Higher education is often seen as the pathway to a successful corporate career, but fresh graduate Peter Chan Kin-yan has his sights set on a path less travelled – promoting the practice of meditation. “In Hong Kong, results are highly valued, so it is hard to ask people to sit down and feel the flow of their thoughts. That’s why we need to get innovative,” Chan, 23, says. He secured his degree in psychology from the University of Hong Kong last June and soon set up Treehole HK, a start-up that organises meditation workshops for companies’ staff training. Chan says the name conjures up images of “a private space, where one can take some time to think about what he or she really wants”. Treehole’s classes aim to help people develop concentration and communication skills. “I want to build a ‘mind gym’, a place for everyone to take mental strength training,” he says. According to Chan, in a goal-oriented society, even children and young adults are driven to secure results. “For example, kids go to extracurricular classes often not because they are interested, but because it may look good on a résumé in future. How mindfulness and meditation turned a workaholic’s life around “In such a stressful society, meditation can be a good way to alleviate this kind of intensity,” he says. However, getting people to buy into the concept is the main challenge in a city where the culture of competition is everywhere. A survey last year by NGO the Hong Kong Playground Association found one in three city residents aged between six and 24 suffered from anxiety, stress or depression. The study showed the heavy workload placed on students was a major reason and many did not get enough exercise or sleep – described as basic needs. Treehole offers mindfulness sessions on a regular basis for anyone interested. The company has so far served between 700 and 1,000 people, who Chan says are typically in their 20s. Besides corporations, it also runs workshops for 10 other organisations, including NGOs and corporations. The fee is HK$200 (US$25) per class for the public. During a 100-minute session, 20 to 30 participants are guided through meditation for 50 minutes before the group are encouraged to share philosophical thoughts or things on their mind. Meditation demystified: how even a minute of mindfulness helps keep you in the moment and make you mellow Other activities such as hiking and food-tasting are sometimes added in the curriculum, to show that “meditation can take any form in daily life”, according to Chan. “I think it’s important that people understand the theory of meditation, because you really need to have determination to stick with it,” he says. Rina Chan Sin-yi, a regular participant at Treehole courses, says she likes how the classes explain the benefits behind what she is doing. “When I learn about the psychology and philosophy related to it, I feel more capable of reflecting on myself from a distance.” The self-reflection helps her keep calm and adjust when negative thoughts emerge, the 25-year-old dentist says. Peter Chan, who manages Treehole himself, says he puts a lot of effort into coming up with “more practical” ways for busy Hongkongers to practise mindfulness. One such method is MTR meditation training, during which participants try to meditate while listening to recordings of subway noise. He says that while in general, meditation is better done in a quiet setting, this may be a luxury for busy Hongkongers in a bustling city. Chan stresses his courses focus on “empowerment” rather than “fixing mental health problems”. He concedes that some may deem his methods odd given the stereotypes surrounding meditation, which is often linked to religious practices. “I’ve had friends ask me if I am in some kind of cult,” he quips. How to meditate with your eyes open and find calm with the help of an app His interest in mindfulness was piqued when he found life overwhelming as an exchange student at the University of Oxford. “I used to be a quitter whenever there was a setback. And as a kid I could never settle down in class. The teacher once asked my parents to take me for a check-up to see if I had attention deficit disorder. “Meditation helps me realise there is no need to avoid setbacks,” he says. Meditation can be a valuable lesson for many Hongkongers, who are often under heavy pressure and “bound to all the goals in life”, he adds. Treehole has seen gradual growth since last June, according to Chan, and he expects to expand the business after finding partners. A part-time crew of six currently staff the centre. In the spirit of what he preaches – being mindful and in the moment while maintaining a positive outlook – he sums up his company: “Until now, what I’ve been doing has been largely about letting Hongkongers discover us, but I’d say the business definitely has huge potential.”