Adam Lobon's blog

Its not corny - its true as Nike say JUST DO IT!

I went out for a run this evening and as I was running through the centre of the  town I ran past a shaved head guy who was swaying a little with the beer - as I passed he looked overjoyed and said "you can do it - I believe in you, you can do it!"

I looked around smiled and stuck my thumb up in acknowledgment "cheers!"

A moment of inspiration and encouragement from others - it works - it spurred me on!

Inspiration is a perplexing phenomena - where does it come from?

Religious followers find it from there faith - which Deity provides the most inspiration though?  

Or is it simple the mind of faith and belief in something divine that inspires rather than the actual object of the faith?

Some listen to inspirational speakers.  On the circuit now there are amputee soldiers without any major limbs - saying to disheartened staff in the NHS - "GUYS if you can do it - if I can feel grateful so can you" (even if you are working for the most complex, bureaucratic organization in the country).

Offering encouragement is a wonderful thing - identifying with anothers potential helps them to actualize it.

It is so easy to focus on the negative. Be inspired - identify with your potential!

• What's stopping you from writing that book, 
• Running that marathon
• Going on that meditation retreat
• Applying for that job
• Going on that holiday/trip/journey of a lifetime
• Learning that language
• Setting up that social business
• Signing up for charity work
• Disagreeing with your authoritarian boss
• Putting your foot down saying no and believing in your instinct
•  Whatever it may be - you can do it.

Its not corny - its true as Nike say JUST DO IT!

Take the self out of the centre and replace with compassion.

I was at the Hay Literary Festival today and was listening to a speaker who was talking about whether there is a future for God. Hay is quite an academic gathering and the focus tends to be on stimulating the cerebral.  The Guardian say its become the 'Glastonbury for the mind'. The talk span off in a predictable tautological manner with quotes from around twenty five or so philosophers and theologists thrown in - it was far from impressive until a question from the floor brought it to the practical: "You say to bring the practice alive, but how do you actually practice?" the answer was drawn out but midway through she touched on the sublime - "Take the self out of the centre and replace with compassion".

Ever been BRAINWASHED!

 

Marx said "religion is the opium of the masses"

I would like to change it to "popularity is the opiate of the masses!"

Have you ever been brainwashed..

Ur yes I think so.

We all hold views, tenets, opinions, follow leaders, have a set of beliefs and ideals.

Some promote and preach them to the high heavens. Some keep them to themselves in the corner of quiet pubs.

We often say we were educated here and there - but who were the people we were educated by and do they have any validity other than they fit high up into the status quo.

Some religious followers bow down in front of shrines, statues and icons, others follow the path of Guinness and bow down in front of the bar each day, others just bow down in front of themselves in the mirror.

Where do your set of beliefs lead you?  
 
Some say I don't believe - well that means you believe in not believing.

Some believe in life and after death and have clear explanations as to why - of course there is no proof - but why do you need proof, which is nothing other than the so called 'evidence of the senses' - our senses deceive us all the time.  Religious beliefs often fall back on the 'feel good' - well if it makes you happy, believe it. An alcoholic can say well it makes me happy so its valid. But this person is drunk. Well is the religious follower not intoxicated with faith?

Some would say that we need to be brainwashed and reeducated. To help us move out of societies straightjacket that we try and squeeze into.  We already have been brainwashed with our education and exposure to controlled media - does our normal education work?

Why is depression/loneliness/isolation on the increase? 

Why do committees meet and everyone says "yes I agree" when they don't?

Why when governments talk about well being do they focus on improving the physical?

Why do we put trust in people who are simple articulate and clever with words?

Why do those who hold high positions all have similar backgrounds?

Why are journalists allow to tell stories that are fictional and we believe them?

There is the old sheep analogy.  Or we follow the crowd so we feel comfortable - we stay on the conveyor belt and look forward - at any point the conveyor belt stops we just fall off the other end (but don't mention that.)

A world where we are told not to mention death, sickness and old age is to be denied.

Fundamental truths which touch everyone of us - but most are never educated in a way to prepare for such circumstances.

Who ever taught you how to prepare for the death of your parent or prepare you mentally for when you get a terminal illness.

Its too heavy man to discuss - thats what we are taught - but what happens when it strikes...

The thing is the views held by the spokespeople of the majority don't always work - we may adopt them and try to mould our life so we are accepted and respected by our peers but is that anything more than a whitewash or a outright brainwash...?

Meditation and Public Transport

 
I usually drive to work - this day I opted for public transport, tram/walk. What joy, there is the opportunity to meditate.

Waiting for the tram, sitting on the tram.  The same can be said for tube, bus. 

The session doesn't have to be long or a big deal.  

Just gently shut your eyes for 5 minutes and chill - 

Concentrate the mind focus on the breath 

Set the intention for the day.

See the difference....

For 5 minute meditations for your iPod click here.

Try a few gentle smiles at folk you don't know and see what happens...(especially if your a Londoner!)

I was waiting in line at the hole in the wall in Tetenhall village today - standing a respectable distance behind the lady in front.  She nervously looked over her shoulder several times at me!

As I took my turn I noticed the very large sticker - CAREFUL SOMEONE MAY BE WATCHING YOU!

We were told at school don't talk to strangers - and it can follow us into our life - does the talking bit include smiling too?

One lady who has just moved up from London said to me its disconcerting to start with in the Black Country because sometimes people smile at you on the street!!  What do they want?

"Excuse me do I know you?"   "Uhm well not yet"

We live in such close proximity to each other yet there can be great isolation - loneliness breeds competitiveness and depression.

Whats the starting solution.

Try a few gentle smiles at folk you don't know and see what happens. (especially if your a Londoner!)

Becoming a Hero

The Oxford Dictionary of Biographies launched its new edition today with a new section for local heroes.

A welcome addition listing humble, non military, noble men and women whose work has stretched their capacity well beyond the call of 9-5 duty.  Indicating the movement of the trend away from just decorating those who have just fought for their country - in this list is Mr Wallace Henry Hartley who was the Bandmaster on the Titanic who kept playing as the ship sank - who had over 20,000 people attend his funeral; there are also many people who have sacrificed their own interest for the sake of others.

The noble attitude and mind of a hero can be seen unpublicized in everyday society, which often leads people to say that everyone is a hero. The mind that wishes to go that extra distance to help and improve the lives of others, that transcends cynicism and scorn to and sacrifice ones own welfare will lead to outer and inner happiness.

Meditation practice helps to strengthen the mind to able to live in such an extraordinary way.

The Best Way to Advertise on Your Website - Don't sell out!

There are a myriad of folk trying to make a quick buck on the net. 

There is a huge amount of hot air and a serious insult to users seeking out genuine information.

By far and the best way to advertise on your site is not to plaster it with banner and google ads but to focus on creating good, authentic and heartfelt content.  

This carries infinite more weight.

If the quality of the content is high you have a passion for the subject matter its updated regularly and you have a deep wish to create change the rest will naturally follow. 

Learning to Meditate Online - The pros and cons.

 One of the things about the internet is that it can be a huge distraction - one of the reasons it is so popular is that it appeals to the grasshopper mind. 

So to actually attempt to meditate correctly whilst online requires considerable discipline if it is going to produce results. 

There is a curious part of the mind that wants to shop around and yes this can be done with considerable ease online -  

You Tube videos are watched for an average of 10 seconds.  

Although meditation teachers are now trying to provide the online community with inspiration meditations in five or ten minutes, ten seconds is taking the p***!

A very common feedback to a meditation session is "that was relaxing, but I find it hard to switch off", or "I find it hard stop the flow of thoughts."

If your going to meditate online then you will need to switch off all your other windows,  stop the mouse from clicking and the fingers twitching. - if these distractions are still there its not going to produce many results (at the beginning).

Online meditation can be good for getting a taster - have a look around at the different sites and teachings, experiment a little and then when you find a technique that works for you - focus on it and try to gain some experience, so it effects your daily life.

This I believe to be the objective of meditation practice is that it influences our behavior in daily life - we have more perspective, are more positively focused and can start to carry with us an inner peace and calm.  For this to happen we need to stick with a particular practice and try to gain some depth of experience.

One of the downsides of learning to meditate online is that its difficult to gain the transmission of experience from the teacher (if they have any!).  This transmission can be empowering and provide great encouragement for your practice. Also when we are in a live meditation group then we have the additional support of other members and a discipline where we have chosen to turn everything off for an hour or so.

Anything to do with meditation usually concludes with a middle way conclusion and once again has done in this debate and research.

 The internet provides an online resource for individuals who are curious to learn about meditation - great - if they then wish to learn 'how to' practically it would then be advisable to seek out a meditation class with a teacher who has some experience to share. Preferably on a weekly/monthly basis.  In between the live classes yes, use the online resource, but its not really a replacement for the live experience.

We'll talk more later about the benefits of attending a class.

Click here for online guided meditations:
http://www.mindspace.org.uk/2010/05/chill-out-for-5-guided-meditations/

A Meditation Online Revolution - Lets take a look who is at it!

The internet is a powerful tool.

One of the good things is the ability to communicate with a vast audience quickly.

Meditation - a powerful tool which was at one time almost impossible to access is now available in so many forms it is difficult for the beginner to be able to see the wood through the trees!

Here at Mind Space we have engaged in extensive research as to what is available for those who are actively seeking meditation on the internet.

There seems to be four main categories:

1) Those who advertise heavily - which ascends them to the top of the search engines promoting a service which promises immediate and quick results in return for a large one off payment - they provide tools such as a meditation machines which promise to rapidly solve your problems.

2) Religious activists -  groups such as Buddhists, TM Foundation, who advertise meditation without much mention of religion so as to appeal to the masses - glossing over the fact they are religious organizations.

3) Celebrity Meditation Teachers - teachers who make it into the media because of their dealings with popular celebrates. The TM movement are still receiving publicity from rubbing shoulders with The Beatles - 50 years on!  The pricing of their services (which may be the same as the below group) is sometimes fifty or one hundred times more - unfortunately making the practices exclusive.

4) Non-religious Meditation 'not for profit' organizations - these groups exist both online and in the community and are usually run by those who have a wish for the community to learn meditation.  They provide reasonably priced services and often provide free online services such as guided meditations and tutorials.

The next post will look  at the pros and cons of learning meditation online...

Meditation - “Reaches the Parts other Methods Cannot Reach”

Today I was at a Healthy Living Community Event - talking about the benefits of meditation. I was talking to a lady who work for the NHS looking after their physical and emotional well being and sign posting services.

She admitted it was the tip of the iceberg and how the community she worked with needed to tackle their issues on a deeper level. 

She was very encouraged to discover how meditation is being made available to the community as it “reaches the parts other methods cannot reach”