By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Slam The Gavel.

When a legal battle stretches over eight years, drains finances, and coincides with the loss of a loved one, most people brace for more conflict. Colin Cheney, a mindfulness coach from Mentone, Victoria, flips that script. He tells host Maryann Petri how staying rooted in the present turned a “deepest, darkest night of the soul” into the spark for his book, Six Circles of Mindfulness, and a new way of handling crisis.

From Courtroom Chaos to Mindful Clarity

Cheney’s journey began when a corporate lawsuit—described as a “vindictive case”—escalated to the Supreme Court for an eight‑day trial. The legal fight cost him heavily, both financially and emotionally, especially as he coped with his mother’s cancer diagnosis and the responsibility of raising two children as a single parent. “It was a really traumatic time that put everything I knew and practiced to the test,” he explains.

During this period, Cheney turned to meditation not as a luxury but as a survival tool. He describes the practice as “crisis meditation,” a brief, focused session that allows the mind to observe turmoil without becoming entangled. “It’s just letting everything sit there and allowing a relaxed mind just to be present with it,” he says, contrasting it with longer, routine meditation that seeks deeper states of awareness.

The Six‑Circle Framework Explained

The core of Cheney’s teaching is the Six Circles model, an evolution of his earlier Five‑Circle concept. The framework guides individuals from basic present‑moment awareness to integrating that presence into daily roles—whether as a business leader, parent, or friend. He emphasizes that true mindfulness is not an escape but a “director” of one’s actions: “How does that place become a conversation? How does that place become a counsellor, coach, father, friend?”

By cultivating a state where “the heart is open and you’re connected to your body and the various aspects of your life,” users can approach stressful interactions—like a contentious text exchange in a custody dispute—with greater calm and clarity.

Applying Mindfulness to Family‑Court Challenges

Family‑court cases often amplify emotional intensity, leaving parents feeling “beside themselves.” Cheney notes that many people struggle to meditate when overwhelmed, likening the experience to the science‑fiction concept of “grok”—a protective, fetal‑position surrender to feeling. He suggests that allowing oneself to simply “be” during a crisis can prevent the “backlog of disconnection” that drains personal energy.

He also stresses the importance of professional support. While mindfulness can soften the emotional blow, Cheney advises seeking therapy and, if necessary, switching therapists until a good fit is found. “I can’t give legal advice, but I always encourage people to talk to a therapist,” he says, underscoring the complementary role of mental‑health professionals in legal battles.

Beyond the Courtroom: Broader Implications for Wellness

The conversation highlights a growing intersection between legal stress and mental‑health resilience. By framing present‑moment awareness as a practical tool rather than a spiritual fad, Cheney makes mindfulness accessible to those navigating the often‑hostile environment of family courts.

His story illustrates how adversity can become “rocket fuel” for positive change, a sentiment that resonates with anyone facing prolonged conflict. As Cheney puts it, “Bad experiences actually end up being the rocket fuel for a lot of positive things that we do. They are also the times where we go through the most learning and wisdom.”

For families caught in the legal system, the takeaway is clear: cultivating present‑moment awareness can transform the courtroom from a battlefield into a space for thoughtful decision‑making and emotional stability.

The full episode of Slam The Gavel is available on OBBM Network TV.