I just ran across a brilliant video from the folks over at the Here and Now Project. Their comments about meditation being a social activity rather than an individual activity are quite refreshing.
Here’s the two minute video:
Interconnectedness
Meditation does start with the individual. So, in that sense there is certainly an aspect to it that is solitary. It’s about exploring our mind and understanding the habits of the mind that lead to suffering.
The beauty of the practice is this: As we continue to mediate and as we start to cultivate a sense of what it truly means to be awake, we start to relate to the world in a completely new way – a way that’s aware of the innate interconnectedness between all living things rather than the closed off, ego centered sense of self that leads to dysfunctional ways of relating to other people and the world itself.
This is the social aspect of meditation. It might sound trite, but the change we want truly does start with us. If not us, then who?
Impact on Business
I have been thinking about this a lot lately……like, a TON. How can organizations be more mindful? I think it starts with changing priorities. Shifting from a profit orientated mindset to a mindset that focuses on joy and creating value while at the same time contributing to the greater good of the whole.
I think a lot of businesses talk about creating value, but it’s really just masking value as profit generation. As stated above, I think change starts at the individual level and this is where meditation and mindfulness can help. Organizations are constantly changing; they’re essentially organic entities although we may not think of them that way. The value of the organization starts with the people that make up the organization.
This is why I’m a huge fan for the Results Orientated Work Environment (ROWE) movement. ROWE automatically makes employees and businesses more conscious of what it is they are doing and why. It can be scary because this quickly spirals all the way up to the top levels of the organization and the overall mission of the organization. Is it clear? Are employees behind this mission? More importantly, are the employees happy? Do they feel challenged? Do they know what’s expected of them? Are they given freedom and autonomy or is there a toxic work environment/culture?
Think about the most recent meeting you attended. How many people had their laptops with them? How many were scrolling through their smart phone, half paying attention? How would the dynamic change if there was a brief period of silence before the meeting started? If nobody brought their laptops and smart phones? If everyone was on the same page as to what the purpose of the meeting was? Now, that’s social meditation. Being present as a group.
The change can start with you. What kind of mindset do you bring to work? Do you think of yourself as a ‘wage slave’ working for the man? If so, it might be good to explore that a little bit. Ask yourself ‘What do I do here?’ ‘What is my role?’ More importantly, it might be good to ask yourself, ‘How can I be more mindful of the work I do?’
I’d love to hear your stories and opinions on the workplace. What are your experiences?
I’m Nate, a writer, mindfulness practitioner and student of the inner workings of the mind.
As always, really thought provoking ideas
This whole idea of being connected at work is interesting, and something that I’ve also been wondering a lot about for years. My twist has been whether there is a way for me to find working for others meaningful, but a lot of what is meaningful comes from being connected.
The thing is, I chose to become a teacher rather than a lawyer or an engineer. Although I was advised at school to become something “better” than a teacher, what attracted me to the profession was a chance to be really connected with others, students and colleagues. My 8 years of teaching experience have unfortunately shown me that you are no more likely to feel a sense of connection in a school than in any other workplace.
I have definitely had moments of strong connection with students, we have enjoyed each other’s company and shared a lot of banter while getting on with the job of churning our way through the heavy curriculum. But outside the classroom, with colleagues, the idea of a connected community is an illusion, it’s really all about money, and this is even within the prism of a christian setting.
It’s gotten such that I’m wondering how much longer I can go on teaching. I chose it as a path of connection and meaning, and have been disappointed. Were my expectations too high? Probably. All I know is the sense of disillusionment has caused me more pain than I was bargaining for.
What’s your workplace like?
Mirella´s last [type] ..Your World is a Construct
Mirella – the thing is, I’m not necessarily sure there’s anything wrong with being an engineer, attorney, etc….or that being a teacher is a more meaningful career (I think you’d agree based on your above comments). And this is what I’m starting to question. What does truly make us happy? Why are we constantly searching outside (e.g. a job) for happiness and fulfillment? I think it’s up to us to create meaning in our lives, including through work, however, I think many of us our brought up in an educational system where we don’t truly get to cultivate and use our innate gifts and strengths….we may not even know what the hell they are. I for sure struggle with this so this is certainly not to say I know the answer.
I run into a lot of the same problems that you do at work and I used to…well, I still do..take an approach that it’s the job, or the other people, or whatever…but now I’m wondering if it’s more me. You know, maybe my job is not the right fit, but what I need to do is figure out what that right fit would be. I think that meaning can be found in any job and I think we can make a difference, however, we have to start right here with us. If we’re not happy with something then I think that’s worth examining from an internal perspective first. This can certainly be done through meditation. From that point of view we our empowered. We’re not a victim. So even if we are not relating to something in a positive way we can have the fortitude and mental clarity to make a decision in the present moment as to how to respond to the situation we’re in.
Certainly not an easy task, but one I’m beginning to explore and would love to help people with.
I agree, everything in life is to do with personal perception. The only person who can influence your perception is yourself.
It’s often so difficult to live in a world that is outside ourselves but realise that the way we live within it is all about what’s in ourselves.
I often find myself starting from the outside working in, instead of the other way around, and of course these are the situations where I experience the most problems and the most dissatisfaction.
This little conversation has reminded me once again where my focus should be and to work more on my own perceptions.
Mirella´s last [type] ..Would You Go To Mars
Mirella – I think that’s a very good starting point. The power lies with us. It might also be good to start questioning happiness? Where does it come from? I’m exploring this more and more.
Nate, I work in the area of sustainable development and climate change, and one of the big challenges is to get organisations to think about how they could work more sustainably.
In a way that is connected to what you’re saying because it’s about mindfulness and awareness too, as you are asking people to fundamentally question the way they go about their business and to come up with better ways of working. It’s not an easy task!
Milo´s last [type] ..Er- Maybe Print Isn’t Dead After All Then
Milo – thanks for stopping by. I appreciate the comments! Yup, it’s absolutely not an easy task, but it’s certainly one that we need to address. And before we address the ‘out there’ issues we need to address the issues with us. Do we know who we are? Are we compassionate towards ourselves? Do we truly love ourselves and accept ourselves? When we start examining these questions we might start to see that we don’t really know or that there is a question there. So, once we start to cultivate this awareness and mindfulness…once we start to live it, then it spreads. This is where it becomes a social activity as suggested in the video above.
Very true Nate, it’s amazing how much work it takes to get to know yourself and what you *really* want. Take that old adage, be careful what you wish for – how many of us get what we want at some level and then realise we’re still miserable?
Even though I feel I’ve gotten somewhere in the last few years in terms of working on this stuff, I reckon I’m still only scratching at the surface!