Most people wouldn’t think that spirituality and work go together, yet each of us is a spiritual being in human form so we bring our soul to work every day. Being spiritual in an office environment may not be on everyone’s job description, but perhaps the corporate culture would be less cut throat and more kind, less phony and more authentic, less competitive and more cooperative, if it was.
Imagine what workplaces would be like if each person brought their spiritual principles and practices to work. Imagine what the world would be like if national corporations exalted spiritual values above bottom-line numbers. From my experience, people who believe in abundance instead of scarcity, live from honesty and authenticity, and treat others with as much kindness as they’d like to receive, do well in work and life.
It is not always easy to bring spiritual principles to the forefront in an office environment. As Ezra Taft Benson said, “This latter day work is spiritual. It takes spirituality to comprehend it, to love it, to discern it. Therefore, seek the spirit in all you do. Keep it with you continually. That is our challenge.”
If you’ve been hiding behind a corporate façade and would like to bring your soul to work, read on for suggestions on how to be spiritual in an office environment. And if you’d like to increase workplace spirituality throughout your company click on the book image, Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations.
How to Blend Spirituality and Work Together
Be your authentic spiritual self at work. If you notice you are wearing a superficial corporate mask, let your true self surface. When you are centered within your soul, what qualities naturally flow from you – do you become more trusting, do you have a playful sense of humor, do you express deeper empathy? Whatever spiritual qualities spring forth from within you, bring these to your interactions with others at work – not just your buddies at work, but all your co-workers, colleagues and customers you have contact with.
Do what you love, love what you do. Mother Teresa once said, “God doesn’t look at how much we do, but with how much love we do it.” When people love what they do for a living, they naturally feel joyful, amused and enthusiastic at work. But if you don’t love your job, you can still approach it from a loving place. Take two-minute breaks throughout the day to touch into the source of love within you and let it flow out into all your actions and activities – send love to the people, tasks and projects you work with.
Initiate spiritual contact at work. Many people display spirituality at work, regardless of whether they view themselves as spiritual or religious. Offering kindness, support and gratitude is one way. Another way is to connect with co-workers on a spiritual level by seeing their soul behind the office role they wear. Discussing favorite inspiring books by spiritual teachers such as Eckhart Tolle, Ram Dass, and Don Miguel Ruiz, is another way to foster workplace spirituality.
Let go of judgment. It’s easy to complain about problems at work and gossip about irritating co-workers, but this only covers up your spiritual nature. Instead, take on spiritual perspectives such as acceptance and compassion, and notice how much more uplifted you feel at work.
Increase your overall spiritual health. When we improve our spiritual health at home through such things as meditation, prayer and reading spiritual books, we create a ripple effect into all areas of our life including our work.
For additional suggestions, read Laurie’s article on 5 Ways to Increase Workplace Spirituality. And if you have any ideas on how to blend spirituality and work, please comment below.