Leadership and Meditation— In an Age of Instability

Approximately fifteen years ago, I conducted research on leadership. My doctoral dissertation was titled Transcendent Leadership — From the Individual to the Whole.

“Transcendent leadership” refers to a way of being that invites a shift in consciousness—one that moves beyond existing frameworks and divisions, and beyond the narrow perspective of the individual self. It enables contribution to communities, society, and ultimately the planet as a whole. It is not about personal achievement or the pursuit of influence, but about supporting and guiding the world through a deeper connection. This was the form of leadership I was exploring.

Even then, society was entering an era of uncertainty. The widening of economic disparity, growing instability, the diversification of values, and the worsening of environmental issues had already created a pervasive sense of confusion—a sense of not knowing what to believe in. Leaders were expected to move forward even without clear answers, as if they were supposed to have them.

Fifteen years later, this trend has only intensified. Today, regardless of title or position, each of us faces similar walls. Social media overwhelms us with information. Divisions have deepened. Clear answers are increasingly hard to find. Our hearts grow restless with anxiety and urgency. Our minds and bodies tire easily. We are living in an unstable time.

That is why, now more than ever, we need a steady heart rooted in the present moment, no matter what arises.

As part of my research, I interviewed approximately thirty leaders. What struck me most was that every one of them had consciously integrated meditation into their daily lives as a spiritual practice.

In a world where inner stability is increasingly difficult to sustain, we often feel lost, uncertain where to turn, or what is right.And yet, even in such moments, the present moment is always here.

Even when we don’t know what to believe, “now” lives within each of us. There, quietly breathing, are the inner resources of safety, calm, peace, and creativity. Whoever we are, wherever we are—we can always begin from here.

What is being asked of us now is this:

To become free from reflexive reactions rooted in past wounds, experiences, and trauma.

To become aware of our own judgments.

And to clearly discern what actually is.

Instead of reacting unconsciously, we can breathe deeply, return to the steady ground of now, and choose to act with clarity, constructively, harmoniously, and wisely.

Transcendent leaders hold space for the human spirit to be seen, supported, and empowered, so that we move forward together.

And—anyone, anytime, can return to this present moment. That kind of inner training is precisely what Zen practice offers.

What exists is “how things are right now.” If we return to that, there will no longer be any confusion.

Let’s begin here and now.

Wildflowers live quietly and beautifully.

The words and Photo by K E I K O