 I made this mixed media collage with a paint swatch called "meditation" Reflection Relaxation Deep breathing Hmm, these words don't really scream "productivity," do they? On the contrary, participating in these activities can actually lead to some major benefits, including increased creativity and being in the right mindset to make sound decisions. How can we be creative if we are stressed out and constantly switching from one task to another, frantically trying to check everything off our lists? There are countless ways to meditate and relax using yoga, breathwork, and postures. The many psychological benefits of these practices have been proven through scientific studies.
According to an article by Harvard Health Publishing, yoga helps brain cells develop new connections, and changes occur in brain structure as well as function, resulting in improved learning, memory, attention, awareness, thought, and language. Studies using MRI scans and other brain imaging technology have shown that individuals experienced in yoga had a thicker cerebral cortex (the area of the brain responsible for information processing) and hippocampus (the area of the brain involved in learning and memory) compared to non-yoga practitioners. A yoga method to consider is Jnana Yoga, also known as Gyana Yoga, pronounced “g’yahn” with a hard “G”, as in “good”, and an “ah” as in “open up and say ‘ah’”. It is Sanskrit for “knowledge” or “wisdom.” Jnana Yoga is the path of self-inquiry involving meditation and reflection. It's about examining our inner world so we can live with our eyes wide open. The goal of Jnana is to realize the divine oneness inherent in all beings, and offer us self-awareness and peace. One of the most memorable meditations I did was at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in Chicago, which was part of a non-profit network of ashrams and centers inspired by the teachings of Swami Vishnudevananda, and Swami Sivananda, who is one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the twentieth century. The Sivananda mission is to spread peace, health and joy through yoga. At the event I attended, about 25 peace-seekers gathered. We first did a yoga class followed by a guided meditation. The room had high ceilings and flowy curtains on the windows. A few people retrieved musical instruments before sitting down to begin. The instructor distributed books with Sanskrit and chants. “Oooohhhmmm… ohhhhmmm…” This meditation was the first time I was introduced to the energetic feeling of collective vibrations… aka “good vibes”. We chanted out loud using the Sanskrit books they provided. The feeling of all the people in the room chanting the same words, over and over, was incredible. I could feel everyone’s vibrations coming together to produce a buzz that I felt both physically and mentally. About a year ago, I took a one-hour long meditation course at a library. This is where I was introduced to the 8-step Buddhist meditation, “Loving Kindness” that opens your mind and heart to sending love and supreme happiness to yourself, an animal, a stranger, and even someone you consider an enemy. At the end, one of the participants asked how one reckons with trying to send good vibes to someone who does great harm to many people. The answer that the meditation instructor gave was that if this person begins to have peace within themselves, then perhaps they will stop creating chaos and destruction on the people around them, or those they are able to influence. I’ve thought about it many times since. More recently, I’ve had the pleasure of taking a couple of online meditation sessions with Ninez Piezas-Jerbi and Ron Young. Ninez is a Chartered Knowledge Manager and Peer Mentoring Program Lead, Professional Development and Life Coach, and a Kundalini Yoga teacher. Ron is an author, international speaker, and the CEO and CKO of Knowledge Associates Cambridge. Their workshop “Meditation for the Knowledge Worker” is a monthly hour-long course held virtually. In one session, Ninez explained that we have receptors in our mouths. When you sing, hum, whistle, or chant, your tongue hits those receptors, activating the parasympathetic nerve. A study published by the National Library of Medicine showed that a brief chanting of OM (5 min) might enhance parasympathetic nervous system activity, promote relaxation, and provide calmness. Taking time for ourselves is especially important when we feel too busy to add anything else. Meditating can actually increase your energy so you feel you have more to give and put into your daily tasks. If you enjoy yoga and/or knowledge management, or honestly meditation in general, I hope you’ll join me for Ninez and Ron’s next “Meditation for the Knowledge Worker." This virtual experience is complimentary and takes place on Wednesday, March 18th at 9:00 am ET. Ninez says “Regular practice of meditation can help the Knowledge Professional develop insight, manage information overload and better turn information into knowledge. The Practitioner will achieve greater effectiveness in their work, especially crucial in today's rapidly changing and AI-integrated workplace.” Register here and I'll see you then. 🪷 Comments are closed.
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