Great list. Rock climbing (especially outdoor lead climbing), surfing, and snowboarding (on the steep) seem to tap me into a lot of of the skills. I think it’s the combination of being in tune with the physical environment and the potential for injury if you fail. Forces you into a flow state, increasing the gap, slowing time… maybe it is meditating 🤔
Honestly I feel like any kind of training for me is a type of mindfulness - in that while I'm at training I don't think about anything BUT training. So I absolutely agree with your comment.
I love this as an alternative to meditation. Life is mostly a gradient, not an on/off switch (except, perhaps, death).
I used to "not like meditation" but 12 years ago just sat my ass down and gritted through it and made it a habit (back in 2017) that I do 99% of the time. I'm not stressed if I miss a day every few months due to life's unexpected events, usually with a little kid.
It's one of the best things I've done. It's still "hard" to do when I want to do other things, but for someone like me with ADHD and on the spectrum, it's a great "unlock". I can do a lot of different things that help me regulate my emotions, help me reach a flow state, defuse anger/agitation, focus, etc. However, deep meditation seems to be the most beneficial for me, so I consistently stick with it.
I'm big on not forcing meditation down people's throats, but damn if you can master it... what a tool. There is a big difference for me between being mindful and meditating.
This is probably the most thoughtful and considered perspective I've read. I also liked the book 10% Happier as another example of someone who used to hate meditation.
I think for me feeling a sense of progress or change is important, so hacking away as a beginner isn't doing it for me. But perhaps getting a coach and going all in until I reach a good level might work.
Aww - thanks! Ah, the sense of progress thing is so real for me too! I'm always trying to level up. Yes, meditation is pretty much not that at all, haha.
I'm not a "pro" by any means, and I don't know if there is any grading or leveling up, tbh. From what I've read, the only thing you need to do with meditation is sit down consistently, no matter what, with the intention of meditating, and then every time your mind wanders, be aware and bring it back. That's it!
I've added a few more layers to it to help me with flow, having a process, etc., and probably do too much mashup of things (mindfulness, body sensory audit/check-ins, affirmations, etc.), but I really do feel like I took a brain shower after most sessions. Some are hard though and that's also okay if I sat my butt down and was aware of the scattered monkey brain.
How you go from point A (sitting your a$$ down) to point B (bringing your mind back when it wanders) can be by any means necessary. But if you do that more, the science behind it (which I'm sure you know) is that you can focus your attention more in the real world when you get sidetracked. So it's the mental equivalent of doing scales for an instrument and then going out into real life and doing a jazz solo without thinking about it and being on autopilot. You are "thinking" when you meditate (practicing scales), and you should let your practice shine in reality.
Also, the studies say 10-13 minutes once per day helps people with ADHD and people with focus issues immensely. So I aim for that.
The coach idea is something I never thought of. That's an obvious "Duh," but also a dope solution for you. I did it the stupid way and somehow held onto it. A meditation coach or a process would most likely help someone who struggles to do it or hates it.
Or... It's just not for you, and you can find "27 Elite tools" as alternatives!
And thanks for the book recommendation - I'll def check that out.
Great list. Rock climbing (especially outdoor lead climbing), surfing, and snowboarding (on the steep) seem to tap me into a lot of of the skills. I think it’s the combination of being in tune with the physical environment and the potential for injury if you fail. Forces you into a flow state, increasing the gap, slowing time… maybe it is meditating 🤔
Honestly I feel like any kind of training for me is a type of mindfulness - in that while I'm at training I don't think about anything BUT training. So I absolutely agree with your comment.
I love this as an alternative to meditation. Life is mostly a gradient, not an on/off switch (except, perhaps, death).
I used to "not like meditation" but 12 years ago just sat my ass down and gritted through it and made it a habit (back in 2017) that I do 99% of the time. I'm not stressed if I miss a day every few months due to life's unexpected events, usually with a little kid.
It's one of the best things I've done. It's still "hard" to do when I want to do other things, but for someone like me with ADHD and on the spectrum, it's a great "unlock". I can do a lot of different things that help me regulate my emotions, help me reach a flow state, defuse anger/agitation, focus, etc. However, deep meditation seems to be the most beneficial for me, so I consistently stick with it.
I'm big on not forcing meditation down people's throats, but damn if you can master it... what a tool. There is a big difference for me between being mindful and meditating.
This is probably the most thoughtful and considered perspective I've read. I also liked the book 10% Happier as another example of someone who used to hate meditation.
I think for me feeling a sense of progress or change is important, so hacking away as a beginner isn't doing it for me. But perhaps getting a coach and going all in until I reach a good level might work.
Aww - thanks! Ah, the sense of progress thing is so real for me too! I'm always trying to level up. Yes, meditation is pretty much not that at all, haha.
I'm not a "pro" by any means, and I don't know if there is any grading or leveling up, tbh. From what I've read, the only thing you need to do with meditation is sit down consistently, no matter what, with the intention of meditating, and then every time your mind wanders, be aware and bring it back. That's it!
I've added a few more layers to it to help me with flow, having a process, etc., and probably do too much mashup of things (mindfulness, body sensory audit/check-ins, affirmations, etc.), but I really do feel like I took a brain shower after most sessions. Some are hard though and that's also okay if I sat my butt down and was aware of the scattered monkey brain.
How you go from point A (sitting your a$$ down) to point B (bringing your mind back when it wanders) can be by any means necessary. But if you do that more, the science behind it (which I'm sure you know) is that you can focus your attention more in the real world when you get sidetracked. So it's the mental equivalent of doing scales for an instrument and then going out into real life and doing a jazz solo without thinking about it and being on autopilot. You are "thinking" when you meditate (practicing scales), and you should let your practice shine in reality.
Also, the studies say 10-13 minutes once per day helps people with ADHD and people with focus issues immensely. So I aim for that.
The coach idea is something I never thought of. That's an obvious "Duh," but also a dope solution for you. I did it the stupid way and somehow held onto it. A meditation coach or a process would most likely help someone who struggles to do it or hates it.
Or... It's just not for you, and you can find "27 Elite tools" as alternatives!
And thanks for the book recommendation - I'll def check that out.