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Spirituality and Work. A Reflective Dialogue with Barbara Gallagher Jarry and John Knuerr. 10.12.07. Goals. To provide an opportunity to reflect on and deepen our understanding of spirituality To explore ways in which spirituality relates to and gives meaning to work.
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Spirituality and Work A Reflective Dialogue with Barbara Gallagher Jarry and John Knuerr 10.12.07
Goals • To provide an opportunity to reflect on and deepen our understanding of spirituality • To explore ways in which spirituality relates to and gives meaning to work
What is “Spirituality”? The spiritual dimension is considered equal to the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of each person ~ SPHS Pastoral Care Standard
What is “Spirituality”? For many people, it is the simple yet sacred act of connecting with something greater than oneself – often referred to as your higher power, the divine, or the absolute. For Marianne Williamson, it is about “inviting God into your life.”
When we are in right relationship, we feel a sense of joy, a sense of peace, a sense of meaning; a sense of being comfortable in our own skin. It feels like a type of homecoming, a kind of belonging. - Joan Borysenko What is “Spirituality”?
Mindfulness Moment L'Angélus, Jean Francois Millet
Recall an early memory that awakened you to a deeper, spiritual dimension of life.
The Spiritual Life does not remove us from the world, but leads us deeper into it. ~ Henri J. M. Nouwen
The 3 C’s of Spirituality: • Connection • Compassion • Contribution ~ Bill O’Hanlon
How do we restore a new energy to our lives? Is there a way of building into our days a ground, a center, and a reminder of what is at the heart of all our endeavors? An extraordinary thing is that it isn’t really the amount of work we do that wears us out. Burn-out has more to do with the absence of enthusiasm and dedication. When we work with a passion, everything changes. - Daniel O’Leary
Showing up for work is difficult. You would think not showing up would be impossible for living, breathing human beings, but we know enough of ourselves to realize we are the one part of creation that can refuse to be itself. Our bodies can be present in our work, but our hearts, minds, and imagination can be placed firmly in neutral or engaged elsewhere. - David Whyte
To have a firm persuasion in our work – to feel that what we do is right for ourselves and good for the world at the exactly same time – is one of the great triumphs of human existence. Blake called this sense of dedication a firm persuasion. “My fingers emit sparks of fire with expectation of my future labors.” - David Whyte
To have a firm persuasion, to set boldly in our work is to make a pilgrimage of our labors, to understand that the consummation of work lies not only in what we have done, but who we have become while accomplishing the task - David Whyte
How can we create an environment supportive to the spiritual dimension of life at work?
“ Through the process of spiritual awakening we are shown places in ourselves that we have not seen before. Within each of us is a source of great strength, compassion and beauty. When we tap into this place we are inspired to connect to others, give comfort and support to those around us, even in dark times.”Selliken Bernard and Schneider (1996)
TASK-ORIENTED VALUES PERSON-ORIENTED VALUES Emphasis on: Job Production Product Competition Efficiency Comparison Conformity Person Growth Friends Cooperation Love Uniqueness Diversity Attitudes: Become yourself Judgment from within (producing conditions of peace) Creative Expressive Non-grasping, non-striving Sense of wonder Rhythm of nature Prove yourself Judgment from outside (producing feelings of guilt) Utilitarian Functional Striving, straining Sense of accomplishment Time measured by rhythm of clock
The Symptoms of Inner Peace • A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experiences. • An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment. • A loss of interest in judging self and others • Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation • Experiences of deep connectedness with all of creation. • Frequent attacks of smiling through the eyes of the heart - Jeff Rockwell
Putting Spirituality Into Practice • Learn to forgive • Practice gratitude • Demonstrate appreciation • Give and receive • Cultivate compassion • Honor the sacredness of all life
It is not how much you do but how much love you put into the doing and sharing with others that is important. - Mother Teresa
We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience. Teilhard de Chardin