Tough At The Top

Jillian Lavender, Founder of the London Meditation Centre

December 15, 2021 Steve Davies / Jillian Lavender Episode 6
Tough At The Top
Jillian Lavender, Founder of the London Meditation Centre
Show Notes

Following on from a very successful career in the publishing industry, Jillian has been teaching meditation for almost 20 years and founded both the London and New York Meditation Centres back in 2008. She wrote an excellent book called “Why Meditate?” earlier this year and that is how I first came across her. Her whole approach is very practical and, I think, ideal for busy professional people who are curious about meditation but also a bit sceptical and confused about what the practice actually involves.

I have been intrigued about meditation for a while both individually and as a coach - I could see there was plenty of science backing up its benefits, I had friends who sang its praises, but I had flirted with apps like Calm & Headspace and not really got them to work for me. And I know I am not alone in that experience.  So a few weeks ago, I signed up for one of Jillian’s group courses and was really positively surprised about a) how easy it was to start meditating, and b) how quickly I saw positive effects.

We talk about the benefits and changes people see when they start meditating, from improved brain function and creativity to lower stress levels, greater happiness and enhanced sleep. From there, we move on to demystify how she teaches people to meditate, that it is not some strange, mystic practice full of chanting and strenuous yoga poses, but something effortless that can be done anywhere without anyone knowing you are doing it - on trains, in meeting rooms, even a church near your office. Jillian discusses the merits of meditation for children as well and tackles head on the common response that “I don’t have time to meditate”….