Are you living mind-LESS-ly?

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I know my post title has most likely left you asking “huh?”  Bear with me, let me begin by asking you this:

Are you capable of thinking about absolutely nothing for merely 5 minutes?  This means all those wandering thoughts must be shushed.  Go ahead, try it.  Odds-are your subconscious steps in and interrupts with “to-dos” perhaps “what ifs.”  Do you ever feel as if you are living through life stuck in autopilot?  If you identify with any of what I have just discussed you are living mindlessly.  Are you willing to carve out 10 minutes, possibly 20 minutes of your day to experience life differently?   Are you willing to meditate?  Alright, wait! Do not answer that yet! 

You may be asking "what is meditation?"

Meditation is the transformation from autopilot to mindful living.  It is a simple tactic yet difficult to master.  Meditation is an activity of our minds and body.  When assuming a specific gesture with your body and a concentration of our minds “we experience a comfort and relaxation that will reveal ever deeper insights into our true nature” (Johnson, 1996, p. 4).  Some of industries top leaders are avid masters of meditation.  Phil Jackson, former LA Lakers coach.  Steve Jobs, recently deceased co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc.  Surprising huh?

How do I meditate?

It is really rather simple.  You won't break a sweat.  While there are many different forms of meditation a common one for beginners is called mindful breathing meditation.  Follow these steps: 

1. Find a quiet space that will allow you no interruptions for the duration of the practice.  Choose a chair or the floor.  Sit.  If you prefer a chair, feet flat on the ground, back straight against the back of the chair.  Let your spine straighten and your head to reach the sky.  
2. Cross your legs preferably allowing your knees to be lower than your pelvis.  Close your eyes, gently.  Place your hands comfortably in your lap or perhaps on your knees, palms up.  Most importantly, be comfortable.
3. Gently breathe in and out through your nose.  Feel the pattern of your breath's natural course.  
4. As you become concentrated on your breathing your subconcious will begin its course.  When you hear random thoughts creeping in simply revert back to your breathing.
5. Continue this as long as you can.  

Simple enough? 

 

You just performed mental maintenance.  The benefits of it are astounding both individually as well as in business 

(I'll get into that more later).  

Before you listen to the skepticism lurking in your subconscious understand the power of the mind, your mind.  Have you ever heard the term...

“Placebo Effect?” 

 

Now that you have some understanding (or you could say 'proof') of how powerful your mind is, meditation can channel that power.  Employing that power into business proves many advantages.  But I'll leave that for next time.  I have to give you a reason to return right?  

Do not simply exist in routine but be alive, awake, and aware.

References

Johnson, W. (1996). Introduction. In W. Johnson, The Posture of Meditation (p. 2). Boston: Shambhala Publications, Inc. .