A Moment for Mindfulness

In the space after you step out of the elevator but before you walk through the doors to Purpose, you are confronted with a question on the wall: “What good shall I do this day?”

This question relates to Purpose’s socially important work, but it also applies to our office’s commitment to mindfulness. Mindfulness is a form of meditation that develops awareness of the present, enabling devotees to respond to personal and professional challenges without stress. Interested team members can participate in daily meditation sessions, taking a 10-minute pause from their work to refocus and refresh their energy.

Purpose also hosts weekly hour-long sessions with mindfulness expert, Jon Aaron. Jon’s classes are a combination of guided meditation, group discussion, and lectures on meditation techniques. Sometimes, he even brings snacks.

In his last class, Jon passed around a plate of chocolates, instructing everyone to take “just one, small bite.” After we’d all enjoyed a taste, Jon passed a trashcan around the room; one by one, everyone begrudgingly threw their remaining chocolate into the bin. Jon’s lesson reminds us to live in the moment. Isn’t it better to enjoy that one, small bite than focus on the next? If you don’t savor the present, you’ll be left with an empty plate before you know it.

For participants, the benefits of mindfulness extend beyond the office. “We’re doing it to be more conscious of our work-life balance,” says Kat, who was introduced to meditation through Purpose’s sessions. “It’s about optimizing ourselves as individuals.”

Which brings us back to the question, “What good shall I do this day?” At Purpose, we are committed to doing good for others. But each day, it’s also important to take some time to do good for ourselves.

Links from the article:

http://www.mindfulnessmeditationnyc.com/mbsr-nyc-teachers/jon-aaron