Why I... meditate
"Meditation helps you feel joy, compassion, peace and freedom."
I first came across meditation when I discovered Life Planning through the Kinder Institute but it didn't make sense to me. I was resistant because I expected to feel different straight away; I expected to see changes immediately. Nine years of regular practice later and I can see very clearly the benefits that come from sticking with it.
I started doing yoga, because I wanted to get fit. They say it was invented in India to strengthen the back to enabling sitting and meditating for long periods. For me, yoga became an opportunity to slow down and clear my mind.
When I meditate I just focus on my breathing. And if my mind starts to wander, that's fine – once I notice, I just come back to the breath with no judgment.
I came around to the fact that meditation was not just something that hippies and Buddhists do, but it actually has a scientific foundation.
Long term meditation practice can actually change the physical structure of your brain. It was the science behind it that really convinced me.
The biggest benefits come over a long period of time. And I know without a doubt that I am a much more balanced person than I was nine years ago; more resilient and much more creative.
A couple of years ago, I did a nine-day silent retreat. I turned off my phone and didn't turn it on again until I was on the plane home. I came back and as well as a deeper sense of calm I felt the most creative I have ever been.
One of the wonderful byproducts of meditation is that you have a surge of creativity. Things are always popping in my head that never used to before and I have to quickly jot them down before they disappear again.
I once heard my daughter describing meditation to her friends in the back of the car when they were about seven. She said: “My mum meditates.” Her friend crossed her legs and started chanting “Om”. My daughter said, “No, not like that, she just gives her brain a workout.” Actually, I think it gives your brain an opportunity to “regenerate” – that’s the word I’d use.
The Dalai Lama says you should meditate for 10 minutes a day, unless you're really busy, then you should do it for an hour. The way it works for me is to be able to incorporate it into my normal life, as well as a formal practice, I often just take 10 minutes whenever I can, for example when I'm sitting on the train, waiting for the kids outside their Taekwondo lesson or walking the dog.
I know this new way of being has made me a better financial life planner and a better coach with better client relationships. It has given me a greater sense of empathy, judgment, more understanding, more clarity, and the ability to really be present with my clients so that we can have a coaching conversation about possibility, as opposed to a conversation about their money.
Humans don't work effectively when they're crazy busy. Meditation helps you feel things like joy and peace and freedom. And on top of all that, for me, the biggest benefit that has been brought to my life because of meditation is resilience.