My thoughts on ...

A funny story that I have heard repeated by many of both my male and female friends.

Girlfriend: What are you thinking about right now?
Boyfriend: Nothing.
Girlfriend: What?! How can you be thinking about nothing?!
Boyfriend: I don’t know…but it’s kinda nice.

Every person has a masculine side, a feminine side, and a sexual essence. Eons of meditation practice have been designed by men for men. At the extreme end, it has been men sitting in caves and staring at walls for hours, days, weeks, months, years. (I will save feminine meditation, equally important, for another article.)

One of the attributes of men that most women find attractive is their steadiness, their “unshakeableness” in the face of difficulty. This does not mean “not feeling.” It does tend to imply a groundedness, a connection to strength, and the ability to see the forest from the trees.

The capacity for steadiness of mind is not only beneficial for relationships with others, it is essential for well-being within ourselves. I have used mindfulness in various settings with clients. It has proven more than adequate to help with stress, anxiety, and substance use.

This ability for insight is like any ability, in having greater benefits, it must be practiced. One does not go to the gym once and then say “I am strong!” Strength, skill, endurance, insight - all are built. All are capacities that can be shaped, honed, and grown. 

Steadiness of mind is not only for those around us, but it is for us as well. Like any activity, the more we practice, the better we get, and the more rewards we reap. The ability to direct our thoughts is essential to our success, our health, and our happiness. And it doesn’t take much to have an impact on your health. Just like a high-intensity workout can garner a great physique, a highly-focused meditation can sculpt a powerful mind. (Fun fact, six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates would only exercise 15-20 minutes per day, not including rest periods between sets.)

In our work together I will teach you to train your mind to become your own Mental Mr. Olympia. Like any training regimen, you can take it as far as you find helpful, and you can begin even now: Close your eyes. Take three deep breaths. Breathe into your belly. Notice the air going in and out of your torso. Notice your experience. Open your eyes.

Rep 1 complete.