Happy2BALive

Bias of Priene (c. 600-530 BC) was perhaps best known as a righteous lawyer, which is a breath of fresh air for those of us who mainly seem to come across the wicked variety. Due to his fine reputation, a just legal outcome was referred to as a “Prienian decision”. 

He is said to have ransomed a group of young women who had been made prisoners of war, raised them as his own daughters, gave them dowries, and then returned them to their fathers in Messenia. 

On another occasion, when Priene was being besieged by Alyattes, Bias fattened up some mules and arranged for them to be released into the enemy camp. When Alyattes then sent negotiators to Priene, Bias   covered a pile of dirt with a layer of grain, and so confirmed the impression that the city was well-supplied. 

Bias died at a ripe old age. After pleading his last case, he rested his tired head on his grandson’s chest, and was found to have passed away when the decision in his favor was read. 

Find favor with all the citizens, in whatever state you dwell. 

The growth of strength in man is nature’s work; but to set forth in speech the interests of one’s country is the gift of soul and reason. 

Even chance brings abundance of wealth to many. 

He who cannot bear misfortune is truly unfortunate. 

It is a disease of the soul to be enamored of things impossible of attainment. 

We ought not to dwell upon the woes of others. 

Being asked what is difficult, Bias replied, “Nobly to endure a change for the worse." 

Bias was once on a voyage with some impious men; and, when a storm was encountered, even they began to call upon the gods for help. "Peace!” said he, “lest they hear and become aware that you are here in the ship." 

When an impious man asked Bias to define piety, he was silent; and when the other inquired the reason, "I am silent,” he replied, “because you are asking questions about what does not concern you." 

Being asked "What is sweet to men,” Bias answered, “Hope." 

Bias said he would rather decide a dispute between two of his enemies than between two of his friends; for in the latter case he would be certain to make one of his friends his enemy, but in the former case he would make one of his enemies his friend. 

Asked what occupation gives a man most pleasure, Bias replied, "Making money." 

Bias advised men to measure life as if they had both a short and a long time to live; to love their friends as if they would some day hate them, the majority of mankind being bad. 

Further, Bias gave this advice: Be slow to set about an enterprise, but persevere in it steadfastly when once it is undertaken. Do not be hasty of speech, for that is a sign of madness. 

Cherish wisdom. Admit the existence of the gods. If a man is unworthy, do not praise him because of his wealth. 

Gain your point by persuasion, not by force. 

Ascribe your good actions to the gods. 

I carry all my effects with me. 

Make wisdom your provision for the journey from youth to old age; for it is a more certain support than all other possessions. 

You should look into a mirror: if you look fine, do fine things; if you look ugly, correct by nobility the defect of your nature.

In remembrance of Carl Sagan, a beautiful vision of the Future

Bodyweight training is the most convenient type of resistance – all you need is your own body, and you’ll never be without equipment or a facility. You can gain tremendous functional fitness in terms of strength, power, balance, endurance and flexibility from progressive bodyweight training – all from the convenience of your own home.

3 years it took this girl to turn this piece of truck garbage into her home and it was beautiful. 😍😮 Have a good trip!

Meditation can be exceedingly challenging for some of us. It’s incredibly hard to direct our thoughts in a way that helps us clear out minds. Being still is the opposite of calming. I know it comes naturally for some, but that ain’t me, and if you’re reading this, it’s probably not you.

SO LET’S REDEFINE MEDITATION. LET’S MAKE IT SOMETHING WE LOOK FORWARD TO AND REALLY FIND VALUE IN

Traditionally, meditation is done in a quiet room. The practitioner takes a comfortable seat, closes their eyes, and clears their mind. Mantras and chants can and often are a part of the equation. Dim lighting, no distractions, and comfortable clothing are paramount. Sometimes, it’s a guided meditation taking us on an internal journey.

You’ve tried all of it. And you’ve tried again. It’s not clicking and you wonder if you simply can’t meditate. You peek at others in the room seemingly enjoying their own experience and appearing to not struggle in the least. You feel like a failure and trend towards thinking meditation just isn’t for you. It’s so easy to buy into these thoughts, but they’re simply untrue.

LET’S THROW OUT TRADITION AND GET TO THE HEART OF WHAT MEDITATION OFFERS US:

peaceful feelings

clarity

mindfulness

self-awareness

compassion

the ability to be present

appreciation

simplification

kindness

stress reduction

relaxation

calm

groundedness

gratitude

For those of us whom more traditional meditation practices don’t quite land, let’s think way outside the box about what a meditative practice can be. What alternate types of meditation practices besides sitting in silence can offer all of these benefits?

1. Try a walking meditation

Take a walk. It can be in the woods, on the beach, or even just around your neighborhood. Focus on your breath and surroundings. Make a conscious effort to notice everything around you. The wind, cracks in the road, leaves on the trees, the song of the birds overhead. Drink it in and let yourself absorb your surroundings. Count your steps. Focus your drishti. Choose positive thoughts. Take deep, aware breaths.

2. Meditate in a crowded space

It could be a coffee shop, library, train station, or even your workplace. Find the least conducive to meditation environment you can. If you can find a calming energy and peaceful feeling even with eight-seven distracting things happening all around you, then you’re really onto something. The meditation here is all about blocking out the noise and finding focus amidst chaos. Even if you can find it for a moment, that’s really something. Use the tools at your disposal. Breath, Making the choice to not look up or all around everytime a new noise arrives at the scene. When you learn to block the noise, a truly incredible thing happens. You stop hearing it. It ceases having power over you. You can feel serenity anywhere.

3. Practice meditation via conversation

Have you ever noticed your listening abilities evaporating when you’re talking with someone and there’s a feeling of disconnect? You can change that by applying meditative properties to every conversation. Whether you’re talking with someone you really vibe with or someone you have trouble connecting to, the same meditation principles align. Practice self-study, svadhyaya, as a means of witnessing not just the other person with whom you are participating in dialogue, but yourself being present, open, compassionate, and more aware than you were moments before.

4. Create a daily mantra

This one is SO much fun! If you like to write, then write it down. If that’s not your jam, mentally create one and come back to it over and over throughout the day, revisiting your chosen meditation. Use a bracelet or crystal to help you remember to come back to it throughout the day. Today, I’m working with, “Cultivate listening by utilizing economy of words.” I talk a lot, so today, I choose to listen more, therefore talking less and fostering this as my meditation. Tomorrow I’ll choose something different to focus on, but this meditation will stay with me.

Once we broaden the scope of how we view meditation, everything starts to show up as a meditation opportunity. This in no way negates the incredible value of more traditional meditation practices. But if your resistance to that is strong, begin here and stay here as long as the value continues to surface for you. It might decrease your feelings of opposition, and if it doesn’t, that’s really okay. As long as we each find ways to cultivate awareness and a reduction in our stress levels, our meditation practice only needs to speak to us.