The other day we were speaking with a friend of ours when she mentioned that she was hesitant to tell people she meditates. To be honest, we were quite shocked to hear this at first…but then we recalled how it wasn’t too long ago that we were closet meditators ourselves! It seems that since we are surrounded everyday by meditating suits, we had forgotten that meditation isn’t as widespread as we think it is. This got us wondering, how many of our guests also meditate in secret and how can we help you come out loud and proud about your practice?
First of all, please know that we can definitely relate. At the time I (Kevin) started meditating, I was working a pretty intense job with long hours and heavy responsibility and whilst on the outside I seemed to be thriving, on the inside it was certainly taking it’s toll on my health. I had violent nightmares several times a week, recurring bouts of glandular fever, and a constant anxious feeling in my chest. It took Nikki two years to convince me to give meditation a go. What got me over the line was when my prospective meditation teacher said: “You don’t need to believe it will work. It’s a simple mechanical process that will work regardless of whether you think it will or not”. She was right – most of my symptoms dissipated within a few weeks of regular meditation (and I was pretty darn skeptical). Despite my success, I didn’t tell anyone in my office I was doing it. I would literally sneak out to my car every afternoon and meditate in hiding for fear of my colleagues thinking I was either a hippy or just plain ‘weak’.
Yet the reality is that society is moving at an exponential rate! We are more time-poor, over-worked, and under-pressure than ever before. Stress caused by financial burdens, relationship troubles, work deadlines, and even traffic jams are having detrimental effects on our health and wellbeing. From cardiovascular disease to insomnia, and headaches to anxiety, let’s face it – it’s just not worth it!
Thousands of scientific studies give rise to meditation as a powerful antidote to stress. It is a simple mind technique which triggers in the body a relaxation response that is the polar opposite of the stress response (fight or flight). What’s more though, the benefits go beyond just stress reduction – from increased longevity to improved sleep, and enhanced productivity to boosted immunity. Anyone can (and should) meditate. In fact, if the reported effects of meditation could be administered in the form of a pill, no doubt – everyone would be taking it!
So rest assured, the time will come when meditation is as accepted and widespread as exercise (we have a feeling we’re not too far off). If you are reading this newsletter then consider yourself part of the ‘early majority’ and know that you are definitely onto something good! We’d love to hear where you sit with this, so please reply to let us know 🙂
