Having found it beneficial himself, a district police commissioner has recommended that his officers practice meditation in order to better perform their duties. The police chief, Hasmukh Patel, in Surat, the capital of the Indian state of Gujarat, also strongly recommends yoga. According to Maeve Shearlaw of The Guardian, Mr. Patel is responsible for 3,500 officers. “One cannot be forced,” he says, explaining that it was the personal choice of the officers, who are given full pay and allowances during their training. So far, 175 have taken up meditation, while nearly 500 are practicing yoga.
Indian police practicing yoga. From Rajesh Kumar Singh, AP
The chief illustrates the benefits of meditation with the example of an officer whose daughter used to avoid him when doing her homework, but now will not do it without her father by her side. Apparently the officer was notorious for extortion, but through meditation has now mended his ways. Relating his own experience, Patel adds, “As a police officer I deal with injustice. I used to get angry but after meditation I didn’t.”
Indian police officers have attracted negative publicity on many occasions, and especially during the recent handling of several crimes. Among the criticisms are slow progress in their investigations and the use of violence. “Of course, violence is also a form of reaction,” says Patel. “It is an extreme form of reaction. The incidents of violence committed by Indian police reported in the media are exceptions but of course the Indian police need to learn to improve their behaviour with the community. Vipassana [meditation] helps in that.” While he is unable to provide statistics to show meditation’s positive impact on the police force, he says, “The main impact is reduction in reaction, anger, fear and improvement in concentration, better and focused decisions.” Unfortunately, the crime rate continues to increase.
Police officers meditating. From jerrystocking.com
In ancient times, meditation was related to asceticism and spirituality, and was mostly limited to the priesthood. However, today the practice has attracted those looking for peace of mind and good health, as well as scientists. Meditation has also been used to rehabilitate prison inmates. Professor Lewis Lancaster, who was interviewed by this website in 2013, is actively involved in meditation programs for inmates in the US, while Andrew Williams, who was interviewed by this website the same year, provides Dharma and meditation programs for inmates in Victoria, Australia. In 2013 Noah Shachtman of WIRED also reported that meditation has become an important tool for entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. “Meditation and mindfulness are the new rage in Silicon Valley. And it’s not just about inner peace – it’s about getting ahead,” he says. And Steve Jobs, the late CEO of Apple, is said to have practiced Zen, in which mindfulness meditation is a fundamental practice. Elisa Criado of The Independent also reports that mindfulness meditation and group therapy protect the cells of breast cancer survivors. These are just a few examples of how meditation is currently being used to improve the lives of people in various professions and circumstances around the world.