+1 #709: The Optimus Meditation

Hi, this is Brian. Welcome back to another Optimize plus one. In our last plus one, we had fun with our virtual Optimus Medallion. The first batch of medallions hot off the Optimize Mint, will be shipped to our coaches soon and available for all optimizer pockets shortly thereafter. Today, I'd like to chat about the optimus meditation that goes with the coin. First, quick context. The most important part of our optimized coach certification program, and of course of all of our work together, is to help our coaches and you, if you're not currently becoming a coach, become radiant exemplars of what a life well lived looks like. Basically to flip the switch and make the optimist version of ourselves, the version of us that shows up more and more consistently. Of course, there are a range of practices that we know help us do that, including the core fundamentals like eating, moving, sleeping, breathing and meditation. Now, as part of our program to get certified as an optimized coach, our coaches will need to execute the basic fundamentals on a consistent carpe diem basis, demonstrating mastery in moving from theory to to practice. One of the specific things we're all going to commit to meditation. Optimized coaches will meditate, period. The Target will be 11 minutes in the AM and 11 minutes in the PM. The we never miss a day Minimum floor will be 1 minute in the a.m. and 1 minute in the p.m. note 11 times 11 equals 2 hours equals Yuval Noah Harari style. Now, I've missed one day of meditation over the last 11 plus years and we've had a lot of people ask me how they should meditate. I gave general advice in Meditation 101, but I always refrain from giving prescriptive advice beyond just show up consistently. Until now. We're going to recommend the Optimist Meditation, AKA the Optimized Virtue Meditation. Now, skipping the part of how to sit, breathe, etc. Today we're going to focus on the core virtues themselves and I'll give you a little walkthrough first. Again, the virtues that we discussed in our last one. Wisdom, arete, confidence, purpose, self, awareness, Telos, energy, presence, courage, love, and in theos. Now, the meditation. If you feel so inspired, find a comfy and quiet place to focus your attention and sit with dignity, with your spine nice and straight and tall and lengthened. Breathe in through your nose, down into your belly and back out through your nose, gently, deeply, with a smile and with an exhale that's slightly longer than your inhale, perhaps into a rough count of six, holding for two and exhaling for seven or whatever feels good to you. Do that a few times. We'll take a deep breath now. Ah. Even one breath. Parasympathetic nervous system activated. Now for the virtues. Each of the 11 virtues gets its own breath. Basically, I am insert the virtue on the inhale. Then a brief power statement affirming that virtue on the exhale. Here we go. Inhale, I am wise. Exhale, I know the game I am playing. Inhale, I am virtuous. Exhale, I live with arete. Inhale, I am confident. Exhale, I trust my antifragile self. Inhale, I am purpose driven. Exhale, I have strength for two. Inhale, I am self aware. Exhale, I know myself. Inhale, I am teleological. Exhale, I have clear targets. Inhale, I am energized. Exhale, I honor my fundamentals. Inhale, I am present. Exhale, I focus on what's important now. Inhale, I am courageous. Exhale, I say bring it on. Inhale, I am loving. Exhale, I am kind and generous and encouraging. Inhale, I am connected to my daimon. Exhale, I shine with radiant enthusiasm. How about one more breath? Another. Ah. Here's to operationalizing virtue while soaking our minds in the good stuff as we relax our bodies by flipping the switch on our parasympathetic nervous system One breath at a time. That's today's plus one. Sending you wisdom, Arete, confidence, purpose, self awareness, Telos, energy, presence, courage, love and entheos.