On The Rocks With Neil And Tom

S3 E4 Body Scan Meditation

March 25, 2024 07:00 - 16 minutes - 22.5 MB

This episode is Neil leading a guided body scan meditation. This can be a useful way to get into meditation and the whole episode only last about 15 minutes. We hope you find it beneficial. Stay chilled. Neil and Tom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S3 E3 Fear, Anxiety and Porthcawl's Lions

March 11, 2024 07:00 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MB

Episode 3 of Season 3 or is that Series 3? Depends if you are from the US I guess. Anyway this episode is all about Fear. Why do we fear things, how does it manifest and why can it end up changing to anxiety. Included in this episode is a mention of the mantra 'Nam-myoho-renge-kyo' which loosely translates as 'Glory to the Dharma of the Lotus Sutra' and is recited to assist in overcoming obstacles to success or happiness. The book that started of our connection to the chant was the book...

S3 E2 Mindfulness for life

February 26, 2024 07:00 - 30 minutes - 41.3 MB

Today we broach the topic of mindfulness. Including the following questions that Tom, mostly, expertly answers. What is it? How do we become more mindful? Why does it help? Isn't it just a commercial exercise? This is the first episode from the new mobile recording studio (Tom's Van) and there were a few sound issues at first. During the discussion we mentioned Jon Cabot Zinn and this is a link to his website. https://jonkabat-zinn.com/ Also a good secular place to start is with E...

S3 E1 Finding a philosophy for living a happier life

February 11, 2024 07:00 - 36 minutes - 50.2 MB

Welcome to Series 3 episode 1. In this episode we attempt to explain the method that we use to try to create a more harmonious way of living. A way to start seeing the world as it really is and how this can lead to a happier life. We mention various books during the episode and these are very good starter books if any of this has piqued your interest. Hope you gain something from this episode. Neil and Tom. A good introductory guide. https://secularbuddhistnetwork.org/the-core-concept-of...

S3 E0 A welcome to series three and music from the Jagster

February 05, 2024 07:00 - 6 minutes - 8.85 MB

Welcome back and say hello to Season Three or is it Series Three? Today's short episode is just a short intro to the new season and a chance for me to present to you some music from my long time surfing pal , windsurfing guru and photography master, James 'Jagster' Jagger. I have included some of the lyrics below and some links to his photography website. Hope you enjoy. The first episode will be released next week and covers an approach to the Philosophy for living a better and hopefully h...

S2 E12 Where's your evidence?

December 18, 2023 07:00 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MB

Where is your evidence? In this episode Neil and Tom discuss what actual evidence they have for supporting their lifestyle choices. Why are they following a whole food plant based diet. Why are they tee total. What the benefits as they see it of meditation, mindfulness and studying Buddhism. Rather than rely on what you have read, try something out and get your own evidence for keeping it going. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2 E11 - What does surfing mean to us?

December 04, 2023 07:00 - 33 minutes - 46.4 MB

Today we discuss surfing, how we started, what it means to us, and the wider world of surfing. Including discussion of flow, localism, spirituality, mindfulness, and identity. Hope you enjoy the ramblings of two dedicated surfers. Thanks for listening to us. See you in the water, Neil and Tom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2 E10 - What is meditation?

November 20, 2023 07:00 - 34 minutes - 47.8 MB

Today's show is on meditation. Neil and Tom try to explain what meditation is and why everyone should do it. They discuss the benefits that include help you to live in the present moment. Also a bit of Tom's research into the efficacy of Meditation as a therapeutic intervention. All accompanied by the gentle sound of pouring rain as they record in Neil's mobile recording studio overlooking the beach. Thank you again for listening and here are some links about meditation. 15 Minute Meditati...

S2 E9 Revisiting Not Drinking - Gaining much, rather than giving up

November 06, 2023 07:00 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MB

In Episode 9 of series 2 we discuss the method that we both used to stop drinking alcohol. The method was the Allen Carr Easyway method, see links below. We talk about some of our experiences with drinking alcohol, how difficult it is to stop drinking and some of the tools that The Easyway method uses to help. We are also briefly joined by a friend and fellow surfer who pulls up next to our mobile recording studio and want to chat. We kept recording and it may well lead to some future podcas...

S2 E8 - Physical Fitness

October 23, 2023 06:00 - 34 minutes - 47.3 MB

On today's show Tom and Neil discuss how their approach to staying fit has changed throughout their lives. From early teenage days when it ll seemed far too easy through to the gaining weight years(Tom as muscle, Neil as fat). All the way up to today when they are more concerned with functional fitness and longevity fitness. That is staying fit and healthy to do the things that they want to do. Along the way they discuss the Centenarian Decathlon, a concept put forward by Dr Peter Attia http...

S2E7: The Four Nutriments

October 09, 2023 06:00 - 33 minutes - 45.4 MB

In this episode Tom takes the lead and discusses the Four Nutriments. These four nutriments are the aspects of life that you should take care to be aware of consuming. As per usual we will link it in to our Plant Based and Sober lifestyles probably managing to show horn surfing into it again. Or more likely Tom's new dipping tank. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S2E6 - The Four Idols

September 25, 2023 07:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB

Today is all about the Four Idols mentioned by Saint Thomas Aquinas. The four idols being power, money, fame and pleasure. The theory is that you are mainly driven by one of these idols and that most/all of your decisions day to day are driven by this idol. We discuss this and other driving forces. Thanks to the Tim Ferris Podcast for making us aware of them and the following site for information on them. https://www.sahilbloom.com/newsletter/the-four-idols-money-power-pleasure-fame Host...

S2E5 Dealing with stress

September 11, 2023 07:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MB

Today we are talking about how we both deal with stressful situations. Both in the sporting realm, in particular when surfing and also in day to day life. Discussion includes the differences in how we have dealt with stress at various times in our lives. How we approach surfing when the waves get a bit bigger. Approaches to new sporting challenges and meditation as a method for helping you to act not react to situations that occur day to day. Mentioned within this episode is Headspace https...

S2E4 - Facing fear of the future - The Five Remembrances

September 04, 2023 07:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MB

The Five Remembrances are a Buddhist Aide Memoire to help you to face fears of future events and to face the anxiety that these thought of the future may cause in you. The Five are; 1. I am of the nature to grow old, I cannot escape old age. 2. I am of the nature to get sick, I cannot escape sickness. 3. I am of the nature to die, I cannot escape death. 4. All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them. 5. I inheri...

S2E3 - Water as Therapy or even Water Therapy

August 21, 2023 07:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MB

Series 2 Episode 3. Water as Therapy or even Water Therapy. Recorded in our mobile recording studio (Neil's car) straight after getting out of the sea after a very pleasant surf. This episode tries to get to the bottom of why being in and around water is so good for us both mentally and physically. We talk about our experiences with surfing, kayaking, swimming and cold water immersion and try to explain how it helps us in our day to day life. Hopefully the times when people wandered over ...

S2E2 It's Worth It In The End.

August 07, 2023 07:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MB

Series Two; Episode Two. It's Worth It In The End. In this episode we discuss the difficulties that have arisen since we made the decision to eat a plant based diet, stop drinking and investigate the world of Buddhist Philosphy. We discuss at depth other people's views of us and the "weird" ways that we live our lives. We look at how we respond to this and how to find strength to continue along the path that we are on even in the face of many difficulties. In this podcast we mentioned: L...

S2E1 Cold Water Dipping and catching up.

July 24, 2023 14:00 - 34 minutes - 23.8 MB

We are both back, Tom is more qualified and I am into a different decade of my life. In this episode we discuss what has changed since series one in our lives. This includes our attitudes towards surfing and the type of surfing we are doing. Also with our experiences with Cold Water Dipping which we rather stupidly started doing on Jan 1st this year. All of these things in our life we try to link back to Buddhism and some of the important Dharma messages. Hope this is useful for you all....

S2E0 We are back.

July 09, 2023 09:00 - 2 minutes - 1.8 MB

Just a short episode to explain that we are back. It does exactly what it says on the tin. We will be returning with with a new and improved version of the 'On The Rocks' podcast with Neil and Tom. In it we shall be discussing in an open and frank way issues connected with mental health, physical health, societal health and spiritual health. We hope to revisit some of the topics from season one such as healthy eating, alcohol consumption, spirituality for people who don't want religion...

Episode 8 - How we stopped drinking and started living...

September 28, 2020 06:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MB

In Episode 8 we discuss why, how and when we both gave up drinking alcohol. We also discuss how our lives have been transformed since we gave up alcohol. With thanks to the late Allan Carr (not the comedian) and his Easy Way system https://www.allencarr.com

Episode 7 - Neil's healthy eating story

September 21, 2020 06:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MB

Episode seven of The On The Rocks Podcast deals with Neil’s journey from overweight possibly obese, drink anything anytime, eat everything all the time bloke to where he is today. From his maximum weight of 17.5 stone (110 kg) to his current weight of 12 stone (76 kg) Neil talks about the changes that he made and the effect on his health. This podcast features Tom interviewing Neil about how he managed it and in particular what changes he made to his lifestyle and his diet. From eating 1...

Episode 6 - Mental wellbeing: The Eight Fold Path (Part 3)

September 14, 2020 06:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MB

Welcome to podcast number six. We hope you are all well and gaining something from our rambling discourse? Thank you to the people who have given us constructive feedback about previous episodes. This episode is continuing the series on the 8 Fold Path. We discuss Right Energy, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. When I started out looking at the path I found these three to be the most confusing. There are obvious overlaps between them all especially concentration and mindfulness...

Episode 5 - Mental wellbeing: The Eight Fold Path (Part 2)

September 07, 2020 06:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MB

Welcome to episode five of the On The Rocks Podcast With Neil and Tom. Thank you for listening to our little show and we do hope that you get something out of it, if not today then maybe at some point in the future something that we said may come back to you and help. Episode five is the second of three parts that will deal with the Eight Fold Path.We talk about the ethical living elements of the path; Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood. Right Speech: The classical explanati...

Episode 4 - Mental wellbeing: Introducing the Eight Fold Path

August 31, 2020 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MB

Welcome to episode four of the On The Rocks Podcast With Neil and Tom. Thank you for listening to our little show and we do hope that you get something out of it, if not today then maybe at some point in the future something that we said may come back to you and help. Episode four is the first of three parts that will deal with the Eight Fold Path.We talk about the wisdom or knowledge elements of the path; Right View and Right Understanding. Right View - This is about having a deep underst...

Episode 2 - Introducing the 'Walls of Wellbeing' - key elements of wellbeing

August 18, 2020 12:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MB

Neil introduces the concept of the 'Walls of Wellbeing'. I made up the concept of the walls of wellbeing after being inspired by the Maori concept of Hauora which is a health system in New Zealand. I altered it slightly and then added more bits. In brief it is a system that focusses your mind on the 4 important elements that we need to address to help us become healthier and happier. Many systems focus on one of the four but we believe that all are equally important. Listen to find out m...

Episode 3 - Introducing the mental health wall of wellbeing

August 18, 2020 12:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MB

In this episode Tom introduces the key aspects of the mental health 'wall of wellbeing'. This episode focusses on the 4 Noble Truths and the 8 Fold Path. Whilst these are Buddhist concepts we approach them in a secular way and hope to explain them in a clear and concise way. No need for you to believe in any higher power or spirit, just have an open mind and a willingness to give us 30 minutes of your time. Too many people are put off of anything that remotely resembles a 'religion' and ...

Episode 1 - Introducing 'On the Rocks' with Neil and Tom

August 18, 2020 12:00 - 10 minutes - 7.32 MB

A brief introduction to our podcast from Neil and Tom. This episode explains a little bit about who we are and how we got to where we are at the moment. We explain what it is we are hoping to achieve with the podcast. We hope to offer a way for you to see a different path to follow towards health and fitness for the rest of your life. As we like to say we hope to add years to your life and life to your years. We are two "normal" chaps in our forties who have been through numerous issues...

On The Rocks With Neil And Tom

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