Open Rites

Many people know that Keanu Reeves is one of the nicest, most pleasant people to work with in Hollywood. Fewer know that Reeves' early life was marked by tragic challenges. Meditation can teach us to overcome and bring us peace through complete acceptance.

Kobe Bryant strained under the weight of his own basketball greatness, which required incredible mental effort. Kobe found what he needed through a great coach and meditation.

So many people start a mindfulness meditation practice without clear guidelines and goals because they haven’t been provided with any. I understand why this is the case — the knowledge gained through meditation is experiential and hard to describe with language. There are also rich histories of meditation in other cultures in other times that can translate poorly to the present. There are so many who expect mystical experiences from the start, or have an idea of a concept like ego death, that can be confusing and disruptive.

So I’m leaving a few sign posts here that beginning meditators might look for in the first few weeks, months or years of practice.

I hope beginners find these useful.

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Some of the best supplements for reducing baseliness stress and anxiety may take more than a week or even two before you to begin feel effects. However, for those supplements listed below, positive effects will continue increasing for several to many weeks thereafter. Patience is very much a rewarding virtue.⁠
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Ashwagandha: This herb has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to reduce stress and anxiety. It is thought to work by regulating the stress hormone cortisol. ⁠
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L-theanine: This amino acid, commonly found in tea leaves, has been shown to promote relaxation and reduce stress. ⁠
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Omega-3 fatty acids: These fatty acids, found in fish oil and other sources, have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects which may help to reduce stress.⁠
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Probiotics: These "good" bacteria are thought to help balance the gut microbiome and improve overall health, including reducing stress and anxiety.⁠
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It's worth noting that these supplements should be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional, as they may interact with other medications you are taking or have other side effects.⁠
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