Blog-Off II Entry: SPIRITUALITY AT WORKPLACE – AN EMERGING CORPORATE FLAVOUR

SPIRITUALITY AT WORKPLACE – AN EMERGING CORPORATE FLAVOUR

 

Ubiquitous, has it become. Almost  phenomenal. Go anywhere & you find it present . Albeit, in various forms. Discussed , debated , accepted , subtly or overtly , & even ridiculed. Growing interests have made it assume importance in every corner of our lives, but of increasing importance & amazement is the paradigm shift  in attitude of corporate India. Well yes, you’ve guessed it right. We’re talking of Spirituality At The Workplace. The corporate souls seem to have awakened by this new business dimension. And, incredible , though it may sound, Spirituality at the workplace , is finally being recognized as a contemporary field of research & as a potent tool towards effective human asset management. What was earlier perceived as a corporate taboo & looked upon with suspicion, has emerged as the ultimate soul succour.

 

To unfold the surrounding mysticism, Spirituality at work place is simply put , such people oriented management practices that aim towards a holistic development of employees ; that approach of management which intends to nurture & develop the latent potential of it’s staff ; an honest acceptance of the fact that personal & professional lives of workers , do & can , exist together. It is finally, helping the workforce in finding their true self. It is business, discussing the satisfaction of the innermost realm of the human body – the soul . And  why not ?. The message ultimately is about the amalgam of what’s most meaningful in life , spirituality with , where one spends the most hours during the day , work .

 

It is true , as one would argue that , corporate India does not undertake anything without gainful ends. But , will not , a people centered approach , an optimum realization of employees’ potential , goals & aspirations , bring forth a more committed , motivated , productive , stress-free & loyal workforce ?. The cumulative effect would only be unprecedented profits in terms of employee retention & annual turnover. As of now, spirituality is being practiced in various forms in many organizations. Companies are sending their employees to attend sessions of Art Of Living & Vipassana courses . They even invite specialists to conduct these sessions on their premises , so that a larger section of their workforce can benefit. Reiki , Transcendental Meditation ( TM) , Yoga etc are some other forms of spirituality at workplace. And these are all about concentration of the mind , controlling your breath & activating your inner energies.

 

Workplace spirituality should not be confused with religion , as is the general tendency. In fact it is far off from it. Religion is exclusive & binding,

having an outer form , which comprises of rites, rituals, ceremonies, beliefs , myths & doctrines , all varying in nature. Every religion also has an inner core or essence , which consist of the universal teachings of morality & charity, of a disciplined & pure mind full of love , compassion , goodwill & tolerance. It is  only this common denominator, that links spirituality with religion & which needs to be emphasized. To quote Sri Sri RaviShanker , religion is the peel , while spirituality is the inner fruit.

  It is about corporate wholeness & not holiness. So, as such ,spirituality at workplace has no religious connotations, in the layman’s sense & an organization which encourages spiritual practices or to be more precise , which encourages workplace spirituality , should not be perceived as one , imposing religion  but as someone , concerned about the welfare & soulful development of it’s people , it’s society & the nation as a whole. It should be looked upon as a business, assimilating the sensibilities, values & psychological strengths of it’s people & in the process building up it’s emotional capital.

 

It’s time that we , as an integral part of this industry & our country , take up this clarion call which heralds the beginning of a new era in the corporate history. These spiritual management practices having their roots in our ancient ethos & culture, will definitely take the Indian corporate scene to a new zenith & believe me , will prove to be only mantra. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Aditya Sinha]

Dear Cherie,

Thanks for your visit and interest shown in the article.

This article has not been published earlier, though it was written as a part of research work for one of the University Journals in India.

Your help in propagating this, and assignments related to this would be of great help and worth.

Thanks!

[Cherie Byrd]

Who wrote this article? Where was it printed? I'd like to give them credit. Thank you!

[Cherie Byrd]

This is a beautiful and ESSENTIAL step for people everywhere. This is a path that I've been, so far, unsuccessful in integrating into corporate America. I will be forwarding your article with much appreciation. Thank you for lighting the path India!