Meditation for the Over-Achiever

by David
(California)

I Liked Work Stress

Being one of those rare individuals who actually enjoys work and keeping busy, I always figured meditation was not for me. It was for those “weak” people who couldn’t handle pressure and needed some sort of escape. I thrived on being busy and the thrill that added pressure brought to me. I hadn’t buckled under it yet; who cares if I was stressed on a regular basis?

Meditation for Stress?

My wife persuaded me to attend a vacation, at least that’s what she called it to convince me to go. She said we would be able to enjoy quality time together without the kids. I reluctantly agreed, thinking of everything I would not be accomplishing during that week. The day after our arrival, we were ushered to a large outside auditorium of sorts. There we were instructed on the basics of meditation and given time to put our lesson into practice.

All I succeeded in doing was deciding that meditation definitely was not for me, as I chalked up in my head my to-do list for the next month or so: “call so-and-so”, “pick up this”, “write that person”.

“I’m not up for a week of this.” I told my wife.

“Talk to the instructor.” Was all she said.

I reluctantly sought him out, explaining to him my predicament and that I really felt meditation was not my “thing”.

“Meditation is not a thing.” He responded. “But I understand. You are unable to clear your mind because you do not see the need for it. You are fine dealing with a large workload and you enjoy it. Why don’t you look at it practically then? Meditation is not just for “spiritual” people. It can help you accomplish more in your day to day life.”

"Oh yeah?” I skeptically responded.

“Just think, clearing your mind for some time, relaxing your mind and body, and feeling everything come together; then continuing on with your work in a relaxed and peaceful frame of mind; think of what that can do for you, your personal life and your work life as well.”

Somehow he had hit my key. I wanted to try it, and asked him how, since I had tuned out most of his class.

“Find your ‘cloud’.” He replied cryptically. “It is not where and when; it is how and why.” That was it, his lesson for me.

The Real Meditation Benefits

That evening I relaxed under the stars. I found myself trying it out, some of the basics he had explained. I thought on a simple, peaceful precept and refused to think of anything else. It worked! I felt at peace and almost lighter in a way.

That was the first step on a journey of understanding meditation, and more than understanding, just believing that it could work for me, and using it to benefit my life and the life of my family and coworkers too.