presence Archives - Finding Swamy

#65 Don’t Skip a Beat

I love iHeartRadio. Who doesn’t, right? Similar to Pandora, it’s a music and podcast application that allows you to create playlists from your favorite genre of music.

I had a habit of listening only to the songs I was familiar with. If a song came on that I never heard before, I would skip it immediately. I did this for years.

#64 Beginnings Don’t Have to End

First kiss, first day on the job, and first trips abroad to name a few firsts are when hopes are high. It’s when we are most present, alert, attentive, and receptive to the moment.

Beginnings are exhilarating. They inspire curiosity, bravery, and vigorous action. Everything is much more visceral. Opinions are slightly subdued and embracing the now is much more accepted, appreciated, and necessary. However, every exciting new beginning comes to end. But does it have to?

#53 – 9 Ways to Stop Being a Fucking Douche

I’m a saint and I’m a hell-bent heathen. I’m Dr. Jekyll and Mr. fucking Hyde. A few of my favorite books include Walden by T-Dub, the Upanishads, Freedom from the Known by Jkish, and Meditations by Marcus A.

#44 Practical Ways to Be Present

I’ve been practicing meditation with formal and informal training for a few years now. Today I wanted to share practical things that have worked for me and may work for you.

Now before I begin, let me just reference that meditation is much more than sitting in one place with your eyes closed for extended periods of time. Although, I do this for about an hour a day, it came with practice, and making the decision to live as a monk for 10 days, I’ve learned that moments of joy and bliss are open to us at all times.

#25 Timeless (No BS) Lessons to Live a Better Life

Is the glass half empty or half full? I’m sure you’ve heard of this expression. It’s a simple concept and it carries its weight in truth. To live, breathe, and embody the belief that the glass is half-full is another story. Today I wanted to help you understand, and in no particular order, why this is so. The topics I will touch on today are:

Taking a 30,000-foot view
Everything is energy
Forgiveness is a selfish act
Contemplating death
Presence is the only drug you’ll ever need

#21 How to Stay Sane During a Pandemic

What we think, how we think it, and the ensuing actions that follow, especially during times of disparity, matter. The Coronavirus is serious and all measures and recommendations given by the experts should not be taken lightly, but what I think is also serious is the perpetual onslaught of digital fear that we ingest from media titans, social media, and clickbait enthusiast. Being present is always important, but even more so during these troubling times. I have listed a few ways tips that have helped me keep sane during these uncertain times.

#10 The Amygdala

Once upon a time before TV’s, WiFi, and subways (both sandwiches and transportation), early homo-sapiens also known as cavemen, would run in fear when chased by a lion. How did the cavemen know to run? Why didn’t they want to make nice with the lion? Well it’s simple. Our memories became sharp through experience and also because cavemen knew from other cavemen that lions are crazy dangerous.

#9 Psychological Time

No mater what we want to do in life, it takes time. The learning of an instrument, the building of a business, the courtship that goes into winning someone’s heart, or the accumulation of knowledge. It all takes time.

#8 Think Better Today

Today I wanted to share tips that have helped me get through tough days. It’s not easy to remain calm and patient in difficult situations, but sometimes a little dose of reality can put things into perspective very quickly. Check out these five quick tips to think better today.

#2 Vipassana Meditation — Living a Monk’s Life for 10 Days

Vipassana is a meditation technique of seeing things as they really are. Through stark observation and concentration, the focus remains on the sensations of the body and through this, one develops non-reactive understanding and insight into the subtle and gross changes that the body exhibits during meditation.