Kobe Bryant, known for his intense focus and demanding nature, meditated for at least 15 minutes every day.
He said that this practice provided him with calmness and control throughout the day. Intrigued by this detail, one individual decided to try incorporating this ritual into their daily routine for a week.
Bryant’s Daily Meditation Practice
Bryant would sit in silence every morning, allowing his thoughts to pass without distraction. He also meditated before games, visualising obstacles and mentally rehearsing his responses.
Bryant once said on “Oprah” that meditation provided an anchor for his day. Without it, he felt like he was constantly chasing the day instead of dictating it. He said he gained calmness and poise from the practice.
Experimenting With Silence
The initial attempt at meditating before bed proved challenging. Instead of observing thoughts with curiosity, the individual felt overwhelmed.
The next day, the experimenter reset and meditated in the morning after coffee, before checking email, for 20 minutes. The difference was immediate. They reported feeling focused and energised.
Morning Ritual
Sitting still for 20 minutes initially felt like a chore, but it was incorporated as a morning ritual. A clinical and sports psychologist, Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, described two types of fun: type I and type II.
Type I fun is enjoyable from start to finish, while type II fun is more demanding but satisfying in retrospect. At first, meditation felt like the latter.
Bryant’s meditation practice offered him a sense of control and calmness, setting a tone for the day ahead.