*By Carlo Versano* Overworked and stressed-out? Take a cue from the top tech firms in Silicon Valley and start a mindfulness practice. Even five minutes a day of meditation can make a difference in overall stress levels ー at least, that's how much Gelong Thubten said he tells his students do initially. Thubten, a Buddhist monk and educator, is often recruited by firms like [Google](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0wg1Pv0pfM) and [Marvel Studios](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/how-buddhist-monk-helping-biggest-12157973) to teach mindfulness to executives, engineers, actors, and just about anyone who buckles under the strain of the modern world. Thubten also speaks at prisons and schools. He said Tuesday in an interview on Cheddar that the techniques of mindfulness are the same whether you're a billionaire CEO or incarcerated. "It's something you can do on your own," he said. "The mind is the mind." Mindfulness has reached trend status in corporate America, but its simplicity makes it an ideal coping mechanism for anyone, regardless of industry. "The stress levels have gone so high," Thubten said. And technology has only made matters worse. "Nowadays people are eating their lunch and looking at other people eating their lunch on social media," he added. Thubten focuses on teaching his students to carve out "tiny moments of mindful connection throughout the day" in addition to a home practice. During these "tiny drop-ins," the student is instructed to focus on his or her senses, awareness of breathing, and body, and prime the mind to be more conducive to a state of awareness. To that end, Thubten developed an app, Samten, to guide users on their "mindful moments." Thubten said he's well aware of the irony contained in developing a technology product to help people who are stressed by technology. Still, he said, it's an attempt to bring his teachings beyond the boardrooms and into the lives of people who could use some "mindful moments" in their days. That is, almost everyone. For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/the-buddhist-monk-teaching-mindfulness-in-major-tech-companies).

Share:
More In Business
Starbucks’ Change Flushes Out a Debate Over Public Restroom Access
Starbucks’ decision to restrict its restrooms to paying customers has flushed out a wider problem: a patchwork of restroom use policies that varies by state and city. Starbucks announced last week a new code of conduct that says people need to make a purchase if they want to hang out or use the restroom. The coffee chain's policy change for bathroom privileges has left Americans confused and divided over who gets to go and when. The American Restroom Association, a public toilet advocacy group, was among the critics. Rules about restroom access in restaurants vary by state, city and county. The National Retail Federation says private businesses have a right to limit restroom use.
Trump Highlights Partnership Investing $500 Billion in AI
President Donald Trump is talking up a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, will start building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas, according to the White House. The initial investment is expected to be $100 billion and could reach five times that sum. While Trump has seized on similar announcements to show that his presidency is boosting the economy, there were already expectations of a massive buildout of data centers and electricity plants needed for the development of AI.
Load More