Is Meditation overrated?

I think there is mass confusion on what 'meditation' means. It can certainly mean different things to different people. Especially when it is being marketed by some (purportedly) newly enlightened crowd. In America there are many who have taken to the airwaves to proclaim this as a cure or at least a distraction for what ails many Americans - lack of time and overwork.

Frankly in its very elementary form people need to realize that without labeling it meditation or any other (re)new found badge they just need to slow down. Breathe. Think. All naturally available options but always forgotten in the hurry to post to FB or to Twit or email or text.

I attended a workshop at work. Wow - that is very revealing. No seriously. It was called - Mindful Communication.

There are agreeably some core principles that one can adopt in their daily routine such as - consciously being aware of what is being said and how. Making deliberate observation of the environment including the person with whom the communication is taking place. Keeping an open mind through all of the engagement. Again emphasis on slowing down and taking a deep breath so you can actively respond rather than react.

But the lady speaking to us went through some ritual prep where everyone closed their eyes and at the sound of a bell started tuning their brain to think of their body and so on... I think that is bit of hocus pocus. You do not need to do that to train your brain to behave itself.

Some people perhaps find it conducive to learning what is next - I did not. Also the real world where you are standing in a crowded train trying to talk to some client while a homeless dude just barfs next to you is the reality check. No deep breathing and closing your eyes is help here.

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A few good books

On an informal mission to read one book a week as long as the eyes allow for such ambition. Fiction or non is not important as long as it entertains and /or educates. To that end the past few weeks have brought a bounty in the form of some wonderful and then not so engaging literature. Among the notables are - Non fiction category: 1. Good arguments by Bo Seo (how to handle a dispute or debate the most efficient way possible) 2. Genesis by Eric Schmidt (and former US Secy of State Henry Kissinger, who recently passed) - how AI might affect our lives as we know it 3. One in a billion - Zarna Garg (an autobiographical look at an Indian born American woman with a bindi narrated in a standup format - yes it is at times cliched but still funny) Fiction: 1. Personal by Lee Child (a vigilante story with Jack Reacher the giant, nomad protagonist of Child's novels goes hunting for a sniper) 2. Ramayana unraveled by Ami Ganatra (she might disagree about it being a work of fiction but oh wel...

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Costa Rica

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Brown Motion

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