It is a tall claim, one would say. But wait till you read what Gallup International’s survey has found about 87 per cent of the employees worldwide. It concludes that they are not engaged at work. The world has a crisis of engagement — one with serious and potentially long-lasting repercussions for the global economy.
The disengagement of workers is a loss to their company’s production and, eventually, the global economy. Working for wedges, or survival or to support the family, doesn’t give them inner satisfaction. Nor does it bring out the best out in them. Therefore, they are unable to give their 100 per cent to their work. When a third of your life is spent working, whether at home or in the office, not loving your work amounts to wasting a third of your life. Neither you nor your company benefit from this state of mind.
On reading this report, I was reminded of the amazing Osho vision about work. It is radically different from the conventional one and transforms work into celebration, meditation, joy and creativity. And it is very down to earth and practised by thousands of people.
What makes mundane work acquire the radiance of inner ascent? Here are some of Osho’s luminous tips: First and foremost, “what” you do is not important, “how” you do it, is. “What” feeds the ego, “how” nourishes the heart. If you are making coffee and you pour your love and creativity into it, it gives you utmost joy. The need for recognition or reward evaporates and a simple cup of coffee becomes the elixir of life.
Second, don’t try to be perfect in what you do — be total. Perfection is a sure-shot way to hell. Just look around. Life is imperfect, that’s why it is so alive! Only death is perfect. Life is ever-growing, ever-changing, so imperfection is its basic chord. Imperfection makes life adventurous, challenging and exciting.
Third, competition destroys creative capability and robs the joy in work, because there is always someone better than you, and there is always someone you want to be better than. Imagine the tension this creates in the mind. Can you enjoy yourself with this attitude? Change the gestalt (form) and see that everybody is unique. Nature has endowed each person with a unique gift, a unique skill. Try to find your own, develop it and revel in your uniqueness.
Fourth, make meditation part of your work. Sitting quietly in a meditation hall is one thing, staying centered and aware while working in a busy office, trying to meet the deadline, or dealing with difficult situations in personal lives, is quite another! We sacrifice being relaxed and aware in the present for a future moment of ease. A third of our life is spent in this illusory hunt for a golden “tomorrow” which of course never comes. Meditation ennobles us, making each moment precious, the smallest task meaningful.
Amrit Sadhana is in the management team of Osho International Meditation Resort, Pune. She facilitates meditation workshops around the country and abroad.
