Spirit at Work-article response

Spirituality at Work

I particularly enjoyed the articles by Andrew Beath and William C. Miller. Both of these articles expressed my desire to make my work and path one so well. It has been a journey itself just to come to this place of realizing how important it is to me that my work be embodied. Reading these articles strengthened my resolve to follow my bliss.

It interesting how often beginning to follow one’s bliss puts one into conflict with ones enculturation. To explain, I feel absolutely sure of my direction when I consult my inner-self but then the old, negative “gotta fit into societies expectations” tape starts running through my head, creating self doubts. Beath (2006) states, “Not knowing enables us to put aside our entrenched ideas and reactive behaviors. Intellect and intuition become more balanced. It is a place of open mind and heart accompanied by wonderment, where spirit is readily available” (p.12). It is this place of “not knowing” and trust that I am working to bring into my everyday life. Perhaps thinking about the information in the articles will help shut down the negative tape. I am hoping so; I plan to keep them as they are genuinely relevant to me.

Presently, trusting and living from the sacred as much as possible seems the best way to bring spirituality into my workplace. I connect with my students better when I am centered there; they seem to sense that I never judge them and only see who they are now—not the person whose behaviors got them there in the first place. I feel that this is the best way to embody my spirituality and work in my present job. Of course, there are some practical things I can do as well: make my office more reflective of my inner state and remember to meditate each day in my office. Until I am prepared to move into the work I truly want to do, these practical actions will have to suffice.

I was gratified to read of creativity in the workplace in the article by Miller. I have long desired to have my work be creative and fun, which is, of course, very subjective. It is odd how much guilt used to come up around that idea. My socialization around work is that it is very hard, very serious, and earning a living should not be taken lightly. By God, no fun allowed! I tried working in the corporate world because of that socialization, thinking it what I “should” do and it was horrible. I am grateful for these hellish experiments: I know with all my being that I do not belong in such a sterile environment. Miller (1999) states regarding creativity and business, “When managers anchored their creative energy in something they found personal, compelling, and emotionally real, they touched their creative commitment” (vol. 2, no 5). An atmosphere that encourages us to bring our being into our work is generally successful. I wonder why so few corporate structures incorporate this idea into the work place.

Finally, the foremost reason I am studying in order to follow a different career path is because I desire to BE my work. For me, that looks like loving what I do, bringing my best, essential nature to my work, and yes, having fun while doing it! Miller (1999) says, “Work is the opportunity to deepen and express an experience of Oneness with all beings through selfless service” (vol. 2, no. 5). This is what embodying our work looks like for me. By studying, practicing, and planning, I hope to bring the sacred into everything I do. I plan to follow my own path whether those around me approve or even denigrate it. To bring my best self, my sense of spirit, and creativity to my work is my ultimate goal. I am making my best attempt to live in a place of spirit now, even when it is a struggle.

References

Beath, A. (2006). Navigating the future: a guide for conscious activism. Shift: The

Frontiers of Consciousness, 12, pp11-15.

Miller, C. W., (1999). Spirituality, creativity, and business. The Inner Edge, 2(5).