Productivity Secrets from Tibetan Monks (Beer &Meditation)

Alcohol consumption and religious devotion at monk-level status don’t frequently go hand-in-hand, in our modern way of thinking. Beer and wine actually have a long tradition with French and German monks of the Christian tradition, and if you look East you’ll find an even more long-standing relationship.

Many buddhist traditions celebrate beer consumption, seeing the brew as a way to help quiet or remove the the blocks that prevent individuals from merging with the universal oneness. For some Tibetan buddhists, beer is a way to help get things done in accordance with the better laws of nature, opening paths of least resistance to let the energy flow.

Don’t rush out to get liquored up just yet, though. Beer alone isn’t bound to be too effective, and in excess it can be decidedly counterproductive—something you probably don’t need a Tibetan monk to tell you. Pair beer with the practice of mindful meditation, though, and you might unlock some productivity secrets that can propel you to that next promotion, or enable you to transcend work for the nirvana of a nice vacation a little sooner than expected.

How Meditation and a Mild Buzz Can Promote a Better Work Output

Anyone who’s dipped a toe in the buddhist teachings might be taken aback by the notion that some high-level monks see no problem with a bit of boozing, and even encourage beer consumption to a certain degree. Alcohol is essentially verboten for most adherents to the religion, as it clouds the mind and tends to increase desire.

That’s where the meditation comes in.

When you practice mindful meditation consistently, you come to a point when you can leave behind the clamoring of your more base desires to focus on things of real import to the universe at large. Leaving behind the closed-off ego so you can open yourself to a broader awareness is one of the key goals of meditation, and once you’ve achieved some modicum of success with this you can actually encourage a more complete ego eradication with a bit of beer.

This is a practice that has been dubbed “mindful drinking” by some of Buddhism’s more light-hearted practitioners, with the idea being that once you’ve left most of your desires behind the alcohol can’t enflame them, but will really just help put you in a more relaxed and receptive state.
Now, relaxation and productivity often seem at odds in the Western way of thinking, but we know—from anecdotal as well as scientific evidence—that calm minds perform better and more efficiently than brains put into panic mode. The less frantic your thinking, the more focused it becomes, and the easier your energy flows into the tasks you have at hand.

Pick Up a Pint and Quiet the Mind

We definitely recommend diving into the meditation before you plunge into the beer, but once you feel prepared go ahead and pop that top—assuming you’re in a work environment where a bit of brew at your desk won’t lead to bitter recriminations. And if your boss needs a little convincing, go ahead and forward this article, then wow him with the amazing output level you’re capable of when the gears have been lubricated with a sampling of suds.