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Welcome to the first episode in our Mindfulness at Work series. This is a huge topic. Today, I have some tips on how you might arrange to do some meditation in the workplace. Other topics in the series will include daily mindfulness practices, nonjudgmental conflict, multitasking, mindful communication, and more.
I regularly meditate at work. Meditation helps me stay grounded and reminds me to practice mindfulness throughout the day. There are a lot of potential stressors in my workplace and its easy for me to fall into the long-standing habit of reacting to them with stress. Remember, stress is the reaction you have to events, not the events themselves. Practicing meditation at work helps to remind me to notice my own reactions and make different choices.
Work environments vary and what’s suitable in one workplace may not be appropriate or even safe in another. My plan is to present you with some ideas for bringing meditation to work. Please contemplate the ideas and decide what might be suitable for you. Get creative and craft practices that fit into your own work environment. In some cases, you may need to discuss your plans with a supervisor or even get their permission.
Finding time
For those who have flexible work arrangements, finding time to meditate may not be an issue. Others must plan more carefully. Here are some strategies for finding time:

* Arrive early or stay late. This is what I do. I catch an early bus and sit at my desk to meditate before most co-workers arrive.
* Use your coffee break time.
* Use a portion of your lunch break. Even five minutes of meditation can be beneficial. If you typically eat out, bringing a lunch may allow you to carve out meditation time.
* If you take a bus, train, or taxi, you may be able to meditate during the commute.
* Keeping your commitment to yourself

Once you’ve found some time to meditate, the trick might just be sticking to your plan. Sometimes it’s other people who stand in your way. A co-worker might, for example, try to convince you to skip meditation so you can eat out with them. In this case, you get to decide whether you’re willing to give up meditation to eat out. The choice comes down to your personal priorities. If meditation is important, explain that to your co-worker and, perhaps, set a date to have lunch or coffee with them some other time. Or, you can invite them to meditate with you!
Another possibility is a supervisor assigning you some extra work. In this case, of course, you may have less control over your time. If the work takes precedence over your meditation plans, consider rescheduling the meditation before you get to work on the assigned task. Rescheduling right away increases the chances you’ll do the meditation later.
At other times, you might be the one to interrupt your plans. Maybe, for example, meditation time rolls around but you feel like it’s too much effort right now and you’d rather go get coffee. One technique that can help you is to book time for meditation on your calendar. Treat it like an important appointment. Doing this can help you remember meditation’s importance and it might help keep others at work from interrupting you.

Peaceful Moment of the Week: Pine Martin, Banff National Park, Alberta

Finding space
Some progressive workplaces set aside space for prayer and meditation. Sometimes, however, these rooms get used in ways that make them less conducive to meditation. In my workplace, we have a Reflection Room, but because it’s tucked into a quiet corner,