know what I love best about my daughter?

It’s being reminded by her constantly of what’s really important.

First thing in the morning I take the chance to Ascend when she has a nap -

Quiet bubba means I can get quiet time and spend some time nurturing me.

She wakes with a huge smile on her face.

She’s so happy, just to be awake, alive, to see me

(I guess - maybe she's laughing at me? ha!)

What a great start to the day you know?

Such a reminder that I want to live life with a huge fat inner smile.

Adults get caught up in all sorts of games and mind trickery -

They forget the things that really matter …

In the busy-ness of life and getting stuff done -

We forget … you forget.

And that’s the cause of all your stress and struggle and misery …

Because you don’t remember what is really important to you.

You don’t prioritise what is really crucial to you.

You know?

So in this game of life, staying reminded, staying inspired is everything.

Everything!

What do you do to stay inspired?

How do you - yes you - stay motivated and reminded to do those things that make you come alive,

And live a life with a big fat inner smile?

It’s worth doing, isn’t it?

Here's a FREE guide on ways of staying reminded - and clear of stress and struggle:

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

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

Perhaps that’s why grandparents love being grandparents so much?

They’ve got the perspective -

They’re not trying to survive,

They’ve got that half step back from it all,

And because of that can really enjoy their time

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

You can’t do it

Impossible expectations and standards…

So often I hear from - especially mums - that they are sooooo useless because:

They can’t live up to the crazy mad standards they’ve set for themselves.

Like they’ve ditched the healthy diet they’ve been cooking for their kids - once

And fed them, I don't know, something SHOCKING, like fish fingers, from Iceland

(OMG)

Because they ran out of time,

Now they feel awful. Over the top awful.

Other mums seem to do it, and with style, and looking like they just stepped out of the salon, with a perfectly tidy house -

And running a small business on the side, seamlessly.

Yet they can’t, and they don’t.

I’m all for setting goals and standards, don't get me wrong.

But make sure they're achieveable.

Look at why you want to do what you want to do:

What’s important is setting a goal or expectation that is realistic, and fun, and you WANT to do it -

Rather than you NEED to do, because if you don’t achieve it you’re terrible, and useless, and stupid.

Sometimes too the best thing you can do is take a break.

Go easy.

You see - I have been so harsh on myself in the past,

And it just doesn’t work.

It doesn’t.

You become grey and joyless.

It isn’t fun and it isn’t effective.

So - slack off a touch.

See your mind and your thoughts and all this stuff around setting all these impossible standards.

WHO are you doing it for?

You?

Really?

Or is it to impress someone - maybe your mum?

Maybe those women at the school gate?

Comparison is a horrible game.

Do you REALLY want to do it?

If you don’t, quit it.

If you do, make sure you keep it enjoyable and go to it.

Don’t take yourself too seriously either.

Kills everything.

Good stuff -

Like to learn how to deal with all of these impossibilities?

Which are your OWN expectations and assumptions and result in SELF induced pressure?

Honestly, the best way I know how is to learn to Ascend,

And then practice the simple, fun, relaxing, rejuvenating and calming techniques,

Take a chill pill AND be more effective.

Awesome!

Here's a bunch of FREE ideas on how to end stress and pressure:

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

Go well,

Arjuna

PS.

It’s all about your attitude.

Your attitude can make or break anything.

True.

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

Overwhelming tasty tasty crisp desire

I like crisps.

More than any other snack -

Even sweet and salty popcorn,

Which is pretty darn tooting tasty.

And which I do get possessed over,

Grabbing handfuls and throwing into my face like some deranged Cookie Monster,

Elbowing everyone else out the way like a horde of senior citizens swarming a tea shop as tasty, tasty goodness fires up my taste buds.

(I was once run over in a tea shop by a bus load of seniors. A story for another day)

I could eat bags and bags of crisps and never stop.

Habits -

We all have things that we love to overindulge

Things we wished we didn’t do so much of, or at all

Things we wish we could change about ourselves.

Am I right?

Yes, I am right.

I am aware of my crisp addiction.

If there is an open bowl, I know I have to maintain the “half a step back” …

That sense of perspective and long term clarity to know I need to tread carefully and choose carefully.

So I don’t stick my face into the bowl and inhale every last one.

And then feel a little sick.

And remorseful.

And Sumati is angry with me cos I’ve snarfed all the crispy loveliness, again.

Resulting in: “I wish I hadn’t done that, again.”

Half a step back means I get perspective and clarity, and a foot on the brake.

You know it - for example,

When that anger comes?

And you’re able to take a half step back and not fly off the handle,

But deal with the thing in a reasonable manner?

Feels good, doesn’t it?

As opposed to losing it and then regretting it later.

Doesn’t feel good.

So: Common question I get:

How do I take a half step back and make the right choice when my habits come along?

Well, a question for you:

How to get good at, say, playing the guitar in the future?

Answer:

You have to practice now to get good then.

The practice?

Half step backs now.

Learn to detach from your head now while the going is good,

So when you’re challenged, it’s easier and simpler.

Exercise choice now so you can choose to form the habits you want.

So your habits don’t run you.

You run your habits.

OK?

That's what a free life is all about.

Giving you the tools and the guidelines so you have very real, very free CHOICE.

To do the things that you want to do, rather than being ruled by your habits.

Get my FREE guide and I'll tell you how:

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

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

Addictions and habits and beliefs?

They can be changed, simply.

Honest!

If you want to know how, hit me up, I’ll tell ye.

Or this will do the trick:

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

Hands free holiday

Just got back from holiday in France -

What a nice place - sun, surf, lemony tarts, wine …

Best thing?

I left my mobile at home.

SO good to put the phone down and not "have" to respond to people.

It was a physical relief to not use it - and I'm not really on it that much to tell you the truth.

It was so good I’ve extended my “on holiday” mode until, well, just about right now.

Crucial and vital to completely switch off.

And you know what?

I missed out on NOTHING.

Nothing urgent, nothing huge, nothing crucial.

And I found that even if people are asking for stuff -

If you leave them a few days they usually find out they can do it for themselves.

I think that since we’re so contactable people stop thinking.

They ask first and then realise later.

We think we need to be in contact ALL the time, and it’s not true.

Also - and I get it -

There’s a fear of a flood of messages upon your return.

Or missing out on something important, or some JUICY news …

And since maintenance is easier than catch up, you stay contactable, in touch, all the time.

But you never actually totally let go and relax -

You’re on the job always.

You never fully switch off, relax and recover.

And you can’t be with your kids and your partner totally.

I still laugh when I remember the story of a mum telling me that they were at the beach,

Mum was on her blackberry, again …

And daughter grabs the phone and chucks it in the ocean.

That woke mum up to how much she was ignoring her kids.

That made her realise what damage “just one more thing on the phone” was doing.

Heh heh.

Phones are great -

But you have to see your addiction to them.

And addiction of any sort is never good, it is always limiting.

You may think, I’m not addicted …

Well prove me wrong and put it down for just one whole evening.

Don’t check it for any reason -

Go on, money where your mouth is.

While it is fun to be connected,

You get so much more from periods of time being unconnected.

I’m not talking always and forever - just for a bit of time, every day.

Switching off, totally resting, recharging, getting away from ALL stimulus,

(Unless that’s the interpersonal type of stimulus - THAT there is A OK for your well being, if you get what I mean)

Connection with REAL people too …

How nice that is.

Your choice though, this whole life is your choice.

I think that’s what Ascension has given me big time:

Balance, clarity - the ability to see what I need, to see addiction,

To have the tools to put addiction and habits to one side,

To really connect with my life, right in front me.

If you don't know how to Ascend, well you're missing out!

But the best immediate and FREE thing you can do is read (and put into practice) this -

108 free ideas of switching off and being without stress, more alive and connected than ever before.

Claim your copy here:

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

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

My French is terrible,

I keep lapsing into Spanish.

Haha, that is confusing!

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

$185 paperclip … ?

So I see you can buy a PAPERCLIP for $185.

You could argue that it IS designed by those super stylish and oh so clever people at Prada,

AND is made of silver,

AND isn’t actually JUST a paper clip,

(even though it is a direct copy of one, just a little larger)

But is a money clip,

Therefore it is worth every penny.

How very nice …

But for what reason does such an object exist?

It’s like the gold pizza you can buy, and eat.

And - I’m not actually against people spending their hard earned dosh as they like.

However, I do scratch my head in amazement sometimes

Because:

Humanity works so hard to make money to buy things …

(now you are human, hopefully, so let me me address you personally - )

You work so hard to make money to buy things,

That you think will make you happy.

The things you buy are wonderful -

But don't totally satisfy the itch of “not quite satisfied …”

And therefore you work harder to buy more things in the hope that these things will give you what you want.

In the process, getting sick and stressed and grumpy …

Anxious and worried and resentful

And hating the journey along the way.

Not enjoying this moment, now, right here, right now -

Because you’re too busy looking for the future,

Where it will be better.

This moment - now - is, at best,

A bus stop, a waiting room, a street corner

That is to be endured while the better brighter hope comes along.

Get off the treadmill of future hoping for happiness.

Get off the treadmill of waiting for life to start, sometime.

Work hard and buy all the silver paperclips you like …

But get present, and don’t lose now.

OK?

If you do this?

So much enjoyment, so much Aliveness.

The end of struggle, the end of torturing yourself.

I promise.

You want that?

Here's a FREE (and short, easy to read) download that'll tell you everything you need to know to have that more:

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

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

Crikey.

I think someone spiked my coffee.

Feisty or what?

So - Are you in?

Are you excited about more Life?

Great, there is no end to the more you can experience:

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

No?

Perfectly happy thanks, fulfilled, at peace, nothing lacking at all?

Well done you. 

I'm not sure I believe you, but good on you anyway.

-

The END of boredom?

You ever had a most amazing experience?

Or even “just” a really cool one?

Of course you have -

(If you can't remember one, but would LIKE to have one or more - hang on in there and I'll explain ...)

Those moments when you were alive, so full of presence, so immersed in what was happening,

You forgot all your worries and dramas just for a moment (or two)

Super content, super satisfied - you were so far from dissatisfaction there didn’t exist any such thing as dissatisfied …

Yes.

Me too.

I would find those times a lot in nature -

Snowboarding down a steep, wild, powder slope.

Walking back up and doing it all over again, and again.

Kayaking some mad river that took a helicopter to get into -

And it seemed like I knew what the water would do half a second before it happened.

Wowsers!

Such aliveness and ease and fun …

You know?

You’ll have these moments, these fond memories -

Maybe they’re something wild and intense,

BUT sometimes they’re not.

What used to blow me away about these experiences,

What used to CONFUSE me about them -

Is that sometimes I would feel SO happy and complete JUST doing the dishes …

(And I really used to dislike doing the dishes)

How could these moments be wild and intense,

But ALSO pop up when doing something as mundane as housework??

Learning to Ascend, I now know why.

The core thing is not WHAT you are doing, but HOW you do it.

^^^^^

The more present, the more absorbed in the task in front of you?

The less you use it as a chance to think about something else?

The less you wish you could be doing something, anything else?

The more likely it is to be completely satisfying …

Totally Alive,

With total contentment.

The end of boredom is right there.

^^^^

And it all stems from a choice.

Your choice to show up to what you are doing.

Fill your life with memorable moments -

Notice when your head wants to take you away from what is right in front of you,

And instead be presence itself.

The end of boredom, the end of drudgery -

It all lies in your hands.

Want that?

Sure you do!

Who wouldn’t!

This is the way to getting it, and it's FREE for you to download:

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

Go well

Arjuna

PS.

Just tell that to your teenagers next time they tell you they’re bored

heh heh. 

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Rambo paints to be happy

OK - famous people …

Easy life, right?

Everything on a plate.

No struggle, no stress …

Need something? Just buy it.

All good …

Except when you’re chasing the wrong carrot -

Like 99.9% of the rest of the world.

What am I talking about?

Well - let's take a step sideways for a moment.

You see Sly Stallone is apparently a well sort after painter.

His paintings are actually well regarded - and not just because they have his name attached.

Now, how on earth did Rambo get into painting?

It ties in nicely for you and your life, here:

I remember reading Sylvester Stallone saying that he thought fame would solve his problems,

They solved some, but brought a whole host of different ones.

And never gave him what he REALLY wanted,

Which was freedom and happiness.

Sly found that not in fame or fortune, but through simply painting.

He found the zone, and being present -

And therefore freedom from his mind, and resulted in large amounts of happiness

All through being in the here and now.

Getting clear on what carrot you’re chasing after is super important.

If you chase the wrong one you can end up travelling very far and getting very frustrated as to why life isn’t giving you what you want.

I was the same.

I thought having my “achieve” list ticked would equal contentment and happiness.

I had my life as I wanted it, exactly …

House, money, friends, perfect job with plenty of time off, perfect location for kayaking and climbing and snowboarding,

All good, EXCEPT -

It didn’t equal satisfaction.

Which resulted in torture for me.

Confusion, hollowness, depression, “what am I doing wrong?”, “what’s the point anyway?” all going through my head at 3am in the morning.

Poor me, you may say.

A first world problem you may say.

You had everything, and you’re whining you may say.

Well I say: you know nothing Jon Snow …

And if you don't follow this advice, you’ll end up in the same place as Sly and me.

(we often hang out)

So:

You have to work out what is MOST important to you,

And then prioritise that in each and every moment.

If you don’t?

You’ll get to the end of your life and realise you wasted it,

Chasing the wrong thing,

Living a hollow life.

I”m not saying chasing money or fame or a family or your soul mate or any of that “external” stuff is irrelevant and unimportant,

I’m saying realise what will TRULY satisfy you and make that your foundation.

Then everything you throw on top - the money, the fame, the relationship, the kids -

Will be way more fun.

Sorting out the right carrot is the FIRST thing you should do.

And if you'd like to know more on that,

Download this free guide to getting this as well as more calm, less frazzle and stress:

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

Go well

Arjuna

PS.

You know why having the right foundation works so beautifully?

Because then everything else isn’t a NEED -

You don’t need it to be happy and fulfilled,

But you WANT it -

A whole world of difference when it comes to stress and enjoyment in getting the thing you want. 

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

Good news, bad news, who knows?

Have you ever had a bit of bad news,

And then it turns out to be good news actually, in the long run?

I know I have, looking back it especially comes apparent - when you're clear of it.

Amazing isn’t it?

The ol’ silver lining comes through -

So often we think we know what we want,

Until we get it.

And all the struggling and kicking and fighting all the way …

For what?

Even some of the most miserable times of my life -

I wouldn’t change them.

Simply because they gave me the motivation to find a way out,

To never go back,

To make sure my life had the internal stability,

The freedom from the external events,

So I could enjoy each and everything,

Each and every moment.

And not get stressed and anxious and depressed about anything:

To live life well -

No longer caught up in the whirlwind.

Independent of the rollercoaster,

And the hamster wheel.

To find that sense of satisfaction, joy and profundity that makes life so worth living.

That’s an internal thing -

A mindset, an attitude thing.

It’s knowing who you really are,

Beyond your age, gender, job, family, beliefs, hobbies, thoughts -

It’s being settled and anchored and able to freely choose.

The easiest, most rewarding and simple way to get that?

Without fuss, without effort?

The Bright Path Ishayas’ Ascension.

Honestly, hand on heart - that's why I'm here,

To tell you that you can have freedom from stress and struggle and being frantic -

A very simple set of tools that let you choose your destiny.

That allow you to remain half a step back from any news that seems “bad” …

Keeping it all in perspective and staying calm and content.

If you’d like that?

Here's a free download that'll give you 108 ways of having that:

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

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

Good news, bad news, who knows?

Can you see the future, how it will turn out?

Then it’s all assumption and appearance.

and that’s not real.

Find out what’s real - within you,

And live from that place:

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

Wonder Woman was pregnant!

I just found out Wonder Woman - Gal Gadot - was 5 months pregnant while completing filming.

(good film btw)

That is awesome.

Ever since I witnessed Sumati being pregnant I have a whole new world of respect for pregnancy,

To be pregnant and do all those stunts,

To squeeze into that costume, with those wedgey booty things,

(not sure how practical they are for real fighting, but hey - they looked good) …

Wowsers.

But that’s not all …

Found out that Serena Williams was also 2 months pregnant when winning her a grand slam tennis title.

Lesser known Dana Volmer - a US swimmer - competed in a national race also with a 5 months bun in the oven!

She said it was easier than chasing a small toddler around all day long.

Mind blown already.

A kid, pregnant, training and competing to a world level standard.

That seems like a whole different universe of alpha mum-mage right there.

Then you get that principal of that girls school who was in the office the DAY after giving birth.

She wanted to give the girls a message that they could do anything.

Fair play …

And if you’re one of those unstoppable mums who can do all of this and more,

Without breaking a sweat.

Good on you!

But …

There’s always a but isn’t there?

At what cost?

And I WAS wondering why so many mums talk to me about comparison.

About impossible standards -

Torturing themselves if they can’t juggle everything they used to juggle,

Or can't even remember their own names sometimes.

Wanting to do stuff, even every day stuff, and finding there’s a whole different game at play.

Little beings who demand your attention and commitment - your all.

You give it freely -

I see Sumati up all hours of the night breast feeding …

Then sometimes she’s wondering why she’s exhausted.

It’s just when you throw “I should be doing more” on top,

Not only you suffer, but everyone around you feels it too.

The resentment, the doubt, the comparison - to others, to your former self

Ouch.

The point is your own worst enemy exists in between your own ears.

Those beliefs and expectations and assumptions -

They are the things that make life what it is.

There are the facts of life,

Then there is our head that reacts and filters and warps these facts.

Deal with your head and then everything happens with so much more simplicity,

More enjoyment, more efficiency, more contentment.

I think that’s why so many mums love Ascension.

It gives them the ability to get out of their heads -

To reorder priorities and reduce self induced pressure,

To rest and recover,

To get rid of regret and resistance,

To gain stability in the chaos.

Here's a FREE download of a part of what I teach when you learn:

(Not the techniques, no, but some excellent ideas on getting going)

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

Ask if you have any questions!

Go well,

Arjuna

PS.

If you're a dad and wondering where you fit in with all this?

If you live with women?

You need to know all the above.

Awareness means you can understand.

Understanding means you can help and assist and make things easier.

And that is no small thing at all.

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

Bottlin’ it up

And I don’t mean bottlin’ as in losing your nerve and running,

I mean holding onto stuff,

Not speaking,

Not saying what you want, what you see.

Bottling it up, holding it in, not talking?

It just doesn’t work does it?

Talking about stuff helps so much.

Letting it out and conveying your truth …

Helps you get calm straight away.

A couple of things -

When somethings stressing or frustrating you, talking to someone helps.

But you want to choose someone who won’t let you go around and around in the story about it.

Because now there’s two of you adrift in misery.

You want someone who will listen, who will understand, yes -

But someone who will help you become more present.

Someone who will help you let go of your frustration,

Help you get out of your head and into the here and now.

Not indulge you in how unfair the whole thing is, and they’re all b@stards anyway …

OK?

The other thing:

Sometimes you need to say things that you know will make your voice shake a little when you do it -

You need to say it sooner rather than later,

Cos later means it comes out all wrong and even more emotional -

Like a beach ball held under water always eventually pops out in a huge explosion.

And you need to do it because it’s about your peace, you saying what you need to say.

It’s actually not even about the other person changing or even understanding.

Weird huh?

It’s about you getting something off your chest.

The thing that stops you is your belief that it’s not important,

Or “who am I to say this anyway?”

You know?

You’re not being bolshy, you’re speaking up in a clear and timely fashion.

A small pressure release now,

A small “ssssssssssst” now,

Rather than a huge explosion later.

Speaking your truth = sanity and calm.

So even if it takes a bit of courage, go ahead and get it done.

Go well!

Arjuna

PS.

I still don’t like doing this …

I’m not 100% comfortable with it,

But I know when I need to do it,

And I’m doing it for my own peace of mind,

As opposed to bottling it and it keeping me awake with frustration and regret and “I should have…” for weeks later.

So I do it, no matter what.

PPS.

To get that clarity of knowing what you need to say?

To step through the self-doubt and the “I shouldn’t”s?

Being present and mindful and stress free is the place to get to.

Here's how, a free download of 108 ways you can do this in YOUR life:

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