Several years ago after I presented a workshop entitled "Spirituality at Work: Because You Can't Leave Home Without You?" I got a phone call from someone who saw the program booklet. She was very interested in the topic and wanted to know how to "get it" at her company. She went on to ask, "How can I implement spirituality in our organization?" My response was simple. "You can't. Spirituality isn't something you implement; it's something you are."
From that point on I became an ardent observer of this new "hot topic" and it's evolution in the corporate world. Let's be clear. Spirituality is not religion. Spirituality is an inner search for deeper meaning-a personal private journey. Or as Peter Block says in Servant Leadership "The process of living out a set of deeply held personal values, of honoring forces or a presence greater than ourselves. It expresses our desire to find meaning in, and to treat as an offering, what we do." If you want to bring spirituality into your company, just be spiritual.
Given that you can't leave home without you, your work can then become a place for your spiritual practice. Plus, some of the great spiritual teachers like Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi, HH The Dalai Lama, and Confucius, have much to teach us which can be directly applied to how we interact and live while at work.
For example, if you want to reduce stress and also become a better communicator, meditate and practice mindfulness. HH The Dalai Lama says, "Everyday I experience the benefits of peace of mind. It's very good for the body. As you might imagine, I am a rather busy man. I take many responsibilities upon myself, activities, speeches, trips. All that no doubt is a very heavy burden, and still I have the blood pressure of a baby. What's good for me is good for other people. I have no doubt on that score. Good food, a struggle against every excessive desire, daily meditation, all that can lead to peace of mind. And, peace of mind is good for the body." Not only is peace of mind good for the body, it is also good for the mind. Conscious, mindful communication reduces misunderstanding and increases productivity. Here's a simple exercise you can do anywhere, anytime to help you develop your present moment power.
Sit quietly by yourself. Follow your breath...sense the feeling of it as it comes in and goes out of your body. That's all there is to it. Just feel your breath and know you are breathing. Don't think about your breath, just be aware that you are breathing...normal breathing pace and depth. Simply note your breath...in breath...out breath...breathing in...breathing out...don't worry about getting anywhere...just stay with one full in-breath on its way in and one full out-breath on its way out. Keep your mind empty to just this moment. When thoughts appear, return your attention to your breath. Practice this ten minutes a day and you'll see an increase in your ability to be present moment focused-the key to better communication and deeper understanding. If you want to read more about this, pick up Jon Kabat-Zinn's book Wherever You Go, There You Are.
In Buddhist traditions, the Nobel Truths have much to teach us about how we interact and how we deal with change. The first says pain is inevitable and suffering is optional. Therefore, if you suffer, you choose to suffer. The second goes on to say that clinging causes suffering. So, if something isn't going the way you would like it to and you continue to dislike the situation, you are clinging to it and will most likely suffer. The solution is in the third Nobel Truth. Liberation happens when you let go. By letting go of those things you cannot control, you can be liberated. Now, let's see how this plays out at work.
Changes happen regularly and we often resist them. What you resist will persist. So, if you are clinging to negativity and resisting the change, suffering happens and you probably will be miserable at work. On the other hand, if you make a conscious choice to let go of what you cannot control (the specific implemented change) and accept it, you'll be liberated. Acceptance is not approval, consent, permission, agreement, compliance, support or even liking what is. Instead, acceptance is saying, "It just is." Another "spiritual practice" with work-related benefits can be found in the martial art of Aikido. If you translate it literally translated, it means the way of blending energy. In his book The Magic of Conflict, Tom Crum refers to Aikido and says, "all of life, including a physical attack, is energy with which to dance. Attacks are considered just another of the endless gifts of energy to be used creatively and harmoniously. It is important to accept and embrace the attack rather than try to get rid of it. Direct the flow of energy instead of being pushed around by it."
For example, an employee comes storming into your office upset about a decision you recently made. He's really angry and is clearly attacking you. Your first thought is to defend your position and so you do. This leads to a bigger argument, more defending and ultimately no one wins. What if you were to take an Aikido approach and via your self-talk, embrace the attack and direct the flow of energy through your words and body language, in other words, C.A.L.M. yourself? Let the employee rant and attack.. All the while you are Controlling your response, Assessing the situation, Listening carefully and Moving toward understanding. Once the attack is complete, respond with empathy i.e., "It's clear you're unhappy about this; let's explore what can be done." Maybe nothing can be done; at least you're showing that you care. (Be sure you really do care, however, because if you don't it will come through in your voice and body language and you will have defeated the whole interaction.) By not becoming defensive you have maintained your power, helped defuse the employee's anger and set the stage for an interaction where the probability for understanding has increased.
Once you jump on the spiritual path, it's hard to jump off. Those of us on the journey can choose to look at work as the ultimate spiritual classroom. Gandhi said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world." Let's simply be spiritual and spirituality will be at work.
(c) Nancy Stern 2004
Through her workshops, seminars and consulting projects, Nancy Stern MA, helps people keep connected through conscious communication because how you say what you say matters?. She can be reached at 800-280-2666 or on the web www.nancystern.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|


Although your creative ability and talent is something that God... Read More
God rides a Harley, God drives truck, God is a... Read More
"Quantum Physics is the science of gods? Newtonian Physics is... Read More
New Age Spirituality is all about getting back your power.... Read More
Connect with Your GodDo you at times, feel fearful, depressed,... Read More
"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as... Read More
Greetings Divine Ones, I am going to ask you a... Read More
Prayer. It's the foundation of a Christian mom's life. Why?... Read More
Before we tread into the domain of Past Life... we... Read More
As humans, we are the species that operate with symbols.... Read More
Angels, those divine beings of love and light, are here... Read More
There is power in meanings of the old images and... Read More
I am not enlightened, and yet,... Read More
Far to many people have become "followers" rather than BEING... Read More
As more and more alternative and spiritual healings are being... Read More
1. The name Uriel means "Light of God" or "Flame... Read More
The truth revealed as we read about Hazael also reminds... Read More
Karen was the name of the reception person, who sat... Read More
In the golfing world, yesterday may have been one of... Read More
Christianity: White man's religion?Martin Luther King referred to Sunday as... Read More
Recently it has come to my attention people are noticing... Read More
One thing that Jesus was NOT - was flashy. When... Read More
Do you ever feel that what you read in some... Read More
Last month, one of my readers needed a new car.... Read More
Green Principles: SoulBestABeing aware here now My path is progressive.... Read More
While study and pursuit of the Kundalini is considered part... Read More
Aristotle referred to happiness as the most we can achieve.... Read More
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in... Read More
Recently I was watching a re-run of "Everybody Loves Raymond".... Read More
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the... Read More
It happens to us all from time to time, especially... Read More
You can't help but feel a sense of electricity in... Read More
There was a time in my life when I seriously... Read More


An interesting question arose within a poetry workshop I attended... Read More
Originating in what is now modern India; Tantra is at... Read More
Most of our troubles are bought about by exercising our... Read More
One of the first things you will find that God... Read More
Whadda ya know?Seriously. With absolute certainty, what do you know?... Read More
As we proceed further into the 21st century there is... Read More
The famous prayer of Jabez, where Jabez prayed for prosperity,... Read More
We have to go through some unfortunate experiences sometimes in... Read More
The practice of meditating on loving-kindness may be over two... Read More
What is a Christian? According to The American Heritage® Dictionary... Read More
The human race had their beginning, and I had mine... Read More
The gate of every year is the begining of that... Read More
There is a concept in Jewish mystical thought known as... Read More
What does the story of your life say about you?... Read More
The contrast between the two men could not have been... Read More
Many may wonder what is God's will, or how do... Read More
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,... Read More
With excitement and anticipation I jumped on a plane last... Read More
Setting boundaries is a common expression that we hear almost... Read More
It is life, time for breathing deep, sighs and touching... Read More
The Mind in an Advanced Thought System:The center of our... Read More
Over the past years, I have undergone a life-altering transition... Read More
The possibility of almost 400 Old Testament prophesies coming to... Read More
Faith is the remarkable force that gives us the empowerment... Read More
Is it really possible that Don Juan could command the... Read More
The formula for spiritual growth is given briefly in 2... Read More
Welcome to the GOD 1.0 Tech Support Page. GOD 1.0... Read More
There is no incident in the life of Moses which... Read More
Our Creator is an infinitely loving and generous provider -... Read More
Is life challenging you to take a bigger leap? Are... Read More
African-American people are natural caretakers. We do a great job... Read More
For me, the best poetry stirs my soul; it awakens... Read More
â??Now is the time for all good men to come... Read More
Spirituality |