23. Chapter 6
Curiosity: Deepening Self-Connection with Unfamiliar Modalities
*This book was set the be published by the publisher of my first book, but after years of struggle and many other reasons, I decided to release it on Substack instead. Each week, the 52,000 word book which was tentatively titled “Be A Force” will be dropped here online. The sections will start with number 1 and then progress over the 52 weeks of the next year. The Chapter title will be placed in the post description for clarity.
Meditation
I started meditating after the pandemic when I attended a beginner’s course in Australia. The instructor explained the science behind why we should meditate in conjunction with breathwork, this was the first time I had encountered this. Meditation in conjunction with breathwork sends a signal to the vagus nerve to communicate to the prefrontal cortex and trigger five happy hormones to drop into the bloodstream: dopamine, oxytocin, melatonin, serotonin and endorphins. All of these position us to start our day better and calmly connect with ourselves. If you are a bit like me and need knowledge of the science behind things, to give you more leverage to persevere with a new practice, then I hope this knowledge was valuable. Interestingly, what I have found over the years is that the spiritual and scientific often seem to reinforce each other anyway. When we meditate, we get the opportunity not only to sit with ourselves, but also we gain the power to change our state whenever we want.
After putting in place a regular meditation practice, I went to a retreat in Laos where meditation with monks was part of the experience. I remember entering this pristine temple and sitting with my fellow retreat participants as these Devarana Buddhist monks led us in prayer. Many of us began crying halfway through the forty-minute session, this is how meditation is a powerful tool to self-connect as it’s often in the vacuum of stillness that epiphanies about yourself flood in. I now also do active meditations when I walk and run. You can access meditation for free online and begin any time.
Coaches
Coaches are a wonderful way to connect more fully with the self. Engaging with a qualified expert one-on-one allows an even more bespoke approach and therefore exponential progress on the journey to becoming a force. Many people in Asia, where I am based, prefer coaches to therapists/counsellors as there can still be a stigma behind traditional talk therapy. Coaches can be a mixed bag, what worked really well for your friend may not vibe with you and discovering that is part of the process. Do your research and find a coach that caters to your demographic and has the type of qualifications you value. It’s very easy to find a good coach simply by using the search hashtag for “coach” on Instagram or LinkedIn. Prices will vary based on a coach’s qualifications, experience and popularity. I have used coaches for every part of my business and personal life, and all of them have allowed me to get to know myself better. They can also fast-track any process you are hoping to go through because they have distilled the knowledge for you, getting you faster to force-hood.
