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The Restless Spirit
April 2012
Seven Silent Spiritual Practices in the Workplace
 The practical application of universal spiritual practices by individuals in the workplace is a growing trend. Google teaches meditation techniques to 30,000 employees on an optional basis. The company also provides space in its facilities where employees can meditate. Note the rapid success of Google: great products and services, an excellent place to work, and strong profits.
Benefits from individuals who use their own spiritual practices in their jobs and work include:
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Less stress
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More creativity
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Increase in spiritually based values such as trust, respect, inclusion, collaboration, and compassion
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Customer attraction
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Employee retention
Seven silent spiritual practices include meditation, prayer, reading, journaling, self-assessment, lightheartedness, and generosity. Anyone can utilize these almost anytime in our workplace. They can be, brief, unobtrusive, yet highly effective for the individual and the organization.
Meditation
There are many ways to meditate in the workplace. Generally, it is being quiet for a few moments with our eyes closed, focusing on our breathing, and relaxing. If disruptive thoughts occur, we just allow them to pass by gently. Even if brief, this process is amazingly beneficial. Longer times might be possible during breaks in the workday, before starting work, and after work ends. St. Francis de Sales: "If you are too busy to meditate for a short time, then meditating for a longer time is essential."
Prayer
Nothing prevents us from saying a brief, silent prayer while we are working. A silent "blessing" is a little prayer that means "confer good upon." Blessing anyone, anything, or any situation is powerful – for others and for us. Alfred Lord Tennyson: "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of."
Reading
We can keep some spiritual text in our desk, briefcase, or pocket. Taking a few moments to silently read and reflect can be uplifting, particularly in a stressful workday. Some do this before they begin working or during a break. A moment of quiet spiritual reading at her desk began each day for a friend who enjoyed a long career with Boeing.
Journaling
Keeping a small notebook with us to jot workday mementos is a practice for many, including notes about people and things we are grateful for in our jobs. This greatly helps to avoid the negative and instead to focus on the positive aspects of our work. James Boswell: "A page of my journal is like condensed soup. A little may be diffused into a considerable portion."
Self-Assessment
After each workday, we can examine our actions and note them in our journal. What were our behavioral "assets" and "liabilities?" Where can we improve? Reflecting about these notes can help us maintain good spiritual balance. Fernando Flores: "I made my own assessment of my life, and I began to live it. That was freedom."
Lightheartedness
Actively expressing our inner spiritual nature with joy, delight, and happiness uplifts others in a positive work environment. While not always silent, humor adds to this lightness. Herb Kelleher, founder of successful Southwest Airlines, promoted humor with his employees. They create a fun atmosphere, including on their flights.
Generosity
Giving to others is rewarding for everyone. It adds an attracting, bonding quality to the organization. Target Corporation annually gives 5% of its net profits to global humanitarian causes. Customers, employees, and communities love this very successful company.
A little bit goes a long way when we consciously practice one or more of these Seven Silent Spiritual Practices in our daily work. The positive evidence is growing in our world of work and business.
(Note: This article is an excerpt from Tom Zender’s book, God Goes to Work, published by John Wiley & Sons. Available in e-book and paper formats from Amazon.com and other booksellers.)
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One-Minute Meditations at Work
by Tom Zender
An increasing number of working people at all levels are turning to spirituality for less stress and more success in their careers, jobs and work. Here are 365 one-minute meditations for daily inspiration on the job, in e-book, softbound and hardbound versions.
Endorsed by Jack Canfield, co-creator of the "Chicken Soup for the Soul™" books, and author of "The Success Principles".
Published by Hay House / Balboa Press.
The Book for Anyone Who Works.
Available now from:
Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, BalboaPress.com and other booksellers.
Also available on iPad and other mobile devices.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Masterful Intentions Program
USA Wide
Learn how to include Universal Spiritual Principles in your work and business.
Click here to sign up for our next Business Owners and Executives peer group teleseminar series.
Solve business challenges by incorporating focused intention, leveraging peer group wisdom and energy, and partnering with the Divine.
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Scheduling Tom to Speak
Tom Zender is an exceptional speaker with over 30 years of experience in presenting to audiences of all sizes. He gives keynote talks and does workshops about the power of our inner spiritual nature in work and business. He raises our consciousness for organizational integrity, conscious commerce and economic peace.
To Schedule a Speaking Engagement, Contact:
Phone: 949-910-5075
E-Mail: Info@TomZender.com
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NEWS TO USE
 What Am I Reading?
The Art of Uncertainty by Dennis Merritt Jones. In our work and business lives we must to learn how to live comfortably in the "I don’t know" condition. Here is a revelatory spiritual answer. More
Resourceful Link
 Founded by great CEO's from Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Container Store, and others, Conscious Capitalism fosters ethical business and simultaneously advances better lives for billions of people.
More
Quote of Note
"I cannot remember a time when the Golden Rule was not my motto and precept, the torch that guided my footsteps." – James Cash Penny, founder of J. C. Penny Company, Inc.
Q & A Corner
Question: Do universities address spirituality in the workplace and business?
Answer: Definitely! Notable examples are Yale University, Stanford University, Harvard University, University of Arkansas, University of Minnesota, University of Scranton, University of Santa Clara, University of Colorado, Loyola University (New Orleans), Columbia University, University of Notre Dame, and many more. Patricia Aburdene, author of Megatrends 2010, writes, "Academia is blessing the emerging megatrend (of spirituality in business) with conferences, courses and new centers."
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STORY OF SUCCESS
 Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated recognizes that “employees have a body, mind and soul.” It offers corporate chaplains and a mission statement that honors the Divine. It is now the largest independent bottler of Coke products in the United States - and profitable.
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TESTIMONIAL
"This is the book we’ve been waiting for. Just when today’s business models are buckling under the speed of change, Tom Zender offers us a fresh light of hope, showing how the very principles that govern nature, and even life itself, can also guide business as well." – Gregg Braden, New York Times bestselling author of Fractal Time
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God Goes to Work
by Tom Zender
Discover the power of your inner spiritual nature in your career, job and work. Successful individuals and organizations are using this positive energy for new levels of inner and outer success.
Published by John Wiley & Sons
Order book here.
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