As I have written before, the best way to learn about mindfulness is with friends. In a recent podcast, I got to talk about mindfulness with a fellow lawyer and good friend, Jamie Jones. Jamie is the President of the Arkansas Bar Association and I got to know her through a professional association.
In the podcast, Jamie asked me about several common issues that lawyers face when they start mindfulness practice. I’m sharing the podcast here because it’s a great resource and may help other lawyers get over some of the myths about mindfulness practice.
Mindfulness Topics Discussed in the Podcast
As in many interview, Jamie first asked me to trace my history with mindfulness. I explained that I stumbled upon the practice in a time of need after dealing with years of anxiety, overthinking, and depression.
Despite starting very small, at 1 minute a day, mindfulness practice quickly helped me. It not only helped me develop tools for managing stress. It also helped me cultivate self-compassion and ultimately confidence. All of these things helped me move forward in my work and life.
Fortunately, though, Jamie didn’t just focus on success stories. Instead, she asked me real questions about the challenges of practice. We covered things like the myth that you can “clear your mind” in meditation. We also talked about the challenges of finding time to practice each day.
One of my favorite parts was when I explained how mindfulness practice can help lawyers cultivate the skill of dealing with thoughts. So many lawyers focus on the idea that their mind must be clear in meditation.
The real gold of the practice, though, happens when you develop skills for navigating thoughts. During the podcast interview, I explained how this works in practice.
The Most Important Pieces for Lawyers
The reason that this matters for lawyers, of course, is that we don’t want to waste our time. Lawyers have so much on our plates that it can feel really overwhelming or even foolish to try something that might not work.
What I tried more than anything to convey in the interview was that a consistent mindfulness practice is attainable for lawyers. Sure, we are busy but we can gain benefits with small periods of practice.
Sure, mindfulness practice may feel confusing and lonely at first. There are resources and groups to help.
Sure, mindfulness practice can feel sometimes like we aren’t any good at it. I discuss in the interview, though, that being good at meditation is really not the issue. In fact, I explain how even an imperfect meditation practice can do a lot of good.
Try Mindfulness with the Bonus Podcast Episode
Another great thing about the podcast is that I also recorded a bonus meditation. Jamie did not just want to share information about mindfulness with members of the Arkansas Bar, she also wanted them to try it.
When I teach people new to mindfulness practice, I often recommend body scan practice as a great place to start. I do this for several reasons.
As I have written before, body scan is often relaxing and engaging. It is also a great skill for lawyers to cultivate because it can help us avoid being stuck in our minds and thoughts.
In addition, developing familiarity with the body offers many practical benefits. This can include a better awareness of the physical signs of stress, which in turn can engender wisdom about self-care.
In addition, emotions often register in our bodies. In this way, learning about bodily sensations can build stability and intelligence around emotions.
For all of these reasons, body scan is a foundational practice and a great place to start for lawyers exploring mindfulness.
Where and How Lawyers Can Listen to the Podcast
To listen to the podcast, you can find it on the ArkBar on Air Podcast website here. You can also find it on your favorite podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Castro, Castbox, and Goodpods.
The interview is found in Episode 8: Mindfulness for Lawyers. This is where you will learn about how to start a mindfulness practice and keep it going. You will also learn about the benefits of mindfulness practice.
The meditation is found under Bonus Content: Body Scan Meditation for Lawyers. This is where you will get a chance to try meditation in the comfort of your own home or office.
Want to learn more about mindfulness and compassion? Check out my new book, How to Be a Badass Lawyer, for a simple guide to creating a meditation practice of your own in 30 days. And to share mindfulness with your little one, check out my new children’s book, Mommy Needs a Minute.
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