Why Most People Die Before They’re 25

Old age isn’t a physical condition. It’s a mental and an attitudinal one.

I saw a video by a guy called Prince Ea who talked about this very thing - and it reminded me.

It is so easy to get stuck in a rut.

So many people are already in it by the age of 25.

Just doing the same, comfortable things, day in, day out.

Never reaching, never growing, never challenging themselves.

Never living the life they want to live.

Living just to survive, rather than making sure they do the things that make them thrive.

The biggest problem?

You never realise it.

It’s easy to slip into, a kind of lethargy and inertia just creeps up on you.

I know this so well.

I spend a long long time not doing the things that personally gave me more Life.

The result?

No adventure, no exploration, no newness, nothing uncomfortable.

Just a kind of blah "okayness".

For sure - there were so many great excuses; but it was actually fear and worry that stopped me.

Meanwhile my life ticked away.

That grey whiney voice takes control without you even realising it.

Life isn’t lived fully - you spend your time dying slowly.

Don't be okay with a rut.

How about taking a moment to have an honest evaluation - to make sure you're not a bit stuck?

To wake up, as it were.

Now - It takes some effort, some sacrifice to change this sluggish “rut-ness”.

Someone once said this: ___________

There's always free cheese in the mouse traps, but the mice there ain't happy. ___________

Ain’t that the truth.

With that in mind, let me ask you two questions:

“What do you want your life to look like in 12 months time?”

and

“What has to change for you to get there?”

Take some time, write it down.

Then the third question will be:

“How are you going to do it?”

Get clear, then get an action plan together - it'll be the best thing you ever did.

If you want help, I can help - especially with the mental and attitudinal aspect of all this.

I can show you how to beat that whiney, fearful, full of excuses voice, with the simple application of some simple yet powerful tools and understandings, and my full support.

It’ll take some effort on your behalf, but your investment will be so worthwhile. Transformative even.

If you’d like to know more from me about this stuff, go here and opt in.

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

There's a free "Quick Start Guide to Meditation" to give you something to practice, and I'll send you emails like this one to keep the conversation going.

And if you ever need anything, just email me.

Go well!

- Arjuna

PS.

Don’t do it, don’t die before it’s your time.

Be like an adult gorilla instead.

They don’t spend years dying slowly.

They live a full, rich, active, adventurous life, and then literally over a matter of days call it quits.

Now that’s style!

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

-

Knowing when you’ve gone too far (4 things to watch for)

I think what I’ve written below could be one of THE most useful things I have ever written. It is a longer piece, but pull up a pew, grab something to drink and let’s talk.

Ready?

OK:

The basis of what I teach is the importance of prioritising your peace.

“Prioritising your peace” is one way of saying this:

Every single day make your inner levels of calm, clarity and contentment the most important thing.

Every single day.

Because:

You are no use to anyone stressed, muddled and dissatisfied. You snap, you lose it, you react, you say things you regret, your relationships and health suffer, you do things to less than your ability, there’s overwhelm, fear, no sleep, no creativity, no fun …

And that ^^^ creeps up on you.

It develops a sneaky momentum that you’re not aware of before it's too late.

So knowing when you’re about to go too far is crucial.

If you’ve been practicing what I gave you in the “Quick Start Guide to Meditation”

(get a free copy here: https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports)

You’ll already have more self-awareness than 99% of the population.

You’ll see the difference in life when you’re “on” or “off”.

Here’s four key things to play with so you can take this further, and, as the slogan says -

Keep calm and carry on maximising your physical and mental abilities, your productivity, your relationships, your health, and your levels of fun …

In other words, so you can:

- rest deeper and recover faster for more energy to get bigger, badder adventures - get promoted quicker with more respect and more pay (or get the job you really want) - solve problems with less stress and with less irritation, frustration or anxiety, - get more loving (with, I must say, better sex), - stick around longer and be healthier than my wife’s grandad did (charging till the day he died at 98), - have so much more fun - in work, in the outdoors, everywhere - your friends will wonder why you’re smiling so much …

Here are four things - internal “early warning” signs -

- “Alarms", that (when you’re aware) will show you when you are NOT prioritising your peace and starting to lose it.

The Four Key Things To Watch For:

1. Levels of calm / stress / agitation Monitor your levels of calm and stress throughout the day. Remember - calm and stress has little to do with WHAT you are doing (i.e. the situation you find yourself in) and everything to do with HOW you’re doing it.

If you practice in the morning you’ll have a nice benchmark to work from for the day. The afternoon means you can settle back down, and go from there.

2. Negative thinking / resistance Notice your internal dialogue - if it’s getting negative it’s an excellent sign you need to do something. If you can’t change / leave / say something, then you must accept and give in (just for now).

3. Being hasty You can only do one thing at a time. Recognise when you’re racing around, trying to do several things at once. Stop, slow down, take some time to breathe and come back down. “Less haste, more speed” as my gran used to say.

4. Past / Future thinking You need to learn from the past and plan for the future (or enjoy and dream). No problem.

Recognise though when you’re thinking TOO much about the past and future. It’s an excellent sign you’re thinking about something you have no control over, or starting to be dissatisfied or frustrated with your current situation (Or you’re an absolute dreamer).

Instead of getting involved in those thoughts come back to the same place as your body and focus on what’s right in front of you.

You can change all of the above. You can choose to experience something different.

Making that choice simple and automatic is part of what I can help you with - I teach simple and powerful methods for freedom of choice, freedom from stress and struggle.

Go here to get a quick start practice that goes with these four things, and we can speak more about this "stuff" in greater depth:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Questions?

Tell me how it goes for you.

Arjuna

PS.

Thanks for reading.

I do appreciate the fact that you’re interested in this stuff.

To me it’s the only game in town. It gives you so much for so little effort.

If I can ever assist with anything, just let me know. Honestly.

The Queen Is A Giant Lizard - From Space!

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

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

Then there’s the Illuminati,

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

But they are definitely in the control game.

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

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

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

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

But once she opened up it was great fun.

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

Boo hoo.

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

Cool huh?

Got a little side-tracked, where was I?

OK - so this world can get a little bizarre.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Freedom of choice.

Which is untouchable.

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

The might Plato once said: ____________

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

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

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

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

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

Go here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

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

Concerns? Queries?

Get in touch, I’d love to help

Arjuna

PS.

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

She said that was the most surprising thing to her -

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

Love that.

You're a cyborg and don’t even know it

You are a cyborg.

I know you’d like to think you’re like the Terminator.

At least, I wanted to be like Arnie’s version, back when I was a sprog.

I don’t mean that -

I mean you have certain programmes that run in the background of your life, just like a cyborg or a computer does.

If you own a PC, you’d be advised to run the “defrag” programme regularly.

Defragging puts everything back into place. It makes sense and order from mess and chaos.

Afterwards everything runs so much smoother and faster.

Rest and recovery is like that too.

It’s not optional.

You NEED to rest and recover - it’s the antidote to inner stress, mess and overwhelm.

It is a prerequisite for having enough energy and focus for bigger, badder adventures -

More patience and connection for sweeter relationships (with more lovin’)

More efficiency and creativity for faster promotions with more respect (Or getting the job you want)

And more Life and Fun in each and every moment.

If you want more of all of the above,

(and let’s face it, WHO doesn’t?)

You need to be aware of some of the other programmes running in the background of your head.

You have certain beliefs, “loops” of habit, certain ways of thinking and doing.

Picture an old LP - it has grooves which, when the needle goes in, plays a certain tune.

You have the same grooves (habits of thinking and doing)

Some of these serve you - like a habit of getting enough rest and recovery.

Some of these do not in any way shape or form.

They are the part of you that stops you.

Now what tends to happen is that in times of pressure or stress (or lack of adequate rest) -

The programmes or grooves that don't serve you take over.

If you ever wonder why you just react in a certain way time and time again - this is why.

If you’ve ever tried to beat such a habit and failed - this is also why.

They are deep and quite “slippery”.

The needle of your mind goes down that groove easily - and you get the same tune time and time again.

If you want a different tune, a song of your choosing - you need to replace those programmes, you need to create a different groove.

The meditation and mindset that I teach removes these programmes that you don’t want.

It literally is a “reprogramming”.

Wiping the slate clean so you can choose how you’d like to respond.

It’s fast, powerful and very simple. AND it gives you deep rest and fast recovery.

A “Two For One” you might exclaim! And you’d be right.

If you’re interested, opt in here for more information, and I'll send you a "Quick Start Guide to Meditation", to well, get you started, quick:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Take it easy out there!

Arjuna

PS.

I heard the Queen is really a cyborg.

But I also heard she’s a lizard from outer space.

I don’t know what to think.

Do you? -

How NOT To Miss Out

I used to have a case of “nah, it sounds like too much effort”. People would invite me out for a trip and if it required much effort on my behalf (read: just about any effort) -

I would decline,

My excuses being:

“Too tired.”

“Next time.”

“Not ready yet.”

“Would love to - but got to visit my grandma.”

“Would love to - but I have work on Monday, early”

Do you know those voices?

It took a while to realise what I was doing.

If I wanted adventure and the resulting injection of Life

- and I most CERTAINLY did -

I would have to put some effort into getting it.

Even if I was tired, even if work WAS early Monday -

If I didn’t get off the couch and do SOMETHING, I would miss out time and time again.

Often it was somewhere new and unknown territory that was stepping into -

I wasn’t sure, there was an element of surprise, so I didn’t do it.

One of the experts I go to regularly for advice and inspiration wrote this recently: ______________

“The only true failure in life is inaction. Don't be the person who lets every opportunity pass them by.”

- Pat Flynn ______________

When I realised this inaction and loss of opportunity, I almost kicked myself.

But like all failure, the important thing was I learnt from it.

I know that little mental thought programme is there, and so when that whiney little voice comes up I expect it.

If you want anything new sometimes you have to step into the unknown.

My fear of the unknown, now is not an unknown.

Which is excellent.

In awareness you have choice.

The biggest thing stopping you from having more of what you want is you.

Not your situation, not your job, not your relationship or your kids - nothing holds you back like your own self.

If you’d like to surpass this little whiney limited self, to not let it get the upper hand, I can help.

Go here and opt in (it’ll give you more info about the nature of what I’m planning), and then we can chat about it, no obligation:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Keep the peace!

Arjuna

PS.

Life is short is it not?

Squeeze everything you can from every moment.

Make it count, make it fun.

-

How To Fail

The thing that I used to hate the most about the outdoors was failing at something. In kayaking that means - in the beginning at least - taking a swim out of your boat.

Which is annoying more than anything at beginners level.

But the thing is:

Someone has to rescue you, you’re not as independent as you thought you were - 

And you think perhaps people won’t invite you on the next trip because you’re not reliable to self-rescue.

You can see how the thought process goes?

But looking back failing and all the thoughts around it was great because it made me want to become as self-reliant as possible asap.

Going though “failure” made me get better.

It also means I now understand the frustration some learners go through.

Hopefully you can relate this to any sport you do, or perhaps anything you do in life:

Failing is good - it means you’re pushing your limits.

If you push your limits, you’ll get better.

(if you’re smart and learn, not just do the same things and expect different results).

In kayaking at the moment there is a trend towards too much safety.

I think.

Everyone are paddling these huge kayaks which are very safe.

You don’t flip over very much.

Which is wonderful - so many beginners can build confidence and skills -

But these boats are a bit stodgy. Not that dynamic.

There’s more fun and skills and learning to be had, IF only these guys would extend their reach a bit.

To not be so hesitant to try something new.

My approach is that you can’t fear fear.

The outdoors is all about challenge -

(and I totally get people have different comfort and challenge levels)

Coming face to face with your own limits gives you so much.

So much confidence in yourself, so much fulfilment, so much perspective -

When you’ve just gone beyond your limits, every problem is put into place.

Life just becomes more wonderful, doesn’t it?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself in a position where you might fail.

Honestly, it’s the best thing you can do.

But learn from it.

Ask the experts too - they’re often so happy to talk about what they love.

Have more fun out there Arjuna

PS.

Failure is the whole reason I got into meditation and mindset.

I saw failure could be an ally IF my head was in the right place.

Fear didn’t overwhelm IF my head was screwed on proper.

I don’t just teach “meditation” as you think you know it.

It’s a whole way of living and breathing and seeing and being in life.

A method if you will, so simple, so easy to integrate into YOUR life.

It has to be simple, otherwise you won’t do it.

If you think you’d like to work with me -

Go here and opt in. I'll send you more info, and we can chat from there:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

-

Don't Be A Dick

I think it should be pretty easy to avoid being a dick, Shouldn't it?

Yet somehow it just happens.

Despite my best intentions, there is it.

But I'm getting better over time, me thinks.

The interesting thing is that the less dickish (IMHO - but perhaps ask my wife) I’ve somehow managed to be, the less dicks I find around me.

Isn’t that interesting?

(Like attracts like, perhaps … ?)

So how do you avoid being a dick, ALL the time?

How do you be a good human MORE?

If you look back, you remember all your great teachers, coaches, mentors very well.

And in fact you also remember the ones who made your life a misery.

I still remember the heavy vehicle driving instructor that made one afternoon of my life hell.

It’s hard enough driving a hefty truck around town without someone losing it next to you.

Yelling at someone is never a good way of getting them to do something, is it?

But I learnt from that … and hopefully it made me a better teacher, and a better human.

The fact is all your heroes, if that term can be used as the opposite of dicks, were not born like that.

Sure some were born with a certain personality, certain traits …

BUT

They all made mistakes, they all learnt, they became MORE than what they were …

And all because they WANTED to.

They were interested in putting the time in to “grow” or to “evolve”.

They kept going, all in order to live a better version of themselves.

Because they saw that reaction and impatience, stress and struggle, anxiety and panic will kill you quicker than any cancer,

And squash your creativity and your skills and your life and your dreams sooner than you can say “Holy Guacamole!”

(A good guacamole is a holy thing, indeed).

And selfishness and arrogance is a path to a small life indeed.

Giving to others actually only makes you bigger.

To avoid being a dick -

You have to want more, and then take steps to get that more.

Even just mastering your impatience …

Or your anger …

Or your depression …

Or your overwhelm …

Or your anxiety …

Is HUGE.

Because not only can you have more FUN and get BIGGER, BADDER goals, easier …

You also become a different human.

And people notice that, and in their heart of hearts you inspire them to do that as well.

When you simply master your small whiney self, you effect everything around you.

So to all those on a path of mastery -

I salute you!

Keep evolving.

Keep having maximum fun.

Arjuna

PS.

No one knows they’re a hero.

And that’s what makes them heroic.

If you’re interested in more, perhaps this programme will interest you.

Tools, techniques, support, everything you need to evolve past your small self.

In other words, a “Path of Heroes”

For more info, opt in here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

-

My (Not So) Secret Love Affair With The Rock

Don’t tell anyone. Well, you can tell my wife, she knows.

She’s okay with my secret affair of the heart.

I have a man crush on Dwayne the Rock Johnson.

You see …

Not only does he have a grand smile,

He’s cool to fans, stopping when he’s out driving, signing autographs, photos, the whole thing.

I think he probably knows his films are a bit dodgy, but he does his best to give people a good time, to entertain.

The biggest thing is that he looks like he’s just having the time of his life.

Loving every moment of it.

He works hard - witness those “FOCUS!” video of him in the gym.

(Go on, youtube it - again)

I still laugh at that.

But he’s never gets too busy to remember to enjoy the ride, even as he’s rushing towards a goal.

Man, and when Hugh Jackman and him started trading notes:

“What would Wolverine do?”

I nearly swooned.

But I didn’t cos The Rock wouldn’t.

It’s good to have heroes huh?

The fact is it doesn’t really matter what they are like in real life.

In truth, “never meet your heroes” is probably good advice.

Who they are matters not a jot, but what they inspire within you does.

That’s what he reminds and enlivens within me -

To focus, to be dedicated to something.

And yet still squeeze all the good times you can out of every single moment.

To be passionate and wanting more,

But also calm and content and solid.

I tell you, not many people have that balance.

It’s not easy when you don’t know how.

Here’s how I find it (and it works for everyone who simply practices it):

Opt in here to get all the info, inspiration and entertainment:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Have fun out there Arjuna

PS.

Even though they say “never meet your heroes”,

I’d throw that out the window to meet the Rock.

That photo would go on the mantlepiece and all over Facebook fo sho.

Who would you like to sit down to share a glass of whisky or two with?

-

Nothing Ever Comes Easy - Or Does It?

Nothing ever comes easy, otherwise you’d fall into it.

Like continual calm, focus and good humour.

If it were easy, EVERYONE would be like this ALL the time.

Is it possible?

To be permanently in the Zone?

Of course it is

- you’ve spent big chunks of your life laughing like a drain.

Taking nothing seriously, so you’re calm and Alive, and supremely settled.

Not swayed, while others are stressing out around you.

Full of quiet confidence, and, full of peace and contentment.

It’s only not easy just because you don’t know how.

But it CAN be simple.

It CAN be a straightforward matter of practicing that right things.

"What are the right things?" I hear you ask …

Now we’re getting to the heart of the matter.

1). Choose your attitude

Are you focusing on the glass (or life) as being half full or half empty?

2). Find the silver lining

There’s always one, in any situation, even if it’s a lesson to grow for next time

3). See how you create your own stress

Stress comes from resistance to what is happening. Don’t resist. End of stress

4). Be aware of what your mind is telling you

Don’t let the voice in your head be a reality, let it be an option.

5). Choose well

Your life equals your choices. Choose well!

6). Live present in this moment

This is the only moment that you have, in all of time, NOW is it.

Important thing:

Your habits will be counter to these - this is what makes it all seem not easy.

But recognise the more you practice, the more you rewards you will experience.

Recognise that overcoming your habits is a simple matter of doing it.

If you want the tools that will crack your bad habits and whiney voice quicker than a nutcracker through (fresh) Christmas nuts, go here for a seat:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGt64_uKxbOIcDMxAT3la2rZ2nPcrU5LpgnznSkJ2snCRsjQ/viewform

Have fun out there

• Arjuna

PS.

Christmas nuts?

It’s not even the season.

And the 15 year old nuts that your gran would bring out, year in year out were disgusting, were they not?

These are not the nuts you are looking for.

However, these might be the nuts you want though:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGt64_uKxbOIcDMxAT3la2rZ2nPcrU5LpgnznSkJ2snCRsjQ/viewform

The Zone - Your Natural State?

What if I told you being in the Zone was your natural state?

That permanent calm, focus, happiness, heightened skills and senses was possible?

You may say “no way”, but it’s true.

The secret to being in the Zone is that you can’t try and be in the Zone.

It may sound all a bit Zen and beyond you, but stick with me.

Trying and straining to “get it” means you don’t get anything.

Olympic legend powerhouse gymnast (at 5 foot nothing) Simone Biles said recently:

____________

“Most people would focus on concentrating more and I can’t do that. It almost makes me overthink a lot of my things. I have to focus on not thinking”

____________

The secret to the Zone is this:

You can’t think.

How on EARTH do you not think?

Well, trying not to think does NOT work.

Trying to focus doesn’t either.

Instead, the secret lies in tuning into this precise moment in time.

Being aware of your senses more than your thoughts.

It means focussing on the here and now.

If you try, it means your body can’t do what it knows to do.

And it knows a lot - you don’t trust it enough.

And you start putting more attention on thinking again.

Now, before you throw this all away in disgust:

Being present is simple.

Learning not to think so much is too.

Just stop.

Be in your body, right now.

Tune into the sounds and feelings and sensations.

Let them all come and go.

Don’t chase any, just notice them.

Be in the centre of your awareness.

Job done.

Trouble is, you never practice focus and presence.

A recent study said that humans spend on average 47% of their day somewhere else.

How can you be in the Zone if you never practice it?

That’s right - you can’t.

The key right there is to practice as much as you can.

All of life benefits when you are present to it.

So you can’t lose.

You’re only going to get better at it.

Now if you really want the simple method?

If you want the tools dissolve all obstacles to you being present, focussed, and in the Zone?

Go here to get a more information on the next course, and cool daily emails like this one:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Nothing simpler, or more powerful.

Keep the peace!

• Arjuna

PS.

You do have to practice of course.

Practicing the right things makes perfect.

And you will be wondering why you never did something like this a long, long time ago.

Go here for all the info.

If I can help? Just ask, I’d love to chat.

-

You’re a outdoor freak when …

You can’t fit your car in the garage because of all the toys? Of course … an oldie but a goodie

How about welcoming bad weather with open arms and willingly going to bed early so you can get up and get going at the crack of dawn?

Ah yes …

Before outdoors (B.O.?) I would hate storms. I hated rain.

Now?

I was on the computer all the time over the weekend watching the latest weather reports.

All so I could see where the best place to go for some kayaking.

Bad weather means I see rivers filling up, or snow on it’s way, or surf lifting.

For sure - I know for some like Mountain Rescue and the Lifeboats storms coming in probably signals more work for them,

But given safety and the right equipment, now it’s such a buzz for me to be out when it’s wild.

I love how my attitude has transformed from one of complete resistance to bad weather to one of:

“Let’s see what we can do with it”

And

“Let’s make the most of it”

Are you the same?

With a small reach can you see how its your attitude that makes all the difference ANYWHERE in life?

I heard once a study that said Mondays were the biggest days for heart attacks and over all “premature” death.

There’s nothing inherently bad about Mondays, except - as you know …

We as humans live for 2 days out of 7.

Because that is the case, the day after that 2nd day (Mondays) really suck,

In fact they can be deadly.

(Best of staying in bed then, huh?)

It’s your attitude, its your approach that changes everything

Whether you really live a full and rich life, all the time,

Or just a fraction of the time.

And this is a great thing to REALLY get to grips with.

Because you can control your attitude.

You can choose it (if you get good at it)

You can’t necessarily control the weather, or Mondays, or life.

But you can control your attitude.

So practice that - practice choosing how you feel, your attitude and your perspective

Practice it even when everything is going good …

And then the bad times will be easier, because you have a stronger, more flexible attitude.

If you want help with that, I have just what you need.

A practice, a set of tools and understandings so you can have a bulletproof attitude.

With a bulletproof attitude, and the ability to be in the here and now, all of life gets sweeter.

The end of stress, fear, anxiety. 200% of life

Go here and opt in for more information, and daily reminders like this one:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Take it easy out there,

And if you need anything, get in touch. I’d love to help.

Arjuna

PS.

Being a kayaker is the best thing for welcoming rain.

If you can train yourself to be interested when it looks bad and everyone else is losing it?

I do believe you’ll become unstoppable.

And at least have all the fun, and no heart attacks on Mondays.

Sounds good to me.

Paying For Pleasure

I’m eating poached eggs and spinach, sipping on a short strong coffee. It is good.

I’ve been interested in how to eat for the most energy for a long time now.

Being in the outdoors gave me a greater appreciation for food, and what my body needs as the best fuel.

I recently tried the no/super low carbs approach - that was a little extreme, and didn’t really give me what I was looking for.

I was once a vegan too, giving up all animal products.

That was VERY extreme. Now, I did it because I thought it was the “right” thing to do.

But it didn’t suit my body. I was starving a lot of the time. And it didn’t have a big enough fun factor.

So I stopped.

When I started meditating I tried sitting on the floor with a super straight spine.

My knees, ankles and hips, oh and back too - they all hurt like a mother.

I was more grateful for stopping than I was for anything I got from the meditations.

“Right” but no fun, not enough pleasure or reward.

I only did it because I was told it was the “correct” thing to do.

Isn’t it interesting all the stuff we do because it’s the “right” thing to do?

I’m all about experimenting and honestly sticking with something if it’s good for you.

But just because something is good for you, it needs to give you a good feeling as well - right?

Otherwise you just don’t do it.

There has to be a happy medium.

I lift kettlebells, and that hurts, but it gives me a good feeling as well as a long term reward.

So there is a payment but a pleasure return too.

I don’t eat much sugar, because I know if I throw too much down me I don’t have a good feeling -  despite my thoughts about triple chocolate cake.

Again - there is a payment (not automatically reaching for the chocolate bar when I have a craving) and the pleasure is no crash and more energy.

I meditate using the Ishayas’ Ascension - that doesn’t hurt - but the payment is stopping and sitting and closing my eyes every day.

The pleasure is more Life. More freedom from the mind. Less reaction.

The point of all of this?

Experiment - try all the fads and the latest and greatest and newest programmes and regimes

But do it with a view with what works for you.

What payment / pleasure balance there is for you?

Do you enjoy it?

Is it “fun”?

And who cares if it’s “right” or not?

It has to suit you. Otherwise you won't do it.

That’s all I have today - trust your honest feelings about something. Not the second or third thoughts, they’re tricksy.

And don’t be shy of paying something to get pleasure, but trust whether the payment is worth it too.

Take it easy out there, enjoy yourself.

Arjuna

PS.

If you’re interested I can teach you Ascension meditation over a weekend.

You may find it is has the best payment / pleasure / reward balance of just about anything, this side of a good steak with a nice glass of red wine.

If you want to join us, go here to get more information, and daily emails like this one.

And a free Quick Start Guide to Meditation For Outdoor Athletes to get you flying:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

-

Trouser Snake Stupidity

I like the weird news. Somewhere, somehow there is always someone doing something a little stupid.

Like the Darwin Awards - prizes for people evolution should have forgotten -

These stories give me a chuckle, and a quick burst of gratitude that it wasn’t me that was caught so publicly.

Recent news announced that CCTV filmed a man stealing a snake from a pet store by stuffing it down his trousers.

The owners said he was lucky it wasn’t feeding day as these snakes get very, very hungry.

Indeed.

Have you ever done anything stupid?

I know I have.

My wife might say every single day, but I think she might be over estimating.

She does that a bit - I often say that I must have told her a million times to stop exaggerating.

Now I think stupidity is fine, as long as you learn from it.

(That’s my excuse anyhow)

But -

Doing the same thing and expecting different results over and over again, that’s probably not so wise, don’t you think?

Yet I see it a lot.

People are quite content to tick along, going up and going down, doing the same thing and kind of hoping things will get better.

Rarely do they look to see how they can get off the self inflicted rollercoaster themselves.

Perhaps they don’t realise it’s self-inflicted.

So few stop, and ask:

“Surely there must be another way to live life than just waiting for the weekend, or the next holiday, or the next high?”

Surely there is a way to avoid pain and get more fun, in every moment?

There is - it lies in getting more aware, clear and focussed and developing free choice in what thoughts you listen to.

You might call this being mentally fitter - getting the ability to master your own mind.

I can help with that.

If you want more from your time in the outdoors:

- more performance, more enjoyment, more Flow -

As well as every single part of your life - your health, your work, your relationships, your family …

I’m running a course that will give you the tools and the understanding and the support -

- Everything you need -

To live the biggest life possible.

To stop waiting for the weekend, to stop being bored and frustrated, to stop getting worried and anxious.

To find your true potential and permanent peace.

Get more information, how to register your interest for a seat, as well as daily emails like this one to remind and inspire you, right here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Good on you.

Keep the peace!

Arjuna

PS.

Don’t steal, and don’t put animals down your trousers.

And don’t tell me I never give useful tips.

-

Naked Swimming

Summer is a good time for a spot of swimming, isn't it? I know it's called wild swimming these days. Back when I was a kid it was just plain old swimming.

Wild swimming does sound cooler doesn't it?

Been at the coast for a few days and got some “wild” swims in.

Then headed to Brighton to see some friends.

My buddy who lives there loves swimming naked.

I’m not a prude, but on Brighton beach in the middle of the morning?

Not for me.

For him though, it makes him feel totally alive.

Totally free, unencumbered.

Just being in the ocean does that for me, shorts on.

The cold is not the most pleasant thing for the first few moments, but then the reward kicks in.

Such a great effect on the body. It makes you come alive, everything "zinging".

That's the thing about being out in nature, isn't it?

It clears the senses.

Puts everything in perspective too.

Gives you a sense of calm and goodness.

Imagine if you could have that every day … ?

Not just after a trip away in the outdoors, but imagine if you were able to chose to be calm, clear, content and alive any time you wish … ?

It's a great thing to have.

And why not? Why not live with such a perspective, such balance, such Life?

It's a funny thing how some people don't want that.

Or maybe they DO want that, it's just they don't know how to get it.

Well, you can live like that.

And all it takes is a simple practice.

It does take you prioritising living life thriving rather than surviving.

It takes you valuing calm and Life more than stress and struggle - enough at least to do something about it.

That’s what my next course is all about.

If you're interested, the way forward is here.

Opt in and receive daily emails like this one, as well as a FREE Quick Start Guide to Meditation For Outdoor Athletes:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

A simple practice that makes all of life so simple.

All it takes is for you to reach out and give it to yourself.

And your loved ones. When you're in good shape, it's so much easier for everyone to be in good shape.

Have a great day now! Arjuna

PS.

No seriously -

Have a great day. Choose to enjoy it. Make it so that you stay present and calm and full of happiness.

No one else will do it for you.

This one is on you!

Thinking Is Bad For You

Just saw a study that said the best golfers are the ones that don’t think. I’ve never played much golf, but I can appreciate the kind of zone that you have to get into to hit a ball with a stick into a hole.

And my personal Zone experiences are more often than not characterised by silence up top, not a barrage of noise in the form of thinking.

I would go as far as to say this proves my thesis, that:

Thinking is bad for you.

For example, I was thinking we should get a herd of pygmy goats.

My wife, although a fan of small cute animals, disagrees.

Do you see?

Thinking is leads to trouble.

It almost resulted in me selling my new wife for a herd of goats.

I know that’s not very good science, but “let’s get serious” for a moment.

See if my argument matches your personal observation.

The reason I say thinking is bad for you,

- in any field of human endeavour but especially the physical -

Is because too much thought means the mind becomes a micro manager.

It gets involved everywhere, and ruins everything.

It's constantly sending out instructions and/or ideas, and your body can’t respond to all of them fast enough.

As an experience, it’s the difference between being in a state of mental and physical agitation,

i.e. too aroused …

(Quit sniggering in the back)

… And being calm yet focussed. Relaxed, but ready.

You know that difference, I would say quite well.

You know it when you’re out in nature, but you also know that difference when you’re sitting down looking to work out a problem.

Too much thought gets in the way.

The best role for your mind is as an “overseer”.

A general manager type who only looks at the big picture and lets the troops (your muscles, heart, lungs, instincts) take over the moment to moment running of the show.

It brings a state of calm, focus.

Your body can then “soak” up what it needs to do.

Instead of 100 instructions being thrown at it, the necessary one or two can go in, and in deep.

You’re working on a problem?

Same thing -

You can focus on the necessaries and discard the “won’t works” and “why won’t this works?” and “I should give up because I’m no good anyways” and especially the “I wonder what’s for dinners?”

To be calm yet focussed in any situation is not something people “know” how to do.

Simply because they don’t practice it.

How can you launch into Zone mode if you aren’t doing it, day in day out?

Add some pressure and flight or fight mode usually kicks in, just through habit.

So that’s what I got for you.

Be aware as you go about your day how much you are involved in unnecessary thinking.

In awareness you have choice.

Make the choice to stop thinking and be more present.

Simple.

Take it easy out there! Arjuna

PS.

I have something for thinking too much.

A practice, a tool, a technique that will bring you to a state of calm and focus.

It results in a type of mental fitness, one that means you don’t habitually engage micro manager mind mode.

Not only do you become more effective in what you want to do, it also means you will enjoy life to a much greater level than ever before.

Go here to get more info, and daily emails like this one:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

As Much Aliveness As Possible Please

My goal is to live life with as much aliveness as possible. To squeeze every moment for all it’s worth.

To have grand adventures, to be able to tell deep stories, to laugh so much muscles will hurt.

What’s yours?

I think that’s why I get so excited seeing the Olympics.

It’s seeing someone’s dream come to fruition.

But I want that in all aspects of my life - I want aliveness, but everywhere.

I want success but I don’t want to lose myself getting it.

I don’t want to compromise my health and fitness for business either.

I also want to balance my family with what I love to do too.

How about you?

I know the single greatest thing that stops me from doing anything is always fear.

The single biggest handbrake to living a big Life (with a capital L) is internal.

Because its not really so much about WHAT you do, but HOW you do it.

I learned that early on - I could be kayaking on the river with my buddies, on a beautiful sunny day, and still be miserable.

Certain expectations weren’t being lived up to, and that made me grumpy.

No matter what, I just couldn’t be happy.

Now it’s different.

I’ve gotten great at choosing to be focussed and clear, giving my body the best chance to do what it could.

But better than that is that I’ve realised that I can be content and happy no matter what is happening.

I don’t need something to happen to make me happy.

It’s an internal choice.

And the thing that leads to Aliveness quicker than any big experience or possession or achievement.

These things are great - don’t get me wrong -

It's just it's all about the How you live, not the What.

It’s something I teach you in the Mountain Mindset Core course.

If you’re interested, get more info and daily emails like this one, right here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Beyond that, have a wonderful day!

As always, you need anything get in touch Arjuna

PS.

How many people can say they lived a life free of regret and worry and anxiety?

Isn’t that a huge way to live life?

And so possible.

It’s just that no one prioritises it.

They think its the what, and they forget about the how.

Good lesson in that.

Lies The Government Tell Us

They lie and manipulate and steal!! Sorry - I didn’t want to throw you into such drama and bitterness and conspiracy so soon into an email.

It's not really my style either.

But I’ve just had my heart broken.

I trusted and my trust was trampled on.

I just found out that flossing has no use whatsoever, according to recent proper dentist research.

With great care and perseverance I’ve flossed every day for the last 7 years.

All because I trusted my dentist at the time. And subsequent dentists.

If you can’t trust your dentist, who can you trust?

It’s just like the low fat health advice that’s recently been debunked.

It appears sugar will destroy your nervous system where as fat isn’t that bad (in moderation of course)

So who do you trust?

What habits do you have just because someone told you it was a good idea?

Flossing is one thing, but do you realise you have certain habits that you’ve picked up from all around you?

That a person is probably the sum total of all the people they have been surrounded by?

Chuck Palahniuk (author of Fight Club) once wrote:

_____________

“Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everybody I have ever known.” _____________

Interesting huh?

What I’m trying to say is question why you do things.

If you don’t know why, look deeper.

Is it because someone else has always done something?

And although you couldn’t pick your parents or your schooling, you can pick who you now hang out with.

Hang out with fun, inspiring people.

Hang out with those that are looking for new ways of doing things.

Seek out those that aren’t happy to settle for less simply because that’s what everyone else does.

And most of all, trust your inner voice.

It’s the way forward.

Take it easy out there - have fun!

Arjuna

PS.

Getting clear on what you trust, on what you know for certain can be straight forward.

It’s just that we’re never really taught how to do it.

The internal hows of living are left for us to discover.

If you’re interested, I can help!

I can give you the tools and the understandings and the support to gain inner clarity and focus so you can see your habits clearly.

Here’s the link to get all the information, and super daily emails like this one:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

The Biggest Cliche Is True

The biggest cliche that rings true for me about the outdoors is this: The best at anything is the one having the most fun.

I’ve had the opportunity of hanging out with some highly talented people in my time.

The ones that I seek out time and time again are the ones with the biggest smiles.

Really - I could learn so much from someone who is serious and grumpy, but why?

There’s no fun.

And that’s why I’m in the outdoors in the first place.

Sure, I love challenge and pushing my limits and adventures, but it has to be joyful.

Otherwise what’s the point?

Hanging out with fun people has shown me something else.

Taking anything seriously in any part of my life is just a waste of time.

It means I’m missing the point.

It means life is been squeezed into submission, into a little box, and only leads to greyness and limitation.

It means I’m thinking far too much.

And that’s always dangerous.

That’s the advice I would give young Arjuna:

Don’t take anything so seriously that you forget to have fun.

In fact, don’t take anything seriously.

Life is too short for anything else.

That’s probably the common theme to all people I teach to meditate.

They report back that it’s so much easier not to take things seriously.

To not think so much about “stuff”.

They get freedom from thinking too much.

Isn’t that cool?

If you’re interested in learning how you can have that too, go here:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

You'll get daily emails like this one, and all the info on the course.

Keep the peace!

Arjuna

PS.

The whole purpose of human existence is happiness.

Aristotle said that.

If it’s not fun, don’t do it.

If you HAVE to do it, learn to have fun while doing it.

Simple.

"Is That It?"

If you have the suspicion there is more to life than what you are currently living … You are right.

Life could be quite good thanks, and yet there is always more.

... If you reach out and get it.

You can sit, pretty happy, doing “pretty” good, and yet never really live the fullest of lives.

I know this because young Arjuna was there. Ticked all my boxes on my “to achieve” list.

I lived in a beautiful house in the mountains of New Zealand,

Had an perfect job which was fun and gave me the right amount of money and time off,

A group of awesome and talented friends to go and do cool stuff with,

A river I could walk to with my kayak and play to my heart’s content (that’s some seriously good positioning there)

A fun hill I could run up and back after work, just over the (above) river,

And yet …

There was a nagging doubt, a lack of contentment, a feeling that I was missing something.

I realised that I had everything, but I was a bit hollow.

Internally I hadn’t mastered contentment,

or true appreciation,

or love for the simple fact of existence.

I was always chasing the next high, the next buzz.

Always after the high, I didn’t know how to avoid or manage the come down.

I didn’t have a solid relationship because I didn’t know how to relate to women on a good enough level.

In getting what I wanted I had become pretty selfish.

(and not selfishness of the good sort that benefits everyone).

I didn’t know myself well enough to be able to manage bad moods - I just took them out on the person closest to me.

And that gets old for them pretty quick.

Every where I looked it seemed that people were saying “you have the perfect life”.

And yet it didn’t feel like it to me, as much justifying as I tried.

It came to a point where I got frustrated and confused enough to do something about it.

No one teaches us this stuff, the internals.

School isn’t about what makes us tick.

Yet it is the foundation of the very best life.

It took me a little while to find the right tools and the right understandings,

(there is so much bonkers stuff out there)

But I found a way that is practical, down to earth and real.

You just do it, and you get results.

You fill up on the inside, you get the ability to deal with weirdness that lives in each and every one of our own minds.

(don’t tell me you aren’t a little weird - you are)

By doing this you have the foundation for doing exactly what you want to do.

You have the foundation for giving to all your loved ones the very best of you.

What greater gift?

I just wanted to tell you this story because even if one of you can avoid the confusion and frustration that I went through, then awesome.

Even if you’re not frustrated - good on you by the way - here’s a way you can have more:

Mountain Mindset Core

- the “just the facts” weekend version of Mountain Mindset.

I teach you the Bright Path Ishayas’ Ascension meditation and mindset techniques.

And they are the most powerful, complete set of simple tools for rising above limitation you will find anywhere.

To get mo' information, opt in here and also get super cool daily emails like this one:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Let me know how I can help. Just hit reply!

Keep the peace!

Arjuna

PS.

I guarantee Mountain Mindset Core will give you the tools so you become more clear, focussed, happy and content.

If you disagree, I will completely refund you

OR personally coach you one on one until you get the results you want.

That’s pretty good of me, is it not?

You can’t go wrong. Opt in here for more info:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

A Slap To The Dark Side

There is a force within you that stops you. It stops you improving yourself.

It stops you doing different things, things where in the beginning you will definitely fail a lot more than we succeed.

It stops you living how you want to.

It even stops you from simply doing the things you say you love to do.

Before, if someone invited me on an adventure, somewhere new and different?

"Heckity heck yeah!"

Left to me to organise my own mission?

Pffffffffffft.

^^^ That is the sound of nothing happening, like air escaping from a balloon.

It’s the sound of excuses … “too much work” … blah blah blah, as I fall on the couch and do the same old thing or go do a lap of my well known local.

You could call it the comfort zone.

You could call it resistance.

It comes from within.

It can come from without too - your family maybe, your friends perhaps.

It shows itself in the outdoors, in sports, in business, in anything creative, in relationships.

It pops up everywhere.

It exists for sure, and you need to know it exists so you can get the measure of the little fiend.

A while back, I read a fine book by a chap called Steven Pressfield called “The War of Art”.

You may want to, too, if reading appeals.

It was a nice slap in the face.

If a slap in the face could be called nice.

Part of me loved it, part of me recoiled.

Here’s his point:

You only get resistance, you only need courage, when you are faced with something that is important to you.

If it wasn’t important to you, it wouldn’t bring up the resistance to it.

Make sense?

So if you find yourself attacked by resistance and comfort zones, let it be a sign that you are onto a good thing, and to keep going.

A kind of “feel the fear and do it anyway”.

Expect it, laugh the face of resistance (with a wry ha ha ha), and keep going.

I now know my comfort zone is set to, well, comfort - and I know I need to go further on it because going further gives me such a buzz.

So I do.

Awareness means choice, and freedom, and more life!

My next course is all about awareness, and retraining your brain, developing mental fitness and flexibility, giving you calm and focus and greater happiness …

All so you can go beyond comfort zones and resistance and all limitation and do more of what you love to do.

So you can live the life you dream of.

The next course is the very core of the longer Mountain Mindset.

In fact, I'm calling it "Mountain Mindset Core".

(Thought that sounded bad arse -

And since I teach you what is officially known as "the Bright Path Ishayas' Ascension meditation and mindset techniques", it's quite a mouthful).

Where Mountain Mindset is longer and I’m on your case a lot more (giving some amazing results), in Mountain Mindset Core it’s “just the facts”.

Short, and very sweet - over a weekend, the first weekend in November.

(I know - all of a sudden my calendar is packed - but it gives you plenty of time to get organised)

If you are interested, opt in here to get more details and sweet daily emails just like this one:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

These courses aren't for everyone and so first make sure you’re prepared and up for it.

It’s simple - it just needs a little dedication and commitment.

And if you don’t have that then no worries, perhaps this isn’t for you.

But if you do?

Wow, you’re going to love what the course will give you.

Opt in here for details:

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports

Till next time, keep the peace!

Arjuna

PS.

If you want to overcome this evil force that gets in your way?

It’s true, it exists.

The good news is you can overcome it, with the right tools and the right support.

Here’s the answer (and I guarantee it too):

https://arjunaishaya.leadpages.co/sports