When was the last time you sat in complete silence, with no phone, no emails, and no talking for five days straight?
Sounds impossible, right? Especially if you’re a lawyer or business owner in Los Angeles, where the pressure is constant and the pace rarely slows. But for Pankaj Raval, managing partner of Carbon Law Group, this experience wasn’t just a break from the daily grind; it was a deep reset. A chance to sit still, breathe, and reconnect with something essential.
In this week’s episode of Letters of Intent, attorney Sahil Chaudhry sits down with Pankaj to unpack his experience attending a five-day silent meditation retreat. They dive into the structure of the retreat, the emotional and mental breakthroughs that followed, and how mindfulness is reshaping how Pankaj approaches law, leadership, and life.
Whether you’re a stressed-out entrepreneur, an overworked professional, or just someone looking for more clarity and purpose, this story offers valuable insights on how mindfulness can sharpen your edge, not dull it.
Finding Stillness in a World That Never Stops
Let’s be real: lawyering is high-pressure work. Deadlines loom, clients depend on you, and you’re often juggling strategy, negotiations, and complex emotions—yours and everyone else’s.
So when Pankaj, a busy managing partner, told his team he’d be off-grid for five days at a silent meditation retreat, it raised some eyebrows.
But for him, the decision wasn’t random. It was years in the making. His early exposure to meditation came while working in India with IndieCore, a social entrepreneurship incubator. From practicing mindfulness with peace advocates to learning directly from Tibetan monks, Pankaj’s path toward mindfulness was seeded early.
And yet, like many of us, he lost touch with it during law school. Only when preparing for the bar exam—a notoriously stressful period—did he revisit the practice. He signed up for his first meditation retreat, and the experience was transformative.
“Someone literally told me I looked five years younger when I got back,” he recalls with a laugh. “I just felt so present—like I could feel the bounce of a basketball in slow motion.”
The Structure of Silence: Life at a Meditation Retreat
The retreat was held at the beautiful Big Bear Retreat Center in Southern California, a peaceful, minimalist haven surrounded by nature.
After a communal dinner and a few introductions, participants entered what’s called “noble silence.” No talking, no phones, no distractions. Just hours upon hours of meditation: sitting, walking, breathing, observing.
Days began at 6 a.m. and ran until 9:30 p.m. with little more than meals and Dharma talks (teachings from instructors) breaking up the silence.
And for someone as naturally social and outgoing as Pankaj?
“It was hard. I’m the guy who loves getting to know people. But I also realized the real work starts with getting to know yourself.”
What Arises, Falls Away: Embracing Impermanence
One of the most powerful insights from the retreat? The concept of impermanence.
In Buddhism, impermanence—or “anicca”—is the idea that everything is constantly changing. Emotions, thoughts, relationships… even suffering.
“I realized everything that has the power to arise also has the power to fall away,” Pankaj says. “That applies to anxiety, anger, even stress.”
It’s a liberating idea. Instead of clinging to difficult emotions or chasing fleeting moments of happiness, you begin to observe everything with a kind of compassionate detachment.
Back home, this helped Pankaj handle a particularly emotional parenting moment with more grace and patience. Rather than reacting, he responded—with presence, softness, and love.
“I wasn’t trying to ‘fix’ my kids’ emotions. I just held them. That moment made me realize the power of mindfulness in real life.”
Mindfulness in Legal Practice: Not Just a Buzzword
If you’re thinking, “Okay, this is all beautiful, but what does it have to do with law?”—the answer is: everything.
Pankaj shares how one particularly tense client interaction used to leave him feeling angry, defensive, and resentful. But now, instead of holding onto those feelings, he’s learned to observe them—and let them go.
“I realized that holding onto ill will doesn’t serve me or my client. And that shift helped me listen better, advise better, and feel better.”
Mindfulness didn’t make him a softer attorney. It made him a sharper one.
Why? Because he’s not operating from stress or ego. He’s coming from clarity.
Listening Like a Lawyer (But Better)
One of Pankaj’s biggest takeaways?
“Deep listening is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone.”
In his legal practice, that means fully tuning into a client’s fears, concerns, and goals before jumping into a solution. It’s about creating space to hear what’s really going on.
This deeper kind of listening improves trust, communication, and outcomes—whether it’s drafting a contract, resolving a dispute, or guiding a startup founder through equity decisions.
Meditation Myths: Do I Have to Be a Monk?
Short answer: nope.
You don’t need to disappear into the mountains or spend five days in silence to start meditating. In fact, Pankaj recommends starting small.
Try a meditation app like:
Even a few minutes a day—before your morning coffee or after a long call—can make a difference.
Everyday Mindfulness: How to Bring the Retreat Home
The retreat may be over, but the practice continues. Here are a few ways Pankaj incorporates mindfulness into daily life:
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Walking meditation: Slow down. Feel each step. Tune into your body.
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Mindful eating: No phones, no TV—just you and your food.
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Breath awareness: One deep breath before responding to an email.
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Digital detoxes: Turn off notifications. Leave your phone in another room.
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Gratitude pauses: Take a moment to appreciate who and what surrounds you.
Even small changes can ripple into a big impact, especially for professionals juggling fast-paced careers.
Why Mindfulness Isn’t Soft—It’s Strategic
There’s a misconception that mindfulness is about stepping back, slowing down, or losing your edge. But in reality, it’s the opposite.
“It sharpens your edge,” Pankaj insists. “You make better decisions. You act with intention. You’re less reactive and more creative.”
And in a field like law, where high-stakes decisions, negotiations, and conflict resolution are part of the daily grind, that kind of clarity is a superpower.
The Letter of Intent: A New Kind of Contract
In a beautiful closing moment, Sahil asked Pankaj: If you were to write a ‘letter of intent’ based on your experience, what would it say?
Here’s what he offered:
“May I be happy. May I be safe. May I be free of suffering. May I be of service to others. And may I live a life of joy and peace so I can contribute to this world.”
A simple, powerful intention. One that any of us—lawyer or not—can borrow.
Final Thoughts: Mindfulness Is for the Busy Ones
The busier your life is, the more you probably need mindfulness.
That’s not a contradiction—it’s the truth. And as Pankaj’s journey shows, incorporating stillness into a noisy world isn’t about escaping. It’s about anchoring.
For legal professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs constantly navigating high-pressure decisions, a mindfulness practice offers clarity, emotional resilience, and a deeper connection to clients, teams, and ourselves.
If you’ve been curious about meditation—or wondering how to bring more balance into your life—let this be your invitation.
Start small. Stay consistent. And remember, the more present you become, the more powerfully you can lead.
🔗 Learn More
Visit carbonlg.com to explore how our mindful, client-centered approach to business law can support your growth.
🎧 Listen to the Episode
Letters of Intent: Pankaj Raval on Mindfulness, Law, and Letting Go
📩 Let’s Connect
Connect with Pankaj on LinkedIn
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