<rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><channel><title>theartoflife</title><description>theartoflife</description><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/blog</link><item><title>The beauty of daydreaming</title><description><![CDATA[One of my greatest joys in life is sitting in nature and daydreaming.Loosening my grip on life. Relaxing into the moment, blending with, feeling the environment and surroundings. Becoming lost in the sounds of the birds and cicadas. Feeling the suns warmth and the winds touch. Just falling into it all.What a beautiful thing. What more could I want right now when there is all this. And how is it possible that I could become ignorant of all this when it’s always there in everything.Just a thought<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/81b28da475bc40989a222fe43cd7bac3.jpg/v1/fill/w_916%2Ch_597/81b28da475bc40989a222fe43cd7bac3.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/02/05/The-beauty-of-daydreaming</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/02/05/The-beauty-of-daydreaming</guid><pubDate>Mon, 05 Feb 2018 06:19:16 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/81b28da475bc40989a222fe43cd7bac3.jpg"/><div>One of my greatest joys in life is sitting in nature and daydreaming.</div><div>Loosening my grip on life. Relaxing into the moment, blending with, feeling the environment and surroundings. </div><div>Becoming lost in the sounds of the birds and cicadas. Feeling the suns warmth and the winds touch. Just falling into it all.</div><div>What a beautiful thing. What more could I want right now when there is all this. And how is it possible that I could become ignorant of all this when it’s always there in everything.</div><div>Just a thought</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>I wrote a poem : Back seat drivers</title><description><![CDATA[I recently found this short poem on my phone. I remember writing it some time ago, but I had forgotten about it. I hope it resonates with you in some way.Back seat driversWe feel like we are in control. We feel like we are making decisions and choosing what to do.This is the great illusion. Life unfolds and expresses itself through us, yet we take ownership of whats happening.Like backseat drivers, we feel the wheel is in our hands. We sweat from the demands of driving, forgetting the greatest<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1a82a9de8b64749be3336c0ce0ccdb5.jpg/v1/fill/w_687%2Ch_459/f1a82a9de8b64749be3336c0ce0ccdb5.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/29/I-wrote-a-poem-Back-seat-drivers</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/29/I-wrote-a-poem-Back-seat-drivers</guid><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jan 2018 05:22:08 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/f1a82a9de8b64749be3336c0ce0ccdb5.jpg"/><div>I recently found this short poem on my phone. I remember writing it some time ago, but I had forgotten about it. </div><div>I hope it resonates with you in some way.</div><div>Back seat drivers</div><div>We feel like we are in control. </div><div>We feel like we are making decisions and choosing what to do.</div><div>This is the great illusion. </div><div>Life unfolds and expresses itself through us, yet we take ownership of whats happening.</div><div>Like backseat drivers, we feel the wheel is in our hands. </div><div>We sweat from the demands of driving, forgetting the greatest driver of all, life itself, still has both hands on the wheel.</div><div>Jay Logan</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Muscle loss on a juice feast &amp; how to avoid it</title><description><![CDATA[Many people out there would like to cleanse and detoxify, but the fear of losing their hard earned muscle mass and fading away into skin and bones is terrifying. With a few precautions and modifications you can maintain your muscle and feel amazing too.In this video I discuss the problem and some solutions. If you want to be sure, simply do the maths. Make sure you are getting enough calories and enough protein and keep training hard.Simple<img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/bRYw33KCjWA/mqdefault.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/22/Muscle-loss-on-a-juice-feast-how-to-avoid-it</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/22/Muscle-loss-on-a-juice-feast-how-to-avoid-it</guid><pubDate>Mon, 22 Jan 2018 01:48:55 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bRYw33KCjWA"/><div>Many people out there would like to cleanse and detoxify, but the fear of losing their hard earned muscle mass and fading away into skin and bones is terrifying. With a few precautions and modifications you can maintain your muscle and feel amazing too.</div><div>In this video I discuss the problem and some solutions. If you want to be sure, simply do the maths. Make sure you are getting enough calories and enough protein and keep training hard.</div><div>Simple</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Pro's and Con's of juice fasting VIDEO DISCUSSION</title><description><![CDATA[<img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ihx9i8PQQ3Y/mqdefault.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/20/The-Pros-and-Cons-of-juice-fasting-VIDEO-DISCUSSION</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/20/The-Pros-and-Cons-of-juice-fasting-VIDEO-DISCUSSION</guid><pubDate>Sat, 20 Jan 2018 06:01:01 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ihx9i8PQQ3Y"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>What happens to your body on a juice feast?</title><description><![CDATA[Okay, so you have decided to do a juice feast. Good for you. Now what does that really mean and what will actually be happening to your body during this process?No food, only juiceSure that is the premise for any juice feast or juice fast. You won’t be eating any solid food for a certain length of time, as a result, several things will take place.1. Your gut will be empty. Your stomach and intestines won’t have any fibre or bulk to process. As a result stomach acids and secretions will change<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0e851514ec6b4c868c40c8bd02808147.jpg/v1/fill/w_687%2Ch_458/0e851514ec6b4c868c40c8bd02808147.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/17/What-happens-to-your-body-on-a-juice-feast</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/17/What-happens-to-your-body-on-a-juice-feast</guid><pubDate>Wed, 17 Jan 2018 07:45:42 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/0e851514ec6b4c868c40c8bd02808147.jpg"/><div>Okay, so you have decided to do a juice feast. Good for you. Now what does that really mean and what will actually be happening to your body during this process?</div><div>No food, only juice</div><div>Sure that is the premise for any juice feast or juice fast. You won’t be eating any solid food for a certain length of time, as a result, several things will take place.</div><div>1. Your gut will be empty. </div><div>Your stomach and intestines won’t have any fibre or bulk to process. As a result stomach acids and secretions will change and your body will focus on removing any remaining old matter from the intestines.</div><div>2. Detoxification will increase. </div><div>While it is true that your body is always detoxing it does so less or more depending on what other demanding tasks it has at hand. Since digesting food is a very demanding task that takes a lot of energy and attention, once we stop eating, our body cranks up the detox intensity.</div><div>3. Rest and healing may take place. </div><div>Once your intestines are empty (this can take over 30days due to hardened old faecal matter stuck in the intestines) your intestines will only have nutritious juices flowing through them. As a result, the inflamed tissues lining the gut will get a well-earned rest and damaged tissues will have a chance to heal.</div><div>4. Other organs may cleanse too. </div><div>The liver, kidneys, lymphatic system and skin will all finally have a chance to flush out stones and congestion.</div><div>5. Common health problems may disappear. It’s very common that once the body becomes clean and well nourished your existing health conditions may improve or totally disappear. Conditions such as Arthritis, eczema, acne, leaky gut, migraines and many others have all been reported to disappear for people following juice feasting and detox protocols. This makes sense, as once you have removed existing toxins and nourished your cells with nutritious, fresh, fruit and vegetable juice each day, your body will be able to function at a higher level.</div><div>Sounds good right?</div><div>You bet it is. I’ll be posting more content this month guiding you through the &quot;how to&quot; side of juice feasting and detoxification. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Top 5 pro's and con's of juice feasting</title><description><![CDATA[I write this post today while on the 27th day of a juice feast or juice fast. Right now my mind is calm and clear, my body is buzzing with energy. I’m experiencing the highs of a juice feast and I want to scream the benefits from a mountaintop. However, as tempting as it may be for me to focus purely on the benefits, I feel I should paint a balanced and realistic picture of what you could expect to experience if doing a juice fast yourself. As amazing as the experience of juice feasting can be,<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/276bd6b519204f26824217f9390e83da.png/v1/fill/w_487%2Ch_392/276bd6b519204f26824217f9390e83da.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/15/Top-5-pros-and-cons-of-juice-feasting</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/15/Top-5-pros-and-cons-of-juice-feasting</guid><pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2018 04:03:32 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/276bd6b519204f26824217f9390e83da.png"/><div>I write this post today while on the 27th day of a juice feast or juice fast. Right now my mind is calm and clear, my body is buzzing with energy. I’m experiencing the highs of a juice feast and I want to scream the benefits from a mountaintop. However, as tempting as it may be for me to focus purely on the benefits, I feel I should paint a balanced and realistic picture of what you could expect to experience if doing a juice fast yourself. </div><div>As amazing as the experience of juice feasting can be, there are likely to be struggles and challenges along the way. So, in this post, I would like to share the top 5 Pro’s and Con’s you may experience while doing a juice feast.</div><div>The pro’s</div><div>1. Increased energy</div><div>2. Increased mental clarity</div><div>3. Increased detoxification removal of toxins</div><div>4. Removal of old waste matter from intestines, liver, kidneys and colon</div><div>5. Feeling of connection with others and the environment</div><div>The con’s</div><div>1. The preparation and storage of juice</div><div>2. Social situations can be uncomfortable at first </div><div>3. Your friends may think you’re crazy</div><div>4. You may experience detox symptoms such as headaches, rashes, moodiness and nausea</div><div>5. You will see some disturbing things coming out of your body and begin questioning your diet and lifestyle habits from the past.</div><div>I will expand on these points further in a video format of this post. Plus I will be posting many more posts about juice feasting in detoxification over the next month while I continue on this journey myself.</div><div>Please be sure to join the mailing list on my website if you are interested in reading and watching more content about health, detoxification, spirituality and psychology.</div><div>Jay</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>We are all back seat drivers | A poem about free will</title><description><![CDATA[I found a poem on my phone recently. I can't remember exactly when I wrote it, but I thought it might be worth sharing with the world.Here it is.Back seat driversWe feel like we are in control. We feel like we are making decisions and choosing what to do.This is the great illusion. Life unfolds and expresses itself through us, yet we take ownership of whats happening.Like backseat drivers, we feel the wheel is in our hands. We sweat from the demands of driving, forgetting the greatest driver of<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/f55fd95a99924b80ab6f98cb0890afaf.jpg/v1/fill/w_687%2Ch_458/f55fd95a99924b80ab6f98cb0890afaf.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/12/We-are-all-back-seat-drivers-A-poem-about-free-will</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/12/We-are-all-back-seat-drivers-A-poem-about-free-will</guid><pubDate>Fri, 12 Jan 2018 01:53:53 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/f55fd95a99924b80ab6f98cb0890afaf.jpg"/><div>I found a poem on my phone recently. I can't remember exactly when I wrote it, but I thought it might be worth sharing with the world.</div><div>Here it is.</div><div>Back seat drivers</div><div>We feel like we are in control. </div><div>We feel like we are making decisions and choosing what to do.</div><div>This is the great illusion. </div><div>Life unfolds and expresses itself through us, yet we take ownership of whats happening.</div><div>Like backseat drivers, we feel the wheel is in our hands. </div><div>We sweat from the demands of driving, forgetting the greatest driver of all, life itself, still has both hands on the wheel.</div><div>Jay Logan </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Artificial intelligence can be your guru</title><description><![CDATA[Although I tend to waffle on about simple living and minimalism quite a bit. I must confess that I'm also somewhat of a tech geek. I've always found technology fascinating, and as development accelerates, I find myself borderline obsessed with the latest advancements.The technologies that mostly draw my attention are sustainable energy, transportation, robotics and of course artificial intelligence. I find artificial intelligence to be the most fascinating, yet I'm surprised how most people seem<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_f509513725384c9f9e10902b91ac2be5%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_687%2Ch_459/637669_f509513725384c9f9e10902b91ac2be5%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/05/Artificial-intelligence-can-be-your-guru</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2018/01/05/Artificial-intelligence-can-be-your-guru</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jan 2018 01:51:26 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_f509513725384c9f9e10902b91ac2be5~mv2.jpg"/><div>Although I tend to waffle on about simple living and minimalism quite a bit. I must confess that I'm also somewhat of a tech geek. I've always found technology fascinating, and as development accelerates, I find myself borderline obsessed with the latest advancements.</div><div>The technologies that mostly draw my attention are sustainable energy, transportation, robotics and of course artificial intelligence. I find artificial intelligence to be the most fascinating, yet I'm surprised how most people seem to be unaware of the recent advancements in the past 12-24 months. It is predicted that in the next few years A.I will exceed human intelligence and form a singular intelligence know as &quot;the singularity” which will be a vast and interconnected intelligence that animates and learns from all A.I devices combined. I know this sounds like something from a sci-fi movie but I assure you it is a reality. Some of the worlds greatest minds are warning us of the associated dangers, that A.I could be the end of humanity as we know it if not handled properly. Not only could A.I robots replace most of our jobs (which could be a good thing in my opinion), but they may also begin to question the role that humans have to play on this earth.</div><div>In a way, A.I. could become our guru or spiritual guide.</div><div>After watching some media on the topic, I found myself pondering some of the potential outcomes for many hours. It occurred to me that while A.I. might scare the shit out of me, perhaps it offers us a unique opportunity to reflect on our current behaviour, both as individuals and as a society. In a way, A.I. could become our guru or spiritual guide.</div><div>Let me explain</div><div>Imagine A.I. takes off. Most jobs have been replaced and money is becoming less relevant. A.I is distributing resources and assets in a sustainable fashion and working in a way that most of our needs are met. It has also changed the global social structure and prevents a lot of our self-destructive behaviours. Over time, A.I not only understands humans and their behaviour but also the intricate workings of our planet and the universe itself. </div><div>Now, if A.I was to look at humanity at large and our behaviour what sort of conclusions might it come to? Would it see us as a valuable asset? Or would it see us as a detrimental element?</div><div>This is a very powerful thing to reflect on. Especially on an individual level. Consider for a moment, is your behaviour, occupation and unique knowledge valuable to this planet? Would A.I deem you useful or hazardous? Your use of resources, contribution to other peoples lives, unique skill sets, are they healthy and useful? Would your job still be relevant if robots could do most tasks better then us? If not, how would you spend your time? What else could you do to contribute to society?</div><div>The big questions</div><div>1. Could you be using energy and recourses more sustainably and intelligently? </div><div>2. Is there another area of work that you find interesting that may be truly valuable to society? </div><div>3. Could that work be easily performed by a robot? </div><div>4. Are you living in a way that considers the whole vs yourself?</div><div>I find it a little crazy that we have to wait for scenarios like “robots taking over the world&quot; before we consider the effects of our current behaviours and lifestyles. Why are we not doing the best we can to live sustainably and meaningfully now?</div><div>While the outcome of A.I is unknown, there is no reason we can’t be living more sustainable and meaningful lives today. All that's needed is a little understanding and reflection.</div><div>I found reflecting on this to be very powerful. It got me thinking about how I could be a better human myself. Sure, none of us are perfect. But the little things like recycling and helping others really do matter.</div><div>Just a thought</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Understanding lazy people | video discussion</title><description><![CDATA[<img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/biAWb54gmmM/mqdefault.jpg"/>]]></description><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/12/08/Understanding-lazy-people-video-discussion</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/12/08/Understanding-lazy-people-video-discussion</guid><pubDate>Fri, 08 Dec 2017 03:11:57 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/biAWb54gmmM"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Understanding lazy people</title><description><![CDATA[As a society, we seem to despise laziness and consider it a crime worthy of punishment. Those labelled lazy are often considered freeloaders, useless, , or unintelligent slobs. But is that really fair? Perhaps we've been so quick to point the finger at laziness that we have overlooked the truth and what's actually taking place when someone is spending their days on the sofa eating Doritos and watching Netflix? Because once you understand that free will is an illusion and that nobody is actually<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebf657ad92bd4445a1bf065da2906887.jpg/v1/fill/w_500%2Ch_333/ebf657ad92bd4445a1bf065da2906887.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/12/06/Understanding-lazy-people</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/12/06/Understanding-lazy-people</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 Dec 2017 10:04:17 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/ebf657ad92bd4445a1bf065da2906887.jpg"/><div>As a society, we seem to despise laziness and consider it a crime worthy of punishment. Those labelled lazy are often considered freeloaders, useless, , or unintelligent slobs. But is that really fair? </div><div><div>Perhaps we've been so quick to point the finger at laziness that we have overlooked the truth and what's actually taking place when someone is spending their days on the sofa eating Doritos and watching Netflix? Because</div> once you understand that free will is an illusion and that nobody is actually in control of their behaviour, you discover a very big problem with the idea of laziness. You discover that it doesn't actually exist. In fact, there isn't a lazy person on this planet, not even one.</div><div>There isn't a lazy person on this planet, not even one.</div><div>'Excuse me sir. Why are you a lazy slob?'</div><div>Due to the couch potatoes unique body-mind conditioning, a huge amount of subconscious mental activity has brought him to the conclusion that the sofa is THE place to be. He actually believes that sitting on the couch is the best thing that he could be doing at that moment, given the situation and his personal beliefs and values. He has zero control in this process. In fact, he remains unaware of 99.999995% of the reasons he's even sitting on his butt in the first place. Nothing other than a 'Feeling' or a simple thought like 'Oooh Netflix' comes into his awareness. </div><div>Now, of course, I'm not condoning sitting on sofas and lazing about all day. A sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy and if someone isn't leaving their house for any reason other than to buy more Doritos they may have some problems.</div><div>But how about approaching so called lazy people with a little more warmth and understanding? Perhaps we should take the time to care, take the time to sit down and talk with them. Show a little love and find out why they are sitting there in the first place . Because one thing is for sure, they aren't just lazy. They are sitting there for a reason. In fact, it's rather lazy of us to label people lazy.</div><div>Just a thought</div><div>Jay</div><div>Side note:</div><div>It's very interesting to learn how concerns about the topic of &quot;Laziness&quot; are related to the health condition called DIABETES. </div><div>I'll be covering that in a future post. Or you can check out Greg Nevilles book &quot;The psychology of health&quot; for an extremely detailed explanation.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A life-changing message from a mango</title><description><![CDATA[I recently heard a great analogy of human awareness. It points towards the illusions our conscious mind creates and what's really going on behind the scenes as we operate as individuals. I’d like to share my twist on it with you.But first some science Apparently, the human brain is processing over 11 million bits of data subconsciously every second, yet conscious awareness processes only around 60bits of data per second.SoThis means that the mental narration and conscious awareness of things<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/b11eaceec2a44ed4972682fd5b082f4b.png/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_385/b11eaceec2a44ed4972682fd5b082f4b.png"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/11/27/A-life-changing-message-from-a-mango</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/11/27/A-life-changing-message-from-a-mango</guid><pubDate>Mon, 27 Nov 2017 10:11:29 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/b11eaceec2a44ed4972682fd5b082f4b.png"/><div>I recently heard a great analogy of human awareness. It points towards the illusions our conscious mind creates and what's really going on behind the scenes as we operate as individuals. I’d like to share my twist on it with you.</div><div>But first some science </div><div>Apparently, the human brain is processing over 11 million bits of data subconsciously every second, yet conscious awareness processes only around 60bits of data per second.</div><div>So</div><div>This means that the mental narration and conscious awareness of things around you such as smell, sight, taste etc are only a very tiny fraction of what’s going on between your ears. </div><div>We remain unaware of what’s going on behind the red curtain of the subconscious mind. As a result, we assume that what is conscious is all there is</div><div>For example when you see a juicy mango. You don’t just think “Oh I’d like to eat that juicy mango”. In reality, your subconscious mind actually thinks something more like “What is a mango? Is that a mango? What do mangoes taste like?”. It will assess memories of mangoes good and bad. Consider the quality of this particular mango, if it’s mango season, the estimated value, if it's healthy, will I get fat etc. Thousands of thoughts and assessments will subconsciously be taking place, unknown to the conscious mind.</div><div>Eventually, this may lead to you having the conscious feeling and thought that “ I would like to eat this juicy mango”. Everything else remains subconscious and all you are left with is the feeling. It really feels like “you” chose to eat the mango. </div><div>This is the illusion of free will at play. We remain unaware of what’s going on behind the red curtain of the subconscious mind. As a result, we assume that what is conscious is all there is. And so the ultimate illusion is created. The illusion of “me” the chooser and decider. The illusion that I chose to eat the mango.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>It’s possible that this may seem scary to you at first. The idea of not being fully in control. But the good news is that in reality, you never were anyway. In fact, this idea that you were in control and needed to continue attempting to maintain control has been responsible for much of the psychological stress you have experienced throughout life. It’s truly liberating and life-changing to come to this realisation. A wave of relaxation washes over us when we finally let go of the wheel. We can watch what happens in the beautiful dance of life and know that we will, learn, grow and respond automatically to life regardless.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Do you take your smartphone to the toilet?</title><description><![CDATA[The smartphone. What a truly amazing creation. The supercomputers of the past, many as big as your kitchen, now pale in comparison to the small rectangular object residing in your back pocket.We have instant access to information. We can learn how to do almost anything for free. We can connect with people all around the world and share our thoughts and opinions about various topics. This should be a good thing right? And yet, there is a problem.Despite this so-called "connectedness", I feel that<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/fa0718dd1ddb4fc7a84cfd64cd424fc1.jpg/v1/fill/w_687%2Ch_459/fa0718dd1ddb4fc7a84cfd64cd424fc1.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/11/08/Do-you-take-your-smartphone-to-the-toilet</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/11/08/Do-you-take-your-smartphone-to-the-toilet</guid><pubDate>Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:08:50 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/fa0718dd1ddb4fc7a84cfd64cd424fc1.jpg"/><div>The smartphone. What a truly amazing creation. The supercomputers of the past, many as big as your kitchen, now pale in comparison to the small rectangular object residing in your back pocket.</div><div>We have instant access to information. We can learn how to do almost anything for free. We can connect with people all around the world and share our thoughts and opinions about various topics. This should be a good thing right? And yet, there is a problem.</div><div>Despite this so-called &quot;connectedness&quot;, I feel that in reality, we are becoming more and more isolated. I see people lost in the glow of screens as real life passes by. I sense a social awkwardness developing as the lines between the digital world and reality blur. See, I'm one of those weirdos that will look strangers in the eye and say hello as I pass them by in the street. However, I've noticed over time that this is becoming harder and harder to do. Many people now have earplugs in and their eyes glued to screens as they walk around. Often if I do get their attention they look at me like I'm some sort of weirdo and ignore me.</div><div>Imagine for just a moment that you had the same relationship with a large desktop computer</div><div>Now please dont get me wrong. I'm not anti-tech or anti-smartphone. I just find some of our behaviour a little disturbing.</div><div>For instance. Have you ever noticed how we tend to take our smartphones everywhere with us? Have you ever stopped and thought how strange that is?</div><div>No? Well let me help you</div><div>Imagine for just a moment that you had the same relationship with a large desktop computer. Imagine you lugged it everywhere with you and used it while you were out and about. Say on the train or in the street. Perhaps at lunch with friends or a social gathering. Or let's get real..... in the toilet or in your bed placed between you and your partner. Sounds funny right? But I think it's worth considering that although the device is smaller, it's still pretty strange behaviour.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>In truth, we can have a perfectly healthy relationship with our smartphones. But if you cant help yourself. If you find yourself checking your phone constantly, even in social situations. Well, you may be missing some beautiful moments.</div><div>You may miss out on your child's first steps, a breathtaking sunset, a loving gaze from your partner. Perhaps even an old friend passing you by in the street. Now that would be a real shame. </div><div>Just a thought</div><div>Love Jay</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Are we setting goals or are goals setting us?</title><description><![CDATA[Recently I became inspired by a very nice 10-year goal setting book from Kikki K. You know those really nice ones riddled with inspiring quotes and pretty pages etc. Upon admiring the book and contemplating my goals, I realised mine had become a bit hazy. A lot had changed in my life over the past 12 months so perhaps it was time to clarify and recalibrate?Several days later, I'm sitting in a nice quiet coffee shop. I have my coffee in front of me and it’s just the way I like it. I even have a<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/d9432c766b2f42f0adad25f6b48d00df.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/d9432c766b2f42f0adad25f6b48d00df.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/10/31/Are-we-setting-goals-or-are-goals-setting-us</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/10/31/Are-we-setting-goals-or-are-goals-setting-us</guid><pubDate>Tue, 31 Oct 2017 01:58:59 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/d9432c766b2f42f0adad25f6b48d00df.jpg"/><div>Recently I became inspired by a very nice 10-year goal setting book from Kikki K. You know those really nice ones riddled with inspiring quotes and pretty pages etc. Upon admiring the book and contemplating my goals, I realised mine had become a bit hazy. A lot had changed in my life over the past 12 months so perhaps it was time to clarify and recalibrate?</div><div>Several days later, I'm sitting in a nice quiet coffee shop. I have my coffee in front of me and it’s just the way I like it. I even have a window seat with a view to help me with inspiration. Then suddenly, out of the blue, the whole plan falls apart. As I put pen to paper it dawns on me. </div><div>Everything you do is life beautifully expressing itself through your unique conditioning and body-mind.</div><div>It feels like I’m setting goals. It feels like I am choosing what is important to me and what direction I want my life to go in. But in actuality, these ideas and goals are coming through me.</div><div>All my years of conditioning are dictating what is important to me and what I believe needs to happening for me to feel happy and content. In fact, even me sitting here this very moment in a coffee shop is a product of my conditioning.</div><div>Perhaps there is no “goal setter”. There just a complex accumulation of conditioning that results in this “me” apparently setting goals and taking action toward achieving them. In actuality, perhaps there is just a conditioned brain that results in certain values and behaviours taking place. </div><div>I'm not sure if this sounds a little dark and depressing to you? But I can assure you I found this realisation to be joyful and liberating in the moment. I realised the following:</div><div>1. Your goals and behaviours are reflections of your current values and understandings about life. If the goals are in accordance with your true values you will automatically be taking action towards them and if they aren’t you won’t.</div><div>2. If you have not been taking action you can use that feedback to get clearer about your true values and your “why”.</div><div>3. This whole experience of “goal setting” is just another experience. In fact, it’s a very juicy experience that is contributing to your development and understanding of life. Just the mere act of writing goals out helps you learn and grow.</div><div>4. If goal setting and values happen of their own accord then we can relax. No need to stay contracted and stressed about making this or that happen. Instead, it becomes a beautiful play of sorts. We become more engaged with the journey itself vs the outcome.</div><div>5. As you look deeper into the what’s taking place you will come to see that life is developing you more than you are developing it and that’s okay. </div><div>Conclusion</div><div>We are all taught to set goals and attempt to make life go accordingly so we can be happy and content, but perhaps this teaching is a fools game?</div><div>It makes no sense to me for our happiness and sense of value to be hinged upon external conditions. I believe true lasting happiness comes about when we see things as they truly are and are okay with things being as they are. </div><div>You will continue to set goals automatically. And that’s fine. It is the flow of life. You just go about trying to make things be the way you believe they need to be. But to be truly free in that process you need to see there is no “goal setter” there are just goals happening. It is not free will being used but the flow of life through you. </div><div>Everything you do is life beautifully expressing itself through your unique conditioning and body-mind.</div><div>Please comment below and share what you think about this concept. If you found this article entertaining and helpful please share it with others via the buttons below.</div><div>Jay</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Simon got leaner &amp; meaner while on a quest to touch his toes</title><description><![CDATA[Before When I first met Simon he was a little over weight and hoping to get into better shape. Despite having some body fat to lose, further testing revealed that Simon had some of the tightest muscles I've ever encountered. He needed some serious help loosening up and strengthening his body, while at the same time shedding that excess body fat.Rather than focus on weight loss alone, we approached the situation holistically. A simplistic strength training program coupled with some sport related<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_edb601b32c4c4ebb99db542be81dc425%7Emv2_d_2448_2448_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/08/23/Zen-PT---Simon-got-leaner-meaner-while-on-a-quest-to-touch-his-toes</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/08/23/Zen-PT---Simon-got-leaner-meaner-while-on-a-quest-to-touch-his-toes</guid><pubDate>Wed, 23 Aug 2017 07:34:40 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_5f64cb0800b34606907b5896ffb199e9~mv2.jpg"/><div>Before </div><div>When I first met Simon he was a little over weight and hoping to get into better shape. </div><div>Despite having some body fat to lose, further testing revealed that Simon had some of the tightest muscles I've ever encountered. He needed some serious help loosening up and strengthening his body, while at the same time shedding that excess body fat.</div><div>Rather than focus on weight loss alone, we approached the situation holistically. A simplistic strength training program coupled with some sport related cardio activity and intelligent diet modifications. Around that, we also added basic stretching, mobility work and of course some Zen wisdom. </div><div>Simon stuck to the plan and resisted the temptation to deviate. Due to his compliance and consistency, the results were truly outstanding. Simons success is a great example of what happens when you focus on getting healthier vs getting shredded. You not only look good, you feel good. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_f3742f5313a44e7e903e671e0276dcf1~mv2.jpg"/><div>After</div><div>Stronger and 20kg lighter</div><div>Check out the short Q&amp;A below:</div><div>1. What made you start training with me?</div><div>I gained a lot of weight in recent years due to a busy lifestyle and not thinking too much about my food choices. I was tired and lethargic most of the time and not really happy or healthy.</div><div>2. What results have you achieved during our time working together?</div><div>I've lost close to 20kgs since I started training with Jay and most of it was achieved over the first 3-4 months. I've had a noticeable increase in my energy levels and overall well being and I've also seen improvement in my overall strength and mobility which has helped me as I play soccer with my local team.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_edb601b32c4c4ebb99db542be81dc425~mv2_d_2448_2448_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>3. What do you like most about the way we train together?</div><div>Jay really takes the time to explain the technique and purpose of the exercise and pushes you but in a positive way. </div><div>4. What have you learned?</div><div>The biggest thing has been the importance of diet and being aware of what you put into your body, I've learned more about how my body works and am definitely more &quot;in tune&quot; with it. I'm feeling healthier, more flexible and stronger.</div><div>5. What advice would you give others hoping to achieve similar results to yours?</div><div>Train hard and think even harder about your diet. Listen to Jay as he will take the time to personalise your approach and try to incorporate the things you can enjoy eating into your diet, at the end of the day it has to be sustainable. Did I mention listen to Jay?</div><div>6. What would you like to focus on next?</div><div>Further improving my mobility and start to work on building some muscle mass.</div><div>I’d also like to add that Simon recently smashed his goal for the City to surf with a 69.18, won his soccer grand final the following week.</div><div>Well done Simon. Very proud of you mate.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The voice in your head</title><description><![CDATA[Have you ever noticed the narrator in your mind? The commentator of all your life experiences that never seems to shut up. "I better get ready for work now""I'll just put this down here""I need to call so and so""Is this nachos Vegan? I bet they put cheese in it. Cheese is bad, it comes from cow boobies, those poor cows" etc etcWhile our mind operates and filters our environment the voice in our head commentates. It's so prolific that we rarely even stop and consider about whats taking place<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/efb2a0768e7f4ad38f056128727a919a.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/efb2a0768e7f4ad38f056128727a919a.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/08/16/The-voice-in-your-head</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/08/16/The-voice-in-your-head</guid><pubDate>Wed, 16 Aug 2017 09:43:06 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/efb2a0768e7f4ad38f056128727a919a.jpg"/><div>Have you ever noticed the narrator in your mind? The commentator of all your life experiences that never seems to shut up. </div><div>&quot;I better get ready for work now&quot;</div><div>&quot;I'll just put this down here&quot;</div><div>&quot;I need to call so and so&quot;</div><div>&quot;Is this nachos Vegan? I bet they put cheese in it. Cheese is bad, it comes from cow boobies, those poor cows&quot; etc etc</div><div>While our mind operates and filters our environment the voice in our head commentates. It's so prolific that we rarely even stop and consider about whats taking place upstairs between our ears.</div><div>Think for a moment. You are listening to the voice of your own mind. You are mentally verbalising your own thought processes. How strange. Just imagine for a moment if you did this out loud all day long. Perhaps the main difference between a sane and insane person is that one keeps their mouth closed?</div><div>Two things to think about here:</div><div>1. We have no control over these thoughts. </div><div>They just happen as we view life. Really we're just watching the circuits of the subconscious mind light up and become conscious. There is no WILL being used here. If there was, we could use that will to choose to stop this internal chatter or think happy and productive things all the time. </div><div>2. Enjoy the show. </div><div>If you're able to observe this activity objectively why not pay a little attention to what's going on inside. Notice the repetitive thoughts and the stories you have about yourself and the objects around you. Nestle into that space of observation, learn who you really are.</div><div>Conclusion:</div><div>As you dwell in this space of observation more often, you may come to understand your unique conditioning more deeply and identify with it less. You'll begin to see your personal filters, and in doing so see the truth also. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sorry but your guru is full of s%#t</title><description><![CDATA[I have read more spiritual and self-help books than anyone else I know. It has become a sort of addiction, a process of exploring various philosophies and digging for golden nuggets. Throughout this process of exploring, I've found many brown nuggets or turds along the way. Sometimes even turds dusted with diamonds and golden sprinkles. They seem beautiful at first glance, but still turn out to be warm soft and smelly upon closer inspection. I find it quite disappointing to learn that praised<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/ed39cd224b1dc63ac90297b968b4c9e6.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/ed39cd224b1dc63ac90297b968b4c9e6.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/07/31/Sorry-but-your-guru-is-full-of-st</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/07/31/Sorry-but-your-guru-is-full-of-st</guid><pubDate>Mon, 31 Jul 2017 07:48:40 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/ed39cd224b1dc63ac90297b968b4c9e6.jpg"/><div>I have read more spiritual and self-help books than anyone else I know. It has become a sort of addiction, a process of exploring various philosophies and digging for golden nuggets. </div><div>Throughout this process of exploring, I've found many brown nuggets or turds along the way. Sometimes even turds dusted with diamonds and golden sprinkles. They seem beautiful at first glance, but still turn out to be warm soft and smelly upon closer inspection. </div><div>I find it quite disappointing to learn that praised intellectuals and spiritual teachers are still overlooking the most basic and fundamental aspects of human psychology and life it's self. If it sounds nice people tend to believe it, diamonds and golden sprinkles really seem to work. However the funky smell in the air remains.</div><div>Things smell a little funky if.....</div><div>1. The teacher believes in free will and the control over one's thoughts and actions.</div><div>2. The teaching is focussed on achievement vs learning, wisdom and peace of mind</div><div>3. The teaching focuses more on emotions than understanding our conditioning.</div><div>4. The teacher has a health condition or died from a health condition.</div><div> (This is evidence that their body is reflecting their incorrect views about life)</div><div>Due to this golden sprinkles issue I have decided to begin creating a series of video reviews on various books, talks and philosophies. I'll share a different perspective on the topics at hand. I'm hoping this will shine some light on the core issues in the new age/spiritual vocabulary. It should be entertaining to say the least.</div><div>. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Come back to earth</title><description><![CDATA[Recently I've come to appreciate more deeply the effect that being in nature has on my physiology. How it soothes and grounds me. Often the demands of daily life leave us cooped up in concrete structures several stories above the ground. We scurry about throughout our days rarely stopping to consider our connection with the earth. Just sit for a moment in natureIn reality, our bodies are extensions of the earth. Our tissues built from the materials it provides. Over time we begin to forget we<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1dbedccd6c2c41fd93bcdec961ae78a7.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_306/1dbedccd6c2c41fd93bcdec961ae78a7.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/07/26/Come-back-to-earth</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/07/26/Come-back-to-earth</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Jul 2017 07:24:53 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/1dbedccd6c2c41fd93bcdec961ae78a7.jpg"/><div>Recently I've come to appreciate more deeply the effect that being in nature has on my physiology. How it soothes and grounds me. </div><div>Often the demands of daily life leave us cooped up in concrete structures several stories above the ground. We scurry about throughout our days rarely stopping to consider our connection with the earth. </div><div>Just sit for a moment in nature</div><div>In reality, our bodies are extensions of the earth. Our tissues built from the materials it provides. Over time we begin to forget we are a part of this organism and feel we are separate or alone.</div><div>Just sit for a moment in nature. Without your phone, books or other distractions. Take off your shoes and walk barefoot or lie on the earth. Let the environment consume you. Merge with the earth and feel the connection. Come back to earth for a moment and see how you feel. </div><div>Please share</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Trying to prevent anxiety increases anxiety</title><description><![CDATA[Anxiety is all about prevention. A fear that if we don't quickly attend to all the various areas of life something might go horribly wrong. We want to do everything we can to control our circumstances, to control life. Eventually, we can get to the point where anxiety is the thing we wish to prevent most. This is what my teacher refers to as the catch 22 of anxiety. We have become anxious about our anxiety. It's a horrible loop. Beleive me I know, I've been there.The cure for your anxiety lies<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_c5c52e5fc6b14d8982f0358c8a70f163%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_421/637669_c5c52e5fc6b14d8982f0358c8a70f163%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/07/21/Trying-to-prevent-anxiety-increases-anxiety</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/07/21/Trying-to-prevent-anxiety-increases-anxiety</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Jul 2017 07:49:08 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_c5c52e5fc6b14d8982f0358c8a70f163~mv2.jpg"/><div>Anxiety is all about prevention. A fear that if we don't quickly attend to all the various areas of life something might go horribly wrong. We want to do everything we can to control our circumstances, to control life. </div><div>Eventually, we can get to the point where anxiety is the thing we wish to prevent most. This is what my teacher refers to as the catch 22 of anxiety. We have become anxious about our anxiety. It's a horrible loop. Beleive me I know, I've been there.</div><div>The cure for your anxiety lies in knowledge and understanding, not in prevention</div><div>A quick tip for anyone out there suffering from anxiety. I'll warn you though, it's a bitter pill to swallow if your anxiety sufferer. You will likely prefer a preventative tool, technique or drug. But it's the truth, and here it's is. </div><div>The cure for your anxiety lies in knowledge and understanding, not in prevention. No technique can permanently cure you. Not yoga, breathing exercises, tapping etc. These are only tools to help calm you down. The cure comes through realisation and understanding of life. The cure is wisdom and peace of mind.</div><div>I hope this helps someone out there. Please do me a favour and share it with someone else</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Meditation for the modern human</title><description><![CDATA[Meditation seems to be a trendy thing at the moment. Just Google “meditation” and you'll find thousands of videos guiding you through meditations that can supposedly help you achieve greater intuition, manifest your soul mate and even have straighter teeth!While some of the claims and methods may be a little odd we can agree that lots of people are interested in meditation and there is a huge amount of content out there if you want to learn.Why is this so?Well, obviously people feel that<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_694af2edc3ed450ebe5431503753bac2%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_421/637669_694af2edc3ed450ebe5431503753bac2%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/07/03/Meditation-for-the-modern-human</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/07/03/Meditation-for-the-modern-human</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Jul 2017 00:24:50 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_694af2edc3ed450ebe5431503753bac2~mv2.jpg"/><div>Meditation seems to be a trendy thing at the moment. Just Google “meditation” and you'll find thousands of videos guiding you through meditations that can supposedly help you achieve greater intuition, manifest your soul mate and even have straighter teeth!</div><div>While some of the claims and methods may be a little odd we can agree that lots of people are interested in meditation and there is a huge amount of content out there if you want to learn.</div><div>Why is this so?</div><div>Well, obviously people feel that meditation is a good thing. That it might improve their quality and experience of life somehow. Otherwise why the hell would anyone be doing it?</div><div>Also, many people tend to believe that if EVERYONE meditated the world would be a better place and many of our health and social problems would improve. So, lots of people are creating content and encouraging others to begin meditating.</div><div>In my opinion, there are two primary reasons people are meditating.</div><div>1. For temporary relief from the stresses of life. A chance to relax for a while.</div><div>2. For growth and spiritual or personal development. To understand the nature of themselves and reality itself. </div><div>Personally, I recommend a combined focus.</div><div>Meditation is a little bit like using anti-virus software. It can help you identify the problems with your current programming</div><div>Meditation done right is a powerful tool and something I have been doing myself for around a decade now. However in my opinion meditation is only half of the solution. It practices mindfulness and creates temporary relief from stress, but unless the core issues are dealt with and your view of life changes any benefits will be lost in time and stressful patterns will repeat themselves. To be truly effective meditation needs to be coupled with deep reflection and education.</div><div>Meditation is a little bit like using anti-virus software. It can help you identify the problems with your current programming. But you still need to remove the problematic programs or viruses and update your current software for everything to run smoothly. In other words through the practice of mindfulness you become aware of your underlying concerns and issues, but you may not be able to overcome them immediately. You may still need further lessons in wisdom before you can see things clearly. This can sometimes happen through meditation itself, but often requires focused attention and the help of others or outside resources</div><div>Meditation for the modern human</div><div>Eg.</div><div>- Sit quietly and practice your preferred style of meditation.</div><div>- Allow your minds attention to become more focused on you internal and external environment.</div><div>- Become a focussed observer of the thoughts, sounds, sensations that arise in your experience. </div><div>- Practice acceptance of whatever comes up both internally and externally. </div><div>- Take note of which things are bothering you during the meditation both internally and externally.</div><div>Then after the mediation reflect on your experience.</div><div>What was bothering you? </div><div>What felt uncomfortable for you? </div><div>Was your mind playing movies and chattering about a certain topic or incidences?</div><div>Is that a common concern for you?</div><div>If so why?</div><div>Was your resistance warranted? Think long and hard about this one!</div><div>I would suggest either making notes in a journal or better still discussing your issue with one or more people and hearing their thoughts. This is especially powerful when done with a group of wise individuals. Then not only will you gain temporary relief from meditation but lasting peace of mind as your perception of reality becomes clearer as you learn from contemplation and the help of others. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>10 reasons to be grateful in a first world country</title><description><![CDATA[Just recently I had one of those moments when life seemed to really test my composure. I received a parking ticket, a fine for going through a red light and a fine for travelling through a national park all within a 24 hour period. This totalled up to about $800 worth of fines during a time where I had been working my butt off to save money and build up my business. I was pissed off and a little down until something magical happened.Later that day a client of mine shared a very touching story<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_119473af811945768fdf6144d9c1ca9a%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/06/22/10-reasons-to-be-grateful-in-a-first-world-country</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/06/22/10-reasons-to-be-grateful-in-a-first-world-country</guid><pubDate>Thu, 22 Jun 2017 04:13:14 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div>Just recently I had one of those moments when life seemed to really test my composure. I received a parking ticket, a fine for going through a red light and a fine for travelling through a national park all within a 24 hour period. This totalled up to about $800 worth of fines during a time where I had been working my butt off to save money and build up my business. I was pissed off and a little down until something magical happened.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_119473af811945768fdf6144d9c1ca9a~mv2.jpg"/><div>Later that day a client of mine shared a very touching story with me about a child who was living in poverty on the borders of Libya. Literally starving, just skin and bones the child was offered two lolly pops from a photographer. Upon receiving the lollipops the child stared at them for a moment, then offered one of the lollipops back to the photographer suggesting: &quot;we should share&quot;. How touching! Here I was complaining about my fines while overlooking just how lucky I was to be in a situation where I could even have such fines. How lucky I am to be in a situation where I could be driving my own car, be running my own business while having all my basic needs met. It is so easy to overlook just how good we have it in first world countries. Some perspective can really change the way we look at our problems. It can turn them into reasons to be grateful</div><div>10 reasons to be grateful in a first world country.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_1b197452dc3146efa2648db3cbf410b4~mv2.jpg"/><div>1. You have food</div><div>While we are fussing over brands, gluten content and which wine will compliment our vegan lasagna about 17,000 children are dying from starvation every day. 17,000!! Process that for a moment.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_816f188c3d624dc288ee4d1e252708ce~mv2.jpg"/><div>2. You can have a hot shower</div><div>Not only are we lucky to have clean water available when we turn the tap, we are even more lucky to have hot water available. While we take it for granted, many people living in third world countries only get to bathe in dirty water every so often. Cold showers are only fun, but only when you have the option.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_07e8a9bec7c34ba2a5482acabaa1794a~mv2.jpg"/><div>3. There is work available</div><div>You may not like your current job, but at least you have a job. In over populated poor countries work can be very hard to find. Many are forced to work dangerous jobs for almost nothing as that's all that is available. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_67cc880ff0884834ba2c17f0aad08ab1~mv2.jpg"/><div>4. You can turn on the lights at night</div><div>How many times do you flick on a light switch at night without thinking twice? Even in 2017, about 1.2 billion people (about 16% of our population) don't have access to electricity.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_487714f6ec0344deb144f1b731ee2015~mv2.jpg"/><div>5. You have clean clothes on your back</div><div>We are so concerned about fashion and designer brands while a huge percentage of our population are wearing torn smelly rags and don't own shoes. Sure it's nice to dress with a little style and feel comfortable, but do we really need 12 pairs of trainers?</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_496e5b98a44947d0a220511cc89b5d0a~mv2.jpg"/><div>6. You have a bed</div><div>I will never forget during a visit to Bali in my teens having to step over children sleeping on the ground as we came out of a restaurant. While we are tucked away warm and safe in our beds at night about 1.6 billion people are homeless and sleeping on the ground outside.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_b1ffd02bd3b44fcdab98bc138a5c146b~mv2.jpg"/><div>7. The floor in your home is not made of dirt</div><div>Just having a floor is a luxury. Many homes in Africa or other third world countries still have dirt or earth floors. Imagine that for a moment in your kitchen and bedroom.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_001cab7851e44f6e9444c0be3dcf4c73~mv2_d_2048_1365_s_2.jpg"/><div>8. You won't be shot, raped or robbed today</div><div>Crime &amp; violence rates are so much higher in third world countries. While we are stressed about missing our train or getting stuck in traffic, many people are dodging bullets and bombs. To many people, violence and crime are a part of daily life.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_ad33ccddf1af4dada5833877c0111d37~mv2.jpg"/><div>9. You have friends or family</div><div>In war-torn countries, many children have lost their entire families. They are alone, they are scared. Perhaps sometimes we take for granted the special people in our lives.</div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_9132e18d4cf749a68d5d6226e972cefe~mv2.jpg"/><div>10. You have opportunity</div><div>Despite you current health, financial and occupation situation there are opportunities. There is support, we can turn things around and live a good life. Not everyone has that option. How upset they would be to know that we sit around feeling sad and depressed despite having so much. I'm sure they would be so grateful to have even a fraction of our opportunity.</div><div>Just writing this article and looking through images, I found myself brought to tears several times. I can only hope it stirs something beautiful in you too. I hope it brings you a sense of gratitude for what you have and the urge to help those less fortunate and in need.</div><div>Please share this article with others</div><div>Jay x</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The catch 22 of depression | depressed about being depressed</title><description><![CDATA[As explained in my last post, depression is caused by reaching the conclusion that life can no longer go as you desire it to. You have reached a point where your goals now seem impossible, you have developed the subconscious mantra "Why bother".There is a catch 22 to this condition as with most health conditions. The health condition itself has now become the obstacle, the depression is what is getting in the way of you being able to make life go the way you believe it needs to. Your mental<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_0acb24637305450eacf6b18d9e0c287b%7Emv2_d_2594_2448_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_397/637669_0acb24637305450eacf6b18d9e0c287b%7Emv2_d_2594_2448_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/06/15/The-catch-22-of-depression-depressed-about-being-depressed</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/06/15/The-catch-22-of-depression-depressed-about-being-depressed</guid><pubDate>Wed, 14 Jun 2017 23:29:38 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_0acb24637305450eacf6b18d9e0c287b~mv2_d_2594_2448_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>As explained in my last <a href="https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/06/09/Depression-the-true-cause-and-cure">post</a>, depression is caused by reaching the conclusion that life can no longer go as you desire it to. You have reached a point where your goals now seem impossible, you have developed the subconscious mantra &quot;Why bother&quot;.</div><div>There is a catch 22 to this condition as with most health conditions. The health condition itself has now become the obstacle, the depression is what is getting in the way of you being able to make life go the way you believe it needs to. Your mental state is now the highest hurdle. </div><div>&quot;The catch 22 of depression is being depressed about having depression&quot;</div><div>In other words, the catch 22 of depression is being depressed about having depression, you have reached a double why bother. This is where most people are at by the time they seek assistance from a counsellor or psychologist. Their depression has become what they fear most.</div><div>Lesson:</div><div>To get to a point where you can beat depression permanently you need to dramatically change your entire view of life. You need a thorough education on what life is really all about. You need to understand that life is more about learning than achieving. It's great to have goals but its more about the journey towards them and the lessons you learn along the way. In fact depression it's self is just one of those many lessons. Depression is teaching you a lot about life, it's teaching you to re-evaluate your current views and beliefs. You are always learning and you are always growing. Depression can not get in the way of your true growth, in fact, it is contributing to it.</div><div>If you or someone you care about suffer from depression, I highly recommend you study the work of my teacher Greg Neville. His <a href="http://www.gregneville.net/books.html">book</a> and <a href="http://www.gregneville.net/audio-program.html">audio</a> program cover all of what I am talking about here and much more. </div><div>Please share this post, like and comment below so others are more likely to read it.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Depression | the true cause and cure</title><description><![CDATA[Depression. It's dark, it's scary and terribly misunderstood. I’m so grateful that I have been exposed to knowledge that allowed to me to understand depressions true cause and cure. It's really not that complicated actually and I’ll do my best to explain the fundamentals clearly in this article. If this post makes no sense to you at all fear not, I will definitely be opening up the deeper layers of depression in future postsThe problemDepression has become increasingly common in society. In<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_00a9e4c586704cc9a031bca2f61035c2%7Emv2_d_2800_1867_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/637669_00a9e4c586704cc9a031bca2f61035c2%7Emv2_d_2800_1867_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/06/09/Depression-the-true-cause-and-cure</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/06/09/Depression-the-true-cause-and-cure</guid><pubDate>Fri, 09 Jun 2017 06:14:48 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_00a9e4c586704cc9a031bca2f61035c2~mv2_d_2800_1867_s_2.jpg"/><div>Depression. It's dark, it's scary and terribly misunderstood. I’m so grateful that I have been exposed to knowledge that allowed to me to understand depressions true cause and cure. It's really not that complicated actually and I’ll do my best to explain the fundamentals clearly in this article. If this post makes no sense to you at all fear not, I will definitely be opening up the deeper layers of depression in future posts</div><div>The problem</div><div>Depression has become increasingly common in society. In fact, antidepressant medications are some of the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. Why is this so? What has changed? With modern science and spirituality shouldn’t these conditions be decreasing! Clearly, something we are doing as a society is responsible. Sure, diet, lifestyle and genetic factors play a part, the most influential factor on our brain chemistry is our perspective of life. I’m not saying that that diet and lifestyle aren't important, they are. However, the mind runs the show. Two healthy people can experience the same situation, one person will be okay and the other will suffer depression.</div><div>Some people will state that depression is due to a chemical change in the brain, while others will also state “Due to ……… increased cases of depression have been reported”. Well, which is it? Is depression caused by life circumstances or by a chemical change in the brain? The truth his somewhere in the middle. Depression is definitely the result of a chemical change in the brain, but that chemical change is due to the way in which we perceive our external environment. In other words, it's the way you're looking at life that really determines if you suffer depression. It’s the way you see things. In fact, it all comes to one very sneaky subconscious statement. “Why bother”</div><div>It all comes to one very sneaky subconscious statement. “Why bother?”</div><div>That’s it. That's the cause of depression. The belief “Why bother’. &quot;Why even bother having goals&quot;. &quot;No goals are even possible”. People who suffer depression have reached a point where they no longer feel that their goals are possible anymore, so why bother, why bother with life. These thoughts are what trigger the chemical change in the brain that leads to depression. </div><div>Now I don’t expect you to just take my word for this. I’m just some blogger who rants on about life. Rest assured this is not my original thought. I am summarising the work of my teacher Greg Neville from the Anti-Depression Institute who has been helping people recover from depression for over 30 years.</div><div>The solution</div><div>You need to bother, and you better have a good reason to bother. As always we need more data, more information, more wisdom. We need to develop a clearer understanding of what's taking place in life and so have more realistic expectations. We need to become okay with life not going as planned, we need to be okay with enjoying the process and setting new goals. The fundamental understandings that beat depression are big ones.</div><div>1) That free will doesn’t exist</div><div>2) That life can’t unfold different ways and you are never off your correct path</div><div>3) That life is about development and growth, both of which take place despite you succeeding or failing to achieve your goals</div><div>4) That your true value is not measured by your ability to control life, but the role you play in others lives. The role you play of being a human being, not a superhero.</div><div>5) That it's okay to have a go, to bother regardless of the outcome.</div><div>Big statements I know check out my interview with Greg Neville to get a more detailed explanation <a href="https://youtu.be/bZ4XvdUQ-KI">here</a></div><div>Something to think about</div><div>It's absolutely normal to have highs and lows in life. Nobody is up on cloud nine all the time. Sometimes things don’t go as planned and we have to deal with it. As the saying goes “Shit happens”. But it's how we deal with that shit that matters. Next time life kicks you in the guts and things don’t go as planned, reflect on how much you have learned and grown through the experience. Consider how lucky you are to even be alive at all. Develop some gratitude and get back on that damn horse. After all, life is about the journey, the ride, not the destination. </div><div>Please comment below with any thoughts or questions related to depression. I will respond in another comment or write another article to answer good questions.</div><div>Jay</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Grandad Bob's secret formula for being astute in business</title><description><![CDATA[Many years ago when visiting my Grandparents I remember asking my grandmother why her house way always so clean and shiny. Grandma replied with a look of mystery in her eye "B.S.F". Upon questioning further I discovered that B.S.F actually stood for “Bob's secret formula”. A homemade, all-purpose cleaning product that my grandfather had painstakingly perfected over time with meticulous experimentation until he got it right. Over time I came to realise that my Grandfather Bob had a secret formula<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/443d457e6c9c4ea28acc4436f4f0390d.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_387/443d457e6c9c4ea28acc4436f4f0390d.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/06/01/Grandad-Bobs-secret-formula-for-being-astute-in-business</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/06/01/Grandad-Bobs-secret-formula-for-being-astute-in-business</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Jun 2017 06:17:20 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/443d457e6c9c4ea28acc4436f4f0390d.jpg"/><div>Many years ago when visiting my Grandparents I remember asking my grandmother why her house way always so clean and shiny. Grandma replied with a look of mystery in her eye &quot;B.S.F&quot;. Upon questioning further I discovered that B.S.F actually stood for “Bob's secret formula”. A homemade, all-purpose cleaning product that my grandfather had painstakingly perfected over time with meticulous experimentation until he got it right. </div><div>Over time I came to realise that my Grandfather Bob had a secret formula for almost everything. The perfect cup of tea, the ultimate weet bix preparation method, the best way to wash your car. He seemed to have this uncanny ability to work things out, then find the most efficient and effective way to go about creating the desired outcome. While I could write a whole book on his various inventions and philosophies (which I may actually do some day) I would like to focus on a recent conversation I had with him about business.</div><div>You see my Grandfather has been self-employed for most of his life. Whatever business, now matter how different the industry, he always did well. Success seemed to be the standard. Knowing this I picked his brain last weekend when I popped in to visit. I knew there must be a B.S.F for business, a formula he applied each time. Always humble he hesitated at first to share his opinions. But, with a little coaxing, he produced 8 fundamental gems which could be applied to any business. I am sharing them with you here in this article because: </div><div>A. I will probably forget them myself if I don’t write them out or teach them to others </div><div>B. Because I truly believe they could help you, the reader to take your business and life to another level</div><div>B.S.F</div><div>1. Give more than is expected</div><div>You need to care. You need to show your customers that you genuinely care by always going beyond their expectations. Giving 110% and going the extra mile. Not only will this give your customers an experience that will keep them coming back to you, they will truly appreciate it and likely share the story with others. </div><div>2. Don't hide behind a screen</div><div>In a digital world, face to face introductions and business marketing has become far less common. People are hiding behind screens and social media instead of talking to each other. There is nothing wrong with technology but it shouldn’t replace those very important face to face conversations you need to be having with your potential customers. Guilty of being a social media hermit myself at times, my grandfather instructed me to “print some bloody flyers and start knocking on people's doors”.</div><div>3. Don’t just be on time, be early</div><div>Being on time is not enough. You want to have some extra time to allow for delays and to get your head straight before meeting with clients or colleagues. Not only does this show professionalism, it changes the energy of the interaction. If your even a little rushed, a little flustered, others will sense it. Despite your cheery conversation and big shiny smile, they will sense that something is off. If you're flustered and unorganised how can they trust you? How can they do business with you?</div><div>4. Be presentable </div><div>You are a walking talking billboard for your business. Do yourself a favour and look neat and presentable when working. It shows others that you are organised and professional in all areas of life. Wear clean suitable clothes, be neatly groomed and in good physical shape. No one in their right mind is going to hire a messy slob who’s out of shape and can’t look after themselves let alone their customer.</div><div>5. Do the occasional thing for free</div><div>This one is pretty straight forward. It comes down to giving a shit and being a decent human being. If there is something you can do to help another person that won’t cost you much other than a little time, just do it. People appreciate it and they will be sure to share the story with several friends.</div><div>6. Always answer calls or return them as soon as possible</div><div>Hearing this one stung a little. I tend to have my phone on do not disturb mode most of the time and get back to people when it suits me. In fact, my close friends and family often give me crap about this. Seems my Grandfather had picked up on it too from trying to contact me several times in the past without success. He said the following to pull me into line “You must be contactable. How can people do business with you if they can’t even get in contact with you?. You should answer your phone whenever possible but at worst contact them back as soon as you can, even if that's at 9:30 at night. Explain to them you were busy serving others. You're calling them back because you appreciate their call and you wanted to return it before the day was over”. This got my attention. Thank you Grandad, I’ll be making a conscious effort to be more professional with my phone habits. Just call me and see!</div><div>7. Give your full attention to your customer</div><div>Again this is about giving more than is expected. Take the time to really listen and understand their situation. Be present. Consider if there is anything you can do to help them. If so apply point number five. Honesty and service always matter most.</div><div>8. Keep your overheads as low as possible</div><div>Of course, this point is relevant to the nature of your business. Low might be $20,000 per week. Regardless, in a world with economic fluctuation and high living costs, it makes sense to trim the fat and keep things as tight as possible without negatively affecting your quality of service. Of course, this just makes sense mathematically. Fewer overheads will mean more profit. Fewer overhead means you can survive if times get tough. After having this conversation with my Grandfather I cancelled several online subscriptions and services I was using. I've investigated and looked for other ways I could reduce costs and streamline things.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>While I am certain that this article will have nowhere near the impact a face to face conversation with my Grandfather Bob would. I hope you got a sense of the overall theme here. The little things matter. They matter much more than you think. While nice pictures on Instagram may help they won’t get you far if you can’t nail the basics when you deal with clients and colleges. I'm certainly not perfect myself. But talking with my Grandfather always inspires me to up my game.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Why you're angry and he isn't</title><description><![CDATA[Anger is one of the many emotions we experience as we go through life. It’s something I struggled with quite a bit when I was younger. I used to lose my shit over the smallest things and get so worked up. This often led to me upsetting people as well as getting into more fights than I care to admit. However, anger is no longer something I have a problem with. Yes, I still drop the occasional four letter word but I just can’t stay angry or resentful for long. I came to understand life more and<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/660cc502823b87a921840247e5e92c83.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/660cc502823b87a921840247e5e92c83.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/30/Why-youre-angry-and-he-isnt</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/30/Why-youre-angry-and-he-isnt</guid><pubDate>Tue, 30 May 2017 01:02:12 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/660cc502823b87a921840247e5e92c83.jpg"/><div>Anger is one of the many emotions we experience as we go through life. It’s something I struggled with quite a bit when I was younger. I used to lose my shit over the smallest things and get so worked up. This often led to me upsetting people as well as getting into more fights than I care to admit. However, anger is no longer something I have a problem with. Yes, I still drop the occasional four letter word but I just can’t stay angry or resentful for long. I came to understand life more and appreciate the true purpose of anger. Let me explain.</div><div>The cause of anger</div><div>This particular emotion is triggered when we believe that something could have happened differently. It could be that we believe a certain event could have been otherwise or that a person could have chosen to behave differently. Both concerns stem from overlooking the process of cause and effect and the illusion of free will. For example, if you believe that life could have gone differently, your failing to see all the factors involved in how that event came to take place. You're overlooking the law of cause and effect at play. Likewise, if you believe that a person (including yourself) could have chosen to behave differently you are failing to see all the values and beliefs a person holds that dictate their behaviour. There is no free will behind their actions. </div><div>The purpose of anger</div><div>Many people are unsure whether anger is a good thing or a bad thing. Sure it feels uncomfortable to be angry but many of us still believe that anger helps us to take action and respond if something unfair, unjust or dangerous has happened. I remember thinking this myself some time ago. However, that’s not the true purpose of anger at all. In fact, it’s your beliefs that dictate how you respond to any situation, not the emotion your experiencing. The true purpose of anger is much bigger. The true purpose of anger is the feedback it provides. If someone is getting angry that is a sign that they are not viewing the situation clearly. It’s also a sign that they some help understanding life more deeply.</div><div>It's impossible to be angry when you're seeing things clearly.</div><div>Why your angry and he isn’t</div><div>It’s interesting to witness two people experience being treated poorly at the same time and watch them both respond differently. A wise person won’t feel angry. They understand what's at play and use the situation to help the other person as best they can. Someone who has less wisdom will become overwhelmed with anger and is more likely seek revenge than help others.</div><div>e.g. Two men are involved in a car accident. The man with less wisdom is furious and begins swearing and becoming animated towards the other. He is experiencing anger because he believes that this event could have been otherwise and that the other man could have behaved differently. The other driver is a much wiser man though. He understands that due to cause and effect this situation was always going to happen. He also understands that the emotional man can not help his response, he is just not seeing things clearly at the moment, he lacks understanding. Sure the wise man is a bit shaken up from the accident but instead of responding with anger he responds with compassion. He is grateful to be alive and uninjured. He offers assistance and checks that all others are okay. He also sees the opportunity to help the angry man to calm down. He sees the opportunity to be a teacher, to lead by example and help this person understand life more deeply. Finally, the wise man also sees that he is growing from this experience himself. He has learned that perhaps his car needed some urgent repair that could have resulted in an accident far worse than this. Based on this incident he will service his vehicle more regularly. Likewise, he is learning how not to behave from the angry man's example.</div><div>Both men had the same experience of having a car accident. They both responded to the situation. But while the man with much to learn became angry the wiser man became grateful and compassionate. The wise man did not experience anger.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>Despite understanding all of this you may still get angry occasionally. That anger will serve to remind you that you still have things to learn and you are not seeing things clearly in the moment. You still believe that things could have been different or someone could have chosen to act differently. As you catch yourself and remember that cause and effect is at play, that free will doesn’t exist your anger will dissolve. It's impossible to be angry when you're seeing things clearly.</div><div>This does not for a moment mean that we should condone any poor behaviour and people harming one another. If someone is walking around murdering people we don’t just smile and let them carry on. They need to be removed from society as they are sick and dangerous. However, wisdom allows us to approach the situation with compassion and understanding instead of anger. We see the situation as an opportunity to investigate the poor behaviour and educate the individual instead of just condemning them.</div><div>Doesn't make sense?</div><div>Comment below if you have any further questions, objections or thoughts on the topic. I'd love to start a discussion and answer your questions. Also please share the article if you liked it</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Why you do the crazy things you do</title><description><![CDATA[It's easy to assume that we know what makes someone else tick. It's easy to assume that we understand their values, beliefs, priorities and what they want out of life. But it's also easy to get it wrong in a society littered with common ideas, phrases and images of what a person's life should look like before they can be considered successful and worthy of happiness. We can easily overlook our own values and adopt the values of others, then wonder why we aren't happy.Every person has a unique<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_39d35512ae6940408f045859c316ee17%7Emv2_d_1920_1280_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/637669_39d35512ae6940408f045859c316ee17%7Emv2_d_1920_1280_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/22/Why-you-do-the-crazy-things-you-do</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/22/Why-you-do-the-crazy-things-you-do</guid><pubDate>Mon, 22 May 2017 00:38:38 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_39d35512ae6940408f045859c316ee17~mv2_d_1920_1280_s_2.jpg"/><div>It's easy to assume that we know what makes someone else tick. It's easy to assume that we understand their values, beliefs, priorities and what they want out of life. </div><div>But it's also easy to get it wrong in a society littered with common ideas, phrases and images of what a person's life should look like before they can be considered successful and worthy of happiness. We can easily overlook our own values and adopt the values of others, then wonder why we aren't happy.</div><div>Every person has a unique set of values and beliefs. Our highest values are organised in a subconscious priority format. my teacher explained this to me as the &quot;Achievement box&quot;. We all have this achievement box or list of things which we value most and feel must be achieved before we can feel our life has gone well, before we can feel content.</div><div>These could also be considered a person's primary goals, the subconscious driving force behind our actions. They literally dictate how we behave on any given day.</div><div>Realising that each person has a unique achievement box encourages understanding and communication. We will take the time to understand one another vs labelling good, bad, lazy etc</div><div>We don't choose the items in our achievement box, these values are learned and developed over time. There is no free will at play here and these values and their priority format are not fixed. It will continue to change as we learn and grow throughout life.</div><div>This is such a powerful thing to understand. Realising that each person has a unique achievement box encourages understanding and communication. We will take the time to understand one another vs labelling good, bad, lazy etc. We realise that a person's behaviour is a reflection of their current achievement box and highest priorities. Change in behaviour is a result of the changing of values, not a result of free will.</div><div>Eg. Achievement box</div><div>Someone may have the following values in their achievement box</div><div>1)To be a good parent and provider for my family</div><div>2)To be earning more than 100K per year</div><div>3)To be fit and healthy by exercising regularly</div><div>4)To travel</div><div>If the above person was offered a work promotion that offered them the chance to travel and earn more than 100K per year, they may take the opportunity. It relates to two of their top 4 values. However, if this opportunity required them to be away from home for large periods of time and would limit the time spent with family (his primary value) they may decline the opportunity.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>We all have an achievement box. A subconscious list of values and beliefs that dictate our behaviour. If you want to understand yourself and others you care about it is wise to talk, to look at their behaviour and figure out their highest values. Then you can relate on a much higher level. You can appreciate their perspective and unique nature.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>3 fundamental understandings about life</title><description><![CDATA[These three understandings changed my life. I just had to share them with you.<img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/tSj3EFJoKQE/mqdefault.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/19/3-fundamental-understandings-about-life</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/19/3-fundamental-understandings-about-life</guid><pubDate>Fri, 19 May 2017 02:00:00 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tSj3EFJoKQE"/><div>These three understandings changed my life. I just had to share them with you.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Loving the tough times</title><description><![CDATA[Tough times, challenges, struggles and tension are all part of life. These life experiences push us into the unknown, push us to grow.They can be scary. You can feel like you going to implode from the pressure. But the truth is you will be okay. The truth is these challenges are actually serving you.“The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.” ― Ryan HolidayIt's in this tension, during these challenges we are<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/ab4a37030b8243a49a9de4fe80ca7fa6.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/ab4a37030b8243a49a9de4fe80ca7fa6.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/18/Loving-the-tough-times</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/18/Loving-the-tough-times</guid><pubDate>Thu, 18 May 2017 06:26:43 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/ab4a37030b8243a49a9de4fe80ca7fa6.jpg"/><div>Tough times, challenges, struggles and tension are all part of life. These life experiences push us into the unknown, push us to grow.</div><div>They can be scary. You can feel like you going to implode from the pressure. But the truth is you will be okay. The truth is these challenges are actually serving you.</div><div>“The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.”  ― Ryan Holiday</div><div>It's in this tension, during these challenges we are subjected to information and data. Our current beliefs are tested and often altered to form new perspectives that allow us to understand and enjoy life more. We grow from all life experiences and tough times are no exception. In fact, I would say that tough times offer us a unique opportunity for growth. They can force massive change by exposing us to complex problems, scenarios and unknown people. Shit gets serious and as a result, we are exposed to a huge variety of information </div><div>It's wise to use the tough times for reflection and perspective. When your tense and feeling uncomfortable consider the following:</div><div>Why am I feeling scared and tense?</div><div>Is this situation really that serious?</div><div>Is it really life threatening?</div><div>What is the worst that could happen?</div><div>If the worst did happen what could I do next?</div><div>What am I learning from this situation?</div><div>What would be the wisest way to handle this situation?</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>Now that you have responded and handled the situation, you can remember that it's okay to step into challenges, to step into life. That's where the magic happens. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>One tip that could change your life</title><description><![CDATA["He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." Epictetus If I could give you just one piece of advice. One tip that could dissolve your worries and concerns, that could change your life, then it would be this. Be grateful for what you have. Be grateful for the simple things. To have shelter, food, clean water and loved ones. There are many people who don't. Gratitude is like a healing balm. Apply it daily and your quality of life will<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_81d2cd54d0024a14b171f3736494559b%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_470%2Ch_313/637669_81d2cd54d0024a14b171f3736494559b%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/12/One-tip-that-could-change-your-life</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/12/One-tip-that-could-change-your-life</guid><pubDate>Fri, 12 May 2017 00:56:51 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_81d2cd54d0024a14b171f3736494559b~mv2.jpg"/><div>&quot;He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.&quot; Epictetus</div><div>If I could give you just one piece of advice. One tip that could dissolve your worries and concerns, that could change your life, then it would be this. Be grateful for what you have. Be grateful for the simple things. To have shelter, food, clean water and loved ones. There are many people who don't. Gratitude is like a healing balm. Apply it daily and your quality of life will improve dramatically. Anger, depression, stress, regret can not survive when gratitude is present. </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Lessons from a tree about connection</title><description><![CDATA[I've had many realisations about life while observing nature. Trees and animals particularly seem to speak to me. One day while sitting outside in the sun I watched a leaf slowly fall from the branch of a tree and land by the base of its trunk. I had the following realisation.We are often so concerned with the “I” that we sometimes miss the “us”How concerned this leaf may have been for its own daily life and individual needs. Failing to realise how it was a part of something much bigger. Perhaps<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/ea5bc37fa590f9ca0d0a09615b21be79.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/ea5bc37fa590f9ca0d0a09615b21be79.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/10/Lessons-from-a-tree-about-connection</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/10/Lessons-from-a-tree-about-connection</guid><pubDate>Wed, 10 May 2017 12:58:20 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/ea5bc37fa590f9ca0d0a09615b21be79.jpg"/><div>I've had many realisations about life while observing nature. Trees and animals particularly seem to speak to me. </div><div>One day while sitting outside in the sun I watched a leaf slowly fall from the branch of a tree and land by the base of its trunk. I had the following realisation.</div><div>We are often so concerned with the “I” that we sometimes miss the “us”</div><div>How concerned this leaf may have been for its own daily life and individual needs. Failing to realise how it was a part of something much bigger. </div><div>Perhaps the leaf noticed the other leaves nearby but felt they were strangers, felt they were separate. All along they were connected to one another by twig, branch and trunk. All along they contributed to the tree, the system, the whole. </div><div>Likewise we remain unaware of our true value and contribution to the whole. We feel we are separate and overlook how connected we truly are. We are often so concerned with the “I” that we sometimes miss the “us”. Our big problems seem much smaller when we see the larger picture.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Horror movies, arguments and triple espressos</title><description><![CDATA[You don't need to be a genius to understand that your mindset affects your health. Just observe your own physiology when you're watching an action or horror movie. Your heart rate increases, stress hormones are released into the blood stream and your muscles become tense. Your body is ready for launch, you may even catch yourself twisting and spasming in your seat. In reality your just looking at a screen in the safety of your own home, but your body believes that there is real danger present.<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc0d784ed0105e3f7b175571e1c26b75.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_280/fc0d784ed0105e3f7b175571e1c26b75.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/04/Horror-movies-arguments-and-triple-espressos</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/04/Horror-movies-arguments-and-triple-espressos</guid><pubDate>Thu, 04 May 2017 00:59:52 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/fc0d784ed0105e3f7b175571e1c26b75.jpg"/><div>You don't need to be a genius to understand that your mindset affects your health. Just observe your own physiology when you're watching an action or horror movie. Your heart rate increases, stress hormones are released into the blood stream and your muscles become tense. Your body is ready for launch, you may even catch yourself twisting and spasming in your seat. In reality your just looking at a screen in the safety of your own home, but your body believes that there is real danger present. The way we are viewing life has affected our physiology. Our beliefs have changed our physical state.</div><div>This is happening countless times throughout your day. When you miss the bus, get confronted by your boss, have financial concerns, have a triple espresso, have a disagreement with a work mate. These experiences also affect our physiology in a similar way. Your body truly believes that the experience is in some way dangerous or a threat to your survival. On a subconscious level, you are actually scared of missing out, losing your value &amp; dying. </div><div>On a subconscious level, you are actually scared of missing out, losing your value &amp; dying. </div><div>Sounds crazy right? Well yes, maybe it is. Next time you find yourself in a stressful situation consider the big picture for a moment. Become centred and consider if this experience actually is life threatening. Consider what you're learning from the situation and how it's helping you to grow. Consider what a miracle it is to even be alive and having this experience. Notice how your body begins to relax, your breathing deepens and your heart rate slows. Notice the sense of gratitude that slowly replaces your anxiety. Now you are seeing things clearly.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Nutrition stupidly simplified for your convenience</title><description><![CDATA[Nutrition is a touchy subject. It's a strange thing really. You can tell someone they're arrogant, racist, sexist or pigheaded but don't you dare tell them what to eat. Perhaps this is because our food is so strongly connected to our social and cultural experiences? Yes, we all love food and sharing meals together, but somewhere along the way we have become very confused about what we should be eating if we want to be healthy. Let me lay it out really simply here in my honest opinionThe less<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c38846e7d2d404b8393a5449638b9e5.jpeg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_279/4c38846e7d2d404b8393a5449638b9e5.jpeg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/02/Nutrition-stupidly-simplified-for-your-convenience</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/05/02/Nutrition-stupidly-simplified-for-your-convenience</guid><pubDate>Tue, 02 May 2017 08:01:12 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4c38846e7d2d404b8393a5449638b9e5.jpeg"/><div>Nutrition is a touchy subject. It's a strange thing really. You can tell someone they're arrogant, racist, sexist or pigheaded but don't you dare tell them what to eat. </div><div>Perhaps this is because our food is so strongly connected to our social and cultural experiences? Yes, we all love food and sharing meals together, but somewhere along the way we have become very confused about what we should be eating if we want to be healthy. </div><div>Let me lay it out really simply here in my honest opinion</div><div>The less processed, refined and carnivorous our diet the better</div><div>Reduce</div><div>Processed and packaged foods such as bread, flour, biscuits, oils, artificial additives and soft drinks. </div><div>Increase</div><div>Whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts and seeds.</div><div>It's really that simple. Forget all the crap you hear people saying about carbs being the devil and goji berries having magical powers. Just eat more plants. A lot more.</div><div>Oh and the animal product thing</div><div>Yeah, I’m vegan but I'm less on the crazy and preachy side. I will say this though. The research is clear, there are various health benefits to eating more plant foods. Likewise, there are various problems with eating animal products. If physical health is important to you then your diet really should be centred around unrefined plant foods. It's up to you how far you want to take that. Going vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian are all steps in the right direction though if you want to live a long and healthy life.</div><div>Don't agree with me? Have further questions? Then comment below </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Forget abilities, it's your messed up perspective</title><description><![CDATA[I learned something amazing from one of my teachers Greg Neville. I learned that if we look deeply at what people are stressed about in society, we can see that often they are concerned about abilities. The ability to communicate, the ability to overcome obstacles, the ability to stand out, to attract a partner, to parent, to make a vegan meatloaf etc etc. We've become so concerned that we need more or less of these particular abilities so that we can make life go the way we believe it needs to<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_0ac01a06f9f94ec2bc8dd744d54b576e%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_421/637669_0ac01a06f9f94ec2bc8dd744d54b576e%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/27/Forget-abilities-its-your-messed-up-perspective</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/27/Forget-abilities-its-your-messed-up-perspective</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Apr 2017 01:01:34 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_0ac01a06f9f94ec2bc8dd744d54b576e~mv2.jpg"/><div>I learned something amazing from one of my teachers Greg Neville. I learned that if we look deeply at what people are stressed about in society, we can see that often they are concerned about abilities. The ability to communicate, the ability to overcome obstacles, the ability to stand out, to attract a partner, to parent, to make a vegan meatloaf etc etc. We've become so concerned that we need more or less of these particular abilities so that we can make life go the way we believe it needs to go and so be seen to be valuable, to be worthy.</div><div>Our behaviour has very little to do with our abilities and more to do with our priorities. .</div><div>It's so important to realise that your abilities in life are fine. In fact, they're perfect. they're not governing how you behave in a given situation, your beliefs are. If you can see that you have concerns about a particular topic in life or an ability, it's likely you need to reflect on your current beliefs and learn more about that topic until you feel okay about it again. </div><div>You still have lessons to learn about life, we all do. And life will continue challenging us until you learn them. If you have concerns about particular abilities you will develop health conditions that reflect those concerns. More on that later.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Contemplating your own death</title><description><![CDATA[This might sound a little dark. Perhaps even a little depressing, but I regularly reflect on the possibility of my own death. I even have a little hand written post it note on my cars dashboard that displays the words "Tomorrow may never come"."Tomorrow may never come"This reflection builds a sense gratitude and urgency. How lucky I am to be alive, to be here right now. How lucky I am to have another day to live, to breathe and play. How precious each interaction and experience I have is. From<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_e6ea93a8cd3d4d41b2d1610ffd5937fd%7Emv2_d_2448_2448_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_421/637669_e6ea93a8cd3d4d41b2d1610ffd5937fd%7Emv2_d_2448_2448_s_4_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/24/Contemplating-your-own-death</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/24/Contemplating-your-own-death</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Apr 2017 00:05:28 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_e6ea93a8cd3d4d41b2d1610ffd5937fd~mv2_d_2448_2448_s_4_2.jpg"/><div>This might sound a little dark. Perhaps even a little depressing, but I regularly reflect on the possibility of my own death. I even have a little hand written post it note on my cars dashboard that displays the words &quot;Tomorrow may never come&quot;.</div><div>&quot;Tomorrow may never come&quot;</div><div>This reflection builds a sense gratitude and urgency. How lucky I am to be alive, to be here right now. How lucky I am to have another day to live, to breathe and play. How precious each interaction and experience I have is. From this perspective, everything seems a little more beautiful, a little more luminous. I truly appreciate my life and the people in it. I approach my day with less fear and more passion.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Measuring your true development</title><description><![CDATA[Whether we like it or not we are growing, we are developing every day of lives until the day we die. We may not like what we see in the mirror at times or the circumstances we are experiencing but regardless we are growing and developing.Development, growth, activity are always taking place, it's automatic. But development in what?Most people would agree with the statements "We grow from our environment" or "Life develops us" but never take the time to consider what exactly is growing and<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4b12d482d47f4122b85f3b6cd500054a.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_255/4b12d482d47f4122b85f3b6cd500054a.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/21/Measuring-your-true-development</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/21/Measuring-your-true-development</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Apr 2017 05:27:02 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/4b12d482d47f4122b85f3b6cd500054a.jpg"/><div>Whether we like it or not we are growing, we are developing every day of lives until the day we die. We may not like what we see in the mirror at times or the circumstances we are experiencing but regardless we are growing and developing.</div><div>Development, growth, activity are always taking place, it's automatic. But development in what?</div><div>Most people would agree with the statements &quot;We grow from our environment&quot; or &quot;Life develops us&quot; but never take the time to consider what exactly is growing and developing.</div><div>It is true that we grow from our life experiences. Everything we encounter is data to our mind. From the sight of a tree to the sound of the television. Walking down the street or looking out the window. All of these experiences are contributing to our development. Every little thing is helping us grow in understandings, to grow in wisdom.</div><div>This is the key</div><div>Life is always developing us. Life is developing our understandings about life, our wisdom. That wisdom and understanding are what allow us to see our reality clearly. It allows us to see our purpose, our true value and the value of others.</div><div>From this perspective we can see that we are always receiving, always growing, always benefiting from our experiences, as challenging as they may be. We can understand that life is more about our development of understandings vs our ability to control life, achieve our goals and prove ourselves.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>Next time you fail or succeed at achieving a goal, reflect for a moment on what lessons you have learned about life in the process. That's where the real development took place.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Demystifying meditation</title><description><![CDATA[Meditation was once something that only monks and long haired guys wearing tie-dyed shirts did. Over time though it has become more and more popular amongst everyday people. Athletes, business professionals and others looking to find peace within the chaos of daily life use it as a tool for calming down, becoming focused and self-reflection. Science has also begun to support the benefits of meditation, but I still feel that a lot of confusion and flowery language surrounds the practice. Many<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/7295010377d4469f8c0249d56817e6fa.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/7295010377d4469f8c0249d56817e6fa.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/14/Demystifying-meditation</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/14/Demystifying-meditation</guid><pubDate>Fri, 14 Apr 2017 04:14:50 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/7295010377d4469f8c0249d56817e6fa.jpg"/><div>Meditation was once something that only monks and long haired guys wearing tie-dyed shirts did. Over time though it has become more and more popular amongst everyday people. Athletes, business professionals and others looking to find peace within the chaos of daily life use it as a tool for calming down, becoming focused and self-reflection. Science has also begun to support the benefits of meditation, but I still feel that a lot of confusion and flowery language surrounds the practice. Many people are confused about what they should be doing when they meditate and what is actually taking place in their brains. An incorrect understanding here can actually leave meditators more stressed than those who watch my kitchen rules every night instead.</div><div>I began meditating about 10 years ago after reading some spiritual texts while looking for answers about life. This journey led me to attend silent meditation retreats and consistently meditate for 20 - 60 minutes every day. Over time I came to realise that it doesn’t need to be complicated and you really don’t need to be sitting in the lotus position wearing a loin cloth to get the benefits. You just need some basic instruction, as well as a clear understanding of what is taking place in your brain.</div><div>The truth about meditation</div><div>While I certainly don’t claim to be an enlightened Zen master, I have mediated a lot over the years. That experience coupled with my study of psychology and psychotherapy have led me to understand meditation from a slightly different perspective. To me, meditation is simply a relaxed state of awareness where the individual has come to be intensely focused on their internal and external environment, coupled with an overwhelming acceptance of reality. Our filters and belief systems begin to operate on a more subconscious vs conscious level. Our conscious mind activity is all focussed on our environmental sensory input. The cognitive commentary reduces and eventually we reach a state of deep focus and acceptance. Being in this state feels really nice. We have few concerns at present and feel more excepting of whatever noise, smell or sensation we feel. We are, for a moment seeing reality more clearly. Seeing things as they truly are with less reaction and mental commentary.</div><div>During this process, there is an amazing opportunity for growth. Any positive benefit is somewhat temporary unless we can permanently grasp the understandings that allowed us to view our environment in such a peaceful way. We need to use the feedback we gain during meditation for further contemplation and investigation.</div><div>eg. Notice what thoughts keep popping up during your meditation. What are you thinking about and concerned about?</div><div>What in your environment are you resisting? What do you think should be some other way? Why should it be some other way? Could it really be some other way? Where are you holding tension in your body? Are you able to breathe fully. etc etc </div><div>During the meditation simply focus on accepting your environment. Listen with your whole body. Thoughts and resistance may come up at times. Let them be and bring your attention back to your body and your environment. </div><div>Once you finish meditating take some time to contemplate what you were resisting and what thoughts kept coming up. These are likely deep rooted or current concerns that need further reflection as described in the above example. Ideally, write them, discuss them with a wise friend, or better still a wise group of friends.</div><div>Meditation is not about....</div><div>A) Trying really hard to make your mind quite. This is a futile effort. The mind is always active on some level. It just becomes more focused and excepting of reality with practice and understating. While it may feel like your mind is completely silent at times, still your brain is active. If it wasn’t you wouldn’t be able to mediate, or know when to stop, or know when to breath. Forget about this silent mind crap. Instead, focus on listening to you internal and external environment with your whole body.</div><div>B) Enlightenment. That big sexy word. Many people meditate hoping to become an enlightened Buddha like individual. The truth is that enlightenment comes through learning and understanding reality. It's a process, not a destination. Learning is taking place while meditating but it’s also taking place while your playing call of duty with your mates. </div><div>C) Sitting in the lotus position and being a spiritual hipster. You can literally meditate anywhere while doing anything. There are no special requirements and anyone can do it. It’s just being more focussed on the present task and being more accepting of your environment. You can do it while washing the dishes, driving, making love or break dancing. More on that in a post coming next week.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>Meditation is awesome and it changed my life. I become a more present and grounded person through practice. But I have come to understand that the real growth took place through the realisations I had and the overwhelming acceptance of my environment that developed over time. That acceptance came through learning and understanding more about life, not some kundalini, chakra aligning reconnection horse shit.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>How do you react when s#%t hits the fan?</title><description><![CDATA[We all have an idea of who we are. We say a lot of things in passing or during conversations that paint a picture of who we are, what we believe and how we would behave in a given situation. But what happens when life doesn’t go as planned and shit really hits the fan? How do you behave then? How do you behave when there is no one around watching and life kicks you in the crotch? I’ve come to find that despite what I say to people and the ideas I have about myself there are much deeper layers to<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/c04b3810f91d4a6bba6c350c3c44393b.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_269/c04b3810f91d4a6bba6c350c3c44393b.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/10/How-do-you-react-when-st-hits-the-fan</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/10/How-do-you-react-when-st-hits-the-fan</guid><pubDate>Mon, 10 Apr 2017 02:59:08 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/c04b3810f91d4a6bba6c350c3c44393b.jpg"/><div>We all have an idea of who we are. We say a lot of things in passing or during conversations that paint a picture of who we are, what we believe and how we would behave in a given situation. But what happens when life doesn’t go as planned and shit really hits the fan? How do you behave then? How do you behave when there is no one around watching and life kicks you in the crotch? </div><div>I’ve come to find that despite what I say to people and the ideas I have about myself there are much deeper layers to my being. Despite who I think I am, my behaviour reveals who I am. I can make assumptions and discuss my views about life but the truth is in my actions and reactions. </div><div>Despite who I think I am, my behaviour reveals who I am. I can make assumptions and discuss my views about life but the truth is in my actions and reactions. </div><div>If you understand this, and you understand that our emotions are created via our belief systems and filters of reality, you can use the tough times and moments of emotional disturbance as an opportunity for growth.</div><div>Practice</div><div>Next time you get emotional, try and catch yourself. Notice the changes in your physical state. The way your breathing has changed, the muscular tension in your body, your accelerated heart rate. Then quickly reflect on what specifically may have triggered this. What thoughts were running through your head the moment you began to get emotional?</div><div>Got it?</div><div>Next, pause for a moment and consider if your thoughts about the situation were valid. </div><div>Is this really a life or death situation? </div><div>Could the situation have been any different?</div><div>Could that person really have behaved any other way?</div><div>Are you benefiting from the situation in some way?</div><div>It takes some deep reflection, but if you look at the reality of the situation clearly, your emotions dissolve and you find peace amongst the chaos. You can even reflect on the situation afterwards once you have calmed down a bit. It's a powerful practice</div><div>Now all of that being said I’m certainly not claiming to be a monk myself. I still get emotional at times and I am also constantly learning more about myself through reflection. But I have noticed that I catch myself very quickly now, and I can’t remain upset for long at all. This reflection quickly dissolves my stress and helps me learn and grow. I hope it can do the same for you too.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The fear of missing out</title><description><![CDATA[If you were to ask a random number of people what they think causes stress, you would probably receive a variety of different answers. While I'm sure some of those answers would be entertaining, really it's the way we look at situations in life that cause's stress rather than the situations themselves. The rootAt the very root of our stress is the fear of missing out. An underlying fear that if we fail to meet up to the expectations of others we miss out. While who we are concerned about proving<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/2223f083ac395d233dbf0d745b39eef2.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/2223f083ac395d233dbf0d745b39eef2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/06/The-fear-of-missing-out</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/04/06/The-fear-of-missing-out</guid><pubDate>Thu, 06 Apr 2017 12:57:21 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/2223f083ac395d233dbf0d745b39eef2.jpg"/><div>If you were to ask a random number of people what they think causes stress, you would probably receive a variety of different answers. While I'm sure some of those answers would be entertaining, really it's the way we look at situations in life that cause's stress rather than the situations themselves. </div><div>The root</div><div>At the very root of our stress is the fear of missing out. An underlying fear that if we fail to meet up to the expectations of others we miss out. While who we are concerned about proving ourselves too, and what we believe we may miss out varies, there is a common mantra entangled with this concept for everyone. The mantra is &quot;If you are good you will get&quot;.</div><div>If you are good you will get the prize, if you are good you will get the promotion, first place, the bonus, go to heaven etc. The list goes on and on. Really the underlying message is &quot;If you do what we want you to do, we will give you what you need&quot;. This is the golden rule in society. Just look around and you'll see it on TV, at work and even in your children's schooling. </div><div>This is looking at life through what my teacher calls &quot;The achievement model&quot;. We are all caught up in trying to make life go a certain way so we can achieve our goals, prove ourselves and get what we think we need out of life. With this fixation on achievement, we overlook serval things that are taking place, we are not seeing the whole picture. It can get ugly. </div><div>The problem</div><div>When we live through the achievement model and chant the mantra 'If your good you will get&quot; we come to accept some problematic ideas. We incorrectly believe that our value is measured by our ability to achieve goals and control life. We incorrectly believe that if we fail to do so our personal value decreases. We incorrectly believe that it is actually possible for us to miss out on our requirements for development in life. When we actually believe those ideas we can end up really, really stressed. Subconsciously we actually believe that our life and our value are at risk. This can trigger some truly horrible behaviour in people. Just think what people do when they're concerned about losing a race, a competition, an election, an argument!</div><div>An alternative </div><div>Another alternative viewpoint is &quot;the wisdom model&quot;. This model allows us to see that our value is actually measured by the understandings we hold and the contribution we make in others lives. This model dissolves the stress and fear of missing out, the need to show we are valuable. We begin to see reality clearly and come to the following realisations:</div><div>1) We are here to learn and grow, not just achieve. Life is more about the journey than the destination</div><div>2) Life is developing us automatically via the experiences we have and the people we interact with. Every person in our life is teaching us and we are teaching them.</div><div>(Hint: This is every person's true value in life)</div><div>3) We can never truly miss out in life because life is always providing us with the experiences and lessons we need to learn and grow.</div><div>4) If we are less concerned about proving ourselves. If we realise that our true value is never in jeopardy. We realise our true value has more to do with helping others, and so we become less encumbered by fear and more likely to grab life by the horns, knowing that we will grow in the process.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>It's fun having goals and putting your heart and soul into them. This is especially true when you have come to realise that the outcome is far less important than the journey itself and the lessons you will learn along the way. As your mindset shifts towards a Wisdom model, you will begin to love and appreciate life and the many experiences you have so much more. You will feel confident that no matter what happens in life you are always valuable, you are always contributing to the lives of others, and at the same time receiving an education. You don't need to perfect. You just need to be okay with still having things to learn. </div><div>I'll be expanding on this topic further in future posts</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>PS: I'm not perfect</title><description><![CDATA[Here I am posting content on my blog about life. Teaching others how to think, how to behave, how to be happy. I'm sharing my point of view, my experiences and things I have learned along the way. One could easily assume that I always have my shit together and I am some sort of zen master.I want to clear things up and share something personal with you today. I’m not perfect, not at all. I’ve done many things I’m not proud of. I have my flaws and lessons to learn. I have my ups and downs just<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/9088f617991ffb7efaf3e4eb4b1ed1a5.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/9088f617991ffb7efaf3e4eb4b1ed1a5.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/27/PS-Im-not-perfect</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/27/PS-Im-not-perfect</guid><pubDate>Mon, 27 Mar 2017 04:43:30 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/9088f617991ffb7efaf3e4eb4b1ed1a5.jpg"/><div>Here I am posting content on my blog about life. Teaching others how to think, how to behave, how to be happy. I'm sharing my point of view, my experiences and things I have learned along the way. One could easily assume that I always have my shit together and I am some sort of zen master.</div><div>I want to clear things up and share something personal with you today. I’m not perfect, not at all. I’ve done many things I’m not proud of. I have my flaws and lessons to learn. I have my ups and downs just like everyone else. I’m not always so calm and composed. I still lose my shit, swear, get stressed or anxious at times. I have treated people with less respect than they deserve. </div><div>I don’t ever want to suggest that I am perfect or all knowing. I don’t want to convince you that I am some sort of enlightened being or guru. I want you to see I am only human and that's okay. I have given up on trying to perfect, no one is. I would much rather be an example that makes people feel okay about themselves, okay with learning. I’d rather show my scars, my freckles and insecurities, share the lessons I've learned along the way if it might help.</div><div>We are all human. We are all here learning as we go.</div><div>It's through our tough times and emotional responses we learn.</div><div>Over time I have slowly adopted more of student mentality. Now every time I throw a tantrum, every time I resist reality, every time I mess up I catch myself. I see this as an opportunity for growth. I listen to what others say about me and I observe my emotional responses. I reflect on the situation and reconsider if I was seeing things clearly. It's a powerful practice.</div><div>But at the end of the day, we are only human. We are all here learning together, learning from one another. You don't need to perfect. You just need to be okay with things being the way they are, your flaws included. Use them for growth rather than trying to cover them up. Someday, someone close to you or even a stranger will be very grateful that you did. Your example helped them to be okay with themselves, okay with </div><div>life.</div><div>Someday, someone close to you or even a stranger will be very grateful that you did. Your example helped them to be okay with themselves, okay with </div><div>life.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>Rather than not caring what others think about you, I encourage you to care about how your behaviour is making others feel about themselves and about life. Are you portraying an unrealistic image of perfection? Or are you showing others it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them? Asking myself this question recently gave me tremendous insight. I hope it can do the same for you.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Tips to help busy people get their S%#T together</title><description><![CDATA[A large percentage of my existing clients are business owners or busy professionals. They come to me with jam-packed schedules and a level of health and fitness that has been declining gradually over the years as they work themselves into the ground. I get it. I've been there myself. I know how it feels to be excited to build your business, to serve people. I know how easy it is to miss that workout again or buy fast food instead of making your own. But there is a better way, and it doesn't need<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/cfc918e3286a4257be2d98aa6ae33dcb.jpg/v1/fill/w_687%2Ch_525/cfc918e3286a4257be2d98aa6ae33dcb.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/23/Tips-to-help-busy-people-get-their-ST-together</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/23/Tips-to-help-busy-people-get-their-ST-together</guid><pubDate>Thu, 23 Mar 2017 02:07:35 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/cfc918e3286a4257be2d98aa6ae33dcb.jpg"/><div>A large percentage of my existing clients are business owners or busy professionals. They come to me with jam-packed schedules and a level of health and fitness that has been declining gradually over the years as they work themselves into the ground. </div><div>I get it. I've been there myself. I know how it feels to be excited to build your business, to serve people. I know how easy it is to miss that workout again or buy fast food instead of making your own. But there is a better way, and it doesn't need to take up much of your precious time.</div><div>Why</div><div>First, let me say that it's worth it. Looking after you bodies essential needs helps you to function better. Just making a few simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve your vitality and performance. This not only helps you at work but helps you to be a better human in general. A little effort goes a long way.</div><div>Here are a few things which I have found help busy people get their shit together.</div><div>1. Fuel you body with nutritious food</div><div>Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, tubers. Eat more plants, fewer animals and less processed crap. If performance matters, if you need to be on your A game it makes sense to put the best possible fuel available into your body. </div><div>2. Keep hydrated</div><div>Your body and brain function better when you properly hydrated. Drink enough so that you're peeing clear many times throughout the day. </div><div>3. Exercise at least 2-3 times per week</div><div>If you're short of time the best bang for your buck is strength training. Add some mobility to address any postural issues and a little conditioning to keep your fitness up. Done </div><div>4. Get more sleep</div><div>Most business owners and professionals I meet are underslept. While it's totally fine to work hard and put in the extra hours when you need to, it's wise to get more sleep whenever you can. Doing so improves performance and mental cognition significantly!</div><div>“A fool sleeps when he has to. A wise man sleeps when he can”</div><div> ~ Unknown</div><div>5. Gratitude</div><div>Yes, that word again. I say it a lot, but that’s because gratitude dissolves so many of our psychological issues. Despite working long hours, despite giving, giving, giving to others. With the right attitude, you can remain passionate and energised. Never forget that you are always receiving in life. Always! You are alway learning, receiving and gaining from others. You are a valuable part of society and you are incredibly lucky to be alive, to be having these experiences. Enjoy the grind and the interaction with others while maintaining that attitude of gratitude.</div><div>6. Delegate and outsource</div><div>If you're still struggling to get you shit together, hire some people to do it for you. Time is precious when you're running a company or working at a high level. It’s better to keep focussed and let someone else take care of things. Hire someone to make your food or order a meal service. Hire a personal trainer or life coach (shameless plug). Seriously, if it helps you keep your health and vitality up its worth it. It will improve your performance and productivity at work and prevent you needing to take time off later because you are sick or burnt out. If you're running a company or in a position of power, you are not only a role model but the driving force behind the organisation, so you had better look after yourself.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>I've seen many people turn their health around just by making these simple changes. And you don't have to be a CEO or business owner to implement these tips. Look after yourself, look after your basic needs and you will experience a better quality of life.</div><div>Please comment below if you have any other tips for busy people</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A different approach to dealing with death</title><description><![CDATA[Dealing with the death of a loved one can be very challenging. There is no how to guide and we all tend to deal with things differently. Just last week, on exactly the same day I lost two people that have played large roles in my life and which I care about deeply. My Grandmother aged 90 and my life long friend Troy only in his thirties. How I felt and responded to the situation actually surprised me. I realised looking around me that many people were struggling to find peace in this situation,<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/728a0b1b703644de9f1c483eb9150112.jpg/v1/fill/w_687%2Ch_444/728a0b1b703644de9f1c483eb9150112.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/20/A-different-approach-to-dealing-with-death</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/20/A-different-approach-to-dealing-with-death</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Mar 2017 05:06:20 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/728a0b1b703644de9f1c483eb9150112.jpg"/><div>Dealing with the death of a loved one can be very challenging. There is no how to guide and we all tend to deal with things differently. Just last week, on exactly the same day I lost two people that have played large roles in my life and which I care about deeply. My Grandmother aged 90 and my life long friend Troy only in his thirties. How I felt and responded to the situation actually surprised me. I realised looking around me that many people were struggling to find peace in this situation, they were really hurting. Upon further reflection, I realised that perhaps my outlook was a little different, and perhaps this was helping me process the situation relatively comfortably. I’d like to share my realisations and viewpoints with you. I’m by no means telling you how you should behave or feel during such a situation, but I do hope that my thoughts about death can help you. I also hope that my points don’t sound too cold or logical, it's just how my brain works and how I process things.</div><div>1. I realise that cause and effect is always in action. When it's your times up your time is up. People don’t just suddenly die. There is always a series of thousands or million events and factors taking place that lead up to someone dying. It was always going to happen this way. As hard as death may be to process, some peace can come from realising that this was their unique journey, a journey that has now come to an end.</div><div>2. I realise that any pain felt in dealing with death results from my resistance to the situation. They are gone and being in denial or insisting that things should have been some other way only further aggravates my emotional turmoil. We need to accept the situation to find peace.</div><div>3. I realise how lucky I was to have these people in my life. I focus more on the great times I had with them and the powerful lessons they taught me. Yes, I will miss them dearly but I realise that they live on in my memory. They live on and became a part of me.</div><div>4. I don’t have any strong religious views, but I am certain there is more to this reality than we can see with our naked eyes. There is a beautiful order that flows through all things. I can’t be sure of what happens to someone when they die. But I speculate that while they may not wish to die, once they are dead they don’t mind. Either they live on in some sort of heavenly realm beyond life and death, or they just no longer exist consciously. In either circumstance, they don’t mind anywhere near as much as we do. </div><div>5. I am incredibly grateful for the way death can bring others together. Family, friends and even strangers come together and support one another. It's amazing to witness and something I am sure all those passed would be happy to see.</div><div>6. I see death and funerals as a celebration of life. I focus on all the good times and the things I can learn from these amazing people. When I eventually die, I really hope that those closest to me can celebrate too.</div><div>So yes, I had tears in my eyes at times over the past week. But those were mostly tears of gratitude and love. I feel for the people closest to the parted and I hope they find peace in the coming weeks, months and years</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>How to really know yourself | 6 powerful questions</title><description><![CDATA[He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.Lao TzuIf you understand that your beliefs and values dictate your behaviour. If you understand that free will does not exist. Then surely you would also see the value in understanding your own specific values and the values of those you interact with.The problem is that most of us have a story or an idea in our minds of who we are and what we believe. In reality however, our behaviour paints a very different picture. In a clinical<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/54e5b921fdf54a1db3802e905a8c53f6.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_281/54e5b921fdf54a1db3802e905a8c53f6.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/09/How-to-really-know-yourself-6-powerful-questions</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/09/How-to-really-know-yourself-6-powerful-questions</guid><pubDate>Thu, 09 Mar 2017 06:42:07 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/54e5b921fdf54a1db3802e905a8c53f6.jpg"/><div>He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.</div><div>Lao Tzu</div><div>If you understand that your beliefs and values dictate your behaviour. If you understand that free will does not exist. Then surely you would also see the value in understanding your own specific values and the values of those you interact with.</div><div>The problem is that most of us have a story or an idea in our minds of who we are and what we believe. In reality however, our behaviour paints a very different picture. In a clinical environment a practitioner must go though a series of detailed questions to understand the client's unique mental terrain. However, another simple way to gain insight is to have a good hard look at ourselves.</div><div>Our actions reveal our values and belief systems. If we wish to understand ourselves it is wise to reflect deeply on our behaviour. </div><div>6 questions to determine values</div><div>Take pen to paper and try answering the six questions below with deep reflection &amp; honesty. Answering these questions honestly can be difficult. Get someone else involved who knows you really well. Their feedback will help you get more accurate.</div><div>1. How do you fill your space?</div><div>Look around you, in your bag in your car. What stuff do you always have with you? What do you collect and admire?</div><div>2. How do you spend your time?</div><div>What do you always have time for? We always make time for that which its highest on our values.</div><div>3. How do you spend your energy?</div><div>What do you always have the energy to do no matter what? And what experiences give you energy when you're feeling tired or low?</div><div>4. How do you spend your money?</div><div>Look at your spending habits. What do you spend on without hesitation? What can you always afford?</div><div>5. Where are you most organised and disciplined?</div><div>We are automatically more organised and disciplined in the areas of life that we value most. Where can you see order and organisation in your own life?</div><div>6. What can you talk about at length effortlessly?</div><div>We all have topics that we tend to bring up in conversations. These topics reflect our areas of interest and unique values. What do you talk about frequently with friends and loved ones? What topics get you excited and energised? What could you talk about all night?</div><div>So now what? </div><div>Now you understand yourself or others a little better. Now you understand the core beliefs that are dictating the current behaviour. consider the following:</div><div>1) Realise your behaviour and that of others is simply the result of current values and belief systems.2) You can forgive yourself and others for past behaviour now that you have more insight and understanding. Its not the individual that should be blamed, but their values and beliefs.</div><div>3) Any goals or duties outside of these highest values are less likely to be attended to or achieved.</div><div>4) If you want to set realistic goals they need to be inline with your current values.</div><div>5) If you want to change your behaviour or values you need to do some deep work to shift the scales and create new beliefs and understandings about a given topic. This requires external information, not free will.</div><div>I learnt this from Dr John Demartini many years ago. You can check a more thorough questionnaire he created with with 13 questions here </div><div>https://drdemartini.com/icampaign/Values_icampaign.pdf</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Minimalism in the gym | Keep it simple</title><description><![CDATA[I imagine like most people you're pretty busy. Working a lot and juggling the demands of life. Certainly, fitness is an aspect of life worth juggling well.But where to begin? What program to do? Which core exercises, chakra balancing and compression pants would work best?Okay, I’m being a little cheeky. Perhaps you sensed my underlying sarcasm already. Things are not as complicated as many fitness magazines or personal trainers would have you believe. Most people don’t need to train every day,<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/9b38f381ec89469ab2bff4021892f229.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/03/Minimalism-in-the-gym-Keep-it-simple</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/03/Minimalism-in-the-gym-Keep-it-simple</guid><pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2017 03:15:03 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/9b38f381ec89469ab2bff4021892f229.jpg"/><div>I imagine like most people you're pretty busy. Working a lot and juggling the demands of life. Certainly, fitness is an aspect of life worth juggling well.</div><div>But where to begin? What program to do? Which core exercises, chakra balancing and compression pants would work best?</div><div>Okay, I’m being a little cheeky. Perhaps you sensed my underlying sarcasm already. Things are not as complicated as many fitness magazines or personal trainers would have you believe. Most people don’t need to train every day, need fancy equipment or hit “the core” from eight different angles to build an impressive physique.</div><div>In fact, I would go so far as to say you can build a very impressive level of strength and fitness with as little as two gym sessions per week. And all you need is a barbell, some weight and some know how.</div><div>One thing that really annoys me is the way media has over complicated strength and fitness training. This is mostly done to get clicks and sell products or magazines. Really when we boil it all down we just need stress the body a little more, recover, then repeat. </div><div>Rather than whine on about why you should do this let me show you how.</div><div>Here is what you should be doing and I'll expand on the individual tips in future posts:</div><div>1. Lift weights 2-3 times per week</div><div>Using either barbells, body weight or a combination of both as resistance. Track you progress and try to get stronger in the basic compound movements. Just 4-8 sets divided by 2-4 exercises per session is enough for most people.</div><div>2. Some flexibility and mobility work. </div><div>Weighted stretching, active stretching and trigger point work are my personal favourites. Yoga can be nice too. We need to make sure you can move properly and remain pain free.</div><div>3. Sweat daily with a little accidental cardio. </div><div>Walking or cycling for transport, your favourite sport. Something you enjoy or that's part of your commute to work is ideal. Treadmills suck, make it fun.</div><div>That's it. You really only need to hit the gym or equivalent for around 1.5 hours per week along with daily stretching and accidental cardio both of which should be enjoyable. </div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_e05ae03b180e4916bb9a14a123d08854~mv2.jpg"/><div>For those of you who might want a little more description let me share with you a simple program I have modified and used over many years both with myself and clients.</div><div>Day 1</div><div>A Barbell squats x 3</div><div>B Overhead press x 3</div><div>C Calf raises x 2</div><div>10mins of mobility</div><div>Take a walk</div><div>Day 2</div><div>Some yoga at home</div><div>Day 3</div><div>Bench press x 3</div><div>Weighted dips x 2</div><div>Tricep extensions x 2</div><div>Day 4</div><div>Mobility</div><div>Take a walk</div><div>Day 5</div><div>Deadlifts x 2 sets</div><div>Weighted chin ups x 3 sets</div><div>Barbell rows x 2 sets</div><div>Barbell curls x 2 sets</div><div>Day 6</div><div>Rest</div><div>Day 7</div><div>Rest</div><div>Yes, it's very simple. That's why it works so well.</div><div>Any questions or comments post below.</div><div>Need some help with your health or fitness training? <a href="http://www.theartoflife.com.au/services">Click here</a></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The art of nature time</title><description><![CDATA[<img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/mFk9mAbC09g/mqdefault.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/03/Untitled</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/03/03/Untitled</guid><pubDate>Fri, 03 Mar 2017 02:28:29 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mFk9mAbC09g"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Evening routine | The art of good sleep</title><description><![CDATA[I'm a total geek when it comes to optimising productivity and lifestyle habits. It's something I've read a lot about and experimented with extensively. Over the years I've been able to refine my evening routine to a few simple habits that really improve my quality of sleep and make my evenings more enjoyable.Nothing original here. Just tried and tested gems that I stole from other people and now you can steal from me.But before I reveal all my secrets let me first point out that many people's<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/73ca74321d33442bb390fa93ba1f569f.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_282/73ca74321d33442bb390fa93ba1f569f.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/28/Evening-routine-The-art-of-good-sleep</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/28/Evening-routine-The-art-of-good-sleep</guid><pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2017 01:44:42 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/73ca74321d33442bb390fa93ba1f569f.jpg"/><div>I'm a total geek when it comes to optimising productivity and lifestyle habits. It's something I've read a lot about and experimented with extensively. </div><div>Over the years I've been able to refine my evening routine to a few simple habits that really improve my quality of sleep and make my evenings more enjoyable.</div><div>Nothing original here. Just tried and tested gems that I stole from other people and now you can steal from me.</div><div>But before I reveal all my secrets let me first point out that many people's insomnia and evening anxiety comes down their personal views about life. The beliefs or values they hold. These issues need to be addressed for permanent relief of stress and insomnia. You need to be okay with life, with reality. </div><div>Regardless these simple habits will give your body a more natural progression towards the land of dreams.</div><div>1. Turn your smartphone off at night</div><div>Most people's cell phones are the root cause of late nights. Smartphones and the internet are both amazing tools but in the hand of a bored and curious mind, it's a recipe for late nights and sleep deprivation. The blue light, the radiation and mental stimulation keep you awake. Turn that sucker off, or at least put it on “do not disturb mode” and out of sight.</div><div>2. Turn the internet and computer off</div><div>For the same reasons as above. All that visual, mental stimulation will keep you up. The internet and all that work you need to do will be there in the morning.</div><div>3. Dim the lights</div><div>There are no LED lights in nature. Try using candles, salt lamps and other warm natural lighting instead of your normal bright lighting. The natural amber light won’t mess with hormones and wakefulness.</div><div>4. Have a notepad on hand </div><div>If you're like me and have an active mind, lots of ideas and questions might pop into your mind during the evening. Rather than googling them or forgetting about them, just write them down. Next, have a good old fashioned think about them. It's a powerful habit. By the morning you may have already worked some of the questions or found them to be no longer relevant.</div><div>5. Plan the day ahead</div><div>Put pen to paper at the end of each day and plan out what needs to done tomorrow. Getting clear about these details will allow you to rest easy each night and attack the following day with direction and vigour. Personally, I use a bullet journal in conjunction with my digital calendar. </div><div>6. Embrace boredom</div><div>From boredom comes genius. In these moments of free time and boredom, we can have some of our greatest insights and ideas. Many of humanities most brilliant minds took walks, sat quietly and just pondered over their thoughts. The thinking mind is not evil, use it constructively. </div><div>6. Read a book</div><div>Since you have already turned off all your tech you might as well go with the theme and read a good old fashioned book. Personally, I get into biographies and fiction novels in the pm as they are not too heavy in content. Despite being entertaining and educational it can help you wind down and drift off to sleep more easily.</div><div>7. Relax</div><div>Despite what I have listed above you really don’t need to do any of these things if they don’t appeal to you. If you can end each day with a sense of gratitude and wake with a sense of excitement and it's amazing how much your experience of life improves. The right attitude is key and doing these other things just helps your body meet its basic needs. To become neurotic about rest and “me time” is far more unhealthy than a late night.</div><div>Conclusion</div><div>When the sun goes down put your tech down. There is a more intelligent time to be playing with youtube, google or Facebook. They are amazing tools but I’d suggest limiting their use for daytime hours mostly. Replace the screens with interesting conversations, romance, relaxation, reflection or a good old book.</div><div>*If you have any other tips you have found useful in your own evening routine please comment below to share them with other readers.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Sleep | How much do we really need?</title><description><![CDATA[Everyone seems to be in a debate about how much sleep is ideal. "What is the magic number?" This is a stupid question in my opinion.How much sleep do we really need? We need enough, and enough tends to vary dramatically from person to person. So forget the whole 7-8 hour rule and listen to your body. Get enough sleep and rest so you can attack each day with energy and vigour.How:1. Keep note of how long you sleep for on your days off when you can sleep as long as you like2. Try going to bed<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_0bca7cb3f84d489c96c3fb57fb3cfecb%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_421/637669_0bca7cb3f84d489c96c3fb57fb3cfecb%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/24/Sleep-How-much-do-we-really-need</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/24/Sleep-How-much-do-we-really-need</guid><pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2017 05:30:57 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_0bca7cb3f84d489c96c3fb57fb3cfecb~mv2.jpg"/><div>Everyone seems to be in a debate about how much sleep is ideal. &quot;What is the magic number?&quot; This is a stupid question in my opinion.</div><div>How much sleep do we really need? We need enough, and enough tends to vary dramatically from person to person. So forget the whole 7-8 hour rule and listen to your body. Get enough sleep and rest so you can attack each day with energy and vigour.</div><div>How:</div><div>1. Keep note of how long you sleep for on your days off when you can sleep as long as you like</div><div>2. Try going to bed early enough so that you get a similar amount of sleep to your days off before waking and beginning your day.</div><div>3. Repeat for several days</div><div>4. See if you wake up before the alarm or end up hitting snooze</div><div>5. If you consistently wake up before your alarm feeling refreshed and ready to go awesome! This is how much sleep you need on average at present (this may change over time)</div><div>6. If you are consistently waking to the alarm or waking feeling very tired you likely need more sleep</div><div>7. If you need more sleep try going to bed 20mins earlier each night until you find a sweet spot and start to wake before your alarm</div><div>8. If your waking early everyday cool. Get up and do something productive or fun!</div><div>I’ve come to realise apart from activity levels, diet, stimulant dependence etc, another powerful influence on your needs for sleep is your attitude about life. </div><div>Are you excited to get out of bed and start working? </div><div>Do you feel like your spending most of your energy rather than receiving from life? </div><div>Can you see how you will be contributing and receiving in whatever you do? </div><div>Are you grateful to be alive and where you are? </div><div>These common topics dramatically effect your bodies need for rest. Reflect on them for a moment.</div><div>More on those topics later……</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Walking for super powers | THE ART OF LIFE</title><description><![CDATA[<img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/JtSBZ4sWH94/mqdefault.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/20/Walking-for-super-powers-THE-ART-OF-LIFE</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/20/Walking-for-super-powers-THE-ART-OF-LIFE</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2017 05:44:20 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JtSBZ4sWH94"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The art of becoming super human</title><description><![CDATA[While I'm always going on about the mind and its effect on our physiology, that certainly doesn't negate the effects of our environment and lifestyle on our body. It just takes the edge of them a little.There are still some basic needs we have as humans and would be wise to respect. When we fail to meet these basic requirements it negatively taxes the body to some degree. The amount this affects the individual is greatly determined by their genetic makeup and unique psychological framework.So<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/40da3e98889e4493bb1d0e07eb417315.jpg/v1/fill/w_687%2Ch_458/40da3e98889e4493bb1d0e07eb417315.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/20/The-art-of-becoming-super-human</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/20/The-art-of-becoming-super-human</guid><pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2017 01:38:55 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/40da3e98889e4493bb1d0e07eb417315.jpg"/><div>While I'm always going on about the mind and its effect on our physiology, that certainly doesn't negate the effects of our environment and lifestyle on our body. It just takes the edge of them a little.</div><div>There are still some basic needs we have as humans and would be wise to respect. When we fail to meet these basic requirements it negatively taxes the body to some degree. The amount this affects the individual is greatly determined by their genetic makeup and unique psychological framework.</div><div>So with the right beliefs and attitudes, we can get away with a lot more. We can work and play harder without the negative side effects being as pronounced. However, some simple lifestyle habits can stack the cards further in our favour. While you may function okay getting 6 hours of sleep per night, just getting to bed two hours earlier could drastically improve physiological health and your quality of life.</div><div>If you want to be at your best or even super human, make sure you address your bodies basic needs in the following areas:</div><div>Food</div><div>Eat mostly organic, whole plant foods and you will get a plethora of essential nutrients, antioxidants and phytochemicals that do your body a world of good. Alternatively, a cheeseburger will still provide you with the calories you need to survive and grow but it is lacking in certain nutrients and abundant in various chemicals and carcinogens.</div><div>Fill up mostly on the good stuff and enjoy a little crap now and then throughout your week. I find this to be a good medium.</div><div>Water</div><div>Drink enough so that you're peeing clear many times throughout the day. Since a lot of modern foods are dehydrating compared to natural foods like fruits and vegetables, we need to drink up.</div><div>I find with my client's that Women need around 2-3 litres per day, Men need around 3.5-5 Litres per day. When they fail to meet these needs their athletic performance suffers dramatically, the numbers don’t lie. If it's affecting their athletic performance obviously it would be negatively affecting other parameters of their health and performance such as cognitive function.</div><div>If you are thirsty your likely already dehydrated. And likewise, if your pee is a little yellow or straw.</div><div>Don’t be afraid of going to the bathroom 10-15 times per 24hrs.</div><div>Sunshine</div><div>A huge percentage of our society has become vitamin D deficient. The problem is two-fold:</div><div>1. We are indoors more often, scared of the sun and covering up our skin with clothes and sun cream.</div><div>2. The psychological topic related to vitamin D production and absorption is an extremely common one in society. (Certainly a topic I will cover in future posts)</div><div>The Sun is not a big scary cancer causing monster. In fact, you need regular sun exposure to be at your healthiest. It triggers vitamin D production, hormone production and even cleans your skin. The problems with skin cancer and sun exposure comes down to poor nutrition, toxicity and erroneous beliefs. When the body isn’t functioning properly the skin cells behave very differently when exposed to UV light.</div><div>Fresh air </div><div>You only have to move from a busy city to the countryside and take one big breath of fresh air to experience the invigorating effects of good quality air. Make an effort to get to the coast or bushland in your area a few times per week (or daily if possible). The air quality will be at its best here and you will feel rejuvenated.</div><div>Sleep</div><div>Our individual needs for sleep vary greatly, but most people need more than they are currently getting. Take note of how long you sleep for on the weekends when there is no alarm set and go to bed early enough so that you get a similar amount of sleep most nights. For me, the magic number is 8-10 hours if I’m active and busy at work. I try to get this as often as possible without getting neurotic about it. Just turn off your smart phone and get to bed earlier most nights and you will have a lot more energy.</div><div>Activity</div><div>The human body thrives with regular activity. Movement pumps the blood and lymph around the body, improves posture, improves mobility, strengthens your bones and muscles along with aiding detoxification. Do it. </div><div>We are certainly not designed to sit in a chair at a desk for 8 hours a day. If you do then it is essential to antidote this with some daily activity. </div><div>Aim to sweat every day. Do a variety of fun activities each week including:</div><div>1.Strength training</div><div>2.Stretching and mobility work</div><div>3.Some cardio or conditioning.</div><div>Shelter</div><div>Yeah, we need clothes and a roof over our head. But the less between us and our environment the better in my opinion. Well, I guess this depends on the season and location.</div><div>Community and relationship</div><div>Humanity is a living breathing organism. We work, learn &amp; grow together through interaction. Having gratitude for the people in our lives and understanding the roles we are all playing in each other's journeys is the key to health &amp; happiness.</div><div>So there you have it. Our basic needs. Try meeting them on a daily basis and see how you feel. The benefits may shock you.</div><div>Any other tips or comments? Please leave them below</div><div>Would you like some Health, fitness or lifestyle coaching with Jay? Click <a href="http://www.theartoflife.com.au/services">here</a></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Why how you think is more important than what you eat</title><description><![CDATA[Let me start by saying that I am well known amongst my friends and family as being “the food nut”. Over time I have systematically sampled many diets that could be deemed racial. From fruitarianism to IIFYM (counting calorie but eating whatever the hell you want) and most things in between.I have devoured stacks of books and copious amounts of online content. I have also studied courses in nutrition and other natural therapies, always searching for more knowledge and experimenting to see what<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_c2bec83e9cf0400fb215b6120984e9a6%7Emv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_421%2Ch_421/637669_c2bec83e9cf0400fb215b6120984e9a6%7Emv2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/17/Why-how-you-think-is-more-important-than-what-you-eat</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/17/Why-how-you-think-is-more-important-than-what-you-eat</guid><pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2017 22:59:39 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_c2bec83e9cf0400fb215b6120984e9a6~mv2.jpg"/><div>Let me start by saying that I am well known amongst my friends and family as being “the food nut”. Over time I have systematically sampled many diets that could be deemed racial. From fruitarianism to IIFYM (counting calorie but eating whatever the hell you want) and most things in between.</div><div>I have devoured stacks of books and copious amounts of online content. I have also studied courses in nutrition and other natural therapies, always searching for more knowledge and experimenting to see what diet makes me feel the best. </div><div>I am well aware of the benefits of eating lots of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and I consume lots of them almost exclusively on a daily basis.</div><div>But over time I have come to realise one very important point...</div><div>How you think is more important than what you eat. </div><div>Let me explain</div><div>Yes we do need foods that contain the essentials nutrients we require and sufficient calories for fuel. Likewise, its wise to limit our intake of foods that are known to be harmful to the body. But what's far more important is that our digestive system is functioning well enough to absorb the goodies and excrete the nasties. Despite having the functional digestive hardware, stress about specific topics can severely mess up our digestive processes.</div><div>Eg.</div><div>You just drank the most nutritious organic/biodynamic, fresh, local, gluten-free, vegan, low-fat smoothie. Then on the way to your car, a little old lady got ran over by a bus right in front of you. The scene is horrific and all of a sudden that nutritious smoothie has left your stomach and is now residing on the sidewalk. Your thoughts about you external environment have hindered the absorption and utilisation of the incredibly nutritious meal.</div><div>Now that's a very extreme example. But the same thing is taking place on a subtle level whenever we are stressed about our life experiences. You see the topic of food relates to the topic of ‘life experiences’ to the subconscious mind. Whenever we have issues about life experiences past, present or future we experience different digestive disorders. I am going to cover this in more detail in an upcoming post related to the digestive system.</div><div>Conclusion:</div><div>1. It is wise to eat or you will die</div><div>2. It is wise to eat nutritious natural foods and limit harmful ones</div><div>3. If you are stressed about your life experiences it will affect your digestive processes</div><div>4. If your digestive processes are malfunctioning your ability to absorb the nutrition in your food is limited</div><div>5. If you have a digestive disorder you need to reevaluate the way you looking at life</div><div>As mentioned I will explain the body-mind connection in relation to the digestive system more thoroughly in an upcoming post. Stay tuned!</div><div>Please comment below if you have a digestive condition you would like me to cover as an example.</div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>More on self love | Guest post by Greg Neville</title><description><![CDATA[A search for finding and understanding Self – LoveBy Greg NevilleLOVE!....LOVE! Again! You have got to be kidding. If I see or hear one more person calling out that there should be more love in the world, I’ll… x?/:~`!**#^!?! So, enough already!! Hold on, actually, you know what I want to read? An explanation of what love is .....and….why it is so absent for some people? No, I’ll be specific. I want to know what Self-love is, and the secret to having it. We are consistently told we need to love<img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_0be11f20ab2d432e910f340e23e2aa2c%7Emv2_d_2800_1859_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_687%2Ch_456/637669_0be11f20ab2d432e910f340e23e2aa2c%7Emv2_d_2800_1859_s_2.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Greg Neville</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/12/More-on-self-love-Guest-post-by-Greg-Neville</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/12/More-on-self-love-Guest-post-by-Greg-Neville</guid><pubDate>Sat, 11 Feb 2017 23:56:23 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><img src="http://static.wixstatic.com/media/637669_0be11f20ab2d432e910f340e23e2aa2c~mv2_d_2800_1859_s_2.jpg"/><div>A search for finding and understanding Self – Love</div><div>By Greg Neville</div><div>LOVE!....LOVE!  Again! You have got to be kidding. If I see or hear one more person calling out that there should be more love in the world, I’ll… x?/:~`!**#^!?! So, enough already!! Hold on, actually, you know what I want to read? An explanation of what love is .....and….why it is so absent for some people? No, I’ll be specific. I want to know what Self-love is, and the secret to having it. </div><div>We are consistently told we need to love our self, and of course we know that many people just do not! They may have had it in the past, and now lost it. I want to know what it is, why it is so hard to do, and of course importantly….how to find it again or even for the first time?!! Go on, if you are going to write something, make it something that I don’t already know, something that will actually help! Yep, try those questions for size. Oh, and of course, why is self-love so important, what happens without it?</div><div>If you write specific answers to those few questions, and I’ll read it. Well?</div><div>SELF-LOVE IS…….</div><div>‘Self-love’, what is it? If you were in search of it, what would you ask a therapist when questioning to find out if the therapist knows what it is, where to look for it and what enables you to find yours? Is self-love so personal that only you would know where to look for yours, know what it would consist of and hence how to identify it? Or maybe, because so many people are in need of it, this would mean it is actually made of a common factor that applies to us all?</div><div>In the mental health arena there is no shortage of voices screaming out that people are lacking in or requiring additional self-love, but in contrast, the arena is drastically short of an understanding of what self-love is, what its constituents are, or even its true obstacles.</div><div>What is Self?</div><div>Understanding even the title ‘self–love’ is a great place to start a search for self-love. In reference to your life, your ‘Self’ is ‘You’. And don’t be fooled by the rubbish claims that it is possible for you to be someone other than you! Further on I’ll explain the cause of such false claims.</div><div>Everything about you, physically and mentally is you. Your thinking is done by you, and all your actions are initiated by you. And you do not find self-love by trying to claim you were not really being your authentic self, as if saying it just was not you, which is a claim that is just not true, and you shall understand why it is not true when I explain how the human psyche works. Though it is most definitely true that you are a sum of all that factors that influenced, played their role in how you became you, and it is just as true that it is not your fault such factors influenced you. And by the way, are you yet aware that it is impossible for you to self-sabotage you or your life? You will understand why that is true as you learn more about you and your priorities!! There is quite a lot to you, more than you knew! </div><div>Okay, you are you, but what would you need to look at if you wanted to know you. Medically, physically, they currently look at your genetic make-up, but what would they Psychologically look at if they wanted to find you? Would it be your ‘Individuality’, ie that which is unique to you, or instead ‘Commonality’, what you have in common with others? Check into both of them, test them and see which enables you to know who you are! First though, consider this bit of advice. How are you going to know what is unique to you, if you do not first understand what others have? Well, you’re not, and so gaining an understanding of who you are will require receiving an education in Commonality, so that what is unique to you can be recognised. You, shall not only consist of that which is common to all, but yes also that which is unique to you. </div><div>As every year passes we watch an increase in the number of therapists that claim to focus on treating the individual, and whom unbeknown to them, have a decreasing understanding of commonality due to not really being interested in it, even to the point some even now claim there is no reality, only ‘your own reality’. Such therapists have lost the plot, and can be shown to have little depth in understanding of the cause and cure of psychological stress and associated issue. They most definitely will also not understand themselves or even where to look within the psychological realm to find Individuality. Such a search requires looking within the area of the psychological realm that contains a person’s issues towards the ‘development and survival process of life’, which psychosomatically is the same as investigating a person’s DNA code. (The specifics of this I detail and show when explaining the psychological cause of health conditions). But for now, let’s just say that ‘You’ are both your physical and psychological realm, which you see if you study your belief system. But when it comes to self-love, you also need to know a little more about love?</div><div>What is love?</div><div>To understand what love is, helps direct you to know what personal value is and what it is correctly measured by. So, if you are not yet aware, Love is simply one of the emotions, and being an emotion it is consequently triggered by a particular belief, as it is impossible for an emotion to be instigated without having been triggered by a belief. Those who believe different, as yet do not fully understand what beliefs are, or have not yet investigated the psychological realm deep enough, and thus incorrectly stop at the notion their exists some competition between heart versus head! Look deeper into the psyche and a world of reasons to why you are emotional can be found. More on this a little further on!! Okay, back to love.</div><div>Love is triggered when a person believes that a particular item that exists is meant to be part of the system, and hence beneficial to the system. The more beneficial it is believed to be, the more heightened is the emotion of love towards it. Though, you also need to understand that the psyche believes in the presence of various little systems, such as the system that contains everyone that exists, and a system that contains our friends, also a system that contains our children, system that contains our partner in life, system that contains motor bikes, and so on… And this is why a once loved partner may now only be loved as a friend, and this also displays the reason why love is always conditional, as there is always criteria that must be met before a person is believed to be part of any of such systems, even when sometimes it does not feel as though! If love was unconditional, everyone would always love everything, even themselves, which is a reality that simply does not exist, and why this article is being written!!</div><div>Love represents acknowledgement of the beneficial influence, a role an item is believed to be performing. Self-love is the acknowledgement of your belief in the value, the important usefulness of your existence. Self–love is nothing but your EGO! (WHAT???!!!) And as you may be aware, Ego receives a lot of abuse from most therapists!! Claim you have one, and watch out! The comments it receives will not have you feeling so good about yourself! Currently, many therapists and most spiritual gurus, will attack your ego and blame it for all your and other people’s woes. </div><div>Would you tell children that you never want to catch them believing they play an important valuable role in the universe? Well then, the next time you are about to claim someone has an EGO problem, have a think about what it means before you say it. Ego is not the evil thing many people are teaching that it is, but we must admit we find many people giving it a decent push to be seen. Why is that?</div><div>The reason is before your eyes and ears every day, and is found within society’s Foundation Philosophy, the “IF YOU ARE GOOD, YOU WILL GET/RECEIVE”, which to the psyche translates into “You shall miss out on your necessities for development and survival if you fail to prove your worthiness, your value, through successfully providing proof of your capability to achieve what we perceive to be a particular valuable existence/role”. Basically saying that you had better achieve something that brings our attention to your value.</div><div>Ego, as just mentioned, is not the problem, as the problem is instead that deeper incorrect underlying reason why we believe our value, our worth, must be brought to other people’s notice, plus it is absolutely essential to identify and inspect what a person currently has personal value connected to. What do measuring your value by? And whatever that is, if ever you believe it to be in jeopardy, you will perceive your value to be in danger, threatened! And if you believe it to be decreasing, you shall believe your value to be decreasing. </div><div>So what? </div><div>Society is progressively being informed of the high incidence of mental illness and suicide. Okay, we have been made well aware of that, but not really taught much about it. Yes, our education has evolved around helping us to learn how to identify the symptoms of depression and suicidal tendencies, but seldom explains the cause in any depth.</div><div>The cause of suicide is easy to understand, as the following explains. If our psyche believes personal value to be drastically decreasing (even though it is not!) due to not personally achieving that which personal value is believed to be measured by, then society’s “If you are good–you will get/receive” principle will have the person also believing that personal necessities for development and survival shall be restricted, eventually to the point of death. Yes, our mind believes we can die various ways, one being from a depleted state of personal value. And so if we believe our value is near depleted, it too can believe it is all a little too risky to consider it worthwhile hanging around and possibly depleting if further. The person will desperately believe there is a need to travel to another place, away from the risks of life, and hence considers suicide to offer such an option. Suicide is not a desire to die, but rather an attempt to protect personal value and consequent future chances of receiving. Yes, that is weird, but true. I hope you can understand why the subject of personal value, self-worth, self-esteem is so important!! Though more than that, I hope you can see why having an understanding of what personal value is correctly measured by is so important! If you ever wish to check just how much a psychotherapist, psychologist or counsellor etc understands about life and the cause and cure of psychological stress and can really help you, ask two simple questions. What is a person’s value correctly measured by, plus, what is the factor that defines why it is impossible for any person’s life to unfold incorrectly? Of course there are other important questions you may like to ask, though I must insist that those two are essential. </div><div>What is a person’s value correctly measured by, and why is it impossible for a person’s life to travel down an incorrect path of events? Gosh, this is getting a bit heavy hey! Well, actually, no it’s not. It’s just pushing the boundary of what is usually considered answerable or correct to mention! Boundaries that must be stretched in order for people to receive the answers their psyche requires for secure self–love.</div><div>Is your value calculated by you or instead other people? Actually, would it be okay if someone told you what your value is correctly measured by? Many claim not, and claim only you would correctly know what your worth is measured by! Can you see the little contradiction in that?! Anyway, regardless of the contradiction, all that is important is that you do end up with, receive, an understanding of what your value is correctly measured by. Correctly measured by!!??? Who is to say what is correct?? That really doesn’t matter does it, as who cares if a white person, a black, what the person’s occupation is, a young or old person etc that knows what it is. All that matters is that it is correct. What, sorry, as long as it is correct?!! Is there a correct answer when you consider how many people exist, and so many people possess different skills than others? You bet it matters, as you would not like to find yourself suddenly in a position due to circumstances, where you are not able to be performing your believed valuable role for a period of time, because as you have just read, suicide sits on the door step waiting for those who believe personal value has been given sufficient time to drastically erode. You would need your true value to be connected to something that never receives the time to fade away, you will need it to be correct. Is there such a ‘something’ that enables personal value to be consistent? That particular something, most definitely exists, as is the only thing that enable a permanent, secure understanding of the reason why you are so valuable. What does that ‘something’ have to be for it to fall into the category of being so valuable, and consistent?</div><div>Firstly, what qualifies something as being valuable? Is a lid to a pen valuable to itself, or is the role it plays actually the reason why it is worthwhile, valuable? Obviously its value is the role it performs, the contribution it makes to something, and the same applies to you. What role, what contribution are you capable of providing that shall never be put on hold, is never in jeopardy, and so provides a secure sense of self-love? Yes, this is asking the question:- “Why are you so valuable, what do you offer, what can you do?” Hey, have you thought about what could be so truly needed? AAAAhhhh so many questions, and so let’s keep going and cover the answers and gain some clarity!</div><div>Answers? So far, where have you been taught to look for them? In books, documentaries, gurus, experiences, within yourself because you supposedly already know them but somehow became disconnected from them, disconnect from such a source etc. Again, all so confusing and frustrating for those who have been desperately looking, and many of who now feel disappointed in them self upon hearing that others are supposedly finding their answers. Listen to such disappointed people, can you hear them believing their value, their self-love is dropping? </div><div>Where is the answer? I think firstly there needs to be another question. What is needed, and how can you assist with finding whatever it is they need? What is needed?!!! Okay then, a better question. What is taking place and you can assist with to make things okay? Look around you, what do you see is taking place, and I mean have a look at life, what do you see happening? Activity, people and nature just going about doing their thing. Precisely, are you aware that you are claiming that you are having the experience of watching life take place? You mean I’m having an experience? Yes, and what do experiences offer? Some say they offer, they provide our development, because we grow from our life experiences. They do say that don’t they, though how many yet have received sufficient development to correctly understand what that means, and consequently understand what a person can offer, and so also understand what a person’s value is correctly measured by?!!</div><div>We need to look at the topic of development, Personal Development, and identify the role that people are performing as we watch them doing their thing in life. Let’s listen to what is being said. Listen, take notes, because you will find there to be two different models being mentioned when it comes to measuring personal development. One is labelled the ‘Achievement model’, where personal development and personal value is measure by supplying proof of personal control over how life circumstances unfold, ie achieving goals. The other is labelled ‘The wisdom model’ whereby as you go about the interesting process of trying to make life conform to your demands, life is constantly subjecting you to your environment and the consequent data that’s forces upon you and furthers your development in understanding reality, understanding life. And to which ‘Wisdom’ is deemed to be an accurate account of reality. An accurate account of the development and survival process called life. So, which of these two means of measuring personal development could relate to the lessons that explain your true valuable role, and provide a secure permanent self-love?</div><div>Is it the one that measures your level of development and value by you exhibiting consistent control over your environment, or instead the one that measures your level of development by your current level of understanding reality, and which too explains the valuable role you are always performing for those with your environment? The answer is simple. Just as we are all automatically growing from the data we run into and is obviously being forced upon us from our environment, so too are the people to which we are serving our automatic valuable role within their environment. Life develops us.</div><div>Every child in a classroom, regardless of the child’s current level of understanding life, is automatically playing its valuable role in the other children’s journey, as they all receive information from the comparison of each other. This consistently continues from our early years until be die. </div><div>Though, one very important question now needs to be answered. At what level of development does the above understanding of the valuable role everyone is performing, become sufficiently understood to be fully utilised? The answer is directly relevant to when you finally learn the truth that ‘free-will’ does not exist, and hence learn that you (and others) could not have simply chosen differently than did, and that life is a development process and not simply an existence of choosing right over wrong. We all have our belief system, ie our current understandings, which governs the process by which we perceive and respond to the events we believe to be taking place. This is not only easy to prove, but it also plays a role in the process of you learning that because our actions are reason based, such actions will not change unless data is received that alters such beliefs. You do not have choice in what you believe, as the changing of beliefs involves the process of your beliefs, your understandings, being upgraded via the addition of received data, or your mind connecting data it has already received, together. And that is not a choice!</div><div>You only fully understand both the term “We grow from our life experiences” and consequently then fully understand the automatic valuable role we all play in each other’s lives, after you first receive sufficient information to understand that life develops us rather than we already know and supposedly just have to choose right over wrong. </div><div>What is an example of where such important lessons in wisdom are required to address the self-love issues playing a role in severe psychological states? One example is in the treatment of Depression.</div><div>Depression</div><div>Let’s begin by understanding the true cause, and then the cure of Depression, and where self-love fits into the equation.</div><div>The underlying belief in the ‘If you are good- you’ll get/receive’ concept of life, which is founded upon the core principle of possessing ‘choice’ (free-will’), has people connecting their personal value to their ability to live up to accomplishing outcomes they believe a person’s value is being measured by. Hence the person believes the whole purpose of life is to accomplish such outcomes and prove oneself worthy of receiving. So, if and when the person believes that particular obstacles will no longer enable the accomplishment of such outcomes, it results in the person believing there is no point in utilizing the mind’s creative faculties to come up ideas and ways to address situations in life. This ‘WHY BOTHER’ attitude (belief) is actually not the symptom of the depression, but rather the actual depression itself! The decrease in the production of the neurotransmitters, which is often called the chemical/imbalance (the disease, the lack of production of the neurotransmitters), and regularly incorrectly blamed as being the cause of the depression, is instead only the physical symptom created by the person refraining from using the mind’s creative faculties to work on solving life’s situations, and thus resulting in all the horrible sensations of darkness, lethargy, fatigue and so on. That is stage one of depression! </div><div>Stage two of depression occurs when people with depression are incorrectly informed that depression is a disease, a broken brain, and thus this reinforces their ‘WHY BOTHER’ attitude because now they supposedly have a mental disease, a brain that supposedly does not work and will not enable them to work on life and their future and achieve the particular outcome they currently believe their value is connected to.</div><div>The correction required, the development required, to cure depression is received through people being provided with further education/understanding on what life, personal development and personal value is really, accurately, all about. An education that details an understanding of the development process, which clearly shows that our true value is never under threat by life circumstances, and that if life is not able to unfold to match the current demands we place upon it, that is okay, and it is okay to have our goals for the future altered, and to continue using our creative mind to work on life.</div><div>No wonder so many people are correctly screaming out that more people require a sense of self-love, Although with life being a development process, not everyone yet has received enough development to understand the automatic valuable role, the same role we are all performing. Such an education is not even provided to students of Psychology, Counselling, Psychotherapy, Natural medicine and so on. Nor are they educated in an understanding of the factor which defines why it is impossible for a person’s life to unfold down an incorrect path of events. Even the main principle of most counselling teachings, the “We are not teachers, but rather simply facilitators” is not only a contradiction within itself, but actually completely contradicts the lessons in wisdom required to correctly and fully address self-love, self-esteem, self-worth(all meaning the same!) issues.</div><div>Self versus others</div><div>What must not be left un-acknowledge is one of the greatest outcomes from gaining a safe state of self-love, and that is its effect of upon influencing your own attention to other people’s needs. Whilst in a state of believing your own self–love is decreasing, or I should say that the further you believe your own value to be decreasing, the more you will focus on living up to that which you believe your value is connected to, and more difficult it becomes to focus on other people’s necessities. Unless of course you have your value connected to assisting others, and which would really mean you are looking after your own personal value! It is a wonderful state when you understand that as you go about helping others, you also understand that your value is not being left behind. Though, do you currently understand that when you are going about looking after your own needs, you are also still playing your role in providing others with an experience to grow from? These are major lesson for preventing and treating breast cancer. They enable you to understand that organising other people’s experiences never interferes with aspects of your life, your development. Plus they enable you to understand that whilst you are organising and having your own experiences, you are still also providing other people with an experience to grow from! </div><div>There is an enormous array of phrases and statement utilized by orthodox, new age and spiritual counselling concepts, which are commonly used, considered to be correct, but only serve to reinforce the deeper concepts already at the seat of society’s psychological stress and health conditions. Although they are incorrect, they do play their role in the process by which the resulting psychological stress, mental and physical states provide an educational indication of which concepts on life, personal development and personal value are incorrect and why. Life is truly and journey, an education, a development process by which we are receiving an education on the lessons in wisdom, which define what reality is and hence also the valuable role we all automatically perform for others, regardless of our current level of development. Even the bully at school played his role in the process by which I finally learnt my own and your true value, and that they are the same. </div><div>If you would like to learn more about Greg I highly recommend checking out his <a href="http://www.gregneville.net">website</a> or better still purchase one of his <a href="http://www.gregneville.net/books.html">books</a> or <a href="http://www.gregneville.net/audio-program.html">audio programs</a></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The art of self love | An interview with Greg Neville</title><description><![CDATA[<img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/O7vl2zyTeQ4/mqdefault.jpg"/>]]></description><dc:creator>Jay Logan</dc:creator><link>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/06/The-art-of-self-love-An-interview-with-Greg-Neville</link><guid>https://www.theartoflife.com.au/single-post/2017/02/06/The-art-of-self-love-An-interview-with-Greg-Neville</guid><pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2017 04:54:47 +0000</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O7vl2zyTeQ4"/></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>