In Ray Dalio‘s 2021 book about “the changing world order,” the investor and hedge fund manager emphasizes staying calm and connected in a world where government, technology, climate, and more are rapidly evolving.
Amid uncertainty and chaos, Dalio has credited one daily practice to his ability to quiet the noise and succeed in the face of change: meditation. Dalio told CNBC in 2021 that he adopted the practice in 1969, years before he founded Bridgewater Associates.
“Whatever success I’ve had in life, has been more due to my meditating than anything else,” the billionaire recently told CNBC. Other entrepreneurs, performers, and athletes tout the practice’s benefits, from Oprah Winfrey to LeBron James. Former star Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who propelled the team to win the 2023 National Championship for the first time since the late 90s, credits meditation as a “tune-up” time that primes his brain for success.
“I can react from a higher perspective instead of reacting out of just straight impulse,” McCarthy said in an interview during the season.
People champion meditation as a stress reducer and tool for keeping the mind in the present moment. It’s a proven antidote to the high rates of stress, anxiety, and depression.
“The best advice that I could give anybody … would be to meditate, and that’s because it gives you a calmness and equanimity. It gives you a sense of spirituality, which means … [a] connectedness to the universe, connectedness to people,” Dalio said.
Dalio swears by Transcendental Meditation (TM), which helps people learn to stay still yet alert by repeating a mantra with the eyes closed. The Beatles were big fans of the practice, which can help improve self esteem and decrease stress, according to The Cleveland Clinic. It’s done in two 20-minute sessions daily. There are a few nonprofits that teach this type of meditation, with fees up to $980, depending on household income.
Other types of meditation, such as guided meditations involving an instructor, and mindfulness meditations which involve breathing, body scanning, and nonjudgmental observations, help regulate breathing and reduce symptoms associated with mental health conditions. These meditations can be found at little to no cost.
Focusing on your breath is the most accessible place to start. So, when everything feels like it’s moving too fast and you feel like you’re losing control, meditation can intentionally slow the brain and body down for longer-term success.
“You’re peaceful. You’re quiet,” Dalio told CNBC. “You’re not awake, but you’re not asleep.”
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