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Solemn in demeanor, a young Druid approaches to be beset his initial challenge. "Namaste, Siblings." He offers to the crowd before beginning to read the scroll handed to him. Of the Arcane Arts: Trial No.1 Floating Buddha Baby 20 Minutes of sitting/walking meditation per day, minimum. That's one or the other. If I can find the time to watch at least one episode of Dragon Ball per day or burn 20 minutes without realising by scanning these forums/youtube then I can make time for this goal. I am also booked on the Goenka retreat in July, of which I'm sure some of you have heard. This retreat involves 10 hours of meditation per day for a period of 10 days without any social interaction, one meal per day and no outside contact. However, the retreat is designed for beginners and the experienced incorporating guided programs. This, hopeing it doesn't actually overlap with my brother's stag night, will be one of the most difficult things I have ever done! and my preparation has thus far been abismal! [Wisdom, 1] [Constitution, 1] [stamina, 1] A: 7 Days per week, B: 6 Days per week, C: 5 Days per week, D: 4 Days per week. Trial No.2 Feed The Inner Flame Recorded Hours per Week of hearty Literature! Oh, my. This one does excite me. I have found myself reading more books these last 6 months than any other period of my life however it has been very unregulated, some weeks I would disappear into a world of fantasy for a back-to-back ride on Saphira (Eragon's dragon in the inheritance cycle) soaring over the hadrac desert until being teleported into the world of super-grammar and the eloquence of Steven Pinker. When this happens I tend to lose track of the other things that we must do, you know.. food shopping, preparing lessons, speaking to your friends etc etc. Even as they say- Mediation is the key to Sopravivation, this goal isn't a way to mediate my intake as I would never restrict myself of something in such a way as it would quite simply not work. This goal is purely to increase my awareness of that which I do.. do. [Wisdom, 2] [Charisma, 2] A: Hours logged every 2-3 days. B: Hours logged every 4-5 days. C: Hours logged every week. D: Hours unlogged. Of the Martial Arts: Trial No.3 Cock It and Lock It 4 Pistol-squat and handstand push-up focussed sessions per week. I have fallen in love with the chase of the pistol-squat in this recent period. They are extremely rewarding in many different ways, one of which being you feel and look like a ninja especially if done wearing a bandana and throwing ninja stars into the tree opposite. Anyway, I've just taken off with these squats and currently perform them on a raised platform, usually a tree trunk, with one leg hanging down and bringing it out in front of me and forming the L-Sit when I feel at a point stable enough to do so and finally expliding up into the standing position attempting to keep that L form as much as possible. Hopefully one day I will be able to maintain the L throughout the entire movement but in order to that practice and regulation is required! The second aspect of this trial is progression toward the handstand. Now I don't know why but I always chicken out of jumping up onto my hands, even with a wall behind me! Thus I highlight this here in order to face my fear and stick a finger in its ear. A wet one. Maybe with a bit of jam on, too. So the incorporation of some set/rep structure of handstand-push ups here is the goal. (I will work on this with scrutiny once I have found some limits that need to be broken etc, it's a bit lame as is, I know...) [strength, 2] [stamina, 1] [Dexterity, 2] A: 4/week. B: 3/week. C: 2/week. D: 1/week. Of the Social Arts: Trial No.4 Everybody Touches Themself 10-Minute conversation with one new person each day. You never know who you will meet and what wisdoms you may gain. I try to do this as it is however sometimes my nerves get the better of me and I wimp out! [Charisma, 2] [Wisdom, 1] A: 7/week. B: 5-6/week. C: 3-4/week. D: 1-2/week (how sad is D!) "I bear no ego here, I invite your criticisms so that I might yet become more than a simple caveman" Were his parting words.