A “World Meditation Day” Bounce Back to Center

Care To Join Me?

World Meditation Day, held annually on May 21st, is a beacon of serenity in our often chaotic world. This day is dedicated to turning inward, finding peace within ourselves, and, by extension, radiating it out into the world around us. 

As I reflect on the significance of this day, I'm reminded of my own meditation journey, which began in an era that feels like a lifetime ago—the nineties.

My path to meditation was ignited by an unexpected source: Phil Jackson's "Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior." Yes, that Phil Jackson, the legendary NBA coach known for his Zen approach to basketball and life. Jackson's book was a revelation to me, not just for its insights into basketball, but for its deeper message about the power of mindfulness and meditation in achieving peace and success.

His meditation journey and how he integrated Zen practices into his coaching with the Chicago Bulls and later the Los Angeles Lakers were particularly inspiring to me. He used meditation to enhance focus, foster team unity, and maintain calm under pressure—qualities that led his teams to numerous championships. His approach was a game-changer, showing that meditation could play a crucial role in high-stress environments, proving that the calmest minds often prevail.

Inspired by Jackson, I embarked on my own meditation journey. Picture this: a complete novice, eager and motivated, attempting to sit cross-legged on a mat, mimicking what I imagined a Zen master might look like. 

Let's just say it was less 'enlightened monk' and more 'awkward pretzel.' The initial discomfort was palpable—both physically and mentally. My legs tingled, my back ached, and my mind raced with everything from beautiful women to an odd curiosity about how long I could hold my breath (a surprisingly useful distraction technique, by the way).

Despite these fits and starts, my commitment wavered and waned like a poorly tuned radio—sometimes clear, sometimes static-filled. But over time, those moments of discomfort gave way to glimpses of something profound, namely, an underlying tranquility, a soft whisper of peace that beckoned me to delve deeper.

All of this led me to Taoist meditation. Born in the mystical mountains and lush forests of ancient China, this practice has been helping people find their chill for millennia. Picture ancient Taoists, draped in robes, definitely not stressing about Wi-Fi signals or the latest tweet storms. They were busy tuning into the rhythms of the universe and learning how to turn their internal chaos into cosmic harmony.

Fast forward a few thousand years, and here we are, trying to decide whether to meditate or binge-watch another series. The evolution of Taoist meditation is like watching a quiet sage turn into a modern-day guru, wearing sneakers and spouting wisdom that could double as self-help book titles. They knew the secret to life wasn’t about conquering empires, but about mastering the art of breathing and going with the momentary flow—literally.

So, while today’s Taoist meditation might come packaged with apps and endorsed by celebrities, the essence remains the same: breathe, relax, and for heaven's sake, stop trying to control everything. It’s the ultimate ancient solution to our modern mess—proof that maybe those ancient Taoists were onto something when they chose enlightenment over entertainment.

While through my personal evolution, I've explored various forms of meditation, Taoist meditation holds a special place in my practice. Unlike some forms that focus solely on mindfulness or concentration, Taoist meditation encompasses a spectrum of techniques aimed at cultivating balance and harmony between the body, mind, and spirit. 

It’s about aligning oneself with the Tao, or the natural flow of the universe. This practice emphasizes breathing techniques and visualizations that help conserve and cultivate vital energy, or 'qi,' which is essential for maintaining health and vitality.

As we observe World Meditation Day today, we recognize not just the peace it brings to individuals, but also the potential for a wider cultural shift. Meditation, with its roots stretching back millennia across various cultures, has always been a source of renewal and insight. Today, it stands out as a universal remedy for the collective anxiety and disarray we face.

The personal lessons from my meditation journey, like those initial awkward attempts on the mat, remind me that every effort counts. Every moment of stillness adds up, contributing to a larger, cumulative effect. Just as a single drop can ripple across a whole pond, each of us, through meditation, has the potential to bring a wave of peace to our surroundings.

So today (and for that matter every day) let's embrace the calm that a meditative state seeks to cultivate, one breath at a time. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a curious newcomer, remember that each journey begins with a single, perhaps slightly uncomfortable, step. But who knows? That step might just lead to a path of profound peace and understanding, just as it did for a basketball coach and a nineties novice like me.