Remember when you would simply do things without thinking about them? When you would just sit with someone and enjoy their company without thinking about anything else? Do you ever think that you've lost the joy that used to come from that simple pleasure and can't explain why? Well, I highly suggest that we all find it again, and a little more often. I mean certainly I'm not advocating that you throw all distraction away and move to a remote island, but I am advocating for a greater presence of consciousness in our everyday lives and a decreased emphasis on worrying about tomorrow.
Certainly the applicability of this lesson for lawyers, and really for anyone in any profession, is clear. It's kind of your job to be ready for the unexpected or the unknown- that which could be lurking around the corner, waiting to wreak havoc on both you and your client's lives. But the real question is, what good does it really do to worry about the unknown? Honestly? How much good does it add to your life to think about what could happen next month, instead of fully focusing on the only thing you know, namely, what is happening right now.
This idea escapes us generally. We, as Americans, are a forward thinking culture with a forward thinking mindset: What's happening next week, next year, next month is constantly on our minds, while what's happening with your friend in front of you, or the task at hand, tends to, whether consciously or not, take the proverbial back seat. Additionally, the advent of technology does nothing to foster a sense of "presence" in this hectic, hurried world. Now, not only can you be concerned about what's happening tomorrow or who you may have to talk to or email, you can take care of it now- right now. Wouldn't that be so much better than doing whatever else it is you're doing right now? And so the cycle begins and never stops: The future is constantly the focus of now.
So who often pays the price for this lack of presence? The answer, the sad answer, is a multitude of parties: family, friends, loved ones, clients and really anyone who is deserving of your attention at any particular moment.
A recent article published by the Guardian noted that two of the greatest regrets experienced by the dying were regret about having worked so hard and missing key moments in their loved one's lives and not permitting themselves to be happier by getting caught up in old, unhappy habits and continuing them nonetheless. See http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying?fb=native.
Is that a wake up call? I say yes. Both of these issues really have a lot to do with presence. It goes back to the idea of being fully present in the time that you have with someone, anyone. When your time with your loved ones is limited, its important to make them feel like they are the priority and you ensure that by making them feel like they are the priority and not your portable mobile device or whatever may be happening next year, week, or month. I always loved a lyric I heard in this Bahz Luhrman song. You remember it. The "Sunscreen Song" circa 2001-2002? Anyone? Ok well, most important, the line is : Worrying is about as useful as chewing a piece of bubble gum to solve an algebra equation. Not the most zen statement in the world, but it still delivers a clear point.
Yoga principles constantly reinforce the idea of presence, of being fully present in where you are at that particular moment because of the amount of potential and glory there is in "right now." Tomorrow or next year may never come, but if you take the time to be with whoever you're with now, your client, your mother, your son, or your friend, it makes a world of difference, for both you and them. When you do that, no matter what happens tomorrow or next year, you can happily know that you were completely present with someone, not worrying about the future, but enjoying the now, because really, in this crazy life, the "now" is all we really have.
Live love life everyone!
Namaste and Have a Great Week
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
You Are What You Eat
I think everyone, at one point or another, has heard this ever important phrase. But the question is why, on a blog about zen and the law, am I discussing the importance and absolute necessity (note the underline) of a healthy, well-balanced diet in your life? The answer to that is simple: There can be no balance above, if there is no balance below.
So what does that mean?
Quite simply, it means that if you want to begin a practice of mindfulness and tranquility, but you just scarfed down a double bacon cheeseburger with ( for good measure) a large diet coke, in all likelihood, your brain, and your poor heart, are not going to be up to anything but a nap. In other words, nourishing the mind goes hand and hand with nourishing the body: there can be no balance above, if there is no balance below.
I bring this point up on this blog because lawyers, like many other professionals, and increasingly like most of our society, are often guilty of what I like to call "speed eating." This refers to the oft-practiced art of grabbing the most convenient, accessible, and in all likelihood, terrible, thing around as a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner before you head to court, make that phone call, review that brief, or get ready for that early morning deposition.
Overtime, this bad habit of never taking an extra ten or fifteen minutes to stop and enjoy your food and to select something that isn't just convenient, but that is actually beneficial, can be highly detrimental to both you and your practice. On the other hand, choosing foods that are healthy, nutritious, fresh and delicious can mean a huge difference to the most important tool a lawyer has at his/her disposal: the mind. Check out this WebMd article on super foods that are great for memory, alertness, and concentration http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/slideshow-brain-foods-that-help-you-concentrate (I think a sharp memory, alertness, and concentration are all good to have as a lawyer!! My guess is that the big breakfast platter from your local fast food dispensary isn't listed, but I could be wrong.................No, I'm not, I already read the list, and trust me, it's not there)
The zen philosophy in all of this comes in with the mindful eating of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But again, what does that mean?
Mindful eating refers to the principle of taking time to eat and enjoy your food. In fact, a recent New York Times article discusses the new phenomenon quite extensively (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/dining/mindful-eating-as-food-for-thought.html?_r=1). When you actually take the time to buy, make, or invest in good food, and you savor that food and appreciate it, it can really foster a sense of appreciation for all that went into getting that food to your plate (farms, animals, people, effort, time, resources, etc.). Additionally, I'm also sure that if you took the time to appreciate that fried chicken and sweet tea combo (I went to law school down south, so I'm going to go after sweet tea too :)), you'd find that its not quite as enjoyable as you think it is.
Most importantly, this whole post is about taking the right steps to make you feel better and to foster a sense of calm and tranquility in your day. Nothing keeps you going like keeping your body's furnace burning with healthy, fresh, and delicious options and nothing, in my opinion, makes the mind happier than that.
That's all for now. Have a great weekend.
And
as always,
Namaste Everyone...and Put Down that Fork for a Second Enjoy Your Healthy Meal. Your Mind, and maybe even your client, Will Thank You For It.
So what does that mean?
Quite simply, it means that if you want to begin a practice of mindfulness and tranquility, but you just scarfed down a double bacon cheeseburger with ( for good measure) a large diet coke, in all likelihood, your brain, and your poor heart, are not going to be up to anything but a nap. In other words, nourishing the mind goes hand and hand with nourishing the body: there can be no balance above, if there is no balance below.
I bring this point up on this blog because lawyers, like many other professionals, and increasingly like most of our society, are often guilty of what I like to call "speed eating." This refers to the oft-practiced art of grabbing the most convenient, accessible, and in all likelihood, terrible, thing around as a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner before you head to court, make that phone call, review that brief, or get ready for that early morning deposition.
Overtime, this bad habit of never taking an extra ten or fifteen minutes to stop and enjoy your food and to select something that isn't just convenient, but that is actually beneficial, can be highly detrimental to both you and your practice. On the other hand, choosing foods that are healthy, nutritious, fresh and delicious can mean a huge difference to the most important tool a lawyer has at his/her disposal: the mind. Check out this WebMd article on super foods that are great for memory, alertness, and concentration http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/slideshow-brain-foods-that-help-you-concentrate (I think a sharp memory, alertness, and concentration are all good to have as a lawyer!! My guess is that the big breakfast platter from your local fast food dispensary isn't listed, but I could be wrong.................No, I'm not, I already read the list, and trust me, it's not there)
The zen philosophy in all of this comes in with the mindful eating of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But again, what does that mean?
Mindful eating refers to the principle of taking time to eat and enjoy your food. In fact, a recent New York Times article discusses the new phenomenon quite extensively (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/dining/mindful-eating-as-food-for-thought.html?_r=1). When you actually take the time to buy, make, or invest in good food, and you savor that food and appreciate it, it can really foster a sense of appreciation for all that went into getting that food to your plate (farms, animals, people, effort, time, resources, etc.). Additionally, I'm also sure that if you took the time to appreciate that fried chicken and sweet tea combo (I went to law school down south, so I'm going to go after sweet tea too :)), you'd find that its not quite as enjoyable as you think it is.
Most importantly, this whole post is about taking the right steps to make you feel better and to foster a sense of calm and tranquility in your day. Nothing keeps you going like keeping your body's furnace burning with healthy, fresh, and delicious options and nothing, in my opinion, makes the mind happier than that.
That's all for now. Have a great weekend.
And
as always,
Namaste Everyone...and Put Down that Fork for a Second Enjoy Your Healthy Meal. Your Mind, and maybe even your client, Will Thank You For It.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Take a Deep Breath...Seriously
Simple advice, I suppose, but I think something that we often forget. Naturally, we tend to seek relaxation through a variety of means, vices tending to be one of the more popular ways. Now, in the practice of law, this is a particular problem (check out this great article by the American Inns of Court about the dangers of drug and alcohol problems as a practicing attorney: http://www.innsofcourt.org/Content/Default.aspx?Id=6234) and one which I am vehemently opposed to because there are far better ways to deal with our stresses. One great way, which takes no time, is to remember to do something that we do all the time: Breathe.
Breathing is an amazing process that we often take for granted and i'ts also an amazing way to relax and find some serenity in the middle of your darkest and most stressful hours, when work is piling up and client calls wont stop. I hope that in the middle of all that madness, because of this post, you will remember to stop and take a deep, cleansing breath and clear your mind. The benefits of deep breathing are many (see this article by the Live Strong foundation for more specifics : http://www.livestrong.com/article/116964-positive-effects-controlling-breathing/) and I encourage you all to engage in some deep breathing practice as a way to cultivate a greater sense of serenity and calmness in your day. If nothing else, you won't get a hangover from it, and for that, your heart (and the next morning, your head) will thank you.
Namaste everyone, and remember, just breathe!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Check out the Center for Contemplative Study!!!
Quick post today everyone. Dinner calls.
If you have the chance to check out the Center for Contemplative Studies, please do. Even if you cannot attend one of their conferences, then check out the website and the resources available there.
Its one of the few resources in the law that is specifically designated to encourage "contemplative meditation" in the field of law.
So go, check it out and be encouraged!
http://www.contemplativemind.org/
If you have the chance to check out the Center for Contemplative Studies, please do. Even if you cannot attend one of their conferences, then check out the website and the resources available there.
Its one of the few resources in the law that is specifically designated to encourage "contemplative meditation" in the field of law.
So go, check it out and be encouraged!
http://www.contemplativemind.org/
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A Little Break
So, I have decided to let go of my ego and admit defeat in a way. I had desired greatly to post everyday on here, but as the demands of law, and quite honestly, the desire to also have time for inner reflection and relaxation, dinner with friends, and fun adventures in New York became more apparent, I realized that it was going to be difficult to post every day. So of course, I turned to some basic yoga principles for guidance.
The Ego, is constantly in battle with some of the most foundational philosophies of yoga, and also one of the major reasons why people in yoga are injured. check out this recent NY Times Article for more info on that: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/magazine/how-yoga-can-wreck-your-body.html?pagewanted=all.
The Ego gets in the way of true progress because it prevents you from accepting where and what you are, and rather makes you focus on preconceived notions of where you should be. "Should" is a problematic word in yoga, and arguably in the law as well, because it implies a standard not based on the most accurate reading of yourself-where you are at that particular moment. Ego focuses on an intangible, and many times unfounded, sense of what you want to be.
In the law, ego often prevents us from recognizing our mistakes and errors with acceptance. It forces us to blame others or makes us feel like we have to have the answers all the time because we've been practicing for X amount of years or have been specializing in this field for X decades or that we should know everything about this case or the Rules of this Court because we have had the file for X amount of months or been before that Court X amount of times. In short, the ego in the law can force us to often think about what we should be, and not what we are. It prevents acceptance and admission of mistakes and errors- thus the ego prevents us from acknowledging errors, which are, in this young attorney's eyes, another term for lessons.
In yoga, we often expect so much from ourselves and fail to accept that some days our bodies have a mind of their own. Not that I can speak as an expert, but I often find that Americans, being inculcated with extreme notions of competition and a need to be the "best", have great difficulty with this notion in yoga, and thus, unsurprisingly I also think many American lawyers bring this same attitude to the practice of law.
Truth is, we should accept who we are and not force it to be more than that. Were people-nothing more and nothing less, imperfect and often incorrect. Yoga encourages us to nurture this idea within ourselves and not focus on the ideals.
In the law, and certainly as a new associate, I find myself making more mistakes than I care to admit. But I try my best to admit them because the Ego is self-serving and never fosters growth. It is only through acceptance and humility that growth, and even sometimes laughter, can be born.
So I encourage you to be a little more free, as practitioners of both yoga and the law, to admit mistakes and accept your humanity because its the one thing we all have in common and the one thing we could all use a little more of in this day and age. See your most recent Facebook or Twitter feeds if you want confirmation about how often people love to discuss just how awesome we all are...ok ok ok- not very zen, but I had to do it. I promise I still love them anyway..mostly ;)
Namaste everyone. Promise, I will do my best to be back next week with another installment of Lawmaste!
Till then,
Sow a seed of grace and take your time to meditate and find peace in this beautiful world.
The Ego, is constantly in battle with some of the most foundational philosophies of yoga, and also one of the major reasons why people in yoga are injured. check out this recent NY Times Article for more info on that: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/magazine/how-yoga-can-wreck-your-body.html?pagewanted=all.
The Ego gets in the way of true progress because it prevents you from accepting where and what you are, and rather makes you focus on preconceived notions of where you should be. "Should" is a problematic word in yoga, and arguably in the law as well, because it implies a standard not based on the most accurate reading of yourself-where you are at that particular moment. Ego focuses on an intangible, and many times unfounded, sense of what you want to be.
In the law, ego often prevents us from recognizing our mistakes and errors with acceptance. It forces us to blame others or makes us feel like we have to have the answers all the time because we've been practicing for X amount of years or have been specializing in this field for X decades or that we should know everything about this case or the Rules of this Court because we have had the file for X amount of months or been before that Court X amount of times. In short, the ego in the law can force us to often think about what we should be, and not what we are. It prevents acceptance and admission of mistakes and errors- thus the ego prevents us from acknowledging errors, which are, in this young attorney's eyes, another term for lessons.
In yoga, we often expect so much from ourselves and fail to accept that some days our bodies have a mind of their own. Not that I can speak as an expert, but I often find that Americans, being inculcated with extreme notions of competition and a need to be the "best", have great difficulty with this notion in yoga, and thus, unsurprisingly I also think many American lawyers bring this same attitude to the practice of law.
Truth is, we should accept who we are and not force it to be more than that. Were people-nothing more and nothing less, imperfect and often incorrect. Yoga encourages us to nurture this idea within ourselves and not focus on the ideals.
In the law, and certainly as a new associate, I find myself making more mistakes than I care to admit. But I try my best to admit them because the Ego is self-serving and never fosters growth. It is only through acceptance and humility that growth, and even sometimes laughter, can be born.
So I encourage you to be a little more free, as practitioners of both yoga and the law, to admit mistakes and accept your humanity because its the one thing we all have in common and the one thing we could all use a little more of in this day and age. See your most recent Facebook or Twitter feeds if you want confirmation about how often people love to discuss just how awesome we all are...ok ok ok- not very zen, but I had to do it. I promise I still love them anyway..mostly ;)
Namaste everyone. Promise, I will do my best to be back next week with another installment of Lawmaste!
Till then,
Sow a seed of grace and take your time to meditate and find peace in this beautiful world.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Be Gentle
Happy Tuesday!
I hope that everyone is having another glorious day practicing the law. As I was working at my desk today, I found myself growing frustrated. Frustrated at what I was doing- frustrated at a lot. I found my breath in that moment and also found a reminder of a yoga principle (yes, there are a lot of yoga principles that apply to the law lol): Be Gentle.
I hope that everyone is having another glorious day practicing the law. As I was working at my desk today, I found myself growing frustrated. Frustrated at what I was doing- frustrated at a lot. I found my breath in that moment and also found a reminder of a yoga principle (yes, there are a lot of yoga principles that apply to the law lol): Be Gentle.
"Gentleness means recognizing that the world around us is fragile, especially other people. It is recognizing our own capacity to do harm and choosing instead to be tender, soft-spoken, soft-hearted, and careful. When we are gentle we touch the world in ways that protect and preserve it. Being gentle doesn't mean being weak; gentleness can be firm, even powerful. To behave in a gentle manner requires that we stay centered in our own values and strength -- that we are active rather than reactive. Coming from this center, a gentle word or touch can channel our energy into healing or making peace."
Whether trying a challenging new yoga position, attempting to find clarity while meditating, or trying to formulate a complex argument, sometimes things take time and sometimes things need to develop. Its okay, such is life.
Rather than being "reactive" to these dilemmas, we can choose to be fully present, "active", and welcome to whatever particular result may come in a particular moment. If we choose to be open and "active", then our response to the situation, and the stress it causes, can be revolutionized.
So think about it tomorrow when you're faced with that dilemma, and remember, BE GENTLE.....I mean.....be gentle.
Until then,
Namaste & Much Love
Monday, December 12, 2011
Monday Monday Mondays
Hope everyone is being gentle with themselves on this exciting and, admittedly challenging, Monday.
I try to meditate everyday during the workweek (and I use that term loosely as, sadly, these days, especially for many lawyers, that term does not just apply to Monday-Friday, even sadder, I think its becoming a relic for most of America-but that's another blog post).
As a lawyer, you may feel that your life is too busy or too stressed to find time to take up a serious meditation practice, but I implore you to reconsider.
The benefits of meditation are plenty- it's a service not just to yourself but also to your clients.
Mindful lawyers are better lawyers. Check out this groundbreaking article that helped to spurt the growing trend in more lawyers turning to meditation to deal with not only the stress of law, but to improve their skills as mediators: http://westallen.typepad.com/idealawg/files/contlawhnlrpdfriskin.pdf
So how do you start? Easy! Tomorrow wake up a mere five minutes earlier. If you like music you can go to youtube or some other site, type in meditation music, and you'll get a great selection of zen-type music to which you can meditate. Sit down somewhere comfy and just listen to your breath. This may seem easy, but just try it and see just how antithetical this is to our stressed up, always on the go nature. It's hard to do nothing (also something for another post, but I digress). But meditation encourages just that, and when you get up, you'll hopefully find that you've cultivated a seed of peace in your day- a seed which hopefully keeps growing as you keep practicing. But just remember. Be gentle, accept that sometimes we get distracted, and sometimes it's harder to "unfocus" on one day then another. Just be where you are, because that's exactly where you're meant to be. :) (Love that quote).
But for more tips on beginning meditation check out: http://zenhabits.net/meditation-for-beginners-20-practical-tips-for-quieting-the-mind/
Its got some great points for starting out!
So for now, Ill say, Namaste and wish you nothing but great things in implementing these tips.
Take care.
I try to meditate everyday during the workweek (and I use that term loosely as, sadly, these days, especially for many lawyers, that term does not just apply to Monday-Friday, even sadder, I think its becoming a relic for most of America-but that's another blog post).
As a lawyer, you may feel that your life is too busy or too stressed to find time to take up a serious meditation practice, but I implore you to reconsider.
The benefits of meditation are plenty- it's a service not just to yourself but also to your clients.
Mindful lawyers are better lawyers. Check out this groundbreaking article that helped to spurt the growing trend in more lawyers turning to meditation to deal with not only the stress of law, but to improve their skills as mediators: http://westallen.typepad.com/idealawg/files/contlawhnlrpdfriskin.pdf
So how do you start? Easy! Tomorrow wake up a mere five minutes earlier. If you like music you can go to youtube or some other site, type in meditation music, and you'll get a great selection of zen-type music to which you can meditate. Sit down somewhere comfy and just listen to your breath. This may seem easy, but just try it and see just how antithetical this is to our stressed up, always on the go nature. It's hard to do nothing (also something for another post, but I digress). But meditation encourages just that, and when you get up, you'll hopefully find that you've cultivated a seed of peace in your day- a seed which hopefully keeps growing as you keep practicing. But just remember. Be gentle, accept that sometimes we get distracted, and sometimes it's harder to "unfocus" on one day then another. Just be where you are, because that's exactly where you're meant to be. :) (Love that quote).
But for more tips on beginning meditation check out: http://zenhabits.net/meditation-for-beginners-20-practical-tips-for-quieting-the-mind/
Its got some great points for starting out!
So for now, Ill say, Namaste and wish you nothing but great things in implementing these tips.
Take care.
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