Todd Perelmuter's Blog, page 57

How I Cured My ADHD with Meditation – Path to Peace Podcast

For both adults and kids, there is an epidemic going around. And no, I’m not talking about COVID. I’m talking about ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). All across the world, we are losing the ability to focus and pay attention. From 1997 to 2016, schoolchildren diagnosed with ADHD went from 3 percent to over 10 percent and it is still rising fast. From March 9th to March 30th of 2020, the proportion of teens diagnosed with ADHD rose 67 percent!

Fortunately, more people are getting help for ADHD. Unfortunately, the most common form of treatment is to prescribe powerful, highly addictive stimulants with potentially serious side effects and even death. ADHD medications are Schedule II drugs, in the same category as cocaine, crystal meth and OxyContin. Worse yet, these drugs act as a crutch, robbing a person from developing their innate ability to pay attention and focus naturally. In this book, you’ll learn how meditation can help children and adults focus and concentrate, calm their body and mind, and live happier and more peaceful lives. Hopefully, after learning the techniques in this book, we can turn that attention deficit into an attention surplus.

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The Accidental Cowboy Guru – Path to Peace Podcast

Todd’s spiritual journey happened completely by accident. When on vacation with a friend at a resort in Arizona, what he thought was a horse riding class turned out to be a life-changing exploration and discovery into the window of the human soul.

This experience was the spark that took Todd from an award-winning Writer and Creative Director in Manhattan at the world’s largest ad agency, to quitting his job, selling all his possessions, and spending the next 8 years living with shamans, Buddhist monks and Hindu gurus around the world.

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How can I stop hating and complaining about everything? – Path to Peace Todd Answers

Today on the podcast, Todd answers the question submitted online from one of our listeners, “How can I stop hating and complaining about everything?” In it you’ll hear how we can reframe our experiences so that we experience more joy and gratitude in everything we do.

If you have any questions you’d like to ask Todd, please submit your question on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram , or email Hello@EastWesticism.org.

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Why Self Worth is Not Related to Appearance and How to Be More Confident – Path to Peace Podcast

Today on the show, a user on Twitter asks the question, “My self worth is based on my appearance. How can I move past that and become more confident?” In the age of social media, this question has never been more important. Todd explains why we feel this way, what impact it has, and what we can do to be more confident and more comfortable in our skin.

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What a Shaman in Chile Taught Me – Path to Peace Podcast

On a vacation in Chile, Todd hoped to meet with a shaman to learn about the spirituality of the indigenous people of South America. Unfortunately, the shaman had left his home for the winter. However, just one day before Todd was scheduled to leave Chile, his travel companion, who was Chilean, received an unexpected phone call: the shaman would see him now.

In this podcast, I share the beautiful beliefs the shaman taught me about spirituality, mother nature, our wonderful meditation ceremony, and the incredible insights this wise man had to share. This shaman experience truly began my spiritual journey and changed the course of my life.

For links to meditation videos, follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and go to EastWesticism.org to learn more.

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Is Open-Eyed Meditation Possible? – Path to Peace Podcast

In today’s podcast, Todd Perelmuter answers a common question about a meditation style known as Open-Eyed Meditation. Open-Eye Meditation varies from staring at a candle flame to staring at a crystal, from staring at a statue of a God or staring at a blank wall. If you’ve been curious about this form of meditation, check it out and let us know what you think on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram

The fact is, almost any meditation is a great spiritual practice that has some benefit, and this one is no different. From more joy, more peace, more patience and a greater sense of awareness and focus, greater physical and mental health, meditation comes with numerous benefits. Here, Todd explores the the differences that keeping your eyes open can make.

Learn more about meditation at Eastwesticism.org.

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Quitting My Job, Giving Away My Possessions, and Buying a One-Way Ticket to India – Path to Peace Podcast

After meeting his shaman in Chile who told him to follow his heart, Todd returned to his NYC life. He was a highly awarded Creative Director at the world’s largest ad agency, all by the age of 31. Hear what possessed him to leave it all behind in search of meaning and purpose.

On this podcast, we’ll be sharing stories and spiritual lessons from throughout his 9 year journey. So in case you don’t have 9 years to drop everything and go live in monasteries and ashrams, you can get the same benefits and advantages by following along.

Follow Todd Perelmuter on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and you can see more of his meditations tips, subscribe to our newsletter at EastWesticism.org, and give our podcast a 5-star review, yes you Peace and love.

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Why You Should Never Skip Meditation

Nobody’s perfect and we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves if life stuff happens and we miss a meditation here and there. But, with few exceptions, we should do our very best to make meditation a consistent daily habit. It improves our mood, helps us focus, and improves our relationships. Here are just some of the reasons why you should never skip meditation.

To help develop a daily practice, try this guided morning meditation video.

 

Every Meditation Builds on the Last One

Meditation is like building a house. Everyday there is a little bit of weather erosion that takes place. You have to keep building or all the work you’ve done will have been for nothing. At first, you might start out on the basement, and so you won’t see any progress for a long time. But with a sturdy foundation, the frame can pop up and all of sudden you can really start to see a house coming together.

In meditation, patience and setting aside expectations is key. Don’t be too obsessed about each meditation experience, but rather you’re overall progress. Pay more attention to the reasons for meditating in order to keep motivated.

Why Never Skipping Meditation Makes Us Better Parents, Kids, Siblings, Friends and Neighbors

We can take a day off work, but most of us can’t just take a day off from our other social responsibilities. That’s why daily meditation is so important. We need to make sure we bring calm, peaceful, loving strength to our relationships. It’s not fair that just because we skipped a meditation, that we’re now more stressed and less present with our loved ones.

For the sake of others, and our valued relationships, it’s important that we take some “me” time so can operate at our best for the people we love. This Loving-Kindness Guided Meditation is a great video to help us in our relationships.

There’s Nothing More Important than our State of Mind

Everything we do stems from our mental state. Our choices, our effort, our awareness and conscientiousness, all extend out from our mind. Our habits, actions, deeds and words are all projections of our mindset.

Whether we are disciplined or not, focused or not, joyful or not, fearless or not, all depends on our state of mind. As long as we make our minds – and by extension, meditation – a top priority, nothing can derail our progress.

Habits are Hard to Build and Easy to Break

Just one missed day can lead to all missed days. That’s how it starts. We know our own human nature enough to know that one day doing the wrong thing is enough to create a bad habit.

Years and years of hard work can be all for nothing if we fall out of practice. But, the good news is that when you decide to get back into it, all the benefits will come back surprisingly quickly.

So wherever you are in your journey, today is the day to get back into it. And it’s why we should do our best to never skip meditation.

Why Never Skipping Meditation Leads to Discipline, Determination and Fortitude

There are many benefits to meditation. But some of those benefits actually have nothing to do with the meditation itself.

Just by simply making the effort to tune out the noise and sit still in meditation for an extended period of time, you are exercising extreme self-discipline. The more you do it when you really don’t want to, the more inner strength and resolve you are building. This discipline will spill out as success into every aspect of your life. Discipline is just another reason why we should never skip meditation.

Every Single Day is Precious

Every single moment is beautiful and miraculous. We’re not promised any certain number of days and we must be grateful for every single one. We must live every day to the fullest and honor this amazing existence.

Why Never Skipping Meditation is So Important

The more present we are, the more we fully live. Period. Meditation helps us break out of our head and into the real world of the here and now. Don’t waste a moment. Every moment is an opportunity to grow, evolve, heal and prosper. Meditation simply helps us down that path. And that is why it’s so important to never skip meditation.

To get started meditating, check out this Guide for Beginners for all the resources you’ll need.

This guided morning meditation is a great, easy, and terrific way to start your day as well.

Also, be sure to follow @toddperel on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for uplifting messages, tips and inspirations.

Check out our podcast on Spotify, iTunes or Google for answers to common questions.

And be sure to destress your inbox with our newsletter.

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How Do I know If I’m Meditating Correctly? – Path to Peace Podcast

Because most people can’t sit down and instantly clear their mind, they think they might be doing it wrong. Or worse, they think they just can’t meditate and that meditation is not for them. But if I were doing something my entire life – thinking – and suddenly tried to stop, it might not happen as fast as I’d like it to.

Luckily, meditation is not about clearing your mind of all thoughts. It’s about becoming conscious – or mindful – of your thoughts. The more aware we become of our thoughts and the more we sit still without distraction to simply observe our mind, the more our minds stop mindlessly creating suffering and the more we consciously choose for it to create joy and peace in our lives.

In this podcast, Todd answers this common question and explains how to meditate correctly, and more importantly, how to approach meditation correctly. So relax, kick back, and discover the best way to get started in meditation.

Follow Todd Perelmuter on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and you can see more of his meditations tips, subscribe to our newsletter at EastWesticism.org, and give our podcast a 5-star review, yes you Peace and love.

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5 Myths About Meditation that are Absolutely Fake

Along with meditation’s sudden rise in the West came a lack of information, a great deal of misinformation, and even some disinformation. Here I’ll expose 5 myths about meditation that are completely false.

Meditation Myth #1. Only Hindus, Buddhists and Atheists Can Meditate

Wrong! Meditation is a completely non-religious activity that requires no belief in anything. Meditation is like dinner. Anyone can eat it and it is nourishing for all, regardless of what you think of it.

The two most common types of meditation are mantra and breath meditation. Mantra involves repeating a sound or word silently to yourself. It’s no different than silently humming. The sounds are often either meaningless or they may mean something like peace or love.

Breath meditation is focusing on your breath. No God ever said that it’s a sin to spend a few minutes a day focusing on your breath. Quite the contrary. God prefers us to be present, observe and appreciate all of God’s creation. That includes focusing on our breath and marveling at the miracle of life itself.

Meditation Myth #2. You Have to Sit on the Floor in a Specific Posture

Quite the contrary. Every activity can be a meditation if you use it as an opportunity to be present. Brushing your teeth mindfully, feeling every little subtle sensation and being fully present with each brushstroke, is a meditation.

So, Doing the dishes, having conversations, literally everything can be a meditation practice just by being fully present, fully engaged.

Also, In Buddhism and Hinduism, they have a very specific walking meditation, eating meditation, and even sleeping meditation. For them, life is a meditation. Here is a great YouTube guided walking meditation video.

Meditation Myth #3. It will Either be a Magical Experience, or it’s Difficult Which Means You’re Doing It Wrong which Means You Just Simply Can’t Meditate

Nuh-uh. Especially when just starting out meditating, a lot of disturbing, repressed thoughts and emotions may bubble up to the surface. It may be uncomfortable, but thank goodness it’s no longer bubbling beneath the surface waiting to explode in rage or manifest as disease or chronic pain.

Sometimes, meditation may be like beautiful fireworks and light shows. Other times it will be grueling. It does not matter. Meditation isn’t about the meditation itself. It’s about how improves the rest of your day and your life.

Also, For people who have spent decades not meditating, always busy for most of their waking lives, suddenly shutting out the world and turning inward in meditation can be very jarring. You’re not used to it. We’ve grown impatient and entertainment-dependent since smartphones. But that’s all ok, because it gets easier over time. The experience of meditation may not always be magical, but the results always are.

Meditation Myth #4. Meditation is Just Sitting Down with Your Eyes Closed Doing Nothing

No way! Meditation is a very active practice. It may look like nothing, but inside, deep concentration and sustained focus are taking place. Patience and discipline are being exercised. It is a state of heightened alertness yet calm peacefulness. It rewires the brain, boosts our happiness chemicals, lowers stress, and trains the mind to be more present and intentional.

Meditation Myth #5. Meditation is Just Wishful Thinking

Yeah right! Hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific journals have shown that meditation literally changes the size and shape of the brain. Parts of the brain associated with fear become smaller. The regions associated with regulating emotions and learning become larger. Even overall gray matter increases!?

Also, A little meditation has shown measurable increases in happiness, gratitude, a sense of oneness and connectedness, peace and joy. Not to mention a decrease in stress, blood pressure, chronic pain, anxiety and depression.

 

In Conclusion About the 5 Myths of Meditation

So, clearly from exploring the 5 myths of meditation, we now know that meditation is easy, fun, and everyone can start getting benefits from it right away. To get started, check out this Guide for Beginners for all the resources you’ll need.

This guided morning meditation is a great, easy, and terrific way to start your day as well.

Also, be sure to follow @toddperel on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for uplifting messages, tips and inspirations.

Check out our podcast on Spotify, iTunes or Google for answers to common questions.

And be sure to destress your inbox with our newsletter.

The post 5 Myths About Meditation that are Absolutely Fake appeared first on EastWesticism.