Huffington Magazine Issue 86 | Page 73

Exit SECTION HUFFINGTON 02.02.14 ETHAN MILLER/GETTY IMAGES build compassion, which can be beneficial to not only individuals and community, but also to corporate bottom lines. “The one thing [that all companies should be doing] is promoting the awareness that compassion can and will be good for success and profits,” said Tan. LEADERS ARE IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES WITH IT. A number of high-powered executives — from LinkedIn’s Jeff Weiner to the late Steve Jobs to Oprah — have touted meditation as their secret to success. Even several years ago, you’d never expect to hear a billionaire hedge fund founder admit to meditating daily, but it’s becoming a lot more common. “Meditation more than anything in my life was the biggest ingredient of whatever success I’ve had,” Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio claimed, while Oprah has said that meditation helps her to create her best work and best life. SCIENCE HAS PROVEN IT’S WORTH THE HYPE. Mounting research on the physical and mental health benefits of [Mindful living] has staying power, because our world is only going to become more saturated with technology, and therefore people have to find ways to counteract that.” mindfulness has contributed to and helped to legitimize this growing interest in meditative practice. Recent studies have linked mindfulness with emotional stability and improved sleep, increased focus and memory, enhanced creativity, and lower stress levels, among a host of other positive health outcomes. Oprah has touted meditation as one of the secrets to her success.