How many times have you gone to Personal Development seminars? How many self help books have you read? And still find yourself in a place you’d rather not be in? Maybe you’ve never been to one, in that case you’ve probably missed out on a short term high, a hive of activity that inspired you for a few days or weeks and then back to square one. So, if you’ve never been on one, my advice is keep your wallet in your pocket.
Self Help books are slightly different, as you can refer back to them from time to time and top up your ‘High’ feeling for a while. None of them will do anything at all unless you personally make a decision to act on the information and take your own path. A lot is written about ‘modeling’, i.e. find someone successful and so as they do, I tried that, wanted to be like John Lennon, only problem was that I have no musical talent and even though I love music, I can’t sing a note and numerous attempts to play an instrument ended in frustration. So, then I decided, maybe I can model myself on Bill Gates, as I was a pretty good programmer and loved IT, so I tried, I set up a company and made lots of money… for a while, but somehow I just didn’t have what it takes. Where these people born with the ability, were they lucky, I don’t know and even though I’ve read lots of theory I’m yet to find a convincing answers.
So, I’ve had ups and downs, happiness and sorrow like most people and have never really found that little thing that changes all, that spark that secures your place in the ‘Hall of Fame’, ah well, so be it I thought.
Then, a few years ago I discovered Meditation and this was the turning point in my life. I read all about it went to a few free seminars, that were really great, no rush of immediate relief and inspiration, no charismatic “Guru” worth billions, just a level headed cool explanation of what it’s all about. In my case I was exposed to Zen meditation, but I’ve adapted the method to what suits me and my inclination, I read the ‘Tao te Ching’, a small book of infinite wisdom, then I read Alan Watts’s ‘The way of Zen’ and I was on my way. I got up every morning at 05:30 and meditated for an hour. At first it was hard work, my mind refused to cooperate and enter ‘Stillness’, phone bills, arguments, annoying conversations floated through my head like a steam of muck. But, I persisted for many months, until slowly, the beast leaned to shut up, at least for a while.
A few years ago, I discovered ‘Brain Entrainment’, which was a real epiphany in my life, I started using it and my meditations became deeper and deeper and as a result, my life became so much easier and manageable. This happened about a year after I lost my IT business, and had started day trading for a living (I won’t go into that as that is a whole story in itself). What I would say though is that once my meditations became deeper, my ability to focus and consistently make money in the financial markets increased daily, I became a healthier and happier person and certainly a lot wealthier, no George Soros alas, but good enough for yours truly.