Esquire

Hi guys, My name is Esquire, I'm pretty new to the idea of meditation and tao living. I've tried meditating a few times, and even went on a 40 minutes walk last night to be alone with my thoughts, but find it hard to maintain as a habit and even to maintain focus in the short term during each session. Any advice is more than welcome, including tips on recommended reading sicne I'm sure a lot of ground has already been covered. (I'm particularly interested in learning lucid dreaming and meditation for focus. ) Esquire

I'm now the proud owner of a calender in which I may mark an X provided I have satisfied 3 conditions: 4 hours of focused and productive work 1 Work out or Cardio Session (although there is leniency of 2 rest days a week, but never consecutive) 10 minutes minimum of meditation They are relatively simple goals and all perfectly achievable but all benefit me greatly. In time, I will increase the meditation time to 15 minutes then 20 and so on. Since originally posting, and I don't think this is wholly unrelated to my reading of some of the advice within this forum, I've formed a much clearer idea of what my vision for my future is. It is still blurred and requires further meditation and thought over to more clearly define the steps I'll need to take to get there, but now armed with a plan of attack, the fear I was experiencing has faded considerably. Replaced now with ambition, drive and a lot more focus. I am not quite where I want to be spiritually, but I feel as if I am along the right path again where before I was lost. That fear seemed to stem from a combination of inaction and uncertainty. Thanks to those who have made suggestions, this update is to let you know I have taken them on board.

Came across that idea earlier today as well. It must be pretty effective. I'll buy myself a calender this afternoon, I might need a few since there are a few different goals I'm working on at the moment.

Hey guys, I'm open to be mentored if there is anyone who would like to take on a student. As I've mentioned on the intro forum, I'm not yet familiar with any of these practices and it would be interesting to talk with someone who can open my eyes to what is achievable. Even if you don't want to take on a long term commitment it would be interesting for me to chat with someone who knows what they're talking about to get me started. Peace, Esquire

Thanks guys for your tips. I'll get started tomorrow, maybe see if I can squeeze in 15 minutes in the morning between coffee and leaving the house. Not sure if caffeine is the path to Tao. (Or even if that's what I'm seeking) And thelerner, that's exactly where I'm at right now. Gathering skills, finishing off a degree in physics whilst also learning as many engineering type skills as I can. Even without direction yet, the more prepared I am the more I will be ready to seize the opportunities that present themselves.

Hi Chang, Ok, since it does seem to be a pretty active community I'll share a little more and ask for some advice. I'm a 22 year old student from the UK, currently finishing up my final year research project at University. I work-out regularly, believe that self-development and self-investment is one of the most important parts of living a good life and have been recommended that meditation can contribute significantly to that. I don't know if any of you guys are familiar with the 'manosphere' or 'the red pill' but a lot of my current life philosophy has been cultivated by the reading some of the more lifestyle focussed game bloggers from that corner of the internet. The kind of guys that will write a post about pick-up on Tuesday and follow it up with a post on Seneca the next. One of my own personal goals is to break down my (false) ego and rebuild on a solid foundation in its place, to build a strong core and sense of self, whether that be through achievement, slow personal development, meditation or a combination. I've been told that meditating on death can be hugely beneficial to the break-down of the false self and re-gaining focus/motivation, recommending by the guy who runs the blog taoofdirt.wordpress.com. A big fear I have at the moment is that I am soon to come off the strict guiding rails of the education system into the abyss of opportunity of my future and it is sending me into a sort of deer-in-the-headlights paralysis, where I try and avoid thinking about it as much as I can. Which isn't constructive behaviour. Where do you recommend that I start with regards to meditation? Sitting, standing, in a park, eyes closed, legs behind my head, you guys have a collective wisdom and I'm open to your advice. Esquire