When we are mindful, deeply in touch with the present moment our understanding of what is going on deepens, and we begin to be filled with acceptance, joy, peace and love. Thich Nhat Hanh
Case Study
This case study is based upon a female client. The conversation takes place over the phone between the client and the coach. The client is distressed because of a lack of balance in her life with all of the priorities and responsibilities of a single, working mom. She has the awareness that meditation and exercise are two main ways that provide this balance in her life. She has been able to incorporate exercise regularly into her routine but is finding meditation a challenge. She feels that if she isn’t able to devote at least 15-20 minutes of uninterrupted time to sit in quiet meditation that it isn’t worthwhile and beneficial in any way.
The coach asks if she would be willing to take a mere three minutes to be led through a simple exercise of relaxing her body and bringing her thoughts to the present moment? The client agrees and is informed that any thoughts of the past or future are allowed to be suspended momentarily with a promise that they will be addressed later if necessary. She is directed to breathe deeply into her belly and upon exhalation to imagine all worry, doubt, and fear as being released on a cloud of smoke. The remainder of the exercise in presence consisted of mentally following her breath in and out. At the end of the meditation the client reported that she is centered and focused and feels a tremendous amount of relief and lightness. This brief time out showed her how she can easily incorporate meditation into her daily routine and it is a reminder of the benefits that it brings in a relatively short amount of time.
At the start of the coaching session the client was multi-tasking at her office desk and anxious about the day. After the meditation she gained a sense of peace and calm and knowing that she can bring balance into her life in a few minutes. The client was then able to come fully present to the coaching session with the issues at hand in her life.
Conclusion
Achieving positive results is the desire inside of coaching. There are numerous methodologies and tools that have been created and used to achieve such outcomes. Meditation is one of those tools as it has the power to unhinge the grips of the thinking mind. Through meditation as a practice of being present one is led to freedom. A freedom to create, discover and explore new possibilities. As a client is able to release all thoughts and emotions that coral them into a tiny, limiting way of thinking they open themselves to new perspectives and new ideas. With this comes a sense of self. The client becomes more fully aware of who they are at their best.
As a tool for the coach meditation allows the conscious mind to settle before the session begins. It creates room for the coach to show up at the essence of who they are and what they choose to be for their client. A source of support and a visionary for genius to emerge fully. It is a way to deal with the constant flux of thoughts as the mind needs to rest in order to restore its focus. The use of meditation in coaching has proven itself to be an extremely valuable forward moving tool.
References
Author Unknown Quote
Borysenko, Joan, Ph.D. (1997), 7 Paths to God: The Ways of The Mystic, Carlsbad, Ca., Hay House, Inc.
Eckhart Tolle Quote
"Meditation: Message of Stillness", Eckhart Tolle TV ( February 2012)
http://communicate.eckharttolle.com
Hawkins, David R., M.D., Ph.D. (2002) Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior, Revised Edition, Carlsbad, Ca., Hay House, Inc.
Linda Ganzini Quote
McColl, Peggy (2007) Your Destiny Switch: Master Your Key Emotions, and Attract the Life of Your Dreams!, Carlsbad, Ca., Hay House, Inc.
Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition, 1993
Seale, Alan (2003) Soul Mission Life Vision: Recognize Your True Gifts and Make Your Mark in the World, York Beach, ME., Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC.
Thich Nhat Hanh Quote
http://www.goodreads.com
Tim Wiley Quote
Forsyth, John P., Ph.D., Eifert, George H., Ph.D. (2007) The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety: A Guide to Breaking Free from Anxiety and Commitment Therapy, Oakland, Ca., New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Tolle, Eckhart (2003) Stillness Speaks, Novato, Ca., New World Library, Vancouver, Canada, Namaste Publishing
Tolle, Eckhart (1999) The Power of Now, Novato, Ca., New World Library
Topp, Elizabeth, Margretha, Ph.D. (2006) Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Partial Fulfillment for Doctoral Dissertation
Website of the International Coach Federation