Antwain G., Student, 17 years
My highest aspiration is to be a corporate lawyer. I have found it necessary to write about this because often times during meditation and critical thought, this is my most frequent thought. Often times, I feel that mediation allows for evolution of a thought. One often hears that it is of the utmost importance to think about what you are passionate about and to be mindful of what it is you hope to achieve. On days in which I am not required to clear my mind during meditation or I decide to disobey the guidelines of following a certain thought I observe this aspiration indifferently. My perspective on becoming a corporate lawyer is clear. There is no emotional attachment to the aspiration, as there usually is. I am simply just thinking about what it would be like, my experience so far that has led me to this point, and the feeling that it gives me now and what feelings it could give me then.
Although I know that I am passionate about defending others and understanding the law, I have come to appreciate the perspective that mediation has given me. I have become mindful of disappointment and the obstacles that may come with my aspiration; often times the idea of being a “corporate lawyer” is an umbrella term that leads to thoughts that are more relevant to the moment. I have found that the key to mindfulness is living in a single moment. During mediation, my aspiration may come to mind, because this is often my most frequent thought. However, I have learned to allow this thought to exist because it has led to some of my most positive moments in mediation. During the moment, as this is what I have come to understand as my mindfulness, I am extremely happy. I am happy with my pursuit of a career and excellence. I am happy with my passion for such an aspiration. To be able to explore such a concept from the outside has given me the ability to truly appreciate all of my work in that moment, and has made me unbelievably happy. Even on stressful days, when I take the 47 minutes to myself to simply reflect and be mindful of whatever is related to my goals, I walk out of the classroom happier.
In terms of what mediation may do for others, in their quest for excellence, I must say that it is important to reflect. It is important to value a third perspective. However, it is even more important to evaluate in the moment. What you feel, as you breathe in and out, and wrap your thoughts into bubbles, are what matters at the end of the day. This may come in different forms, it may not be sitting at a desk as I do with a wonderful instructor in front of you. It may not be connecting your happiness to a piece of chocolate, as we have done in our meditation class. It may be utter silence as you sit on a floor in your bedroom. Whatever works for others is their own personal choice. I will say however, that mediation is a necessary part of any person’s life. Mediation is a gateway to infinite reflection and reflection is what leads to success.
