Spirituality at Work Because You Cant Leave Home Without You

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

Apply to become part of Student Spirituality Committee UST Bulletin Today, MN - 8 hours ago Students of all religious traditions are welcome to apply to become part of a new Student Spirituality Committee at St. Thomas. ... USG hosts State of the University Forum UST Bulletin Today all 2 news articles

Spirituality, Evidence-Based Medicine, and Alcoholics Anonymous Am J Psychiatry (subscription) - 20 hours ago Spirituality is defined by those deeply felt beliefs that give meaning to a person’s life. Although spirituality can be embodied in a religious orientation, ...

Holidays of Spirituality Versus Commercialism First Coast News, FL - 15 hours ago Ginny Highsmith told First Coast News she's looking forward to a more spiritual Christmas. "Jesus is the reason for the season!" said Highsmith. ...

Supply-side spirituality World Magazine, NC - 20 hours ago Then it also hit me that, though he wasn’t making a theological argument, Gilder had touched on something spiritual, which is that our darkened hearts are ...

The Creative Arts - Where Spirituality and Religiosity Clash Magazine of Santa Clarita, CA - Dec 1, 2008 The creative arts and their expression have always been a crossroads where spirituality and religiosity clash. Christmas Eve 1818 at the church of St. ...

Spirituality institute to celebrate first 10 years Charleston Gazette,  USA - Nov 28, 2008 The West Virginia Institute for Spirituality will celebrate 10 years of service to the community with an open house from 2 to 4 pm Dec. ... Keeping the faith important in tough times Charleston Gazette all 2 news articles

If the spirituality moves you Boston Globe, United States - 8 hours ago "Babelesque," the new show by the Bellydance Superstars, is described in the press package as "playful and spiritual," so feel free to tell folks that ...

Spirituality: Students shared their views on spirituality The Daily Advertiser, LA - Nov 28, 2008 Speaking to teenagers about spirituality isn't the scariest thing I've ever done, but it comes close. While it didn't qualify for hostile fire pay, ...

ABC News

Former Art Professor, 13-Year-Old Daughter Killed in Attacks Washington Post, United States - Nov 28, 2008 By Kendra Nichols and Emily Wax Twelve years ago, Alan Scherr committed his life to meditation and spirituality, moving his family to the Synchronicity ... Missions of faith end in sorrow Chicago Tribune Synchronicity, tragedy and Mumbai GetReligion 2 Virginians, Alan Scherr and daughter Naomi, amongst the many ... New York Daily News New York Times - Baltimore Jewish Times all 750 news articles

Anne Rice shares personal tales of spirituality The State Journal-Register, IL - Nov 29, 2008 Author Anne Rice’s latest release is a memoir, “Called Out of the Darkness: A Spiritual Confession.” By SUSAN LARSON “I’m not a natural memoir writer,” Anne ...