Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/534897
June 29 - July 20, 2015 30 Working World l WorkingWorld.com FENG SHUI AT WORK by Katy Allgeyer Katy Allgeyer believes every workplace can be enlightened and energized by the principles of feng shui. In addition to her feng shui practice, she is a writer, artist and has worked in retail management. Calming Heart Meditation Clear your heart and mind of clutter G oing on an interview during your lunch hour? That's stressful enough. But you're also probably trying to do it undercover so that your boss and colleagues don't find out. And you've only got an hour to dash out to the interview and back—talk about stress! What you need is a way to instantly calm yourself down so you can focus on the task at hand—acing the interview! Here's an ancient meditation that involves both a mudra (hand placement) and a mantra (sacred word chant). It's called The Calming Heart Meditation and it does just that. The repetition of certain key phrases in a mantra allows the mind to focus and the body to relax. This method does not conflict with your religious beliefs, or lack thereof. Rather, it is a technique of ancient yogis and feng shui practitioners to clear our minds and hearts of clutter so that we can be more receptive to our intended task. Before you go to the interview, take a few minutes alone and chant the following meditation. Begin by placing your left hand on top of your right hand and touch the thumbs in the center. Bring your cradled hands over to your chest as if you were holding your heart. You may close your eyes or keep them open; it's up to you. The next part is a bit trickier. You will need to recite the mantra over and again nine times to calm your heart. It doesn't take long once you know the words. Until you memorize them, you can use a cheat sheet and read the words instead: GATE GATE PARA-GATE PARA SAM GATE BODHI SVAHA (pronounced: Gah Tay Gah Tay. Pahra Gay Tay, Pahra Sahm Gah Tay, Bode-ee Svah Hah). The words literally mean, "Gone, gone, gone across, completely gone across, the enlightened state, it is accomplished, I recognize the truth in myself." Remember to use this meditation whenever you feel stressed and need help focusing. Calm your heart before an exam, meeting your girlfriend's family, or an important presentation.