Meditation is actually exercise for the mind and trains the mind to be present and go beyond all thought – strengthening the muscle of the mind by placing focus on the present. Where we focus is a choice and with practice our mind becomes more adept at staying in the present by our control. As we hold our mind in the present, the mind calms and our body will follow suit. We are then able to respond to situations rather than react to them. We can communicate more effectively, with compassion and empathy as opposed to judgment or ridicule. This change occurs naturally, and with gentleness.
All emotions are part of the human experience. In meditation we learn to be in relationship with all emotions, good and bad, and to see them as energy-in-motion – allowing it to move through us and beyond us – for greater emotional and physical well-being. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about finding acceptance of where we are right in the moment and giving ourselves permission to be there.
The goal for mindfulness is to realize the lasting beneficial effects created by the plasticity of the brain – allowing it to actually change the way it makes connections. In a deadline-driven workplace, empathy is often the first thing to go, as the focus narrows from people and relationships, to task completion. The more and faster we are pushed – the more need there is to maintain a healthy mind. Using meditation we can dump the subconscious emotional burden and learn to light up the happy hormones, clearing away the clouds to experience clearer thinking, improved decision making, and a heightened awareness of self to take in information effectively and respond nimbly and creatively.
In closing, here are a couple of simple meditations to try:
1. Sit in your office chair and bring your attention inward to your breathing.
2. Focus your attention on your heartbeat.
3. Take a deep inhale. Hold and count one-two-three.
4. Exhale out.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 and try to keep this calm of mind with you for as long as possible.
Also try taking a walking meditation. Take a break and go for a short walk. Simply walking and breathing – staying mindful and focused on the present moment. If outside, listen to the sounds around you. Notice the shapes and smells of the trees. Clear your mind of the clutter. Be mindful of what you are feeling. Focus on the positive.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.