Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Works for me ...

HBR: Meditating Helps Make Better Decisions

Well, surprise surprise surprise.  Actually not really.  One of the smartest things I did in my early college days (aside from actually making it to graduation!) was to learn how to meditate.  This has also been presented as TM (Transcendental Meditation)  I still meditate today, although never as much as I should.  I have been through a lot in my life, meditation has been one way I have managed to cope. However, this actually is rather simple, natural with no smoke and mirrors involved as this table shows.



Physically Awake
Physically Asleep
Mentally Awake
Conscious
Meditating
Mentally Asleep
Day Dreaming
Sleeping
 

You can be physically awake or asleep.  Your mind can be either awake or asleep.  When both are awake or asleep, the result is rather obvious.  It is when they differ things get interesting.  We all have experience with daydreaming.  We know we are not physically asleep, but from a mindset standpoint, who knows where we are.  Meditation is just the converse of daydreaming, mentally awake and physically asleep.  Ever had the situation where you are trying to fall asleep and feel as though you are sinking into the mattress but your mind is very active?  You have then found the natural state of meditation. 

In this stressful lifestyle we have found ourselves in, is it asking too much to find 15-20 minutes twice a day to find a quiet comfortable spot and let a natural healing aspect take over your mind and body?  As shown by the study cited above, this will also make some good business sense.  You Type A people out there, are you listening?

For more information, see  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Relaxation_Response