Mindfulness isn't enough

The other night I was talking to a couple of gentlemen who were very interested in stopping certain habitual thought patterns. In other words:

They were sick and tired of the same regret or worry resurfacing in their heads, time and time again.

One of the fellows had been thinking about the same incident for 20 years now, with no relief. Can you imagine being harassed by the same thought for 20 years, unable to come to any conclusion, or “let it go” as Elsa might sing.

I bet you can.

The horror.

But good on them for not giving up on looking for a way out.

Their doctors had tried everything - medication, all the way through to mindfulness.

Now there was something about mindfulness that intrigued them.

In the books they were reading they saw something there that could help give them some relief, help reprogram their minds.

My dabbling with mindfulness entailed being told to chew on a handful of raisins, one at a time - to do it mindfully, with awareness.

My question after a couple of attempts - which was exactly the same question as these gentlemen’s to me - was:

“what is the point?”

Why? What am I supposed to be getting from this?

The trouble with mindfulness as it’s generally being taught - and perhaps it’s more the way it’s being understood and perceived…

… is that its a little like being dumped in the ocean and told to swim for shore, but not told which direction to swim in.

Does that make sense?

You can be aware and mindful of anything: a handful of raisins, your breath, your body…

and it will give you some relief from your mind,

it will mean you become present,

but it helps so much more when you know what you are looking for.

And that’s when I learnt Ascension meditation I realised I hit the jackpot because suddenly I was given a direction to swim in.

I was given a vehicle that took me to the meditative state of being.

It brought me the maximum amount of calm and clarity in the shortest amount of time.

No longer was I adrift, hoping I would stumble upon the experience I was after.

I was given a seat on the bus that drove me there. No more guess work.

I can’t stress enough how not all meditation is equal.

“Just being mindful” sometimes means just floating around, not doing much.

If you want what I believe is the greatest tool that gives you what you want, that meditates for you, learn Ascension meditation.

It’s the business.

And I owe it to you to let you know that if you’re interested in this stuff, don’t mess around. Go for the best.

If you’re local, we begin tonight 7pm (Friday) and I’m sure we can squeeze one more in.

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Take it easy now!

- Arjuna

How do you cope with fear?

A question from Mandy who emailed me the other day: “Could you tell me more about fear? You talked about it this weekend, and what you said really resonated with me. I want a way out”.

Fear?

It's a habit of the mind in response to the unknown.

It's a jumping forward into a "what if?” - and your mind can come up with an array of gloriously fearful future scenarios:

All imagined, none of them real. They are all maybes.

But all of them with the ability to ruin your clarity and peace, and your hair mojo - if you let it.

What is real?

What is right in front of you, right now.

And cake. Cake is real.

For your peace - and sanity - it's important to attend to what is right in front of you, to the facts that you have right now.

This is real, right here, nothing else.

Base yourself here.

The mind only comes up with what might happen. That’s not real. It is a possibility.

You need to know the difference. And be present to now.

The future will always be uncertain, but the fact is - despite years and years of fear and possibilities and maybes and what if’s - despite all of it, you are still alive! You made it this far!

As Mark Twain was supposed to have said:

“I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.”

Very wise.

You'll see your mind jumping into the future more and more, so just bring it back, keep bringing it back.

It’ll get clearer and clearer, simpler and simpler.

Of course, if you want a way of not only being present but removing the roots of those fearful habits - because your fears are individual to you, and have their source in your mind - Ascension meditation is an excellent way of doing that.

It resets the limiting patterns and habits so simply, and so effortlessly.

This weekend is the course - only a couple of seats are left.

If you want one:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Have a great day! - Arjuna

What you focus on, grows

I have a friend who is in Rwanda and the Congo teaching Ascension meditation to genocide survivors.

She was telling me some incredible stories, full of heart ache and pain, that these guys have been through - and because of that - how much they embrace the simple goodness of being alive.

Humans are amazing, in so many different ways.

What we focus on, grows.

When we focus on the important things, humanity really shines.

And I believe that’s the key - keeping what is important in perspective.

You have so much, and yet it is so easy to fall into a rut and a trap of focussing on what you don’t have. On what is wrong.

Compared to someone who has lived through war and genocide, you are golden.

If anything your only problem is that you don’t realise how much you have to be grateful about.

The trick is having a rock solid way of remembering and seeing clearly everything that is decent and great.

Of celebrating the goodness, the small miracles, of staying aloft of the negativity.

It’s not easy - because of the habits of your mind.

But it can be simple. It can become a choice.

A practice, a technique that you use to rise above all of the negativity - I would say - is essential.

But then I know what life was like for me before Ascension meditation, and I know what life is like for me now.

I am the same person - but I have a way of consistently focussing on what I want to grow in my life.

I have a practice that means the ability to remain positive and focus on the good has become second nature.

It is simple to remain present and alive to the life that is right in front of me.

I can hand on heart say that worry and doubt and fear is a choice.

Wouldn’t that be a nice foundation from which to live your life?

Indeed.

I’m not special - if I can, so can you.

If you want that, what you might like to do is join me on this weekend’s Ascension meditation course.

We begin at 7pm Friday and it’s going to be an awesome course.

The house is full but there is room for a couple more.

It will be my last course like this for some time - I’m not stopping teaching Ascension, no way, it’s too much fun, too transformative, but the audience is going to be a lot more niche, specific.

If you want in, click here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Have a great day, okay?

• Arjuna

PS.

Go on - if there is one thing you should do in this life, it is learn to meditate properly.

Don’t dabble, don't be doing with books, learn a solid technique, properly structured so you have it easy.

You want it easy, and it can be:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Transformation is not for everyone...

Is transformation for everyone? Actually, is Ascension meditation for everyone?

No, I’m afraid, to both.

It isn’t for those who are content with staying as they are.

It isn’t for those who are ok with having a “so-so” life.

It isn’t for those who are happy to continue to point the finger at everyone else and blame them for what’s happening in their life.

It isn't for those who sit back and are a drain on their partners, their families, friends, work colleagues.

It isn’t for anyone who wants to continue to live in limitation.

In fact it’s not for very many people at all.

Ascension meditation…

…speaking of which, my very last course for some time is this weekend, and at the time of writing there were only a few seats left…

Ascension meditation isn’t for those who want everything given to them without being prepared to sacrifice (not much, just a little) to get it.

If you are one of these people who want a magic pill, or who have no interest in changing, then please don’t sign up for the course.

You will hate it.

Because I will gently, but continually, point the finger back at your own heart:

“What do you want to do?”

“What can you do?”

“What will you do?”

I will give you the tools and the understanding, everything you need to live a life of freedom…

… to live your life 200%, with more of everything:

+ more calm, focus, happiness

+ more ability to give and care and love

+ more clarity, perspective, courage, creativity and intuition

+ more rest and rejuvenation

+ more contentment, fulfilment and purpose

(Whew. That’s a whole lot of more.)

And then set you free to make your choices in the best way possible.

If you need help or assistance or support or anything to get back on your own feet I will give you everything I can…

…no matter how many times you trip up.

Since Ascension isn’t for everyone, when you make the decision and commit and walk in the door and practice you are a rare human indeed.

Because you want to live a heroic life.

And because of that, I want to help you however I can.

So - keeping on doing what you can do to live the greatest life you can.

One foot in front of the other.

If you want a seat at this weekend’s Ascension meditation course, and I do strongly recommend it, then click here to sign up:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/ Have a superb day! Arjuna

PS. Truly - the best tools for personal transformation, effortlessly and enjoyably, are right here.

If you want more, you want to be on this course:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/ Be seeing you!

Whatcha doing tonight? (webinar)

Whatcha doing tonight? If just watching TV, hanging out, cutting the toe nails, maybe you want to tune in to Arjuna TV as well?

I have a webinar, which I think are wonderful things.

You don’t even have to get off the couch. Just grab that laptop and click on the link and be informed and entertained.

It would be nice if you had any questions you could manage to type them in, but really, who wants to have their questions answered?

That was a rhetorical question. You don't need to answer that one.

If it's boring, you don't even need to ninja sneak out the back. You just switch off.

Amazing!

So - Tonight (Sunday) 8pm I deliver a webinar on meditation and mindfulness.

Getting calm and being focussed and having more fun than the Dalai Lama, all through closing your eyes.

How to start a practice, how to continue one.

The mistakes that you will make or are making, unless you’ve been taught well (and listened), because humans are humans and we make the same mistakes, sometimes over and over again. Forewarned is forearmed though, ay?

The brain surgery of meditation (i.e. it’s not rocket science) - the uncommonly known yet once you do how obviously common sense they should be (if that makes any sense to you)

Some tweaks, some different perspectives, some motivation, maybe some inspiration and hopefully some laughs.

Because life is too short for seriousness.

Get your virtual seat here:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9161850336915870209 See you tonight! Arjuna __________________

P.S.

Wanna come to the Ascension meditation course next weekend? My very last one for some time. I'm a changing things up.

There are still a very seats left at the low low price of £200

Which includes the ability to resit for free for the rest of your life…

And all the support and follow up you need, again - for the rest of your life.

A bargain. And what price is your peace?

You can do this - Ascension is so simple my 5 year old niece can. It is so powerful it literally gives you your life back.

With a 30 day money back guarantee, you can't go wrong.

Sign up here: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

I'm getting married in 4 weeks time, but I have no ring!

In just over 4 weeks I’m getting married. Hurrah! So many things to do and plan and all of that. And you know what?

I still haven’t bought the ring.

I bought “a” ring, but not “the” ring.

Thing is, I have no idea what the fiancee likes.

I’ll walk past a shop window and think, “she’ll like that”…

And so I subtly and smoothly steer the lady past the window…

…and subtly and smoothly mention that particular item of clothing “looks good” in a subtle and smooth attempt to survey opinion,

At which point the fiancee will make motions like throwing up and funny gagging sounds will come out of her mouth.

This, I have learnt, means “no you are wrong, and a fool for thinking so. You have no style”.

I have learnt from repeated application of this process that I don’t know what she likes.

And of course - the ring - an expensive and life-long lasting item needs to be just right.

Imagine my panic.

Well, imagine my panic if I wasn’t applying my super Zen Ascension meditation techniques…

How can I get down on one knee and propose without a ring in hand?

Simple. Just propose when my heart was about to burst, impromptu-ly.

Impromptu is sometimes the best - no rehearsal, just seat of the pants jump in and see what the moment needs.

As you may suspect…

…it was a disaster…

In that I was smooth and suave and romantic as a blubbering, hiccuping 41 year old man can be when he’s trying to speak…

…but a success in that she said yes.

We actually went out post-proposal and found a huge, ginormous dazzler in a shop in Spain for the very reasonable sum of…

3 euros.

Four completely real CZ stones in an authentic look alike gold band (that hasn’t worn off yet) for 3 euros! A bargain!

I thought - naturally - the ring situation was resolved, but apparently not.

She wants “a real one”.

And so we’re shopping.

The upside of this for you?

Hopefully it’s a moral in cheap never lasts, or satisfies, or something like that. Especially where wedding rings are concerned.

But it’s true. You will never regret investment in something that is of value to you.

(How much is being calm, clear and content worth to you?)

So if you want to help yourself, and a brother out (I need to pay for the ring), book on to the Ascension meditation course.

Right here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

After the webinar will do, if you’re waiting and seeing what I'm like - which is fine and totally understandable (details in the p.s.)

Go well! Arjuna _________

P.S.

webinar - Sunday 10th 8pm (UK)

The secrets of a monk: meditation and mindfulness and mindset for being effortlessly unruffled.

Cool as a cucumber in all situations. How to practice the least to get the maximum results.

Find real freedom of choice - rather than having your buttons pushed and reacting.

Some fine help on ditching stress and struggle and living a life that is 200% full:

100% enjoyment and efficiency in everything you do 100% calm, contentment and inner fulfilment

Register for the webinar here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9161850336915870209

Be like Rob - just do it!

How y’all this morning? Been hanging out with some Texans via Skype, and I do love the accent. I’m sure the fiancee will get used to it soon enough.

My good man Rob Fowler wrote to me yesterday, and I was as proud as a new father, proud as can be, proud as punch.

You see, he came along to an Ascension meditation course about seven weeks ago.

He was skeptical, but willing (one of my favourite type of lab rats).

Doubt is a wonderful thing…

…as long as you’re willing to prove it to yourself…

i.e. “does this work? I’m not sure. But how will I know unless I practice for a period of time? Hmmmm…. Therefore I will practice for a period of time and then make a decision”.

= Smart!

You can doubt and do nothing, and therefore gain nothing, you just stay there, a little stuck.

= Not so smart.

You see, the more the person doubts, but is willing to give it a go, the bigger the smile when they get the pay off.

Rob’s smile is huge at the moment.

Skeptical was he, but practice he did do, just as I suggested he should.

The result? =============

“There have been times when my head is crammed with thoughts, but no matter how I'm feeling I know things will look a darned sight better after Ascending. I love that you can't do it wrong!

Suddenly I feel there are endless possibilities in my life… I had been in somewhat of a rut… but now feel I have so many options and choices in what to do and where to go… It's almost overwhelming.

I'm continually surprised by all this!”

=============

I knew it. I told him. He trusted me enough to listen, learn, and then put into practice.

He is now set for life.

He has something that will continually grow and surprise him,

shaping his life by giving him very real freedom,

very real choice, no longer held back by self-doubt and limitation,

or stress and struggle and mental and emotional suffering.

Meaning he won’t get stuck in any more ruts,

Life will never be “so-so”.

Just living life exactly as he wants to, as fully as can be, squeezing the most out of every single moment.

So I’m super proud of him.

For being willing to do something different. To trust a stranger enough to put aside doubt and follow the so simple instructions.

And to reach out afterwards and get the help and support and guidance that is always available to the asker.

Be like Rob!

If you’re still not sure - just try it.

If you don’t like up to 30 days - I will give you your money back, fully.

Or I coach you personally like I do my private one on one clients until you get the results you want.

But don’t dilly dally, don’t sit on the fence any longer.

Time, and seats, are short.

Sign up here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/ Have a superb day! Arjuna “proud of my boy” ______

P.S.

If you want more info before you jump in - I’m hosting a webinar on Sunday 8pm (UK time).

I got all sorts of goodies to share with you, and yet still just a taster of what I’ll be teaching over the course of the Ascension meditation weekend. It's going to be great.

For the webinar, register here:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9161850336915870209

Tune your instrument

I have several professional musician friends and one pointed out to me something I wanted to share with you. Musicians always tune their instruments, before every performance, before every practice. Always.

If you consider for a moment, your mind is your primary instrument. It is the thing that you do everything with. Everything.

Why don’t you “tune” your mind, first thing in the morning?

Why don’t you tune before any “performance”? Before you do anything of significance?

Why not tune at night, to have an enjoyable evening, to have a deep sleep?

Because the average human doesn’t know the importance of putting the mind in tune.

They think the way the mind is, is the way the mind is.

Sometimes you’re lucky and everything is firing.

Sometimes you’re unlucky and you fall apart.

Sometimes you fall apart so much it takes quite some time to put yourself back together again.

And that, to be frank, is not a nice experience.

What if it need not be about luck?

What if you could learn a systematic method for tuning your mind, making sure it plays sweet harmonies, and not discordant misery?

You’re not an average human. You’re reading this for a reason.

What do you want from your mind, and from your life?

If you're like me you want more, everything in fact. You’re a searcher.

I have what you are looking for, the very thing that - with a modicum of commitment on your behalf - will allow you to tune your mind perfectly.

When the mind is in harmony, you can really begin to live.

When you leave it to luck, you’re bound to struggle and stress.

And it’s time to make a decision whether you will, or you won’t…

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about finally figuring out how to leave stress and struggle and self-doubt and self-sabotage behind,

How to be a source of real comfort, inspiration and joy to your partner, family and friends,

To be so present and focussed the limitations of your head become irrelevant,

and each moment comes so alive, so rich and fulfilling,

then fence sit no longer:

This is the last course that I’m doing in this way for the foreseeable future. Things are changing, I’ve got some exciting plans to do things differently.

Sign up here: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

As always - stay present, and full of peace!

Have a great day Arjuna __________

PS.

Webinar - your place - Sunday 10th April 8pm (UK time)

If you want to meet me in person first before jumping on the course, fair enough.

Here’s your chance. And I’ve got some new approaches and perspectives I thought I’d share at the same time.

It’ll help make a meditation practice so much easier and simpler, and a life so much easier and simpler.

And will just be a hint of what I’m sharing on the Ascension meditation course.

Register here for the webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9161850336915870209

I'm saying goodbye

In less than two weeks I’m doing my last Ascension meditation course. Yup - I’ve been thinking about a few things and it’s time for a change of direction.

Currently I’m full on with teaching the Army bomb disposal units to be calm and clear under pressure using - of course - meditation,

Which is super exciting:

Word is spreading in the bases and formerly super skeptical real men bloke soldiers are queueing up to be taught how to meditate.

Who would have thought?

I knew they would get this brand of no-nonsense, extremely practical, "it just works" tool that tames the mind. I just thought it would take longer to get this kind of momentum.

And increasingly more and more outdoor fellows are knocking, looking for the key to conquering their fears. To get their heads and past mishaps out of the way so they can do the things they want to do.

I’ll tell you more soon, but unless you’re a soldier or a kayaker, climber, mountain biker, surfer, skier, snowboarder, fell runner, extreme outdoor gardener, etc etc, it’s going to be tough to get on a course with me.

Which is to say:

If you have been toying with learning Ascension meditation your chances are limited.

Time is running out.

Consider this a gentle little PUSH to make a decision, and invest in a course that will forever change the way you live your life…

Forever change the way you’ve let the grey little voice in your head dictate and run everything you do.

The worry, self-doubt, the anger, the frustrations.

The stress, the sense of not being in control of your life,

Being unable to let go of the past, feeling like you are constantly being run on a hamster wheel of thoughts.

Knowing that life could be so much better, but you just don't know how to live it.

If you’re tired of any of that, and you want to choose to be calm, clear and content whenever and where ever.

To be present and alive to this moment…

Have relationships that are fulfilling and complete.

To live a life that you can say is truly worth living.

With the most simple - yet powerful - practice I could ever imagine (and I’ve imagined and looked and hunted)

Then get on board now or… well, don’t. Carry on as you are.

Seats are going. The venue is bulging full - there’s no more accommodation left (but I can point you in the direction of a B+B)

So, do not delay:

Sign up now: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Questions? Just email me, I’m so happy to help.

Have a great day! Arjuna

_____________

p.s.

of course if you’d like to meet me first, and I don’t blame you…

I’m going to do a webinar to explain my approach to meditation and mindfulness.

It'll be a download of sorts...

Giving all kinds of tweaks and tips and hints on what to do, how to get started, common mistakes that even long timers make - everything I can think of that would be of use to a beginner, and someone who already has a  practice.

It's going to be a doozy - register here and bring your questions: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9161850336915870209

Sunday 10th April 8pm (UK time)

See you there!

The Tibetan word for meditation is spot on

I learnt the other day that the Tibetan word for meditation is “familiarisation”.

And I thought, “how perfect!”.

You see, when you meditate the overwhelming response is to be thinking you need to get rid of your thoughts.

The idea is that when the thoughts are gone, meditation begins.

This is not so. It is the source of so much straining and trying and subsequent giving up when people try to meditate.

Meditation is exactly what the Tibetans say it is. Becoming familiar with what is already there.

NOT getting rid of anything, but seeing clearly.

Seeing clearly, with awareness, means your perspective can widen. It means you can be at peace with what is. It means your body can rest at deeper and deeper levels.

In awareness there is also choice. You have a significantly different relationship with your mind, and with your life. Choice becomes more and more real, more alive: Choice in how you live, how you react, how and what you do.

So next time you close your eyes do it to see what is there, not to get rid of, not to achieve anything.

Just sit and watch. Familiarise yourself with what presents itself to you.

If you want to know all about being more familiar with your own mind through meditation and mindfulness...

I have just the thing, a webinar for you:

Sunday 10th April 8-9pm, for more information and to register, go here:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9161850336915870209 It's going to be a doozy!

I'm going to outline a lot of necessary and yet uncommonly known information and practices that will make not only a practice of meditation simpler and easier, but your life simpler and easier.

Who doesn't want that?

Click on here for more info, and to register.

You know - I have to say it cos I'm really passionate about it:

The other option, if you're serious about your quality of mind and your quality of life, is just to jump in and learn Ascension meditation.

The reason I bang on so much about it is because the Ascension techniques bring you effortlessly to a state of familiarity and awareness.

They meditate for you. All you have to do is sit down and use them.

People say that they already meditate and so why should they learn Ascension? And so I get them to learn and then they see the difference. “Oh….!” The penny drops.

That’s why I’m confident enough to offer a money back guarantee. 30 days after learning if you think it hasn’t given you what I said it would give you, you get your dosh back.

I think that is supremely fair. It allows you to give Ascension meditation a decent shot, to see what happens for you. How else will you know?

So - if you’d like to come along and familiarise yourself with yourself, sign up here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Time is getting closer - the course runs 15-17 April (begin 7pm Friday).

Any questions at all about all this stuff, hit reply!

Have a great day - Arjuna

The greatest athlete the world has ever seen?

The greatest athlete the world has ever seen? No, not me, but thanks all the same. I was talking about Michael Phelps.

Michael Phelps, if you don’t know, is a swimmer.

Actually, that’s a bit like saying Lionel Messi is a football player. Phelps is THE swimmer. He’s won more medals than any other Olympic athlete, ever.

What a legend.

It was one of the rare times that I as soon as it was finished, I immediately re-watched his Under Armour commercial on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh9jAD1ofm4

Go seek it out immediately, and if it doesn’t give you goose bumps you need a nervous system transplant (or something like that).

I have a soft spot for swimming - I was a competitive swimmer back in the day so I know a little of what it takes. 4 hours in the pool six days out of seven, four gym sessions on top of that - at least.

What impresses me the most is his consistency. His first Olympics was at 15, he’s now 31.

He’s been racing at an unbelievable level for at least 16 years. And he’s still looking for another gold medal.

What do you think his mental focus is like just to carry off that kind of training, let alone the pressure of competing?

How much do you think he listens to the whiney voice in his head?

He just does what he does to the very best he can no matter what, day in, day out.

Granted - the guy has many other boxes ticked, but awesome things get done for anyone when you get your mind in the right place.

Bruce Lee said it too: “The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus”.

Laser like focus doesn’t mean harshness. It means being able to place your attention on the thing that you want, and ignoring everything else.

And it’s less about strain and more about consistent application.

In other words - practice. That’s it. It’s what you do if you want to get better.

It helps if you practice the few things that get you results the fastest - but after learning these, the bottom line is just doing it.

Simple practice means you can have a super solid foundation in mental fitness so whatever you do, you do well, and easily.

If you are aware of how important getting your mind in the right place is to everything that you do, you just practice.

If you don’t practice, nothing happens. That’s okay too, if you’re happy with a mind that is all over the place.

That there is your choice.

If you are interested in a tool and the understanding that will get your mind tuned to perfect focus so you can make the most of everything you do, I can help.

Ascension meditation - simple, enjoyable and powerful.

You just do it, and you get results. I promise you that.

It fits into your life with the minimum of fuss. You'll look forward to practicing. I promise you that as well.

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Keep the Peace! - Arjuna

What's worse than cancer?

It seems like everywhere I turn at the moment someone is getting a cancer diagnosis. Two people on this email list in the last week alone have written and told me they have come back from the doctor with bad news.

It’s something that’s in my world a lot.

My mother in law to be, an awesome lady who lives right next door, has been living with cancer on and off ever since I’ve known her.

Here’s the thing that she shows me every time I see her:

She lives knowing that there is something worse than cancer by far, and that is worry.

The power of your own mind is incredible. Worry will eat you alive far quicker than anything else.

And so she goes in the opposite direction. She goes over the top to be grateful and positive and have as much fun as she can.

Of course she has moments, but over the years, and along with her Ascension meditation practice, she's gotten really expert at staying on the right side of the line.

Worry can be a great lesson, actually.

Whatever you worry about - regardless of whether it’s cancer or money or security or your loved ones, it can show you what the mind does to you.

It projects fear into the future so much you miss out on the reality of this moment.

And it never helps -

It only paralyses you, meaning you do nothing but spin around in little circles in your head.

You end up missing out on life; a grey, anxious filter comes down and affects your whole world.

However - if you can see this happening, you can see you still have a choice.

You always have a choice.

You can focus on what is wrong - which has one set of results;

Or, like my mum in law to be, you can focus on what is right - which has another set of results.

Choose to stay present and be positive and grateful and remember to enjoy what you do have, right in front of you.

And then from that mental state your body has a far better chance of dealing with the problem.

I can’t say it enough times - your inner outlook changes everything.

In life by far the biggest game is in your own head.

Winning the inner game makes the outer game simple.

If you need help with this - come and learn Ascension meditation:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

I give you the tools and the understandings to become the master of your own mind to such a degree you never knew was possible…

and there is a community of constant support for you to plug into if you wish for times like cancer when the mind goes crazy on you.

The next course is 15-17 April, only a few weeks away now.

I don’t know when the next one will be, simply because I’m getting hitched and then running away on honeymoon.

Get in before the fiancee does!

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

As always, if you’ve already learnt you are so welcome to come back to resit all or part of the course. It would be great to have you here again.

Take it easy out there, and if you need anything just write, - Arjuna

Stay right where you are!

With the nieces and nephews about the house over the weekend there was much talk of super heroes. And then there’s the new Batman versus Superman film.

We love super powers. If you had a super power, what would it be?

In my study of humanity, the super power that just about everyone ALREADY possesses is time travel.

We are addicted to it, actually.

Backwards and forwards, so much so the average person hardly spends any time actually in the same place as their body.

Now every time I talk about this someone always says, “but you have to look back to learn from your mistakes and look forward because planning is so important”.

And they would be right, except that is ALL humanity does.

Learning from the past is simple. If it didn’t work, do it differently. If it did work, do it again.

Planning for the future is also. What do you want? How are you going to get there?

But we don’t keep it simple. The amount of time spent trying to learn and plan is awesome.

And it’s reflected in the amount of regret and worry and trying to predict and control that is done. Over the top reminiscing, constant hoping.

Not a great way to live, simply because you miss out on the beauty of this moment.

All of your greatest moments have been cos you were right here, totally immersed in them.

It may have been doing the dishes, it may have been your wedding, it may have been the birth of your kids - the event didn’t matter, your attention to it mattered.

Want a better life?

Be more present. Get out of your head, use your senses more. Be alive to what is happening in your body. Breathe - deep.

Then you’ll really be a super hero.

A super hero’s secret weapon?

Has to be Ascension meditation. The best way to bring you out of your head into a state of presence. Easy and fun to practice, means you want to practice more.

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

The more you practice, the more you come alive, the more present you are to your life as it happens in front of you.

Not how you wish it did happen.

Not how you think it should happen.

But how it is actually happening.

So if you want to learn to show up for your own life, to not miss another moment, this weekend course is just for you:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

I give you everything you need, you go away and you practice. If at any stage you have a question, I’m here to help.

Want to come back and resit? Absolutely for free, for the rest of your life, anywhere you find a course in the world.

Awesome I say.

Sign up here: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Stay right where you are! - Arjuna

You ever wonder if there is more? And how you get it?

You ever wonder if there is more to life than what you are living? Do you ever think, “you know, my life is great, I have so much and I enjoy a big chunk of what I do, but there feels like there is just something missing?”

I did, constantly.

I pushed my way past this feeling that something wasn’t quite right by filling up with working harder: 

I took over my flatmate's garage based business resoling rubber rock climbing shoes for a spell, I would throw myself into adventures in the outdoors, I would travel, read and learn and explore, I would do as much as I could.

Life was really full up - and I found that I could cover up this hollow feeling inside pretty successfully, but unfortunately only temporarily, only short term.

It would spring back with a vengeance, the feeling being right in my face. “Something is lacking.” “There’s more to life that you’re not living.”

Tough times indeed, because I looked around at everything I had and I did, the people around me, and I knew I had a wonderful life, truly wonderful.

But why didn’t a wonderful life match internal satisfaction?

Why was I always hunting for more?

Why did it feel like I could never rest, content and enjoy what I had?

Why was I never happy?

It’s tricky when an external world doesn’t equal internal fulfilment.

Nothing in the world can fill that hole, nothing. No amount of achievement, or boldness, or distraction or sedation.

I read an interview with Sylvester Stallone and he said exactly the same thing happened for him.

He thought fame and fortune would give him what he wanted. When he got fame and fortune, and found that it didn’t fill the need in his heart, he said it was one of the worst times in his life.

The only thing that gave me internal satisfaction was learning Ascension meditation.

Somehow these simple little techniques that I was given meant I found peace.

A peace that meant I could finally enjoy each and every moment - no longer looking for the next thing.

A practical peace too - although I stopped trying to tear the world apart looking for satisfaction, the fullness and perfection of this moment meant everything I did became more effective, and more enjoyable.

It was truly a life saver.

The funny thing was I thought I was the only one to have this feeling. After becoming an Ishaya and starting to teach, I met many many more people just like me.

It was, and is, so wonderful to give them the keys to the other half of themselves.

Meditation really does add more to you, it really does "fill" you out.

Some friends from New Zealand have made a documentary all about the changes in people’s lives from learning Ascension meditation.

The trailer is beautiful, you can see it here:

http://www.choicethefilm.com/en/trailer/

Whatever the question, the answer is always within you. Learning to find that, to listen and get clear isn’t difficult, it just requires pointing in the right direction, and a little practice.

Enjoy the trailer: http://www.choicethefilm.com/en/trailer/

Have a wonderful day, - Arjuna

Resurrection time

So Easter - almost done and dusted. I’m almost recovered from man flu. The nieces and nephews have almost finished eating all their chocolate and almost finished destroying the house. It’s all good, actually. I really like having them around. Perhaps it's time to get some? I know the fiancee is keen. How hard can it possibly be? (heh heh).

Easter!

At the core of the old story is resurrection. Of coming alive again. A come back. I think sometimes we can get down, and just stop doing the things that take us where we want to go. We make one small mistake or have one set back and it causes us to stop doing anything.

You know that?

I know I've been feeling distinctly unmotivated the last few days. Flu and what not doesn't help either.

But being unmotivated is okay. I know from past experience that it won't last forever.

The thing that used to get me most is thinking in this path of becoming the best version of myself that there would be certain hurdles only in the beginning.

You know - resistances and complaints, inner sabotage of a type that unless you’re aware to it, it just comes and gets you, simply because you are unaware of that controlling voice, that controlling story that throws the brakes on whatever you want to do.

But these hurdles, these voices and resistances aren’t only there in the beginning. It appears that they will be there constantly.

So the trick to getting around them is expecting them.

Instead of barricading yourself in as they bang and push on your door, you simply swing the door wide open on them and watch them fall on their faces as you step over them to a brighter future.

A mistake or a set back isn’t proof that you can’t do the thing you set out to do or that you're "useless", it can be just something that happened.

If anything, getting too wrapped up in mistakes and setbacks are just proof that you are too hard on yourself.

Don't beat yourself up.

Let the ebbs and flows of life come and go.

If you're feeling great, well great, full steam ahead.

If you're not feeling so great, no worries my friend. Take a moment. Take two.

Take the time you need to regroup - and you will regroup - so you can then sally forth once again.

Resurrect and live again! Huzzah!

All it’ll take is a little awareness - so you can be sensitive to what this moment needs, to what you require now. And a little determination, so you don't just give up.

Want more of both?

Meditate.

And here’s how: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Have a great day, and keep on trucking - in all ways - Arjuna

The Joy of Eggs

We’ve got a house full of kids for the Easter weekend. The fiancee's cousin's family are up. Easter bunny egg hunt has just been completed, and what fun that was.

Seeing life through a little person’s eyes is a great thing.

What I loved most was seeing their little faces all lit up at finding a ribbon tied to a tree. Wouldn’t it be nice to be that overjoyed at something so simple? I think when we grow up we forget too much of that joy of just living that a little guy has.

Of course there is the mayhem and the tantrums and all the rest - that is a definite something to outgrow.

But to retain the sense of innocence is something special - and rare.

Adults just seem to get stuck in the mundane, in the “to do” lists, they forget the purpose of life.

What is the purpose of life?

One thing I know, the purpose of life sure isn’t just survival.

Aristotle said it was to be happy.

And to be certain, this is a happiness based in living a life that is worth living.

Not finding a kind of happiness by attempting to hide away from the challenges of it - that’s hollow as an easter egg - but jumping in and giving it your best shot.

I honestly don’t know how I would even attempt living a life worth living without a solid internal foundation.

Where the mind becomes a faithful servant, and not a neurotic overlord.

Being mentally fit and flexible means you can thrive in all circumstances. And be innocent enough, fresh enough, to enjoy each and every moment of it.

You know what I’m going to say - and I’ll bang on about it until you find a way to learn or you unsubscribe (link is always below) - if you want the simplest, most powerful way of making your life better in all ways, you should avail yourself of learning Ascension meditation.

I give you everything you need to learn to meditate, and live, like a legend.

The next course is not that far away - 15-17 April - and knowing what I know now about the ability of this course to transform, I wouldn’t wait for the next one, I really wouldn’t.

Humans have an infinite ability for postponing. And by postponing here, you are postponing Happiness and Life (both capital letter jobs).

Sign up here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

It’s totally risk free too. If within 30 days you don’t think it’s worth the money, I’ll refund the course fee straight back to you.

Right here: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Take care, and as always, enjoy each and every moment. - Arjuna

A question of what you really want

I’m still sick. On the couch, feet up, lemon and honey at hand. Actually, I'm well on the road to recovery, but I've decided to take another day just to really kick this cold into touch.

I’ve done my restorative and healing Ascension meditation all morning so I thought a quick little email couldn’t hurt.

Today is all about priorities.

Peace - calm - happiness - clarity - fulfilment - whatever the thing is that you want can only come to you when you make it a priority.

The last course I taught over the weekend showed me that, again.

The people said they wanted the good qualities of life but were also saying they had no time to practice.

We have a dilemma.

Do you really want what you say you want?

If you did, surely it would be simple to set aside the small amount of time necessary to get what you want.

Surely?

And these guys I was talking with are all people who have learnt Ascension meditation. It’s not like they don’t know what to do. They have the keys to the greatest, simplest, most powerful vehicles in the whole world - they just don't use them.

The hardest thing about Ascension meditation is just sitting down and making time. Which is great, because making time is simple when you are committed to what you want from it.

It is, as they say, a no brainer.

But, on the other hand, getting what you want - say peace and clarity, or living a completely stress-free life - is almost impossible if there is not at least a small sense of prioritising those things.

It always comes back to what you really want. What you are truly committed to always is reflected back at you, in your life.

Make living a life of ease and joy a priority and everything is straightforward from there.

You ready to do that?

I’m ready to teach you what you need:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Peace is a piece of cake when you have the right priorities and the right tools. Without one of those ingredients it’s a bit trickier.

Up to you though - completely up to you.

If I were you, I would make it so.

That’s the view from the couch. Take it easy. - Arjuna

Man flu strikes

I think my trip to Ikea I told you all about yesterday must have taxed me to the limit of my endurance. I woke this morning with a sore throat. Now I don’t like being sick, but what can you do?

Moan and whine a bit? Man flu can do that to a man.

But looks like I might just have to go for the plain old acceptance route, let go, park the “to do list”, and put my feet up.

Be nice to get some more time in with the Ascension meditation techniques. I saw a study once that said that meditation during a flu or cold meant whatever was ailing you healed quicker and more completely than your average non-meditating person.

Of course I didn’t keep the reference because I’m dozy like that, but closing my eyes is worth a shot anyway.

It might be something you could remember next time you are coming down with something.

Instead of pushing through, take a little more time to rest - if at all possible - and let the body heal up.

I’ve learnt the hard way that unless I listen to my body and give it what it requires, it just whacks me later, stronger and for longer. I’d rather have a quick cold than a lingering monster of one.

So to lemon and honey all round!

If you’d like to join me on the coolest meditation course since meditation was invented, one that may possibly help accelerate the healing process (scientific references depending), one that is enjoyable and so straightforward even a baboon could (possibly) learn it and practice in ease, then I have the thing for you:

Ascension meditation weekend course, 15-17 April (we begin 7pm on the Friday) https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Any questions? Fire away. I’ll get to you as soon as, but you can understand if it’s not as speedily as usual.

Take it easy Arjuna

What I learned in Ikea about relationships and life

I went to Ikea for the first time yesterday. Somehow I have avoided it for so long, but what a joy it was! Like a kid in a sweet shop I “helped” my fiancee design a kitchen, picking bench tops and doors and handles and soft closures and colours and textures and oh, I do hope I was helpful.

The suggestion of a zen water “feature” in one of the corners was one of my better, more helpful ideas, I thought. Apparently Ikea don’t do those so the idea was scrapped. They’re missing a trick there, for sure.

I have a friend who says going to Ikea with a prospective loved one is the best way of knowing if the prospect will be able to stay the distance.

She insists that countless heart break would be avoided if all potentials are vetted via this “Ikea process”.

The fiancee and I certainly walked out still talking to each other, so I think that is a good sign.

What I learnt, and here perhaps is the critical point of this musing, is that happiness is far greater than trying to be right.

Sometimes you want to be right, and you need to be right, and yet happiness doesn’t care if your water feature idea is taken up or not.

Sometimes being right is important. But not as often as people would think. You can also still be right in your own heart, and not need the other to know just how right you are.

I learnt that people will insist on being unhappy just for the sake of purple (sorry, “aubergine”) over grey (“taupe”).

It’s as if their ideas and beliefs on what makes a greater cooking environment are actually who they are.

Perhaps they are. Perhaps if we open you up we would find purple or grey insides, and we would know your taste in kitchens.

But regardless, I think being right should give way to being happy a lot more. Because being happy is so much more than being right.

It would also mean many more people are happy more often, don’t you think?

I do. But I think zen water gardens are a good idea, so what do I know?

You may know that I have a meditation weekend course coming up (15-17 April). I think it is a wonderful tool for greater happiness, I think it is the single greatest thing you might ever do.

It brings so much happiness, and great relationships, and great calm, and is incredibly simple to do.

If you’re interested in more, if you want to book a seat, sign up here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Have a great day. If you need anything, just ask.

Keep the Peace! - Arjuna

What to do when your past keeps coming back

When I started meditation I wanted my past to go away. I haven’t had a bad life in comparison to many, but that doesn’t matter.

When it’s you and your mind, comparison to others is useless.

When the mind bites, it bites. When the head starts to fear or get anxious about something, it can be torture.

What I found through Ascension meditation was not the ability to make my past go away.

Instead of forgetting about it, it gave me the means to come to terms with it, as it was.

If you’re willing to accept and allow and learn and use the past as a springboard for the future then you are golden, and unbeatable, no matter what life throws at you.

And you can help others directly through your own experience.

If you aren’t willing to accept and allow and learn, if you see yourself as a victim to the circumstances and situations, if you think you have no choice because of your past, if you hide and sedate in an attempt to ignore, then everything is going to hit you hard.

In coming to terms with it, it means any past becomes like an intense movie you just saw.

You remember it, you may shudder even, but it’s somehow now separate from you. It doesn’t affect your being, now.

The fact is no past need define your present.

You get to decide who you are and what you do next. No one can take away your hopes and dreams for life.

It’s never the cards you are dealt, it is always how you play them.

And all of that simply takes the right tools and the right understanding, and the right practice.

All of the above is what I wanted when I started meditation, and that’s what I got through Ascension meditation.

I don’t really care what you do, as long as you have something to help you through.

A vehicle to rely on when the mind gets intense makes all of this so much easier, so much simpler.

And having a community and guidance where you know they know what you’re talking about so you can get help.

I wouldn’t be here today doing this if it wasn’t for other people I could rely on for help.

Life is short, it really is. Make the most of each and every moment. Squeeze it dry.

That all comes from within. It all starts with your attitude and mindset.

If you want to learn Ascension meditation with me, I would be honoured to have you along. It’s happening 15-17 April.

Click here for details, or email me:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/ascensionmeditation/

Need anything? Just email moi.

Take care - Arjuna