With growing explorations in the field of epigenetics, the subject of cellular identity has been widely discussed. It is proven that an individual’s genome is capable of experiencing environmentally-induced mutations. A close perusal of the relationship between DNA sequence, epigenetic changes, and metabolic alterations tells us that environmental elements influence individuals’ physiology and development. When we transpose the same understanding to the workspace while integrating it into the practice of spiritual meditation, what becomes apparent is the positive link that binds empathy, mindfulness, and belongingness to corporate productivity, employee satisfaction, leadership, and loyalty.
ETILC, in collaboration with Shri Kamlesh Patel, fondly known as Daaji, organized an experiential session on the Heartfulness Way of meditation with the theme- “Design the energy of your organization and yourself.” Having practiced heartfulness for 45 years, Daaji addressed the need for businesses to incorporate the potential of conscience or the heart’s voice into their everyday functioning as we collectively strive through a volatile world full of urban monotony, ambiguity, and a stressful work experience. A company’s objectives will remain unattained and even insignificant without addressing the correlation between consciousness, centeredness, balance, and organizational performance.
“The external environment affects us at a physiological level. It manipulates our sympathetic system and the parasympathetic system; often causing momentary imbalance,” –Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji), Guide Heartfulness, President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission
To reap the utmost benefits of economic progress, it is vital that CEOs and leaders all around understand the direct relation between productivity, good decision-making, collaboration, and clarity. Organizational clarity stems from individual clear-mindedness. This meditation revolves around the purpose of culminating in individuals a deep sense of centeredness, which is often sidelined under stress. This sympathomimetic response suppresses our cognitive function. A meditative mind has the peculiar quality of pausing. It does not react, it responds. If one is elevated at a spiritual level because of one’s daily practices, one can learn to be in control of any situation.
We are not always in control of our environment. Often, the misreading instigated by our environment causes changes in our RNA patterns. However, meditation works towards harmonizing a person’s internal environment, thus giving them the confidence to work their way to solutions. The key to evolving our culture and system is often a balance between morality, legality, and politics; this can subsequently be achieved via developing an introspective vision via meditation and centering our energies onto our purpose while avoiding unnecessary preoccupations.
[box type=”success” align=”” class=”” width=””]Spirituality brings us face to face with ourselves. When we close our eyes, the first thing that pops up in our heart or mind is the clear idea of what our next step should be. We can only attain this through an evolution from thinking to feeling and nurturing our intellect such that it transforms into intuition.[/box]
For business leaders contemplative meditation is recommended before work; this is a means of establishing a subconscious level of connection among the team members, thereby denouncing selfishness and dissolving an egoistic approach.
This practice also helps build a culture of collaboration and cooperation, creating the ideal environment for employees to thrive. Gestures directed towards rewarding employees with bonuses and offering other benefits above market value help develop mutual respect and love between the company and its members. Instilling a need of belonging to the company through empathy instead of pushing employees beyond their limits is what safeguards their trust and loyalty. Only after an inner connection will the employees develop courage and clarity to put forward as well as effectively execute their ideas.
“We realize our problems stem mostly from expectations, and expectations are known to reduce joy. But despite knowing this, we can’t seem to manage our expectations, and always end up on the receiving end of others’ expectations,” –Jairam Panch, MD, Turner India
As per WHO’s study titled Mental Health and Work: Impact, Issues and Good Practices, even though establishing clear expectations in the work environment is essential for increased employee performance, increased job stress can also be a direct consequence of workspace pressure. Not only does it result in reduced productivity, poor decision-making, and conflict, but also loss of motivation and commitment. The same can be applied to life in general. While it is possible to manage our own personal expectations, we cannot control the expectations that others impose upon us. When it comes to managing the same, establishing a healthy culture that gives rise to healthy expectations becomes important; this is something that begins even before the formation of a child’s human conception.
[box type=”success” align=”” class=”” width=””]“The conscious state constitutes one-eighth of the human mind, while the subconscious state occupies seven-eight of it. How do we train the subconscious mind?” -Ramakrishnan Ramamurthy, Managing Director, Geokno.[/box]
Meditation training is primarily linked with deep relaxation. Through getting in touch with our subconscious, we realize the possibility of regulating our emotional responses, immune function, as well as cognitive skills. [The Relaxation Response, Dr. Herbert Benson.] Any spiritual practice aims towards expanding us into super consciousness and allowing it to plunge deeper into the realms of subconsciousness. Consciousness is but the degree of our awareness. The more we meditate, the more aware we become of our inner as well as our outer world, and the more adequately we respond to our inner and outer calls.
[box type=”success” align=”” class=”” width=””]“I am a meditator; this is the first time I’m hearing about heartfulness meditation. Why is it that we are focusing on heartfulness when we can focus on inwardness?” -Sridhar Dharmarajan, EVP & MD, Hexagon & MSC Software. [/box]
According to studies led by TerraBlue XT, the heartfulness approach to meditation balances our Autonomic Nervous System (ANS.) Our heart is our center and it is the only chakra that is connected with all other chakras. Our innate natures must resonate with the godliness within for meditation to become a process of both becoming and unbecoming of our strengths and weaknesses. It is through the heart that we can truly renounce ourselves and our anadas and expand our consciousness into the spiritual level.
