Hi,
This is Clare E.
Parsons,
Lawyer,
Mindfulness and compassion teacher,
Speaker,
And author.
This is a guided meditation intended to help you start a meeting well.
Many of us struggle with meetings because they are boring and can be a waste of time.
This practice is offered to help you find your focus and purpose to make the most of time spent meeting with colleagues.
So let's get started.
Find a comfortable and stable position.
This should be a position that helps you feel relaxed but also alert.
You can do this practice seated with eyes closed or lowered,
Or you can grab a pen and paper and write as I guide.
To begin,
Let's make a clearing for open reflection.
Come into your body by rooting into your seat and feeling the contacts between your body and the chair.
Notice the sensation of being held by the chair.
Notice sounds around you,
Just identifying what they are and not analyzing them too much.
Then notice your breath.
Find the sensation of breath wherever it is strongest for you and let your attention settle on it for a moment.
This practice is intended to help you start a meeting with other people.
Meetings can be painful when they're not productive,
But they can make us feel great when we connect in a meaningful way or make progress on goals.
So let's start with the recognition that our time matters because most of us have many obligations.
Despite these other obligations,
You made the choice to attend this meeting.
Without getting into the weeds of your other obligations and overwhelming yourself,
Simply list in your mind the other things you have decided to set aside to be at this meeting.
Since you have other things you could have done with your time,
Consider in your mind,
Body and spirit what motivated you to come to this meeting.
Why did you choose to spend your time here instead of on other projects or efforts?
You've considered your own motivations for being here,
But let's broaden the focus now.
If you are here for a meeting,
You are likely doing so with other people.
Reflect on the fact that all of these other people have outside obligations and concerns just like you.
Without comparing who was the busiest or most important,
Reflect that these other people made the same choice that you did to spend their time here in this meeting.
Now that we've considered where we are starting from,
Let's think about where we are going.
You and everyone in this meeting made a choice to direct energy and attention to the purpose of the meeting.
Some important motivation drew you all here.
Take a moment to reflect on the ways that you all might jointly put this energy to its best use.
What steps can you take individually today to have a positive impact on the group,
Your organization,
And your community?
Now I encourage you to let these reflections go.
Come back to your body the same way we started.
Again,
Feel the contacts between your body and the chair and the sensation of being supported.
Notice the sounds around you and then notice your breath.
Take a full,
Deep breath in and hold it for a moment to re-energize yourself.
Then let it go and when you are ready,
You can open your eyes or drop your pen,
Ready to make the most of your time together and do some great work.
