“He who conquers his mind conquers the world.” – Zeno I’ve quoted that sentence out loud and in my head more times than I can possibly remember. It’s something I strive to be able to do. Of all the things I can manage, my mind is the one I want the most power over. The fact is, the mind is under constant attack. The Matrix is always vying for a position in the space between our ears—telling us what to want, how to live, who to like, how to act. The Bible reads in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The process of renewing our mind must be a daily ritual. A practice like taking a shower or putting on clothes. Our mind is constantly gathering bits of information, trying to store them and use them. This data becomes filters by which we see and act upon the world outside our mind. The only way we can keep our thoughts clear and controlled is to go through a renewal process each and every day. The Stoics were constantly reminding us how little we can actually control in this world. However, they were also quick to remind us we can, in fact, control our mind. This, in turn, determines how we react to those things we cannot control. The habit of transforming one’s mind daily can become a superpower. The best time to begin the practice is before the needed reaction is present. Let’s discuss. **Meditation** Meditation is something that took me years to adopt. First, it was because I just didn’t get it. I didn’t scoff at it, but I thought it was for people who were a little more woo-woo than me. Then one day I was influenced by this Austrian bodybuilder who convinced me to give it a try. It was around 2005 or so, and I was listening to the Tim Ferriss Show—a place where I’ve gotten some of my best life hacks over the years. Tim was interviewing Arnold Schwarzenegger. First, I was amazed that the relatively new podcaster who was actually known for writing the 4 Hour Workweek had scored such a huge guest—both physically and figuratively. Arnold started talking about how he had found success in his life as a businessman—first as a real estate investor and then as a bodybuilder and finally a movie star. He discussed how in his first years in LA he began practicing meditation. He and Tim then went on to riff on the benefits of sitting silently and focusing on your breath. I have to admit, I was completely influenced by a movie star. If Arnold did it, maybe I should, too. So began my meditation practice. I downloaded an app—I think it was Headspace, and started meditating based on their beginner’s tract. The thing that struck me at first was how difficult it was. I kept asking myself, “Am I doing this right? Aren’t I supposed to conjure up some out-of-body experience? This can’t be right? Do I really like these underwear? I wonder what year Mr. Griffin, my third-grade science teacher died? This can’t be right.” My monkey brain is a maniac. Trying to get it to shut up and let me be seemed an impossibility. Then I got permission. Permission for what, you ask? Permission to stop trying. That’s right. The best advice I ever got for meditating was to stop trying to meditate. I don’t remember who gave me permission, but I’m grateful nonetheless. Here’s what I learned. There is no meditating the right or wrong way. Here’s another thing. There is no magical length of time to meditate. I used to think if I only went for 5 minutes, I hadn’t meditated at all. That’s not true. The fact is there are no rules to meditation. You just do it.