Meditation on WS
Bridgewater's Ray Dalio calls Transcendental Meditation the single biggest influence on his life. Meditation is something I've seen many on the internet vouch for but never tried for myself, so I'm curious to see what you think. Here's why Dalio advocates TM to his Bridgewater employees:
I did it because it's the greatest gift I could give anyone — it brings about equanimity, creativity and peace.
What are your experiences with meditation? Is it something you'd recommend, especially to someone who has ample time for it?
I think there are studies that show that meditation can help with stress/focus/etc. Unfortunately it's still perceived as semi-esoteric and hence not taken very serious.
Meditation is something I've always wished I had more time to do, but never gotten around to doing when I have more time.
If you have an iPhone just get the "Headspace" app. starts off with 10 min every day...
Headspace is clutch, except that the guy's voice is so damn soothing I almost fall asleep every time
Just saw this, downloaded the app, and did the first session. It feels incredible. Great stuff!
I have tons of time to meditate - holistic career preparation.
This site, after you skip the intro, gives you an easy to understand break down between TM and MM. http://workouttrends.com/transcendental-vs-mindfulness-meditation
"Every experience has its level of physiology, and so unbounded awareness has its own level of physiology which can be measured. Every aspect of life is integrated and connected with every other phase. When we talk of scientific measurements, it does not take away from the spiritual experience. We are not responsible for those times when spiritual experience was thought of as metaphysical. Everything is physical. Consciousness is the product of the functioning of the brain. Talking of scientific measurements is no damage to that wholeness of life which is present everywhere and which begins to be lived when the physiology is taking on a particular form. This is our understanding about spirituality: it is not on the level of faith --it is on the level of blood and bone and flesh and activity. It is measurable."
-Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
A good video that walks you through MM is here :
TL;DW: focus on your natural breath, feel it flow in and out. Dont try to control it just breath, as you do when you are not thinking about it. Don't try to make your mind a blank slate, or you will fail. Acknowledge any thoughts, then bring your focus back to your breathing. Focus on your breathing.
Interesting, thanks for putting this stuff on here. Both TM sources I've read from thus far advise using a teacher to start off, MM looks like a good teacher-less alternative.
F*** Maharish Yogi, f*** Gurudev and all the esoteric Indian monks advocating TM or some 'novel' technique to meditate. I was a student at one of their schools - as in a formal student. Some of my experiences there were forced meditations. When I joined, all students newly joining with me were given a unique "mantra" to chant and focus on during meditation, as part of what one could call an indoctrination. Advocates of TM would tell you that this mantra is to be kept secret and blah blah, but sooner, we discovered that the mantras were handed out randomly, sorta similar to how checkout counter waiting lines work in a supermarket. We had pictures of guys floating in air and people meditating, along with pictures of Hindu goddesses in our classrooms, instead of the usual gamut of classroom paraphernalia. Our lunch breaks were essentially divided as 'eating time' and 'meditation time'.
Soon, all students figured out that this was just an elaborate hoax by the entire organization. The school was just another ruse by the organization to obtain funds for expansion (profit much??). They even tried to force some of the students' parents' hand to obtain more funds through all sorts of extra classes and (pressured) 'donations'. They try to inculcate a cult-like devotion to MMY, so that they can essentially proselytize their weird practices, TM being one of them. Some teachers even confessed that they were sent to India for extra training in teaching TM. I mean, it's one thing if TM mentors teach you; it's another when your physics or math teacher begins teaching TM more than the core subject. Not to mention that the MMY foundation was just an elaborate ruse, as other Indian godmen and the Hare Krishnas do, to take others' wealth for themselves and stash it away in a secret account.
At the end of the day, 'meditation' can simply be done by focusing intently on any natural sound, while blocking out other thoughts. Though I have found more productivity focusing on verses from classics such as AoW, Aurelius and Clausewitz. Other friends of mine have gained more by simply closing their eyes and listening to classical, military or modern instrumental music (even think Lindsey Stirling types). Perhaps the wisest technique was handed to me recently by an MD about to retire - visualize your dreams and ambitions, and block everything else out. Even Gordon Gekko's chest thumping would work better than 10 minutes of TM for most guys around here (judging from their previous posts).
tldr: Don't listen to hacks who 'innovate' new meditation techniques - there's almost always one popping out every month. Focus on what your brain can best work with, the environment around you and defocus from all other kinds of distractions.
Funnily enough, meditation and other health related stuff are much more common in the tech world.
Interesting. I can definitely see Google and Facebook encouraging the practice given their company cultures. Probably less common type of thing you'd see on WS just because of the strain on time.
But look at it from this perspective. What if meditating for 10 minutes helped you to get done another 1 hour of quality work? The alternative to not meditating and doing 1 hour and 10 minutes of no the best quality work with higher possibility for error in whatever you are doing.
Not 100% related but in the same direction: http://www.economist.com/news/business/21704834-silicon-valleys-geeks-a…
Dalio is correct in recommending it. Form what I understand his preferred moments of doing it are while sitting in traffic.
*Easier to do this when you're riding to work in a chauffeured Maybach
You know once you become a billionaire you could easily attribute your success to mixing peanut butter with nutella in a french toast.
Exactly!!
This. This. This.
I am a fan of hearing tips and tricks that people use to get to life, but cannot stand how some people pass meditation, reading five newspapers a day, taking a brisk walk at lunch, etc. off as if that has to do with their success. Ray Dalio is successful because he's smart and started in an industry before it matured (i.e. took some risk), not because he meditates.
True, but it's just easier for people to point to certain habits and credit success to those than to just admit it can be as simple as busting ones ass and taking risks.
What people call meditation is actually self induced hypnosis. It still works to calm your nerve but there's nothing spiritual and transcendental about it. It's all in the mind and your brain believes what it wants to believe.
Cool story bro
Care to elaborate? Seem to know more
The "meditation" hype has taken over the Western world and some "gurus" have been able to capitalise on this. Imagine if you had no clue what meditation was and I told you, sit down and let your mind be quite. Do you think you'd be able to reach that state? How would you know what the state feels like? But if someone told you what it's like, how to do it, you'd end up just imitating them. People reach that "astral plane" because they've been told to.
Food for thought: How come people in the same church tend to speak in tounges(holy language) in the same style but differently when compared to another church?
I started using the headspace app everyday about a year ago now. Obviously I've made other changes in my life for the better but I can say that doing 10-30 mins of meditation everyday makes me feel calmer, I'm able to inhale longer and exhale longer which then helps me control my heart rate while working out. It makes me feel better and more in control of my thoughts and body. I wouldn't attribute my whole success over the past year to just meditation but it's definitely made me 10% happier than I was before. Link to the book 10% happier by Dan Harris: https://www.amazon.com/10-Happier-Self-Help-Actually-Works/dp/0062265423
Which programs from headspace have you used?
I started with the ones when you first open it - take 10. Then I moved on to just trying random series. The performance packs are all pretty good and I also liked the relationship packs. I think once you get into a rhythm it's more valuable to find what works for you just by trying them out because everyone needs something different with meditation.
I started meditating roughly 2 years ago. It is easily the best habit I have implemented into my daily routine.
I seriously don't get upset or stressed about anything anymore - 20 minutes daily, usually in the morning.
I'm personally a big fan of meditation; I can honestly say it's changed my life. Meditation has helped to get me through some difficult times, simply by helping me to focus on what I can control. I've noticed a change in my demeanor, I don't sweat the small stuff anymore, and I've learned to keep things in perspective, all while maintaining a level head.
Would highly recommend.
I too can vouch directly regarding the benefits of meditation.
When I take the time to do so, I see a drastic improvement in my mood and ability to think with clarity / not become stressed over the little things.
Here is something to consider. Meditation was founded between the 6th and 5th century BC, which was over 2,000 years ago. For the past 7-8 thousand years, users of meditation have spoken highly about it's positive effects.
Aside from drinking water, breathing air, eating, and having sex - tell me a single other thing that has been around for 2+ thousand years and primarily receives positive feedback.
Edit time duration changed because I am an idiot
Lol invented in the 5th century BC = 8000 years ago, sounds like you could use some more focus
and you could use some more reading comprehension. "For the past 7-8 thousand years, users of meditation have spoken highly about it's positive effects." The over 2,000 years ago was in reference to the BC/AD switch
Never really gotten the time for it before I made time for it this year, it really does clear your mind and help your focus. I'm putting in the same amount of effort I've always put in to work, but getting much better results just because I have clear focus.
Stretch is also a good idea imho
New Ways to Meditate: Floating in Salty Water in the Dark (Originally Posted: 11/08/2016)
Everyone knows that banking is a very stressful job. But if you have a hour to spare on yourself during the weekend and you absolutely can't stand yoga, there is another meditation retreat you can check out.
Originally developed for veterans with PTSD, this treatment revolves around soaking in extremely salty water. This saltiness achieves high buoyancy and allows your body to easily float in the tub. The tub can be opened and closed and the lights inside can be switched off. This way you could float in a completely closed tub in the dark. According to Zen from Pause Float Studio in LA, this sensory deprivation gives your mind a break allowing you to drift between the sleepy and awake state and achieve ultimate relaxation.
Last weekend I decided to try this treatment in Los Angeles at Pause Float Studio. The place is extremely clean, and you are given books and a cup of tea right before you start your treatment. Then you are transferred to room with the a tub and a shower. The sessions are usually 60 minutes, but can run for longer if requested. Moreover, they have to start on time due to noisy filtration systems that can disturb other clients.
My experience floating has been pretty interesting. I tried to turn off the lights and float in complete darkness, but got too uncomfortable and turned them back on. The whole "lights-off" things didn't relax me at all, but gave me anxiety instead. I also turned on music, as the silence got a little boring after a while. The most relaxing part of floating was the fact that I couldn't move around much since I was scared that salty water would get into my eyes. I didn't notice any visible detox effects after this treatment either.
Anyone tried this before or had a similar experience?
Check out the original article here.
But I have the fear of darkness and that too in salty water. Quite difficult one!!
This is something I would like to try, but still haven't gotten around to it. By they way, you should check out Eddie Braverman post history. He did an extensive post about isolation tanks a few years ago.
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