Pursuit of Excellence

Items in italics are direct quotes from the articles below

https://ideapod.com/alan-watts-taught-trick-meditation-us-get-wrong/

Have you ever tried to meditate? If so, you’ve probably tried to focus on your breath, or repeat a mantra. This is how I was taught to meditate, and it lead me down the completely wrong path. Instead, I learned a simple “trick” from Alan Watts. He helped to demystify the experience and now it’s so much easier. From meditating in this new way, I discovered that focusing on my breath and repeating a mantra affected my ability to achieve true peace and enlightenment. I’ll first explain why this was the wrong way for me to meditate and then will share the trick I learned from Alan Watts. Why focusing on breath and repeating a mantra didn’t help me to meditate I should clarify that while this approach to meditation didn’t help me, you may have a different experience.

Once I learned this trick by Alan Watts, I was then able to experience my breath in ways that put me in a meditative state. Mantras also became more effective.

For the author, he explains what his problem was:

By focusing on the breath and repeating a mantra, meditation became a “doing” activity for me. It was a task that required focus.

Meditation is meant to happen spontaneously. It comes from remaining unoccupied with thoughts and from just experiencing the present moment.

The key point is to experience this moment without thinking about it. However, when I began meditating with the task in mind to focus on my breath or repeat a mantra, I had a focus. I was thinking about the experience

Watts explains that the easiest way to begin meditation is by listening. Don’t attempt to identify the sounds, and let the sounds hit your eardrums. As you listen, your mind will automatically identify the objects making the sounds, and that’s normal. After you’ve done this process, do the same with your breathing, and finally with your thoughts. Over time, the outside world and the inside world come together. Everything is simply happening and you’re just observing it. Two YouTube videos are included with this article. Meditation is good for allowing yourself to become more in tune with how you are truly feeling on the inside. Meditation, prayer and other spiritual practices are necessary to strengthen your spiritual self. Personally, I think a strong spirit will control your soul, mind, and body. We are spiritual beings with a temporary earthly body, so our focus should be on making the spirit stronger.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/101-simple-ways-to-spend-less-and-save-more-2018-04-13

No matter what you’re saving money for—whether it’s to build up an emergency fund, pay off debt faster or plan ahead for a big vacation or first home—trimming expenses will help you get there faster. The good news is even small efforts can add up to big savings over time. We’ve rounded up 101 simple ways you can get started today. There are many ways in this article to spend less and save more money. I’ve selected only five and be sure to check out these simple ways and apply them to your life. The 101 ways are separated into ten categories: simple hacks, home, shopping, food, bills and loans, work and career, health and fitness, travel, socializing and entertainment, and family, kids and pets.

Get cash back at the grocery store or pharmacy to avoid out-of-network ATMs, which cost an average of $4.52. (You can usually get up to $40 back free when using a debit card.)

Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth. This can save eight gallons a day, or 3,000 a year, cutting your water bill.

Instead of going all organic, buy just organic of the items on “the dirty dozen list“—fruits and veggies with the most pesticide exposure.

Take a class with your pals, using Groupon GRPN, -2.52%   or Living Social to score a deal.

Research dog and cat breeds before selecting a pet to learn which are susceptible to certain conditions (which may create big medical bills in the future) and whether or not they shed (which could lead to having to spend more time cleaning or replace furniture).

Each of the suggestions are a good way to help increase your net income. As your net income increases allocate a small portion for either debt reduction, or as disposable income. Plan your work and work your plan. Have a focus for your legacy and eternity.

If you need a financial check-up or prayer be sure to contact me.

This week, I’ve included SPARTAN MINDSET – Gym Motivation – Motivational Video from the Mulligan Brothers YouTube channel.

“If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others.”

Proverbs 28:26 MSG