In my travels around the country providing workshops on the topic of working spiritually, I’ve found consistently that people are looking for ways to have their work make a difference and to feel energized in a richer way in their work. I want to explore here a few ways that you might examine spirituality in your work.
I provide a framework in my first book, “Path for Greatness”, for aligning your gifts, passion and purpose so you can be of service for the world. (to see more about my book on Spirituality at Work go to: http://www.amazon.com/Path-Greatness-Work-Spiritual-Service/dp/1552124983/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
First idea to explore is – what feeds you spiritually? You need to continually till your spiritual soil so that you can keep energized and inspired. Take some time now and write down 3 things you do each week or every day to renew yourself.
Second, what does spirituality mean to you? What three words do you use to describe times when you feel spiritual? See how you can integrate those words and ideas into your work day. In my workshop I have people write out all the words they can to describe a spiritual experience. Those words may include joy, peace, bliss, serenity etc. I then ask, ‘Would you like to work in a place that has this?’ To a person, they all say yes.
OK then, how do you help create this in your work? What small step can you take to bring such feelings into your workplace? Please share your ideas here on this post of how you work spiritually or how you’ve seen others do this.
Three words that I like to use for working spiritually are: wholeness, meaning and connection. When we feel a sense of our own wholeness, we come from a place of greater authenticity and energy. We generally find greater meaning in what we do when we are doing it for a larger purpose than feeding ourselves or our organization. Think of how you can be your best FOR the world.
Finally, when we connect to others in a deeper way, we often feel greater compassion or joy in our relationship with them. We can strengthen all that we do when we connect with our own Source of inspiration, in whatever ways we connect with this Source.
I wish you many blessings on your journey to find and cultivate spirituality in your work.
Namaste.
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For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.
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Spirituality plays a vital role in my personal and professional life, although often I don’t tell my clients that my thoughts and/or recommendations are based on spiritual principles. Yoga and Al-Anon happen to provide my framework for learning more about spirituality, but a wise man with whom I studied years ago told me, “The truth is one, many are the names.”
I’m delighted you have this blog up, and I’ll be back!
Jonathan
Jonathan – Thanks for your comment. Swami Satchadananda also used the phrase, ‘Truth is one, Paths are many’. Are familiar with his meditation center at Yogaville. I’m glad you like the post and will return. I hope our blog speaks to people in a meaningful way.