The Power of Presence

A while back, I was brought on board to assist a small company of about 15 employees with stress management and team cohesion. During a meeting with the CEO and staff, I proposed a ropes course as a team-building exercise. The CEO was immediately enthusiastic, suggesting a weekend later that month. I recommended checking with the team first, considering potential family commitments. “No need,” he said confidently, “none of them have families.” To my surprise, five hands shot up around the room. I was taken aback that the CEO seemed unaware of his employees’ personal lives beyond the workplace.

My friend Susan, an experienced facilitator, was hired to lead the ropes course. After the event, she called me, uncertain about its success. She explained that the CEO had been micromanaging the team’s every move until, frustrated, she instructed him to remain silent for the rest of the day. Initially, he seemed rattled, as if he might walk away, but he stayed and completed the exercise without speaking.

The following day, I met privately with the CEO to debrief. He admitted that Susan’s directive to stay quiet had initially angered him. He believed the team would flounder without his constant guidance, and at first, he was right. However, after several minutes of silence, others began to step up. Ideas flowed, discussions sparked, and the team made progress. To his surprise, he admitted that some of their ideas were quite good.

This experience serves as a powerful metaphor for meditation.

Detached observation is the practice of witnessing with focused awareness, free from judgment or interference. It’s like a birdwatcher in a forest: as they walk, the woods seem devoid of life. But when they pause and remain still, life gradually emerges around them. They observe a sparrow’s flight without labeling it as good or bad, without trying to guide its path, simply being present—feeling the cool air, hearing the rustle of leaves, and fully embracing the moment. This is the essence of detached observation.

One of my favorite meditation practices is applying detached observation to my breath. Like the CEO in the story, I initially struggle to release control. It’s tempting to adjust or influence my breathing, and I notice that even suppressing this urge can become a form of interference. Yet, as I sit quietly, observing each inhale and exhale without judgment or intervention, my body naturally takes over. This tidal rhythm of breath, unforced and unjudged, becomes a profound meditation. I wholeheartedly recommend this practice to anyone seeking a deeper connection with the present moment.