The following is a transcript of a speech I recently gave at my Toastmasters group:

Following my stroke I suddenly had an abundance of time to reflect while healing… which was a lifesaving, silver lining for me. One of the big questions I pondered was “What did I learn from decades of work that I found truly valuable and that might possibly be of value to others?” I looked all the successes I had over the years and distilled practices and mind states that were consistently helpful in finding meaning in work, doing it well and enjoying it more. So, in a scant seven or so minutes I’ll attempt to pass on the wisdom that it took me over 30 years to realize… at least it did not take lifetimes. This wisdom is contained in three sequential practices that I now begin each day with: Meditation 2) Orientation 3) Elevation.

#1 Meditation

I came to understand that meditation is my essential foundation practice. To me, spending time observing my mind helps loosen the grip of thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, environmental stimuli; all the habits and unconscious responses that have me behaving like a puppet. Meditation slackens and occasionally cuts the strings and puts me in touch with my will and the power of conscious choice. It restores me to my sovereignty as a human being. It facilitates being able to bring more of my whole self to work and life.

I found that the earlier in the morning I meditate the better. Launching into the day without meditation makes me much more susceptible to “go unconscious” and react automatically and in predictable patterns. I am as motivated by avoiding the downside of not meditating as I am by the upside benefits. I found missing meditation can derail my day into a train wreck.

This quote from Buddhist monk Shyalpa Tenzin Rinpoche encapsulates the role meditation plays for me: “Meditation is not just for relaxation; its primary purpose is to develop the capacity to respond skillfully and gracefully to life’s difficulties as well as its joys.

#2 Orientation

Metaphorically speaking, meditation allows me to cast off from the dock, but it does not steer the ship. Purpose, values and intention provide the navigational system. Purpose involves a mission greater than myself. I have several: being a selfless friend to my daughter, living in harmony with my wife, and finding work that serves the greater good. Concerning values, Walt Disney said it succinctly: “When your values are clear, making decisions becomes easier”. One of my values is to be of service to others, often in mundane ways… think “chop wood, carry water”. For instance, I am currently in service to my family and community by weed wacking our steep ¾ acre, South-facing lot. The trick is staying in the consciousness of doing good while slipping and sliding on the slope under the Summer sun! Which brings us to intentions. I formulate, as much as I can, clear intentions for the day ahead. An example would be my intention to stay calm, relaxed and present… while slipping and sliding on the hillside in the heat. Everyday life provides plenty of challenge to my consciousness!

I navigate by spending time after meditation revisiting my purpose, values, and intentions. Thus, I remind myself who I really am, what is most important, what I stand for. In this manner, I start each day on course.

#3 Elevation

Keeping with the ship at sea analogy, a source of energy is needed to keep the vessel moving on its set course. I feel gaining clarity of purpose, values and intention can be an intellectual exercise unless animated by emotion. My daughter and her friends often say “I am not feeling it!” I sense what they mean is not feeling positive or elevated emotions like enthusiasm, inspiration, passion, love… emotions that provide clean burning, renewable fuel for work and life.

The technique I use to elevate my emotions is mental rehearsal. Using my mind as an artist’s brush, I paint future events in vivid detail. I become completely absorbed in my mental creation until my body follows my mind and is somatically experiencing uplifted emotions. It is the opposite, for example, of worrying, where my mind produces the hormones of stress and survival. Instead, I feel the bio-chemical cocktail of elevated emotions, the energy and the high.

In summary, I am presently engaged in daily “mind training” and gradually becoming more adept at this morning three step process of: 1) meditation 2) orientation and 3) elevation. When I look at aspects of myself before my stroke I can scarcely believe that was me! I am consciously and continually disconnecting from a past self and connecting to a future self. I can attest that you can choose who you want to be and reprogram yourself, given continuous and concerted effort.

Now, it is my hope that from listening to my practices you have derived some insight or inspiration for your own. And may your life continually move into alignment with your highest purpose, values and intentions.