Beyond the Uniform

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BTU #340 - The Power of Meditation (Jon Macaskill)

Justin Nassiri
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Why Listen:

Jon went from 20 year Navy SEAL to a meditation instructor. In this interview we talk about Jon’s work with Veteran’s PATH, since I believe that every listener could benefit from this free program. We also talk about mindfulness, how it has helped both Jon and I, and what it is. We also talk about how Jon found his way to the non-profit space.

One note, in my introduction I use the wrong title for Jon’s role at Veteran’s PATH - it is actually Deputy Director - my apologies on the oversight… if Jon catches wind, and his SEAL training overrides his meditation training, I could be in trouble on this one.

About Jon:

Jon is the Deputy Director at Veteran’s PATH, a non-profit that enables returning veterans to rediscover meaning, purpose, and joy in their lives through mindfulness, meditation, and a safe community.

He started out at the Naval Academy, and since then has served as a Navy SEAL for nearly 19 years. For those who listened to episode #336 with Marguax Lohry on Tuck’s Next Step program, Jon is a graduate of that program as well. Our Sponsor: 

  • StoryBox- People trust each other more than advertising. StoryBox provides the tools and supports businesses need to take the best things customers say about them, and use them to drive more sales and referrals. StoryBox offers a 10% discount to companies employing veterans of the US Armed Forces.

  • Audible is offering one FREE audio book to Beyond the Uniform listeners. You can claim this offer here, and see a list of books recommended by my guests at BeyondTheUniform.io/books

Partners:

  • Have you ever wondered how you could become a more effective and balanced leader? Or how to find a team with a high degree of trust that performs at a level you’re accustomed to? Check out The Leadership Podcast where they study what makes the best leaders tick - including many who have moved "beyond the uniform" to reach new levels of success and fulfillment.

Selected Resources: 

Transcript & Time Stamps:

4:00

How would you describe mindfulness and meditation?

Mindfulness is being present in the here and now. It’s kind of like being  your dog. Your dog isn’t concerned with things it messed up yesterday or what might happen tomorrow. It’s only interested in what’s happening right now. 

In today’s world, we’re constantly worried about things we could have done differently in the past. We’re always worried. In the SEAL teams, I had some ups and downs. A psychologist recommended meditating to me and I laughed at him. I didn’t think it could be helpful to me. The psychologist continued to explain more about it and I made a commitment to meditate for a short amount of time each day. It wasn’t really working for me so I went back to the psychologist. He encouraged me to stick with it. After a couple months, I started seeing positive differences in the way I was handing situations in my life. 

Around the same time, I started to think about what I wanted to do after the military. Nothing was really sticking for me. But I realized that I had already begun to informally teach meditation to those around me. Eventually, I learned about the position at Veterans PATH through the COMMIT Foundation.  

10:15

What changes did you start to notice as you began meditating?

The biggest thing I’ve noticed is increased focus.

I have a three year old daughter and a ten month old son. When my daughter was a baby, I noticed that when I would hold her, I was occupied by so many other things going on in my life. But after I started meditating, I noticed that I was really able to focus on her. 

Meditation allows me to not think about stressors when I don’t need to be. It really builds on itself over time. 

13:40

Can you talk about the stigma that sometimes surrounds mediation?

Some of the most ancient warriors practiced mindfulness. But somewhere along the line, it became “weak”. 

In our brain, the amygdala is responsible for the fight or flight response. Our society has evolved faster than our brain has. Because of this, the amygdala can sometimes overreact. Meditation helps take control of this - it trains your brain to use the prefrontal cortex more often than the amygdala. 

I was listening to the podcast 10% Happier and they were talking to General Walter Piatt. He’s a mindfulness practitioner and he’s starting to implement meditation in the Army. His feeling is that meditation will allow soldiers to act more rationally on the battlefield. 

Veterans experience unique stressors in their lives. Meditation allows you to work through those stressors in a productive way. 

20:50

What is Veterans PATH?

Veterans PATH introduces veterans to the practices of mindfulness and meditation, typically in an outdoor setting. We try to get veterans back to a place of acceptance and peace. 

The organization was founded in 2008. We have retreats all over the country throughout the year. We work with veterans that have been exposed to traumatic stress during their military service. Going forward, we want to work with more active duty folks as well and grow the services that we offer. 

As I was transitioning out, I went to a Pursuing Your Purpose seminar in Colorado through the COMMIT Foundation. That’s where I made the initial contacts that lead me to Veterans PATH. I’m also currently taking advantage of the DoD Skillbridge Program which I encourage others to do as well. 

26:50

What is a meditation practice listeners can put to use right away?

There’s tons of apps - Insight Timer and Ten Percent Happier are two good ones. You also need to make the effort to set aside time each day for meditation. Start with just a couple minutes. Your mind is going to wander but try to just keep bringing it back. You’ll stat to get better and better at it over time. 

29:30

How did you approach what you wanted to do after the military?

I”ve been with Veterans PATH since last November so my experience in the nonprofit world is fairly limited. I think working for a nonprofit can be a great option for veterans because you feel like you’re helping people. I think that’s the same reason that a lot of us joined the military. 

In the Executive Director role, I work for Veterans PATH’s Board of Directors. It’s kind of like they’re the CO and the Executive Director is the XO. 

I’m also taking classes at the Norfolk Community College toward a certificate in nonprofit management. 

33:05

Can you talk a little more about the retreats you offer?

The retreats are no cost to the veteran. We pay for the veterans to go through the retreat. We do ask that veterans pay for their own travel to and from the retreat. The retreats are 1, 3 or 5 days long. Eventually, our goal is to get mindfulness added into the Transition Assistance Program. 

36:40

Are there any other resources you would recommend?

We have our own podcast - we talk to veterans and elite athletes about why they practice mindfulness and meditation. 

Dan Harris’s Ten Percent Happier is excellent. 

I also recommend The Unbeatable Mind podcast and Tim Ferriss’s podcast. 

A book that I recommend is The Happiness Factor. 

40:42

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I thought transitioning out of the military was going to be very easy. I thought that because I was a Naval Academy graduate and had been a SEAL, that transitioning out was going to be simple. Through the COMMIT Foundation, I received a book called Designing Your Life. That book really helped me identify what I wanted to do. Another great book to help you as you leave the military is The Transition Mission.