Meditation in the workplace

Following on from the previous article, this entry will explore meditation in the workplace. If you have been able to practice viewing your thoughts rather than dwelling on them, been able to focus on breathing, recognising sounds and feelings around and within, then you can do the same in the workplace.
Learn to focus on 'now', a moment. If you learn to recognise tension in your body this helps. Before I start work I do this: I hunch my shoulders to the count of 7, then relax. I screw up my face for a few seconds (not too long or it looks funny!) then relax. I turn my toes inward and count to 7 then relax. I clench my fists for a few seconds, then relax. By doing this I recognise my body's signals of when I am tense.
I work in a call centre and on certain calls I receive, I am aware that my body becomes tense. As soon as I recognise this, I focus purely on my breathing. One heated voice against another brings thunder, so by focusing on my breathing, it calms my mind, then my body follows. I am conscious of my tone of voice so drop it a tone, so it sounds calmer. Whilst the customer vents, I listen and focus on my breathing. This is meditating in the workplace. It's also mindfulness; being aware of your feelings: I am tense, I'm getting annoyed, I'm frustrated. It also works in a positive manner; I'm calm, I'm at peace, I'm happy.
During break times, I take a moment to focus on my breathing as I walk to the coffee machine or outside. I try not to be aloof, apart and offish, I do these things in moments. If a process I'm doing is difficult, I focus purely on what I am doing at that moment. I don't worry about the next step until I'm at that stage. I focus purely on what I'm doing in that moment. As I do that task, I become conscious of my breathing, my heart rate. This is meditating in the workplace.
In a busy call centre, simply breathing and acknowledging that there are 150 others talking, people are walking, people are shouting, laughing; I feel the vibrations of their footsteps, the clothes on my body, the position I am sitting in, is recognition of what is happening and not shutting it all out but accepting it. This is mindful awareness.
Keep practicing the basics of meditation, breathing, awareness, viewing and not dwelling. Do it in the quiet of your own space, and bring it to work with you, then take it home again. Try not to let one place be your quiet place, for you are the quiet place.

Peace.