How does Vidit Gujrathi meditate and how it helps him in chess

Summary

In this insightful video, Grandmaster Vidiq reveals how his daily meditation practice with the Black Lotus app has enhanced his emotional regulation and mental clarity, benefiting both his chess performance and overall well-being. Through structured meditation activities like gratitude, breath work, and self-reflection, Vidiq has developed greater discipline and awareness, allowing him to recover faster from negative emotions and maintain focus under pressure. His meditation routine has become a crucial part of his success, not only in chess but in life, as he continues his streak of over 450 days of consistent practice.

Takeaways

• 😀 Grandmaster Vidiq, one of India's top chess players, meditates regularly as part of his daily routine, using the Black Lotus app.
• 😀 Vidiq has maintained a meditation streak for over 450 days, with a few missed days during tournaments, where missing a day results in a 10-day penalty.
• 😀 The meditation process consists of three main sections: Reflect, Act, and Evaluate, where Reflect involves mindfulness and meditation, Act involves kindness or breathwork, and Evaluate reflects on the day's experiences.
• 😀 Vidiq's meditation routine includes a variety of practices, such as expressing gratitude, doing kind acts, and watching videos on mindfulness or other inspirational topics.
• 😀 One of Vidiq's favorite meditation practices is silent meditation, where he focuses on being aware of his surroundings without guidance or music.
• 😀 The Act section of the app encourages users to perform simple acts of kindness, such as helping others, writing supportive comments online, or feeding animals.
• 😀 Vidiq practices expressing gratitude by reflecting on people who have supported him, including offering a virtual hug to those close to him.
• 😀 In the Reinforce section, Vidiq engages with motivational content like articles or videos, including those on mindfulness and the impermanence of thoughts.
• 😀 The Evaluate section helps Vidiq reflect on his mindset during the day, focusing on gratitude and mindfulness, and improving his ability to control emotions and avoid negative thinking.
• 😀 The meditation routine has helped Vidiq improve his emotional awareness, enabling him to recover from anger or frustration more quickly and act less impulsively.
• 😀 Vidiq believes that the meditation app has helped him develop discipline, stay calm under pressure, and stay focused—benefits that positively impact his chess game.

Q & A

What is Grandmaster Vidiq's meditation streak, and how does it relate to his chess practice?

Grandmaster Vidiq has maintained a meditation streak of over 450 days, with a short break during tournaments. This practice helps him develop discipline, emotional awareness, and mental clarity, all of which are essential for his success in chess.

What steps are involved in Vidiq's daily meditation routine with the Black Lotus app?

Vidiq's routine involves five key steps: Reflect (meditation), Act (performing acts of kindness), Express Gratitude (acknowledging people he’s thankful for), Reinforce (engaging with content like articles or videos), and Evaluate (reflecting on the day’s emotional state).

What kind of meditation does Vidiq practice in the 'Reflect' step of his routine?

In the 'Reflect' step, Vidiq practices silent meditation, focusing on being aware of his surroundings, such as sounds, smells, his breath, and his thoughts. This type of meditation is simple yet effective and can be done anywhere.

What role does gratitude play in Vidiq's meditation practice?

Gratitude is central to Vidiq’s meditation practice. In the 'Express Gratitude' step, he reflects on the people he is thankful for and often expresses this gratitude through gestures like sending a virtual hug or a kind word.

How does the Black Lotus app help users like Vidiq engage in acts of kindness?

The Black Lotus app includes a section where users can record acts of kindness, such as feeding birds or giving compliments. Vidiq can also read and upload inspiring stories of others’ kindness, fostering a sense of community and positive actions.

What mindfulness lesson did Vidiq reflect on during his meditation session?

Vidiq watched a video on mindfulness, which explained how to observe thoughts without judgment or attempts to change them. This lesson taught him that thoughts, like trains in a station, come and go, and the key is to observe them mindfully without emotional attachment.

How has Vidiq's meditation practice impacted his emotional regulation?

Meditation has helped Vidiq become more aware of his emotions, particularly anger. He has noticed that his recovery time after experiencing negative emotions is much quicker now, and he no longer reacts impulsively as often.

What benefits does Vidiq believe meditation has brought to his chess performance?

Vidiq believes meditation has enhanced his focus, discipline, and emotional control, all of which are crucial for peak performance in chess. His ability to remain calm and centered has likely contributed to his success as one of the top players in the world.

What feature of the Black Lotus app does Vidiq particularly enjoy for enhancing his meditation practice?

Vidiq enjoys the app's flexibility, including the ability to choose between guided or silent meditation, and the random 'Acts of Kindness' feature that introduces a new act or meditation practice each day.

Why does Vidiq find reading articles more enjoyable than watching videos in his meditation routine?

Vidiq prefers reading articles over watching videos because he finds it easier to digest and reflect on the written content. Articles, especially those by Swamiji, resonate more with him, providing deeper insights that support his meditation journey.