The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

60 Days of 60 Minutes of Meditation - Let's Not Do Anything Together

S.Y.

Gold Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
267%
Oct 4, 2017
511
1,366
Canada
Those who have completed the first 60 days - how is it going?

I moved away from purely sitting down for an hour to meditate. Occasionally I do it, but it depends on the week. Though sometimes, just after waking up I will just stand down in the sun, and just enjoy the moment.

On the flip side, I have been practicing being more mindful throughout the day. When I eat for example, or when I go for walks early in the morning. I'm looking for pockets where I can practice it.

So in the way more mindfulness, but using meditation less. It has been very rewarding.

Especially during the walks. I have a river not too far from my place. It is very painful and enjoyable to walk there in the morning, watching the sunrise and the organ reflection on the water. And also ironically my chatter tends to be more intense when I walk than when I lay still.

I am also experimenting with journaling. I have been doing it for years occasionally. Recently, I have moved to a daily consistent practice, in the form of a stream of consciousness. I realized it helped tremendously when my chatter is especially high. I will write down everything that crossed my mind and an hour after, the chatter will be much quieter.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

ZCP

Legendary Contributor
Staff member
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
336%
Oct 22, 2010
3,952
13,267
Woodstock, GA
What kind of devices? I usually just use my phone and free youtube videos for guided meditation. I especially like listening to Alan Watts in chillstep songs, and its free too
like the two listed in that thread, lol. me being an engineer, something to help me map and return to the correct state makes sense. curious if anyone here got that to work before i be the guinea pig
 

MTF

Never give up
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
455%
May 1, 2011
7,560
34,431
Day 177 here.

I think I'm going to switch to 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening or 20 minutes three times a day. Or something else entirely. Not sure what to do.

The last few weeks have been completely atrocious. I sit for an hour thinking about stuff, shifting my focus to my breath for a while and then thinking about something else again, feeling like I'm completely wasting my time. It's not fun, it's not a struggle, it's just a waste of time as I could just as well go on a walk and do the exact same thing and at least get some exercise.

I know how disappointing it sounds but it feels like it gave me benefits in the first 60, maybe 100+ days, but the more I do it, the worse it is.

Meditation was supposed to bring me more peace of mind but after doing it for almost half a year I'm now unsure if it's really as great as people deem it. Or maybe I still haven't done enough of it to make it "work."

One hour in the morning is too stressful. Early mornings are my most productive periods of the day and some of my favorite peaceful moments. If I have to meditate first thing in the morning for an hour, I'm then stressed out because I don't have time for other stuff. The day starts way too fast and I have less peace of mind, not more.

I'm not sure yet what I'll do but it's unsustainable as it is now.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

redshift

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
345%
Sep 4, 2018
192
662
Day 177 here.

I think I'm going to switch to 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening or 20 minutes three times a day. Or something else entirely. Not sure what to do.

The last few weeks have been completely atrocious. I sit for an hour thinking about stuff, shifting my focus to my breath for a while and then thinking about something else again, feeling like I'm completely wasting my time. It's not fun, it's not a struggle, it's just a waste of time as I could just as well go on a walk and do the exact same thing and at least get some exercise.

I know how disappointing it sounds but it feels like it gave me benefits in the first 60, maybe 100+ days, but the more I do it, the worse it is.

Meditation was supposed to bring me more peace of mind but after doing it for almost half a year I'm now unsure if it's really as great as people deem it. Or maybe I still haven't done enough of it to make it "work."

One hour in the morning is too stressful. Early mornings are my most productive periods of the day and some of my favorite peaceful moments. If I have to meditate first thing in the morning for an hour, I'm then stressed out because I don't have time for other stuff. The day starts way too fast and I have less peace of mind, not more.

I'm not sure yet what I'll do but it's unsustainable as it is now.

I think its totally fine to adjust based on where you are in life. Some periods 1 hour a day might be better, whereas others 15 minutes could have the same impact.

I never set a fixed time anymore, but I generally end up doing 15-20 minutes twice a day. I still feel it adds a sense of calm even to do 15 minutes in the morning compared to nothing, I'm much more focused this way. Most popular meditation techniques (eg: TM) follow the same pattern as well.

I'd say you should adjust to whatever suits your current lifestyle, but don't completely stop, it will be much harder to pick it back up again later. The benefits are definitely real and will have a compounding effect over time.
 

MTF

Never give up
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
455%
May 1, 2011
7,560
34,431
Thanks, @redshift.

Ironically my 1-hour session today was much, much better than every single session for the last few weeks.

I think that the main reason is that instead of trying to focus on my breath I didn't focus on anything in particular. Not my breath, not my thoughts, not counting, just sitting and taking it as it is. The funny thing is that later I researched it and learned about "do nothing" meditation which is pretty much what I did today.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ6cdIaUZCA


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4yipKfO8nA


This type of meditation suits me much better. I think that my inner overachiever focused too much on focusing on the breath. Instead of just accepting it as it is I was in reality struggling and that made me frustrated and feeling like I was wasting my time (because essentially I was, through controlling the entire session).

I think that I'll stick to one-hour sessions but maybe allow myself some flexibility when it's really inconvenient in the morning.
 

redshift

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
345%
Sep 4, 2018
192
662
Thanks, @redshift.

Ironically my 1-hour session today was much, much better than every single session for the last few weeks.

I think that the main reason is that instead of trying to focus on my breath I didn't focus on anything in particular. Not my breath, not my thoughts, not counting, just sitting and taking it as it is. The funny thing is that later I researched it and learned about "do nothing" meditation which is pretty much what I did today.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ6cdIaUZCA


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4yipKfO8nA


This type of meditation suits me much better. I think that my inner overachiever focused too much on focusing on the breath. Instead of just accepting it as it is I was in reality struggling and that made me frustrated and feeling like I was wasting my time (because essentially I was, through controlling the entire session).

I think that I'll stick to one-hour sessions but maybe allow myself some flexibility when it's really inconvenient in the morning.

Took a look at the first video. In Zen, this is known as shikantaza or "Just Sitting". It's the main practice of the Soto school of Zen. This is what I do as well when practicing Zen. It worked best for me as well after trying a bunch of different techniques.

You can read "Zen Mind, Beginners Mind" if you want deeper insight into this. He starts with getting you to notice your breath, and then eventually "drop the breath" which is effectively the same as this.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Black_Dragon43

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
337%
Apr 28, 2017
2,072
6,980
‍☠️ Eastern Europe
Day 177 here.

I think I'm going to switch to 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening or 20 minutes three times a day. Or something else entirely. Not sure what to do.

The last few weeks have been completely atrocious. I sit for an hour thinking about stuff, shifting my focus to my breath for a while and then thinking about something else again, feeling like I'm completely wasting my time. It's not fun, it's not a struggle, it's just a waste of time as I could just as well go on a walk and do the exact same thing and at least get some exercise.

I know how disappointing it sounds but it feels like it gave me benefits in the first 60, maybe 100+ days, but the more I do it, the worse it is.

Meditation was supposed to bring me more peace of mind but after doing it for almost half a year I'm now unsure if it's really as great as people deem it. Or maybe I still haven't done enough of it to make it "work."

One hour in the morning is too stressful. Early mornings are my most productive periods of the day and some of my favorite peaceful moments. If I have to meditate first thing in the morning for an hour, I'm then stressed out because I don't have time for other stuff. The day starts way too fast and I have less peace of mind, not more.

I'm not sure yet what I'll do but it's unsustainable as it is now.
I haven't had a consistent meditation "ritual" for a long time. I used to do it every day a long time ago, and back then, when I was dealing with anxiety issues, it taught me a whole different way of being and approaching life, and navigating situations through my own inner strength.

However, the way I like to put it is that what I learned from meditation has nothing to do with meditation itself. What I learned basically is to stop "avoiding". All failure has its roots in avoidance. The opposite of avoidance is probably courage - facing things. I think meditation can be good to teach you the basics of that. And facing things is the bedrock foundation for any kind of progress in life.

First of all, you have to face your own failings. The fact that YOU are holding yourself back. The fact that YOU don't want it bad enough. Whatever it is. And sometimes you have to come to terms with that. Usually when you do, you find a smarter way to do things, that doesn't even require you to do what you were avoiding. But facing reality is key.

And the same is true in business. The people who make the most money are the people who take the best decisions. And you can't take good decisions if you don't face reality. So the skill translates very well into business. You got to ask yourself questions, never take things for granted, and look for better ways.

After I discovered these things about avoidance through meditation, I didn't need it so much anymore. I found that I could "meditate" by living my life consciously, choosing "not to avoid" whenever it came up. Which may be similar to the conclusion you're coming to now, quite fascinating in my opinion!
 

SteveO

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
456%
Jul 24, 2007
4,228
19,294
I haven't had a consistent meditation "ritual" for a long time. I used to do it every day a long time ago, and back then, when I was dealing with anxiety issues, it taught me a whole different way of being and approaching life, and navigating situations through my own inner strength.

However, the way I like to put it is that what I learned from meditation has nothing to do with meditation itself. What I learned basically is to stop "avoiding". All failure has its roots in avoidance. The opposite of avoidance is probably courage - facing things. I think meditation can be good to teach you the basics of that. And facing things is the bedrock foundation for any kind of progress in life.

First of all, you have to face your own failings. The fact that YOU are holding yourself back. The fact that YOU don't want it bad enough. Whatever it is. And sometimes you have to come to terms with that. Usually when you do, you find a smarter way to do things, that doesn't even require you to do what you were avoiding. But facing reality is key.

And the same is true in business. The people who make the most money are the people who take the best decisions. And you can't take good decisions if you don't face reality. So the skill translates very well into business. You got to ask yourself questions, never take things for granted, and look for better ways.

After I discovered these things about avoidance through meditation, I didn't need it so much anymore. I found that I could "meditate" by living my life consciously, choosing "not to avoid" whenever it came up. Which may be similar to the conclusion you're coming to now, quite fascinating in my opinion!
Agree.

Facing things head on without drama or stress. Key.

I still meditate for the simple reason of staying in tune with myself. Like you though, the same things are not needed that were needed at first.

You say living life consciously, I say live life intentionally. Means the same thing.
 
Last edited:

SteveO

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
456%
Jul 24, 2007
4,228
19,294
First of all, you have to face your own failings. The fact that YOU are holding yourself back. The fact that YOU don't want it bad enough. Whatever it is. And sometimes you have to come to terms with that. Usually when you do, you find a smarter way to do things, that doesn't even require you to do what you were avoiding. But facing reality is key.
I prefer to see what you are calling failings as simply experiences. Face them of course, but labeling them as failures is automatically discounting yourself.

We are perfect at creating. We may not always like what we create... but we were fantastically creating it. :)
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Black_Dragon43

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
337%
Apr 28, 2017
2,072
6,980
‍☠️ Eastern Europe
I prefer to see what you are calling failings as simply experiences. Face them of course, but labeling them as failures is automatically discounting yourself.

We are perfect at creating. We may not always like what we create... but we were fantastically creating it. :)
I agree with you, both times very useful remarks, thank you for your posts.

I like the perspective you take on this, and I find it interesting. How do you orient yourself to "creating more of what you like" if I can put it that way? I find the language of "failings" useful to help us understand what we want more of and what we want less of - ie, to give us a sense of direction, rather than final judgment if that makes sense.
 

Red Pill McGill

New Contributor
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
450%
Jun 10, 2021
2
9
Do you feel overwhelmed by the incessant mind chatter? Do you struggle to focus? Do desires rule your life? Are you dealing with recurring mental issues like anxiety, feelings of guilt, shame, fear, inadequacy, stress, etc.? Do you find it impossible to just stop and relax?

As entrepreneurs, we're all about taking action. We may mask our inner issues with endless hustle. We may tell ourselves that we can't afford to take a break because our competitors will get ahead. We may use solutions that address the symptom but not the core reason. For example, we may use technology to block sites that distract us. While we won't be able to access them, our desire to check them will be back once the obstacle is gone—or we'll find another, perhaps even worse outlet to meet the underlying need.

As entrepreneurs, we often ignore our mental health. We may even tell ourselves that our mental struggles are, in a twisted way, good for us.

Stress? That's a normal part of life, isn't it?

Anxiety? It's good for me as it keeps me alert.

Incessant mind chatter? This means I have a ton of ideas.

Deep down, we may know that there's something wrong if...

...we can't sit down with our friends and family and just enjoy being with them because we're constantly thinking of our business...

...we regularly feel anxious for an unknown reason...

...we can't focus on a single thing for more than a few minutes...

...we're stuck in an endless cycle of trying one thing, only to try another to then give it up and try yet another, never going anywhere...

...we have no clarity when making decisions...

...we're wasting time arguing over politics or anything else that is beyond our control.

And yet, despite all these worrying signs, we keep ignoring our mental health.

The last year has been very difficult for me. Grief, anxiety, stress, fear, rumination, inability to focus for more than a few minutes, judgment, and lack of acceptance have been ruling my life. I'm slowly going crazy, losing control over my mind.

I started seeking solutions to get myself out of this disquieting state. Which brings me to the topic of meditation.

I'll use the words of Naval Ravikant, a very successful entrepreneur, investor, and a brilliant philosopher, to explain the why and how:



source: Jorgenson, Eric. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness.

If you prefer it in audio, here it is:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2kgZ1Puye8&feature=youtu.be


Naval Ravikant recommends the following practice:



I decided to follow his suggestion. And then I thought: why not get some support and do it (or rather, "not do") with fellow Fastlaners.

The rules are simple:

1. You meditate one hour a day for 60 days, ideally in the morning. You sit down and do nothing (don't use any apps or guided meditation). Naval's suggested method is:

If thoughts come, thoughts come. I’m not going to fight them. I’m not going to embrace them. I’m not going to think harder about them. I’m not going to reject them. I’m just going to sit here for an hour with my eyes closed, and I’m going to do nothing.

No focus, no mantra, no dharma, no chakras, no Buddhas, no gurus, no gratitude, no scripture, no temple, no music, no gadgets, no apps.


2. You meditate every day. If you skip a day, you go back to day 1. We want to prioritize our mental health, build momentum and turn it into a daily practice. This is akin to a workout for your mind. It won't work well if you start and stop.

3. It needs to be at least an hour (use a timer). You can't do two 30-minute sessions or four 15-minute sessions. Once you start, you keep sitting until 60 minutes pass.

To give everyone a few days to prepare, we can start on Monday, December 14. Who's in?


----

Update after finishing the challenge on February 11th, 2021. Read my thoughts here:
Bro... I can't even take a sh** for 5 minutes without my kids banging the door down!
 

SteveO

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
456%
Jul 24, 2007
4,228
19,294
I agree with you, both times very useful remarks, thank you for your posts.

I like the perspective you take on this, and I find it interesting. How do you orient yourself to "creating more of what you like" if I can put it that way? I find the language of "failings" useful to help us understand what we want more of and what we want less of - ie, to give us a sense of direction, rather than final judgment if that makes sense.
We create what we want. But that is hampered by negative thoughts and beliefs that we can't accomplish.

Also by not knowing what we really want.Our mind thinks it knows but it usually doesn't. Our inner self does know. That is where meditation comes in for me.

Move in the direction that you think you want to go. You will find out quickly if that is what you really want.

I watch to see how everything flows. How smooth it goes. What my energy feels like. And keep moving in that direction if all is smooth and harmonious.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

BAUCE

Bronze Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
183%
Jun 21, 2021
76
139
@monfii welcome! The simplest way is this:

Meditation: start watching your breath. Watch your breath go in and out while you're sitting there, preferably diaphragmatic breathing. Count your breath because you're practicing staying centered. Count to 20 and start over again. And if you get lost, just bring it back. Don't say one word. Don't get mad at yourself. Don't think about it. Don't get mad at yourself. Don't get down on yourself. Don't do anything. It's part of the practice. Just start counting again.

From one of Michael A. Singer's lectures. Counting your breath is optional but it may help.
I didnt see this as an instruction at the beginning of the thread. Did you guys find that this was more beneficial during the first 60 days?
 

MTF

Never give up
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
455%
May 1, 2011
7,560
34,431
I didnt see this as an instruction at the beginning of the thread. Did you guys find that this was more beneficial during the first 60 days?

This was just a simple explanation on how to start it easily. For me personally, doing nothing works better. But I have more experience so maybe I now better know what "feeling" I'm after and counting or focusing on breath actually distracts me from it.
 

BAUCE

Bronze Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
183%
Jun 21, 2021
76
139
Oof today was brutal. I jumped from one thought to another. Every time I would let one thought go to refocus a new thought came in. Even trying to focus on my breath was useless today. Yesterday was decent at least. On to tomorrow
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

MTF

Never give up
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
455%
May 1, 2011
7,560
34,431
Oof today was brutal. I jumped from one thought to another. Every time I would let one thought go to refocus a new thought came in. Even trying to focus on my breath was useless today. Yesterday was decent at least. On to tomorrow

It's alright as long as you don't have an issue with it. If you let yourself get bothered by these thoughts, that's when problems arise as the more you focus on taming the wild thoughts, the stronger they fight back.
 

MTF

Never give up
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
455%
May 1, 2011
7,560
34,431
Day 200 completed.

It's been 200 days, or over six and a half months of meditating every single day for one hour a day.

Ever since I switched to the do nothing meditation, things have improved.

I now consider my hourly session a kind of a brain reset when I let the mind think whatever it wants. My only "job" is to keep relaxing my muscles and keep noticing the thoughts.

I don't focus on my breath and don't try to stop any of the thoughts. Just by observing them, they slowly lose power. By the end of the session I have way fewer thoughts than when starting out. Since I don't have any goals for the practice anymore (it's an hour of sitting and doing nothing; sort of like you need recovery for exercise, this is recovery for the brain), it's way less frustrating than it was before.

To make the habit more flexible, I now usually work out first thing in the morning and then meditate or otherwise change the order as needed (but so far, I started my meditation at the latest around 10 am).
 

Black_Dragon43

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
337%
Apr 28, 2017
2,072
6,980
‍☠️ Eastern Europe
Day 200 completed.

It's been 200 days, or over six and a half months of meditating every single day for one hour a day.

Ever since I switched to the do nothing meditation, things have improved.

I now consider my hourly session a kind of a brain reset when I let the mind think whatever it wants. My only "job" is to keep relaxing my muscles and keep noticing the thoughts.

I don't focus on my breath and don't try to stop any of the thoughts. Just by observing them, they slowly lose power. By the end of the session I have way fewer thoughts than when starting out. Since I don't have any goals for the practice anymore (it's an hour of sitting and doing nothing; sort of like you need recovery for exercise, this is recovery for the brain), it's way less frustrating than it was before.

To make the habit more flexible, I now usually work out first thing in the morning and then meditate or otherwise change the order as needed (but so far, I started my meditation at the latest around 10 am).
That's cool MTF, congrats on the progress.

Any new benefits you've noticed ever since you switched to "do nothing" that weren't there previously? Does it carry over as well into the rest of your day?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

BAUCE

Bronze Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
183%
Jun 21, 2021
76
139
It's alright as long as you don't have an issue with it. If you let yourself get bothered by these thoughts, that's when problems arise as the more you focus on taming the wild thoughts, the stronger they fight back.
It's not the thoughts that bother me, its that I cant seem to keep them from popping up for more than 5 seconds. I've been doing 10 minute meditations on and off for years but since starting my own business about a year ago my meditation has gone down hill.

I think I need to go reset my practice in a float tank again. For whatever reason, I have great meditations there. Im sure a lot of it is the magnesium from the salts chilling me out a bit and the fact that there are less external distractions.
 

redshift

Silver Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
345%
Sep 4, 2018
192
662
Day 200 completed.

It's been 200 days, or over six and a half months of meditating every single day for one hour a day.

Ever since I switched to the do nothing meditation, things have improved.

I now consider my hourly session a kind of a brain reset when I let the mind think whatever it wants. My only "job" is to keep relaxing my muscles and keep noticing the thoughts.

I don't focus on my breath and don't try to stop any of the thoughts. Just by observing them, they slowly lose power. By the end of the session I have way fewer thoughts than when starting out. Since I don't have any goals for the practice anymore (it's an hour of sitting and doing nothing; sort of like you need recovery for exercise, this is recovery for the brain), it's way less frustrating than it was before.

To make the habit more flexible, I now usually work out first thing in the morning and then meditate or otherwise change the order as needed (but so far, I started my meditation at the latest around 10 am).

Interesting, reading this I just realized these were the same instructions from Naval in your first post as well. There's probably some specific reason for non-doing as part of the 1 hour session. I've never heard anyone recommend the focus techniques for more than 15-20 minutes at a time so makes sense that it was a struggle and this is easier.

Naval's instructions from your first post -

"
If thoughts come, thoughts come. I’m not going to fight them. I’m not going to embrace them. I’m not going to think harder about them. I’m not going to reject them. I’m just going to sit here for an hour with my eyes closed, and I’m going to do nothing.

No focus, no mantra, no dharma, no chakras, no Buddhas, no gurus, no gratitude, no scripture, no temple, no music, no gadgets, no apps.
"
 

BAUCE

Bronze Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
183%
Jun 21, 2021
76
139
Thanks, @redshift.

Ironically my 1-hour session today was much, much better than every single session for the last few weeks.

I think that the main reason is that instead of trying to focus on my breath I didn't focus on anything in particular. Not my breath, not my thoughts, not counting, just sitting and taking it as it is. The funny thing is that later I researched it and learned about "do nothing" meditation which is pretty much what I did today.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ6cdIaUZCA


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4yipKfO8nA


This type of meditation suits me much better. I think that my inner overachiever focused too much on focusing on the breath. Instead of just accepting it as it is I was in reality struggling and that made me frustrated and feeling like I was wasting my time (because essentially I was, through controlling the entire session).

I think that I'll stick to one-hour sessions but maybe allow myself some flexibility when it's really inconvenient in the morning.
I just did day three after watching that second video and what a difference. I felt so much more at peace with my thoughts. Even had a few moments that lasted up to 30 seconds of nothingness with a slight buzzing feeling in my body.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

MTF

Never give up
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
455%
May 1, 2011
7,560
34,431
That's cool MTF, congrats on the progress.

Any new benefits you've noticed ever since you switched to "do nothing" that weren't there previously? Does it carry over as well into the rest of your day?

I don't think I've noticed anything new. To be honest, the only benefit I'm seeing is that I'm able to quickly notice when I'm losing focus on the present moment. Other than that, so far, I don't really see meditation as anything life-changing anymore. But I have to emphasize that I've been disillusioned with other stuff recently as well so that probably influences my views on this as well.

I think I need to go reset my practice in a float tank again. For whatever reason, I have great meditations there. Im sure a lot of it is the magnesium from the salts chilling me out a bit and the fact that there are less external distractions.

The reason is simple, you're deprived of most sensations. And here I am meditating in what feels like the middle of a construction yard, the sound of renovations coming from all directions.

Interesting, reading this I just realized these were the same instructions from Naval in your first post as well. There's probably some specific reason for non-doing as part of the 1 hour session. I've never heard anyone recommend the focus techniques for more than 15-20 minutes at a time so makes sense that it was a struggle and this is easier.

I followed Naval's advice the first few weeks of the 60 days and then started doing other things which ended up largely ruining my practice. So I'm definitely not a fan of counting your breath anymore.

I just did day three after watching that second video and what a difference. I felt so much more at peace with my thoughts. Even had a few moments that lasted up to 30 seconds of nothingness with a slight buzzing feeling in my body.

Glad to hear that.
 

Antifragile

Progress not perfection
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
454%
Mar 15, 2018
3,709
16,822
Are you still doing an hour of meditation daily?
 

MTF

Never give up
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
455%
May 1, 2011
7,560
34,431

Antifragile

Progress not perfection
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Rat-Race Escape!
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
454%
Mar 15, 2018
3,709
16,822
Epic, much love @MTF

Now that my toddler is more predictable on sleep (sleeps through the night well) I am getting back into my old routines and restarting meditation. 20 min TM.

I was able to keep up with Wim Hoff stuff for 3 months now too, that’s pretty amazing. But that’s for the other thread.
 

MTF

Never give up
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
455%
May 1, 2011
7,560
34,431
Any new insights/thoughts so far @MTF?

Not really. I don't have any spiritual awakenings or anything of a spiritual nature to be honest.

I stopped consuming any spiritual stuff because it made me more depressed than happy.

I now use meditation as a daily exercise in patience and sort of a mental hygiene. I let the brain run wild. Sometimes it comes up with some good ideas, sometimes it never stops talking about random BS, and sometimes it doesn't say anything so I just sit for an hour with a relatively calm mind.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Bigguns50

Platinum Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
200%
Feb 12, 2013
1,846
3,691
Sedona, AZ
Hey @MTF , I'm glad you worked through that tough spot where you seemed to want to quit. I don't know how many years I've been meditating but it's been many. Here's where I am now.

For me: Keep in mind that mediation doesn't really involve a 'goal' or something that is attainable. It constantly evolves and changes as do we. Although the real "I" never changes. Only my human personality changers and I can change this at will. I joke, in a serious manner with my wife and talk about myself in the 3rd person. Like, "This personality Scott is genius!", fully acknowledging the amazing life gift I've been given while knowing it's not "I".

So ok, that's a little rant. Anyway. I meditate after I have my green smoothy in the morning. I don't set a timer. I'm done when I'm done. I look for nothing. Actually, I focus on finding nothing. There is a place where there is nothing, and yet this is where everything is. This is difficult to put into words as it is an experience of truth.

When I reach this place of nothing I am still. I know I am not my body. I know we are all connected to each other and everything. I know when this body dies, "I" will live on in a different way. If a thought comes through, I acknowledge it and it passes. Back to nothing I go. While here, I am still aware of my physical body if I choose to be. I can bounce back, check-in, then back to nothing I go. I do this because usually about the 20-minute mark my legs are numb. I continue because I am not harming my physical body. It's just a sensation. "interesting" I think.

I've also incorporated a love-healing practice where I send out love and healing to people. This benefits them and me.

I often ask for guidance with my business and relationships. Sometimes I ask a specific question once, not expecting a straight-up answer, but rather the ability to "see" the signs to help guide me. Interestingly, sometimes I do get a direct answer. Sometimes the answer comes as a phone call from someone, or a name that 'pops' into my head. I've had some amazing experiences this way.

So that's the start of my day. Often, midday, when I get tired, I'll take time for another meditation and that usually boosts my energy for the remainder of the day.

So I hope there is something here for you @MTF.
Cheers!
 

SteveO

Legendary Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
456%
Jul 24, 2007
4,228
19,294
@MTF

The only reason I meditate is for spirituality. Much is in alignment with @Bigguns50 .

My favorite part and the part I do most frequently is ask myself questions. Usually the answers come by paying close attention but sometimes come as a vision. Visions usually need to be interpreted as they are symbolic.

The spiritual side never stresses me out. It can be challenging at times.

I feel that we are all spiritual beings that are experiencing a physical manifestation. We take our lives much too seriously.

Relax and enjoy. Learn to listen to yourself.
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

Latest Posts

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top