Spirituality in Workplace

Spirituality in Workplace

© Sabari Ganesh; “All Rights Reserved”
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            Superficially it may appear to one’s common sense that the title is absurd with the words not matching, simply out of place! But, is it really so? – One needs to analyse. Chances are aplenty for one to confuse spirituality with religion or religious methods. It is quite clear and explicit that religions are many and varied, and the traditions followed very opposing, but the essence of any religion is the same, what we call spirituality.

            Spirituality, or being spiritual, is to experience the inner energy that is in everyone and is the same. We have many examples in real life of people who rose to superhuman heights not by virtue of their westernized education and behavior, rather by the sheer power of their inner self! A standing example is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, adoringly called the Mahatma. Today, we find many westerners coming to India, inspired by something called Vedanta; we find many Muslims who perform the traditional namaz five times a day, everyday; and pious Christians too.

            One common feature of any religion is the presence of a human being(s), who led the ‘team.’ Followers of Jesus Christ are called Christians, followers of Mohammed are called Muslims and followers of rishis or sages are called Hindus. The preaching of these eminent people is a part of the holy books – Bible, Quran, and Upanishads respectively. The preaching of every one of them was essentially non-violence, universal brotherhood and removal of selfish attitude and ego. We do not find any religion that dictates us to be selfish or ruthless or to fight with each other. The unified essence of every religion is what we call spirituality. Unfortunately, what takes place in the world, in the name of religion is quite the opposite!

            We also find another sect of people – the atheists, who ridicule every religion and GOD; driven solely by their intellect. For a while, let’s forget this. When we see sand, scattered around us are we reminded of anything? Does it have any significance? Not at all! When we see a doll, made of the same sand, (clay) we are reminded of its creator and his skill in making the doll! There are two reasons for this - the existence of an order and utility in the latter (doll) that is missing in the former. (Sand)

            Simply put, when there exists an order and a definite utility or either of these, then we can be assured of a creator behind the invisible veil as is the case with our universe. Accepting the huge manifestation of order and sequence, and the utility or purpose behind the universe, our rational minds must necessarily accept the definite existence of a creator behind the high drama, whom we call GOD! The only constraint is its invisibility to our mortal eye. Also, the creation being unique and every holy text claiming their God as its creator, presuming every text to be right, can there be two different identities for the creator of a unique and single product – the universe? A logical thought process would lead us to infer that it is the same ‘person’ who is being referred to in every holy text as to have created the universe. Hence, the product remaining one, the creator has to be one and the same. Also, the essence of the dictates of every holy text remains the same too!

            Hence, the convergence of all religions into one, due to their inherent similarity in principle, resulting in universal brotherhood is what we call spirituality! Now is the debate on the workplace! For anything to constantly change, it must necessarily rest on an unchanging or stable foundation! Only if the slate is stable and unchanging, can the letters be written and rewritten repeatedly! Applying this logic to the universe, the existence of a stable and everlasting foundation becomes a must for the ever-changing nature of the universe. So is the case with every animate and inanimate object in this universe. The only constraint is the invisibility of the unchanging base for all the mirage of this high drama – Life! 

            Also, though every man boasts of his achievement, and claims to have accomplished something, he is still in the twin clutches of ageing and death! Man has never been able to bestow life to a still body, dead a minute ago! Man is incapable of controlling his inner organs and terms their functioning as involuntary and remains in their clutches even now; then where is the question of him accomplishing something? It hence becomes evident that all our actions are predetermined by the invisible creator! The presence of the intellect in this body is to realize this ultimate truth.

            The realization that everything in this universe is dictated by the invisible creator would bestow on us an ultimate peace of mind and a calm nature, the reason being the force of thoughts on competing with each other, ego of achieving something superior than fellowmen, and the superiority complex would be eroded off completely. A simple review of the various life forms would reveal that it is only the human being who is bestowed with an intellect possessing the power of discrimination. It is for us to make the utmost use of this faculty and realize that everything in this world is predetermined and as ordained by the supreme power. This would refine us to become more mature to just do our duty without craving for the results. Naturally, when concentration is focused on the performance of one’s duty, immaterial of the benefits to be received, the mind becomes stable and clear, realizing the inherently impermanent nature of materialistic pursuits. This would lead us to the path of universal brotherhood, where one forgives and forgets other’s wrong doing, taking it as the divine will and remains in peace, without vengeance and hatred. This would eventually make the world a better place to live.

            Today, we have a list of the world’s richest men, and one is amazed at them. But there is always a limitation to money, in terms of securing peace of mind, and health. Else, all the wealth that these rich people have amassed should have successfully provided them health and everlasting bliss! All our literary acumen would run away and hide when death stands in front of us at the fatal hour. It is the mental courage that one should gather in life to face death with peace of mind, realizing the unchanging substratum for all the melodrama that is happening on the surface.

            Hence the crisis management that all business barons talk about must really be the management of the final crisis that everyone should necessarily face irrespective of wealth and power! This entire world is our workplace and the essence of all positive thoughts and actions reflect our level of spirituality in this workplace. The performance of one’s duty without attachment to the ever-changing materialistic mirage, understanding the inherent flaw of impermanency, would lead one to the abode of infinite bliss, irrespective of caste, religion, wealth, power etc., at the arrival of the fatal hour!