Instead of striving for Awakening in some imaginary future moment, nonmeditation is about simply recognizing your True Nature right now, which is effortlessly peaceful, wise, and effective. In my last 2 posts, we established why effort is your problem, and how it’s reinforcing a self-identity that’s obscuring your nature. This post answers the final, practical question: how, exactly, do you give up your effortful practice of developing virtuous qualities? And how do you, instead, recognize your already-virtuous Nature?

In my last video I told you that effort, itself, is the block in your spiritual practice. But if effort isn’t the solution, what is? And why is my recommendation sound? How can you trust that giving up effort is the correct path from here? In this post, I’ll tell you why giving up effort isn’t only wise, but necessary for you.

When you started your practice, you used *effort* to great effect. The momentum of your worldly attachments was in full swing. So you did something very wise: to fight your unhealthy habits, you applied *effort* to a healthy one. But now your results have slowed or even stopped altogether. Because what got you here won't get you there. Now, paradoxically, you must do the *opposite* of what you’ve been doing...

Anything you do to attempt to quiet your mind only creates more noise. But this is uncomfortable to hear, isn’t it? Because we were all trained to assume, very deeply, that "trying" is good and "not trying" is bad. This was stamped into all of us before we were even making memories. And it’s why so few of us ever realize the real goal of meditation: Awakening.

We only ever have a single moment in which to practice: now! So, naturally, we want to be sure we’re using it correctly. But what is ‘correct practice’? And how can we be sure when there are thousands of different interpretations out there from wisdom traditions across time and culture? Let's explore...

You and I—and billions of others—were brainwashed into a deep, dark trap. This trap—this unconscious collective belief—is the reason millions of meditators practice diligently their whole lives but never realize full-blown Awakening. I spent 30,000 hours studying and practising spirituality to realize what I’m about to tell you in 20 minutes. If you care about being of benefit to yourself and humanity, please give me that long to explain.

When we start meditating it feels unusual. We’ve been shuffling through life, doing as we were told for 20, 30 years when, finally, we decide it’s not working for us and we’re going to sit and watch our breathing instead. But if we continue long enough to find out what meditation is *really* about; if we become interested in *irreducible truth*, then we discover something amazing...

 If you are already enlightened, why do you still suffer sometimes? How can these statements both be true? Well, firstly, everyone's confused about what enlightenment is. So let's clear that up. Then we'll approach the topic of your remaining suffering from the ultimate vantage point...

In 2016, I connected with a teacher who lived as a Buddhist monk for 8 years. What followed was 30,000 hours of mindfulness practice. Now, a lot of people think I’m full of shit when they see this number. But actually, it’s a conservative estimate. Here's what I learned...

Sleeping less than 7 hours increases our risk of death from all causes by 12 FREAKING PERCENT. And yet, we’ve all had trouble sleeping. It took me 30,000 hours of mindfulness to learn to calm down, but don’t worry—I’m here to give you the best insights from all that and save you a good chunk of time...

I went through 6 years of ‘flip-flopping’ between presence and ego. My first dharma teacher, who lived as a monk for 8 years, guided me through the worst of it. It felt like learning to ride a bike. On smooth ground, it was easy to balance. But then I’d hit a patch of gravel and come flying off. Here's how I finally learned to glide with my feet off the pedals.

Adyashanti said that, when it comes to explaining Awakening, his job is to ‘fail well’. He was demonstrating the inadequacy of words. Trying to understand Awakening in words is like trying to understand football by studying physics. It might be useful in a way, but to really get it, you have to go out on the grass...

When people take statements like ‘you’re already enlightened’ out of context, this can lead to what is known as 'spiritual bypassing'. The practitioner who doesn’t take the time to understand the nuance of this teaching thinks, ’oh, I don’t have to address my high blood pressure or my unpaid rent or my unresolved generational trauma! Those things aren’t real,’ thinks that practitioner. But they are missing a crucial point...

In 2015 I was in chronic pain. That pain was caused by tension.That tension was caused by stress. And that stress was caused by my constantly trying to change myself and my circumstances. It took me 30,000 hours of study and practice to unravel all of this. Let me save you some time by telling you what I learned...

All spiritual practices can be placed into two categories. And if you only know of the more common one, you’ll spend your entire life chasing something that doesn’t exist. Let's make sure that doesn't happen...

Meditating for 20 minutes in the morning and expecting it to carry you through the rest of your day is like zapping the clouds out of the sky and expecting that no more will appear.I must’ve spent over 100 hours speaking with my Buddhist teacher on this key point. But even he—someone who lived as a monk for 8 years—couldn’t have given me the perspective I really needed...

There’s a dangerous cultural belief that you were probably surrounded by from the moment you were born. In the West, this sounds like ‘take Jesus—a man you cannot see or hear or touch—as your saviour, and all will be well.’ Perhaps if I’d had a more vivid imagination I, too, could’ve seen, heard, and/or felt Jesus. Or perhaps some of us just aren’t worthy of his presence—but wait, wouldn’t that go against everything he taught? Let me tell you why this is all misleading, and where to look instead...

 I received a question on this from a viewer this morning: Anwara said that sometimes their mindfulness is not on point and they experience a delay in recognizing that. And that this usually occurs when they’ve had less sleep or are tired. I struggled with this myself for years. But later I discovered that my struggle was due to a misunderstanding of what mindfulness is really about…

1 in 1 billion: the number of people estimated to be fully Enlightened by Ken Wilber, the ‘Einstein of consciousness’. When you hear this, you probably think ‘wow, Enlightenment must be difficult.’ But through my 30,000 hours of spiritual practice, it became clear that it’s the opposite: Enlightenment is the easiest thing there is. Here's why...

The biggest problem with spirituality right now is that there are thousands of teachings and practices to choose from, but almost no-one talks about *how to choose.* I remember feeling like I was stood in the middle of a massive ‘spiritual buffet’ with endless options extending in all directions. I spent *years* in confusion, but I eventually found a resolution that led to a peace beyond any one teaching, tradition or practice...

The beloved teacher Ram Dass asked us all, ‘do you want to be a meditator or do you want to be free?’ When I heard that question, I knew my answer immediately. I didn’t want to have to do or not do *anything* in order to be free. If there was, indeed, a freedom that was totally independent of circumstances, that was the freedom I wanted—and it’s the freedom into which I’m inviting you now.

75% of millennials describe themselves as purposeless. I spent 10 years in that category, but I found my way out. You can too. Here's how...

New year's resolutions fail because they're about forcing yourself to do something you don't really want to do. But what if you could come around to actually wanting things that are good for yourself and others? It's not as hard as you might think. Some will tell you it's hard, but they've not seen what I've seen in the work I've done with desperate people who've turned their lives around in a matter of months (and not slipped back into old bad habits)...

Past Dan could never compete with Present Dan. Past Dan struggled to get out of bed. Past Dan worked because he had to. Past Dan relied on cheap pleasures to claw back some satisfaction from life. But Present Dan struggles to *stay in* bed. Present Dan works because he *wants* to. Present Dan enjoys life’s pleasures *in support* of his work. Oh, Present Dan earns a lot more money, too—and puts it right back into his mission. Here's how you can do the same...

1 in 1 billion: the number of people estimated to be fully enlightened by Ken Wilber, the "Einstein of consciousness". But what the f¥ck even is enlightenment? Why does the answer change depending on whom you ask? And can you achieve it? The answers aren't what you think...

You've been told you have to force yourself to do things you don't want to do—even when you're your own boss. But the people who say that don't know that there's an entirely better way to live, serve, and profit: a way that eradicates inner tension. Here's how to make it your new reality...

In 2009 I used to do so much, for so many people, for so little reward that—looking back—I don’t know how I paid rent. But in 2024, my boundaries are so well-established that it’s as if my time and energy are protected by an impenetrable fortress. Which means I have full agency over what I do with them. Let me tell you how I got here using just one word...

Money itself does not hold the power to make you feel successful. If it did, everyone who had money would be fulfilled, content, satisfied. But they're not. You must decide what your definition of success is, then go after it without compromise. Here's how...

You already have $100,000 worth of knowledge in your head. You just need to learn how to transmit it to people. Then you can quit your unfulfilling “time-for-money” work and join me in the Freetirement gang. Here's how...

2 out of 3 millennials have nothing saved for retirement. Yet everyone feels they need $1.8 million to retire comfortably. If that makes you think you’d better stop buying lunch out, you’re still playing a rigged game. In this post I’m going to show you how to play a better one...

In March 2023 I was a broke music teacher. But since then I’ve earned more money than I thought I ever would… while compromising less. Here's the full timeline of how I did it—and a full guide on how to start your own profitable purpose-based business.

The leaves fall from the trees in autumn, but we don’t rush around trying to stick them back on.Yet when it comes to our own death, we feel that it’s somehow wrong. One of the main purposes of spiritual practice is to make peace with death. Let’s do a little contemplation together right now.

For 250 years a lot of businesses didn’t give a damn about helping their customers. But since the internet went mainstream, things have been changing. For your one-person business to succeed, you must solve actual problems people are dealing with right now. Let me tell you how...

For 20 years I believed financial success was reserved for people who were willing to sacrifice their integrity. Now I know you can have the best of both worlds. But most people never learn what I’m about to teach you—and so live their whole lives at the mercy of other people’s decisions...

42% of solo business owners earn over $50,000 per year. And "solopreneurs", as a group, contribute a total of $1.3 trillion to the U.S. economy annually—with zero employees. Clearly, starting an online business is no longer an unsafe bet. Here's how to build the foundation of your own...

‍One of society’s greatest lies is that employment is stable. And one of society’s greatest blind spots is that the same technologies which are disrupting the workforce can enable you to create your own stability (from your couch). Here's how...

I was broke till I was 36. Then finally I found a way to earn money without sacrificing my wellbeing and integrity. Here are the 10 mindset shifts that made it possible.

If you can't earn enough money, it's because you're not spiritual enough. And please don't listen to anyone who tells you that money will disrupt your spiritual practice. Money can't do that—it's just paper and metal. But what it can do is enable great benefit in the world. Here's how...

It's never been easier to settle for an average life. But this makes the winnings that much greater for those who rise up. Learn the 12 problems self-helpers are trying to overcome, the 6 problems with the most extreme solution, and the 5 non-negotiables that'll finally get you to your fullest potential.

I look forward to every coaching call I host. Once I knew how to create my dream career it took just 5 months to go from my old life of compromise, fatigue, and selling my time for money... to my new life of passion, purpose and profit. You can make this shift too.

$7.52 billion: the current valuation of the self-help publishing industry. Yet only 3% of readers apply what they learn. It's clear: the answer you're looking for is not in the next bestseller. Here's how to get out of the trap.

Everyone thinks you need 100,000 followers to make money online. Bullsh!t.There are people with over a million followers making no money. And there are people with 3000 followers doing $10K months (I achieved the latter myself). Here's the quick & dirty way to make it happen.

"If you want good things in life, you have to suffer for them." That's what traditional schooling and parenting taught us, anyway. But the highest achievers of the East have been doing things differently for thousands of years. Here's their secret...

some people never solve their problems. most people solve their problems without thinking about how their solution could be shared with others. but in the "freetirement" economy, we can do better...

People pay me $300 per session for coaching. They pay me this much because I help them solve problems that are costing them more than that. But over the past 6 months people have started asking me to help them with a different problem: they want to know how to help people like I do (so they can quit that job they hate). Here's what I tell them...

You can’t force motivation. The more you try, the more it escapes you. So after 30 years trying to whip myself into shape, I experimented with going the other way. Here's how I 100X'd my motivation (without hustling).

I contemplated this question for a whole year. But it was worth the wait, because once i had my answer, everything changed: I became happier than i ever thought possible, married the love of my life, and transitioned out of my old "time-for-money" business into my new "expertise-for-money" mission. Let me accelerate the process for you.

Solopreneurs made $5 TRILLION in 2023. 0.00002% of that will make you a millionaire. Here's how to start your own internet business (with zero experience or capital).

Only 1 in 100 people will take their new year’s resolution all the way to december. ​So why does everyone keep trying? Because no-one knows about the better option. Here it is...

55% of U.S. employees failed to take all their paid time off in 2023.​ They may as well be walking to the ATM, drawing out days' worth of pay and sliding it into their employer's wallet. Don't spend the rest of your life in this trap. Here's how to wriggle out of it...

The way you see things determines your entire reality. So of course it's pretty damn important how you see yourself. In this guided meditation i'm going to lead you through a brief study of the breath, the body, the emotions and the thoughts. Then, finally, we'll relax into the ultimate perspective on all of them, enabling you to let them go and be free.

1 in 2 people will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime. You do NOT want to end up on the wrong side of that statistic. Here's a simple process for keeping yourself in control and off the psych ward.

Since 2017 I've married the woman of my dreams, 5X'd my income and tripled my energy. But no-one in my own culture could've told me how to do so. I had to look elsewhere. Let me save you 7 years and give you the solution right here...

In 2016 I was needy as hell, which was quite a turnoff for the ladies. But by the time I took my wife on our first date in 2019 I was 100% self-validated. Here's what I learned in those 3 years...

I get up at 5, do creative work for 4-8 hours, develop new ways to help people, share my ideas, go to the gym, coach, talk to my audience and other creators, have dinner with my wife, study, read, go to bed, then get up and do it all again. 7 days a week. I’m effectively retired because I’d be doing this same routine if i were already a billionaire. But this was only possible once I did what i’m going to share with you here…

Imagine i approach you right now and say i want 40 hours of your life every week for 47 years. If you make it to the end of those 47 years I’ll set you free. Any wear and tear on your body, mind and spirit is forfeit. I won’t guarantee you’ll make it to the finish line. Nor will i guarantee how long you’ll live into your freedom. Sound like a good deal? No? Ok, here's a better offer...

The most harmful belief in work culture is that simple effort is the magic spell for earning more money. This is harmful not only because it builds up heart attack levels of stress… but because it doesn’t f¥cking work—not in the 21st century. Here's the better way to boost your income (without busting your balls)...

i spent the whole of my 20’s in chronic pain. and the solutions i was trying were digging me into a pit of depression. 29,366 hours of mindfulness later, things are pretty f¥cking different. Here are the 3 best lessons I learned on happiness from my ~300 hours in one-to-one conversation with a senior monk.

I grew up terrified of sex. But millennial British culture told me i had to get as much of it as I could (and more). So for 15 years I tried everything to get laid—for all the wrong reasons. Much later, in deep meditation, I had an encounter with my inner child that put everything right. 2 weeks later, I met the woman who would become my wife. Here's what I did to make myself ready for her.

The average meditator aims for 15 mindful minutes per day. So what about the other 945? If you really want true happiness, you're going to have to learn to be present in EVERY moment. Good news: this isn't as hard as it sounds. Let me explain...

If mindfulness feels like a chore you're doing it wrong. You need proper motivation. And nothing is better motivation than a good success story. So here's 10...

I have a student who feels free and easy for a while but then falls back into a familiar mental trap. If this sounds like you, we need to make sure you're clear on what spiritual practice is, what it can do for you, and how to proceed with it (so you're not just going round in circles).

You don't have to meditate for years. You don't have to develop wholesome qualities. You don't have to contemplate the nature of reality. All you have to do is recognize what's already true. Here's how...

Without the guidance i’ve received throughout my life i’d be a drunk, broke, fat, lazy mess. Intelligent co-operation is the unique edge of our species, and nowhere is this more obvious than in our ability to learn from one another. if you’ve never had a mentor, you're WAY behind where you could be in life. But it’s not too late. Here's how to get the guidance you need, step-by-step...

Millions of people squeeze a 20-minute meditation into their morning routine, then hope it’ll sustain their performance throughout the day. They may as well believe in magic. Here's how to GUARANTEE consistent peak performance (without hustling yourself into burnout).

Most people overcomplicate spiritual awakening. But in the 21st century, we're finally able to cross-reference wisdom from different cultures, ditch the baggage, apply modern science and get down to what really works. Follow these 3 steps to cut the cr^p and ditch your anxiety, depression and self-hatred for good.

If you've ever been confused about which spiritual practice to commit to, you're not alone. I spent a whole f¥cking YEAR looping on this. But the solution was right under my nose the whole time. Let me give it to you right now (and save you a lot of headaches)...

Everything great that humans have achieved has been achieved by teamwork. Unfortunately, many people struggle to unlock their true friend-making potential because of insecurity, doubt and anxiety. Here's a simple 3-step process you can use to delete your fears and start getting all the benefits of collaboration.

Over 8 years, I spent 29,366 hours experimenting with every mindfulness technique available. I checked my results with a senior monk and a neuropsychologist. Want to know a secret? Meditation isn’t necessary. Contemplate these 7 insights. If you understand them, you can save yourself a lot of time.

A 2012 study by NHS Scotland found that "psychological distress is associated with increased risk of mortality from several major causes." It's proven: stress is literally a matter of life or death. Here's how to get out of the trap (and stay out).

Unless you know what you want, it’s impossible to get it. Sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed how many of my 1,000+ one-to-one students have been confused on this subject. Here's how to find your north star and get on the road to a life of wealth, freedom, love and inspiration.

A strong romantic partnership is the ultimate team. Sadly, most people never even meet their perfect partner—let alone attract them and make them happy for a lifetime. Here's how to make sure you don't miss out on the most significant relationship you'll ever have.

The main reason you struggle to say "no" is fear of what will happen if you do. But have you ever seen things going badly for someone who has their boundaries dialled in? Me neither. Here's how to value your time properly and take it back (before you run out of it altogether)...