How to grow in your meditation practice

Meditation is the ultimate meta-skill.

But most people who start it never go beyond the “Headspace stage”,:

They still think meditation is a 10-minute date with your phone.

This is unfortunate because it is in the deepening of your practice that you

• learn to self-regulate yourself more effectively

• take control over your mental fitness

• get a deeper understanding of yourself.

Good theory for the rescue. Next to the training itself, understanding the why and the what behind mental training is crucial.

Think of it as an injection of wisdom.

Here are the books I recommend for executives who want to deepen their meditation practice:

1. Altered States - Altered Traits by Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson

Lessons:

• We can change our minds to a degree never thought possible.

• Meditation will change not only how you perceive the world but also how you act in it.

• Long-term retreats improve our minds more than daily practice.

2. Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell

Lessons:

• This poetic translation of ancient wisdom opens the mind like nothing else.

• Accept how things are to change.

• Flow is a choice.

• Wisdom is counterfactual.

3. Aware by Daniel J. Siegel

Lessons:

• Meditation begins with training awareness, and Siegel explains this like no other.

• Our mind is embodied; it is more than our thoughts.

• We can train our minds by noticing what we can be aware of.

• Meditation traditions and cutting-edge science increasingly come to similar conclusions.

4. Seeing That Frees by Rob Burbea

Lessons:

• This book is the most profound companion for experienced meditators.

• Insight is becoming aware of how we fabricate our reality.

• A deeper understanding of our reality leads to freedom and insights that lead to kindness.

5. The Mind Illuminated by John Yates

Lessons:

• This book explains the stages of progress in meditation in a modern take on old wisdom.

• All meditators go through different stages of progress.

• With an understanding of the difficulties we will face, we can meet them with ease.

• Each milestone in our progress will change how we act in life.

Recap

These are the books i would recommend if you want to grow in your meditation practice:

• Altered States - Altered Traits by Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson

• Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell

• Aware by Daniel J. Siegel

• Seeing That Frees by Rob Burbea

• The Mind Illuminated by John Yates

The biggest lessons from these books are:

• a yearly intense retreat beats short-term practice

• understanding how to train your mind helps you to take ownership of your mental fitness (theory is as important as practice)

• you can change your mind to a degree not thought possible before

But how? Here is my answer: I host a retreat each year where we apply those learnings in a retreat for executives to

• deepen your meditation training and knowledge

• reflect on your purpose and impact

• calm the mind to connect to yourself

If that sounds like a good fit for you, just reply to this email, and I will send you more information.

P.S. Leading is hard. Here is how I can support you to lead yourself and your organization:

1. The Yearly Reflection Space for Leaders:

I've opened applications for my 2024 "Wise Leadership Retreat.“ It will take place 06.- 11. August this year. You can apply here.

2. A Beautiful Mind for Executives

This one is for you if you want to train your mind with deep training from science and meditation traditions. My virtual “A Beautiful Mind Course” for Executives. Train here.

3. A CEO Playbook library with the best of Management and Leadership:

I scan the best of leadership literature and mindfulness so my clients can focus on what matters most—building a thriving organization. My client's CEO Playbooks library features the best management and leadership theory. You can have exclusive access here.

4. A la Carte Executive Training:

Each year, I support a few leaders & their organizations in transforming into more resonant versions of themselves. Want to be coached by me? Say hello. 

PPS: And because you deserve it - here is your bonus.

My 10 “Most Popular Mini Leadership Guides”:

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Nikolas