5 Tips For Practicing Spirituality at Work

First up is to get clear on your values.
Maybe that sounds a bit too simple, but in fact so many people don’t give much conscious thought to clearly defining their values. Then they end up doing things at work, hanging out with colleagues, or supporting the ideals of a company that are totally at odds with something inside of them. And they don’t know why they feel an inner conflict with the whole environment where they work.
Knowing what your values are gives you a clear guide on what choices to make.   (Tweet this)
Having clear values is like having a compass which you can use to keep you heading in the right direction spiritually.
Set some time aside to sit down and think about what your core values about life are. Think about it in relation to who you are and what you stand for. Take account of all aspects of your life, including family, work, and spirituality. Start by making a list of 10 or 20, then try to narrow it down to your top 5. Keep these values in mind or written down somewhere so you can regularly refer to them. As time goes by you may want to modify them.
Now you can compare your top 5 values with what’s happening at work, or which colleagues to hang out with. That will help foster a degree of inner harmony with yourself, which in turn makes it easier to face life’s everyday challenges, and live your spirituality.
2.  Practice karma yoga
Although this is terminology from the hindu spiritual tradition, the concept is universal. Karma yoga is the yoga of work, or spirituality in action. The idea is that whatever work you are engaged in you do it for the sake of the work itself, and not for the rewards of that work. What that basically means is that you give all your attention and energy to what you are doing in a positive way. You are not doing your work grudgingly, thinking only that you need to do this to get your monthly pay check. For sure this is much easier if your work is something you love. Then you are totally absorbed in trying to do the best in whatever it is. Your salary is something you need, but you work because you enjoy it and it fulfils you. If you don’t enjoy your work and it feels more like an “evil necessity”, as my uncle used to refer to his job, then you need to find ways to engage with it in a more present way. The following tips can give you some ideas…
3.  Practice the presence of Spirit
I have already described this in detail in my earlier post about Spirituality at Home. Just to remind you, this is an exercise for bringing to mind the presence of Spirit, or God, or Universe or whatever name you want to give. Before you start each task say a prayer or affirmation to invite Spirit to be present with you and assist you in what you are doing. At some point during the task, repeat again your petition to Spirit. Then when you finish it give thanks to Spirit for helping you, and offer it up as a token of your love.
Keep practicing this simple exercise with anything you do at work, whether it be a big project or something as simple as photocopying a document. With a little practice you’ll be able to transform even the most mundane activity into something beautiful and uplifting, charged with spiritual energy.
4.  Morning affirmation
Try starting your working day with a short prayer, affirmation, or inspiring quote. It could be the same every day, or you could have a new one for each day. Have it written down somewhere at work, on your desk, or on your computer, where you can see it. The first thing you do when you get to the office is read your affirmation. This can work wonders in setting the tone for the rest of your day at work.
5.  Recognise how you benefit humanity
Alongside the tools just mentioned is this strategy of changing your perspective. Think about what ways you are benefitting others or humanity at large with your work. Even the most humble of jobs benefits another person in some way. A taxi driver connects people, and facilitates them in achieving their goals and projects. A mechanic ensures that others are safe when driving their cars. A secretary supports others in the company making life that little bit easier for them. Even your smile may change someone’s day for the better. Spirituality at work is as much about benefitting another individual as it is about influencing the wider world.
Now do you see how you can incorporate some spirituality into your working day? So pack some of these strategies into your spiritual toolbox when you go off to work. And the next time you get the urge to casually decapitate one of your colleagues just remember that they are helping you to develop your spiritual muscle (oh and maybe you’ll need to take a deep breath and count to 10 if you don’t want to end up in jail!).

Source:jaine mc conochilecoaching.com