Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the definition. I like it.

Regards,

Michelle

It’s elusive because there is so much distracting noise in the way that it’s hard to hear the “small voice.” It’s important because we are more than the sum of our parts. We are spiritual.

One of my favorite definitions of spirituality comes from writer Ronald Rolheiser (The Holy Longing) who defines it as “…the fire that burns within us.” He says, “What we do with that fire, how we channel it, is our spirituality.”

Terry

Thanks for the comment. Yes, you’ve captured the essence of what I was saying.

The need for humans to work/create is as basic as the need for water, food, and shelter. Granted, this doesn’t have to happen within an organizational setting, but when it does, the organization’s leaders need to understand that they are walking in sacred territory and must conduct themselves as such. I don’t know that everyone sees that.

Regards,

Michelle

Thanks for stopping by. I do not see spirituality and hierarchy (or power) as mutually exclusive. The sacred texts reflect stories of people in power. Many of the lessons are about how they chose to wield that power – in service to others or in service to themselves.

Yes, executives are accountable to make money for the shareholders but doing so by exacting flesh from the employees is not a sustainable model.

To your point, there are some wicked executives (to use a Biblical term). I’ve also had the honor of working with some executives who take the stewardship of their shareholders/customers’ needs in combination with their employees’ needs and the needs’ of the greater community very seriously. It is encouraging and rewarding.

Thanks for stopping by. Please come back.

Regards,

Michelle

To me, it is based in deep connectedness and a non-hierarchic, circle based view. It is about living a cohesive life.

Executives are in positions of power, which is inherently not cohesive because the focus is too narrow. Their businesses exist to drive money to their shareholders at the top of the pyramid.

I suppose that an agent (an executive) within our current cancerous model of unmitigated business growth can be a teacher, but not a spiritual steward.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the references. I’ll check them out.

Regards,

Michelle

There is this beautiful book titled “Leading with Wisdom: Spiritual-Based Leadership in Business” co-authored by Peter Pruzan and Kirsten Pruzan Mikkelsen together with Debra and William Miller. The book can turn out to be a guiding light in your endevors.

Here is a site on the theme you are speaking about…

http://www.globaldharma.org

Best Wishes,
Ajith

Thanks. Yes, you did it justice.

Regards,

Michelle

I hope I did it justice. I can’t wait to hear more thoughts on this topic.
~TC