Meditation at Work: The Mind is a Tool

In an age of over information, people with severe attention issues and the want to be many places with many people at once is common in work and personal life. What is to be made of this? Is happiness possible in such a divided state of being?

Yoga and meditation's answer to this is two-fold: the initial finding important to note is - no. As one is drawn this way and that by the wandering mind (ie look at one's internet behavior, then see how this reflects the wanderings of the mind within - the internet is the mind), this is a center which is totally unstable and subject to influence and conditioning 100%.

Realizing this, the 1st steps Patanjali lays out in the Yoga Sutras are ones that put reigns on the mind and behavior. This would include for us how we spend our time, what we eat and how we live. No matter how busy one is, there are choices and habits within our day to day that are within our control and can be altered to promote a greater sense of presence in activity.

A way to tune into our self beyond these conditionings and mind ramblings in to make time for silence in our day. Don't have time to meditate? Don't have time for yoga asanas? Make time - get up earlier. Schedule in a time of day that includes community and alone time.

The greater function of this is not to 'take a break,' but actually to develop a new habit of being more present in our day to day activities, much of which will still look the same. Working 8 hours a day at one's desk will still be working 8 hours a day at one's desk - but with a new integration of awareness of the body and breath.

If talk of meditation and yoga leaves you feeling like you do not have enough information about what that even is or means, find a teacher to help that you feel a connection to. In the end, it is YOUR practice, but a guide can help you in finding what works for you and staying consistent in your practice when conditions in life feel like they are pulling you away from practice or are not supportive.

Remember, being here now is just this - in whatever is happening, finding the Witness within, beyond the mind, that is present and clearing seeing what is and what needs to be done. The perfect merger of intellect and intuition.

Om.