Techniques

The Techniques and Paths

The steps in the Path consists of a series of practices. If you do the techniques you will move forward towards enlightenment. And enlightenment, in its most practical form, means being happy, free, and productive.

In life, the most damaging thing we can do is head down the wrong path, undoing the progress we've made. One of the most tragic and destructive choices is suicide—whether it happens suddenly or unfolds slowly through years of harmful habits.

Sometimes we sabotage ourselves without even realizing it—binging on ice cream every day, taking drugs, smoking, or gambling with reckless abandon. Gambling, by its nature, always turns against you in the long run. If you want a bit of fun, gamble with pennies, not dollars. Keep it light.

Ultimately, most of us are on a path that leads toward something better. While some may lose hope along the way, the majority of people still strive for the best life they can live.

So if we’re sick, the path is what leads us toward healing. If we’re in pain, it’s the path that guides us to relief.

The chakras, like Maslow’s hierarchy, represent stages of human growth, moving from the lowest levels of existence to the highest. Maslow gave us the Hierarchy of Needs, where basic needs usually come first. The reason people get stuck on lower levels is that we have emotional block that keep us there.  Michael A. Singer teaches us how to release these blocks..

Both Maslow and Singer offer guidance on how to live a happier, more fulfilling life. Singer shows us how to break free from what holds us back, while Maslow helps us see what comes next on the journey of personal growth.

In the end, life is about solving problems. Even simple actions—like making the bed or washing the dishes—can bring a sense of accomplishment. When people are depressed, they often stop doing these small things and begin to feel stuck and forgotten. If you're feeling low, just do something—no matter how small—to reconnect with life and feel a little more alive.

What truly brings joy to life is working at the level of the soul. This means not just doing the techniques, but also stepping back to reflect on yourself and your life. Are you living your soul’s dream—or just passing time? Killing time is dull and empty, but living in alignment with your true purpose is energizing and meaningful. That’s why soul matters truly matter.

So what is a soul matter? It’s something meaningful enough to stir your soul. If you're part of a discussion group exploring what brings happiness and fulfillment, you're engaged in soul work—what truly matters at the deepest level.

Let’s begin an overview of some of the Techniques. 

First, physical health is essential—it’s the foundation that allows our soul to function and thrive here on Earth. When we’re sick, everything becomes more difficult. If the illness is serious enough, we can lose momentum or even regress on our path.

The second most important thing is protecting ourselves from toxicity. That includes avoiding harmful chemicals and hostile environments—but just as importantly, we must guard against toxic information. One of the biggest sources is the so-called news. Today’s media thrives on fear and worry. The worse the news, the more attention it gets. To keep us watching, they flood us with negativity and then promote products they claim will make us feel better. "Buy a new car and you’ll be happy." But after a few weeks, it’s just a car—and soon you’re searching for the next fix.

A good rule of thumb is this: if it’s something you have no control over, don’t dwell on it. Let it pass—don’t let it drag you down. Many of the issues people are most drawn to are the very ones they can’t change on their own. Global problems like war, disease, and climate change are real, but they require worldwide cooperation and long-term commitment to solve. The news covers these topics endlessly, but rarely offers real solutions—only more reasons to worry.

For most of us, watching the news doesn’t inform—it drains us. Unless we're actively involved in a solution, the constant exposure to global problems only fuels hopelessness. That’s why the news often isn’t true information—it’s emotional poison. We must protect our emotional well-being. Handle the news the way you would a hot pan—carefully, and with tongs.

So how do you deal with troubling thoughts? The truth is, fighting them usually doesn’t work. A better approach is to keep your mind gently occupied—busy enough that it stops producing new thoughts. In doing so, you give your mind a break. You pause the mental chatter.

If you try to battle your mind directly, you’ll discover how clever it is. It knows exactly how to grab your attention and push your buttons, no matter what you try.

If you try to fight your mind, you’ll quickly find it’s sneaky—it always finds a way to pull you back in. No matter what you do, it knows how to push your buttons and get your attention.

So instead of wrestling with your thoughts directly, gently drown them out through repetition. Use chants, prayers, mantras—or even sing and dance if that feels natural to you. These practices bypass the thinking mind and help guide you into a more peaceful, centered state.

What really gets under our skin is when someone attacks us or someone we care about. But what they’re often targeting isn’t truly us—it’s our ego.

According to Singer, we are observers.  We are not our egos.  If we sit in our ego, it is easy to get into trouble.  Someone insults us, and we tear into them. Then it goes round and round.

It’s helpful to realize that we’re always occupying some space within our inner world. You could imagine it as having many different chairs to sit in. When we sit in the “ego chair,” we see and respond to life from the perspective of the ego.

We can also sit in different parts of the mind. The mind talks to us constantly—sometimes so much that it feels like living with a roommate who never stops talking. As Michael Singer explains, the solution isn’t to argue with the mind, but to choose to sit somewhere else—somewhere quieter within.

We can choose to move to a different place within the mind. Some people, for example, sit in the "math chair," where the mind is constantly trying to solve problems. If that’s not where you want to be, you have the freedom to shift. You can exercise your will and move to a different chair—one that better supports your peace and clarity.

Some chairs are what we might call toxic chairs—the fear chair, the guilt or “sinful” chair, the gossip chair, the lonely chair, the chair of the past, or the monkey-mind chatter chair. These are places in the mind that drain our energy and keep us trapped in emotional loops.

But there is another option: the observer chair. This is the place within you that simply watches without getting pulled into the drama. It doesn’t judge, react, or engage—it just observes.

To understand why the observer chair is so much more powerful than the others, we have to explore who you really are. Most people believe they are their name, their age, their gender, their job, their hometown, or their family roles. But all of these are surface-level identities—they’re not the real you.

All of these identities are superficial. Who we truly are is the observer—the one quietly witnessing the unfolding of our life.

It is the soul that observes. And when we learn to sit in the soul, everything changes. We simply watch and experience life without getting pulled into it. If the body feels pain, we do our best to address it—but we also recognize that pain is just a signal from the body, and since we are not the body, it’s not such a big deal.

Even more profound is the presence within us that many call God or Spirit—not because of belief, but because they feel it. When we’re close to that presence, we become more relaxed, more peaceful, and more joyful. (Of course, this only works if you believe in a loving, compassionate God.)

God is not a belief—it’s an experience.

So lets look at different techniques in more detail.

Physical Health

Physical health is essential because it forms the foundation for overall well-being. It doesn’t just affect the body—it also influences the mind, emotions, and your ability to live fully.

That’s why it’s so important to take care of your health. Eat nourishing foods, get regular exercise, and visit your doctor for checkups. When your body is in good shape, life becomes more enjoyable—and you have the energy and strength to do more.

A healthy body has high energy levels and a strong immune system, so you don’t get sick as often. And as you get older, you’ll be glad you took care of yourself.

One of the greatest benefits of maintaining physical health is preventing disease. Regular movement, a balanced diet, and enough rest help protect you from conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. A well-nourished body is better equipped to fight off infections and bounce back from illness or injury.

Physical health also has a powerful effect on your mental and emotional state. Exercise releases endorphins, which reduce stress and lift your mood. A nutrient-rich diet supports brain function, helping you stay focused, balanced, and mentally clear. Sleep is another key piece—it restores your mind and helps regulate emotions.

Staying physically fit also enhances your quality of life. When your body is strong and flexible, daily tasks like walking, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries become easier and safer. You’re less likely to get hurt, and more likely to stay independent as you age.

Finally, good physical health builds confidence and resilience. Feeling strong boosts your self-image and motivation. It helps you face challenges with greater ease and bounce back from setbacks. When you make your health a priority, you’re not just adding years to your life—you’re improving the quality of every day.

The best health habits are the ones that are sustainable and tailored to your lifestyle. Since you're already focused on healthy eating, exercise, and mental clarity, here are some key habits to refine and optimize your health even further:

1. Nutrient-Dense Diet – Continue avoiding red meat, sugar, and artificial sweeteners. Focus on whole, plant-based foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Ensure you’re getting enough omega-3s (flaxseeds, walnuts, fish) and micronutrients from a variety of colorful vegetables.

2. Hydration – Drink plenty of clean, filtered water throughout the day. Herbal teas (like green tea or chamomile) can also provide antioxidants and relaxation benefits.

3. Exercise Balance – Since you're incorporating pull ropes, weights, a large ball, a stretch band, and a leg strap, ensure you’re covering strength, flexibility, and endurance. Maintain a mix of resistance training, balance work, and stretching for joint health and mobility. Set up a daily routine, giving particular muscles a recovery day.  Start out slow and build up.  

4. Daily Movement – Beyond structured exercise, regular movement throughout the day (such as short walks, stretching, or standing breaks) prevents stiffness and improves circulation.

5. Sleep Optimization – Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, and reduce screen exposure before bed to support melatonin production. Take melatonin for a week and then stop for another week.  Avoid sedatives if possible.

6. Mindfulness & Stress Reduction – Since you’re exploring meditation and metaphysics, continue practicing meditation, deep breathing, or other mindfulness techniques to support emotional balance and mental clarity.

7. Brain Health – Keep learning and challenging your brain with problem-solving activities, reading, or exploring new concepts related to neuroscience, metaphysics, and SDR technology.

8. Posture & Joint Care – With age, joint health becomes crucial. Consider ergonomic adjustments for your workspace, gentle yoga, or Tai Chi to maintain mobility and reduce stiffness.

9. Sunlight & Nature – Get some natural sunlight exposure daily for vitamin D and overall well-being. Spending time in nature helps reduce stress and supports immune function.

10. Toxin Reduction – Since you're health-conscious, be mindful of environmental toxins. Use natural cleaning products, filter your water, and minimize exposure to processed foods and artificial chemicals. Stay away from fast food and processed food.  Instead of drinking fruit eat the fruit itself.

11. Gut Health – Fermented foods (like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) or probiotics can support digestion and immunity.

12. Routine Health Monitoring – Regular health check-ups, tracking blood pressure, and maintaining awareness of key biomarkers (like vitamin levels) can help you adjust your habits as needed.