Business Meditation

I ran into a publishing friend not that long ago.  He asked me how I was going to reconcile my upcoming book about meditation with my previous book called Leadership Lessons of the Navy SEALs.  "They're just diametrically opposed," he said.


I smiled.  "It's a good question, if you only look at the very top layer.  But just one or two steps deeper the answer is very simple, really," I replied.


"How many special forces people have you seen waving a banner and charging headlong into the fray?"  I asked.  


He shrugged.  


The answer is none.  Groups like the Navy SEALs are the best because they are cool, calm and focused enough to make the right choices when they have to.  No matter what is going on around them.  They operate the same way you might expect a martial artist to, as they wait for the right moment to strike.  The same way a Buddhist remains focused as they continue on their path to enlightenment.  

You see, it's all the same under a different name.  The reason each reaches their goal is they are aware of the reality of the world around them in the present moment.  They have a clear idea of their objective.  They focus their efforts, and they are patient enough to wait for their efforts to bear fruit.  


Those that maintain their focus and are in control of their senses are the ones that succeed.   Those that lose their way or seek a quick fix are the ones who fail.  Think about it, the financial mess was due to those that wanted a fast track to wealth.  In the military, the ones who run into the fray, firing wilding are doing what is called spray and pray.  In self help it's called a quick fix pill.  And guess what, none of them work.


So don't be afraid to think before you act.  Don't be afraid to meditate.  It's just another word for being in the moment.  And that helps monks and seals alike.