How to Transform a Mundane Meeting into a Precious Opportunity for Spiritual Practice
The essence of any spiritual practice is releasing the small self-ego, allowing the true Self to emerge.
A tedious or nerve-wracking meeting is a perfect chance to practice this, if you know how to shift your perspective and direct your attention.
In a meeting, do you expect coworkers to give 100% of their attention to your words? Yet, if you're mindful, you may notice you're not fully listening when others speak. Perhaps 40% of your attention is caught up in judging or forming opinions about their words, and another 40% is rehearsing what you'll say next or predicting reactions.
Your focus is on you—the small self.
When you dwell on your opinions, you imply they matter more than others'. Is that true? Each person brings a unique perspective shaped by their experiences. Watching a soccer game from one camera angle doesn’t show the full picture, especially when judging a foul. Similarly, fixating on what you'll say next signals insecurity about your value or competence, prompting you to overthink your words to prove your worth.
Again, your attention is on the small self.
Attention is within your control. It may wander, but once you notice, you can redirect it. You can't fully control thoughts or feelings, but you can choose where to place your attention. Focus on truly hearing others, striving to understand their perspective. When the urge to ruminate arises, don’t fight it or indulge it. See it as an option from the ego, not a command, and choose whether to engage.
In meditation, you focus on your breath, letting thoughts and feelings pass. In a meeting, you practice deep listening without judgment, letting go of internal chatter.
If meditation is gym training, a meeting is a cage fight to hone your self-letting-go skills.
Oh I sometimes I play this game trying to fully focus on what people are saying in a meeting and find it so hard to not get distracted in like 15 seconds 🙈
I haven't thought of it in quite these terms though (spiritual practice of being less self-oriented), and the way you frame it actually makes a lot of sense. Imagine every person actively doing that, what meetings we could have :) Something I'll remind myself of.