Why do modern workers need meditation?

There should be a meditation for modern workers.  By this, I mean that modern workers have aspects of their work and life that need to be recognized and addressed.  For example, we can design yoga sequences for repairing the body after working long hours at a computer.  In that same respect, we should design guided meditations that account for aspects within the modern workers life.  This includes emails, meetings, to-do lists, and constant distractions such as smart-phones, etc. 

Meditation 

Meditation can be seen as a journey into the inner self. This is a place of bliss where we find stillness and relaxation.  It is a place where we can access our wisdom and unwavering judgment. Meditation takes me to a place where I feel at peace. A place where I can make important decisions.  Most importantly, I see it as a space between the thoughts where there are moments of clarity. 

When I was 30, for the first time, I briefly experienced these moments of clarity. I had been practicing yoga and after a few months of regular practice, I could make it through all the poses without stumbling. I was getting familiar with my body. Also, I had just read the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali are considered to be the most important texts on yoga. It’s a compilation of knowledge collected and put together around 400 CE. It is structured as a pathway to master the mind so that moments of clarity can be reached. This pathway is known as the path of Raja Yoga, because Raja means king and this is the path of mastering the mind. 

What is Yoga?

Yoga is the path to master the mind. The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. When the mind is our servant we achieve states of consciousness considered to be enlightenment known as Samadhi. 

The Sutras gives a framework to understand the mind. In the Sutras yoga is defined: Yoga Chitta vritti nirodhah (Sanskrit). This literally means yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind. The Sutras enable the yogi to dampen thoughts or at least dampen the ability of thoughts to take over consciousness. To create more space between our inner self and the chatter of random thoughts.

In my early 30’s I got a tattoo to show this.  In engineering school, it was my favorite equation, called a ‘damped sine wave’. It models the process of fluctuations going away. It’s similar to Om’ing with a group. At first, not everyone’s voice is harmonized. Then, after everyone magically syncs up, the Om resonates. 

It’s also like getting the temperature just right when you start a shower.  At first, you turn the heat up, then it’s too hot. Then you turn the heat down, and then it’s too cold. Eventually, you get to a temperature that is just right, and then you can shower. 

What happens when we do yoga?

When we practice yoga we find a strong sense of calm. Another metaphor is the ocean. When the seas are rough the waves are big and being on a boat is not pleasant, you’re too busy dealing with all the movement. Trying to keep things in order and maintain your calm. But when the ocean is calm you are calm. You attend to things other than the movement of the boat.

When the mind quiets we can listen, observe and be more aware. As you become more aware it impacts the way you live and interact with others. You better understand yourself and especially how to bring out your inner self. The center which is not so defined by the distractions of your mind and the happenings around you.  

Understanding the predicaments of the modern worker

Meditation for modern workers can be improved when their predicaments are addressed. When I teach guided mediation I make a point of giving students a framework to journey inward.  This framework covers the journey and where the predicaments will show up as obstacles. The journey can be broken down into layers. 

These layers are similar to the Koshas. Yoga is built on Vedantic philosophy.  This philosophy breaks the self down into progressively more subtle layers, known as the Koshas. Each layer goes deeper and deeper towards the inner self.

The energetic layer

Pranamaya kosha, “energy” layer (Prana). This is our life force, which is deeply connected to our breath and energy. This includes the energy needed to stay awake and work. The energy to concentrate or even the energy we receive from sexual arousal. This includes our raw emotions. 

The Mind layer

Manomaya kosha “mind” layer (Manas). This is our mental mind. It processes thoughts, feelings, and emotions. The mind controls the operation of our life and our physical body as it interacts with the world around us. It also processes information.

This layer is most considered when designing a meditation for modern workers. The modern workplace has our minds clogged with thoughts that keep us from accessing our inner self. When you begin to cultivate a meditation practice this can be difficult.  

There are to-do lists with ‘hot’ items. Emails you haven’t replied to. Projects that are late. Conflicts and other distractions associated with workplace relationships.  Basically, you’re riddled with turbulent thoughts that don’t want to leave your conscious mind, not until you close whatever it is you’re working on. 

The repercussions associated with the turbulence of the manomaya kosha are substantial. The mind can feel like it’s on autopilot or out of control. This can take the form of aggravation, frustration and stress. This can be sickness and this kind of more dangerous than a physical sickness because it’s always contagious. It embodies our actions and spreads through work, family, friends and all kinds of relationships.

The layer of wisdom and discernment

Vijñānamaya kosha is the layer associated with wisdom. This is our discernment, intelligence, consciousness, or knowledge. It is the layer of wisdom underneath our thinking mind where we aren’t riddled with automatic thoughts.  

People accomplished in intellectual pursuits and people with revered judgment are operating in this layer, below the influences of the other layers. Think of the executive that has a secretary or assistant to deal with all the lower-level problems so that he or she can focus on decision making. Think of the scientist locked away in a laboratory or office developing their research or theory. 

Ananda (Bliss) The final layer

Anandamaya kosha, “bliss” layer (Ananda). This is the deepest of all Koshas. It is our unchanging self. Many consider this to be our soul. This is where we have those moments of clarity, between the thoughts.

Most of us know what bliss feels like. That feeling when you finish a project. When you close a deal or get a job offer after a long series of interviews. Or when you leave the office on Friday.  We feel bliss at these moments because our success has allowed us to relax and allowed thoughts to leave our minds. We don’t need those thoughts anymore and the mind is quiet. 

How meditation can help

Meditation for modern workers is essential. With practice, meditation brings awareness to the happenings within each kosha layer. It is a journey through all of them. It builds the strength to quiet the layers that surround our inner self. 

This strength prevents reactivity to the things happening in each layer. To let them be. To be left with the ability to respond to the thoughts, but not always react to them automatically. Such an experience is like an avid reader reading a book at the train station. All the noise and distractions are disarmed, but the reader has the ability to shift focus as soon as he or she here’s an important noise, like when the train comes. 

The strength of a conditioned meditator cannot be overlooked.

And it isn’t only strength. It’s resilience to stress and other sicknesses of the mind. This can benefit the meditator and everyone in contact with the meditator. Finally, it gives the meditator greater access to the deeper layers – Vijñānamaya and Ananda  – that comprise their inner selves.

We shouldn’t limit ourselves access to our wisdom and discernment. We shouldn’t limit ourselves to feeling bliss only after we’ve finished something. Blissful states are healing. They feel good and give us happiness. They allow us to relax and be relieved of stress. 

How to meditate

When you meditate try to imagine yourself journeying through each of these layers. First, confront your environment by finding a quiet and clean place. Then bring awareness to all the distractions and try to block them out of your mind space. Then confront your body.  Find a way to sit comfortably and do your best to sit up straight and relax. Then confront your energy. Watch your breath and make sure it is regular. Bring awareness to your emotions and find equanimity. Then confront your mind. Try not to get caught up in your thoughts. Let them come, and then let them go. Then find those moments of clarity: the space between the thoughts.  

Conclusion

Mediation is a journey and the Koshas offer a map to navigate through the obstacles of that journey. We can understand each layer we need to conquer before going deeper towards our inner selves. 

Limiting your practice to yoga classes isn’t enough. Meditation deserves dedicated attention.

About the author 

Doug Duchon is taking the 300 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training at the Doron Yoga & Zen Center in Guatemala. He has spent 4 months of living and working for Doron in Guatemala. Doug’s other training includes 200h Bhakti Vinyasa, 50h Yin and Restorative, and 50 hour kirtan training from Govind Das at Bhakti Yoga Shala in Santa Monica, California. 

Doug writes about how yoga can be integrated into the modern workforce and used to achieve a better work-life balance. Before becoming a yoga teacher he spent 10 years working as an engineer in various industries including Aerospace where helped build rockets and spacecraft for NASA’s astronautical programs.

Instagram: @updougyoga