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"Spirit," from the Latin "spiritus" for "breath," refers to all that makes us uniquely who we are and yet most connected to all that is. It includes our compassion, our drive to see and fulfill our purpose on earth, our sense of wonder. It's the part of us that seeks and finds meaning and wisdom in myriad ways, from a quiet walk in the woods, to membership in a faith community or other group. It's our most authentic self, the source of our most natural ethical behavior.
"Spirit and work" (also called "workplace spirituality" or similar names) means integrating spiritual values and practices (such as compassion or meditation) with the practical realities of work. In the process, work becomes much more than what we do for a living. It's a service, an opportunity for growing and learning, a way to express our creativity and fulfill a life purpose.
Integrating spirit and work typically brings many benefits.
- Work is less stressed and more efficient. Because it is more purposeful and meaning, burnout is not an issue.
- We are better able to make wise decisions about any work issue.
- There is more time after work for personal life, creativity, family, and service to others.
- Integrity blossoms in all its meanings: authenticity, resonance between values and actions, honesty, and justice-making.
- There is a seamless integration of what matters most with practical realities.
- Creativity and joy at work become common.
Definitions of "spirit and work" are highly personal. Ask ten people what "spirit" means, and you will get at least ten different answers. Ask them another time, and you are likely to get ten more. That's why many discussions of spirit and work often begin with the question, "What does spirit mean to you? Why does it matter to you?"
One of the best ways to begin practicing spirit and work is to reflect on your own values that you'd like to put to work. Imagine how you can adapt spiritual practices to your workplace challenges and opportunities. Next, start talking with others you trust. Ask them how spirit might help them bring more integrity, purpose and joy to their work.
Here are some common ways people talk about spirit and work -- even if they are uncomfortable with the words "spirit" or "spirituality":
- Spirit at work means working from my values, not leaving them in the parking lot.
- Spirit at work means treating my job like a spiritual practice. I pray about my work. I pray during work. I seek always to work from my heart and soul within the heart and soul of my field of work.
- Spirit and work means to put into practice Khalil Gibran's saying that "work is love made visible."
- Spirit and work means to bless myself and others through the way I work. That includes all who are affected by my work: my creditors; myself and family, clients, boss, co-workers, employees, vendors, stockholders or stakeholders, and the world itself.
Does spirit and work mean to bring religion into my work?
All faiths are loaded with wisdom for work. Click here for Pat Sullivan's interview with Huston Smith on insights from all major faiths about work. Increasingly, even the most committed members of all faiths welcome the wisdom of other faiths. Buddhist values and practices have become very popular at work because of concepts such as right livelihood and right action and for Buddhism's focus on being more focused, compassionate and centered in the present moment. With just a little look at your own faith and other fields (particularly psychology), you can find similar concepts.
However, religion is a hot-button issue in most workplaces. "Spirit" is also a suspect or "woo-woo" word to some people. Further, your employer and stockholders have a right to expect that you enhance the workday, not disrupt it. Thus, be discreet. Pray silently. Leave at home the symbols, language and activities of your religion that in any way proselytize or disrupt the smooth flow of work.
Exception: faith groups at the workplace are becoming more common, e.g., people come together to study the Koran, the Bible, the Torah or other sacred scriptures or to discuss how their faith sustains their work. Increasingly, companies offer conference rooms or other space for such discussions on the lunch hour or before or after work -- provided no favoritism or discrimination is involved in any way.
How can I bring more spirit into my work without starting a religious war or losing my job?
Again, be discreet! Fortunately, many of the best spirit and work practices can be done without anyone's noticing them. Examples:
- Before you come to work, reflect or meditate on your day. Bless your work and all involved in it.
- Throughout the day, find moments for meditation and reflection.
- After work or at lunchtime, nurture yourself with inspirational reading. Talk about the spiritual challenges and opportunities of your work with a trusted friend.
- Click here for a free copy of 10 tips for bringing more spirit into your work.
How long have people been bringing spirit to work?
There have always been people who treated their work as a service or calling. There have always been people who prayed over their work and turned it into a form of spiritual journey.
Since at least the industrial revolution, however, open practice of spirit and work have been considered taboo. That's been changing a lot over the past 60 years due to a number of factors:
- The civil rights and women's movements have brought in diverse viewpoints and ideas including compassion and more creativity.
- The ecumenical religious movement opened people's eyes to the wealth of wisdom in all faiths. Increasingly, people in all faiths have sought more practical application of their beliefs in daily life.
- Leaders have sought wiser ways to lead. Organizational development and training specialists discovered that in order to lead change, they needed to engage the hearts of their employees.
- Members of many professions have held special interest groups (SIGs) to explore the heart and soul of their profession or other spiritual issues.
- Downsizing, stress, technology, etc. have led many workers to bring the clarity and energizing aspects of spirit to the workforce.
- The human potential movement has expressed the common longing to be all we can be and to bring all our gifts to life and work.
- Mainstream media (including major business and professional journals) have reported the phenomenon favorably.
- The growth of the web has made it easy for kindred spirits to connect with each other and share insights.
Today, people at every level of the corporate and nonprofit ladder are integrating spirit and work. That includes people in all professions from all over the world.
Most are doing it quietly, often without using words like "spirit and work."
What books and resources do you recommend for spirit and work?
Click here for a list. Also, return to this site frequently, as we will be adding new book and resource reviews from time to time.
Copyright 2008 by Pat McHenry Sullivan.
Offered as a service by Spirit and Work Resource Center
(also known as the Workday Workday Wisdom Institute)
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