In today’s intense and busy world, calm is a rare state of being. We don’t often think about it; it’s not an attribute we frequently strive to cultivate. However, the “state of calm” is under-recognized as an indispensable superpower—and it deserves our attention. Cultivating a state of calm within can enhance your career, your personal life, and even help you choose reason over panic in a crisis.
Calm in a crisis
The presence of calm was most evident in the striking example of US Airways Flight 1549.
On Jan. 15, 2009, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger lost thrust in both engines. In the dead of winter, the former Air Force fighter pilot made a calculated choice to land the Airbus A320 (weighing more than 82,000 pounds) onto the icy waters of the Hudson River. Without hesitation, Captain Sullenberger trusted his decades of experience as a seasoned pilot, combined with a deep “inner-knowing.” Pilots describe this rare combination as “deliberate calm.”
Inner-knowing is similar to a gut instinct or strong intuition. However, inner-knowing comes from a higher place within—divine certainty.
Calm is an unseen force that comforts both people and animals alike. It offers clarity of thought and guidance from inner-knowing. Calm is a place of inner-strength.
Yahoo Finance reports: Ray Dalio is considered the most successful hedge fund manager of all time. More than anything else, Dalio attributes his success to one thing: meditation.
In an interview with clinical psychiatrist Dr. Norman E Rosenthal, MD, Dalio states that meditating helps him remain “centered.” It’s a calmness that he describes as being “like a ninja.” And, that he has practiced meditation for more than 40 years. He says that when there are many things on his mind and plenty of reasons for stress, meditation helps clear his mind and provides clarity.
“Being calm and reasonable in how you present your view will help prevent the 'flight-or-fight’ animal/amygdala reaction in others,” says Dalio. “Be reasonable and expect others to be reasonable.”
Calm in relationships
Why cultivate yourself from the inside out? Whether we interact with others at the grocery store, in the board room, or with family, friends and loved ones at home, it’s vital to cultivate a state of “calm and presence” to be truly successful in life.
As Sullenberger once said, “We leave a little bit of ourselves with everybody we come in contact with.” Every interaction is an opportunity to rise to be our best self, and to influence another person’s life in a positive way. As we cultivate self-awareness, we naturally self-care. Only then, can we successfully offer a calm and comforting presence to others.
The science of meditation
Neuroscience proves a crucial variable centered in the brain’s prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain seamlessly combines the ability to balance visceral emotions, with a more rational and deliberate thought process. Additionally, the prefrontal cortex participates in free-choice, decision making, and self-awareness.
Meditators manifest healthier, plumper, younger brains; they are less fearful and more relaxed. Meditation is the effortless form of mental exercise that improves brain function in just eight weeks. Neuroscience proves regular practice thickens the prefrontal cortex (the learning and memory center of the brain); at the same time, the amygdala (the fear center of the brain) shrinks in volume. This is why historically, meditators are known to be calm with easy-going dispositions.
By definition, a calm person does not show (or feel) any worry, anger, or excitement. Imagine life enhanced with this superpower known as calm.
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Learn more, watch the two video below.
1) Ray Dalio on meditation (12:32) One of the most accurate descriptions of the higher perspective meditation offers. Watch the video: https://vimeo.com/50999847
2) Develop your higher-knowing (01:05) A video describing the three ways DASA meditation connects us to our higher-knowing. Watch the video: https://vimeo.com/738858907
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Throughout her life, Lorraine embraced natural concepts that support health, wellness, and the human spirit. After decades of evidence-based training and practice, she helps others to raise personal awareness, transmute stress, and live their best life through meditation. She learned to meditate at the young age of 15. Contact her at l.alexander@dasameditation.com.
US certified instructors are found in Northern California, Western Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Canadian instructors are found on Vancouver Island BC, and in Japan, Yokosuka City, Kanazawa.
To learn more about meditation, upcoming lectures, local programs or business programs, go to www.DASAmeditation.com, or view DASA's brochure.