We all like to imagine that, in moments of being tested, we will always take the high road, the best course of action, and do the right thing. But perhaps we can also remember times in our life where our choices have disappointed ourselves and/or others. Thankfully, meditation and mindfulness can help us to be more aligned with our highest values in challenging situations.
One way that this happens, simply put, is because meditation is often challenging. The work it takes to repeatedly bring our mind back to an object of meditation after it has floated away to unconsciousness, and, more fundamentally, the work it takes to “tolerate the intolerability of being human”, cultivates a vigor and clarity that can translate into taking the path of least resistance less often and swimming upstream towards honorable conduct more often.
Another factor is that, as I often like to say, “meditation is just being ourselves – except more so”. True mindfulness meditation can have us express ourselves from a deeper level of ourselves, a place where we are more aligned to our higher values.
Further, when meditation helps us to better directly perceive reality as it is, we more often notice cause and effect. Specifically, we immediately and clearly see, for example, if our words are hurtful or helpful to others, or if actions we take create problems or contributions for communities that we are part of. This helps us to be motivated to act in a more constructive way.
This positive process is not always simple and automatic, and may require additional work. There is a reason why, traditionally over the centuries, monks in monasteries have been thoroughly taught ethics and appropriate action before they have been taught how to meditate. We can usually find, however, that a regular meditation practice can move us towards being the person we truly want to be, someone that we can admire and feel good about.