Nature and the Human Spirit Literature Review



Nature and the Human Spirit Literature Review

Christi Banks

Spirituality in the Workplace

What is the meaning of work and spirituality’s place in the workplace? Has “the overworked American” been drained of a life-giving workplace and has spirit and nature been sucked out of modern jobs? These are serious questions relevant to everyone’s lives. Work cannot be avoided and is a basic necessity for life. In Pope John Paul’s Encyclical on Human Work he states:

“the primary basis of the value of work is man himself, who is its subject. This leads immediately to a very important conclusion of an ethical nature: However true it may be that man is destined for work and called to it, in the first place work is "for man" and not man "for work." Through this conclusion one rightly comes to recognize the pre-eminence of the subjective meaning of work over the objective one. Given this way of understanding things and presupposing that different sorts of work that people do can have greater or lesser objective value, let us try nevertheless to show that each sort is judged above all by the measure of the dignity of the subject of work, that is to say, the person, the individual who carries it out. On the other hand, independent of the work that every man does, and presupposing that this work constitutes a purpose--at times a very demanding one--of his activity, this purpose does not possess a definitive meaning in itself. In fact, in the final analysis it is always man who is the purpose of the work, whatever work it is that is done by man--even if the common scale of values rates it as the merest "service," as the most monotonous, even the most alienating work.”

Most agree that work is “good” and essential for life. Yet it must be in proper order, humans must use work for their own good and the benefit of society and not be used by the work. An increasing addiction in modern society is workaholism. In Meeting the Shadow, John O’Neill addresses this very issue and describes how organizations expect and contribute to this “shadow world of addictive work”. The “untenable workloads, unrealistic sales quotas, and martini lunches contribute to severely imbalanced lifestyles among all ranks of American workers” (pg. 103). This imbalanced strive for success and production leads many to put aside their “personal needs for leisure, intimacy, and family, becoming around-the-clock achievement machines” (pg. 106). Thus, although achievement and progress are good, if left unchecked and unbalanced they “leave chaos in its wake” (pg. 105). Neill calls these overworked Americans the “working wounded, healthy people adjusted at a great emotional cost due to conditions that are good for the advancement of career but not of spirit” (pg. 103). What benefit then is all this production if we kill our spirits in the process?

Marsha Sinetar also explains in Meeting the Shadow that “people who function effectively in their work know their limits” (pg. 116). Thus, work should be ordered according to nature and for the benefit of the spirit. She describes how she must take breaks and drive out to the countryside to rejuvenate after work. This balance between work and leisure is essential to healthy living, reduction of stress, and development of the whole person. In the Encyclical, Human Work, John Paul II explains that,

“work in its subjective aspect is always a personal action, it follows that the whole person, body and spirit, participates in it, whether it is manual or intellectual work……An inner effort on the part of the human spirit, guided by faith, hope and charity, is needed in order that through these points the work of the individual human being may be given the meaning which it has in the eyes of God”.

Yet, there is even danger that leisure is becoming dehumanizing by adding to the consumerist society. It seems that even leisure activities are “busy” and bombarded with activity, materialism, or superficiality. Leisure should provide for the “need for stimulation and excitement” (Spry, 118). Yet it should also give rest and relaxation to the body, mind, and soul. The word “re-creation” literally means a restoration of depleted energies and rejuvenation (Spry, 115). Adequate leisure provides the worker with the “taste and sensibility which will allow them to enjoy the beauties of nature and the glories of great art and architecture, the splendor of music...” (Spry, 115). For, the “enjoyment of beauty involves a learning process that goes on through a lifetime of leisure experience” (Spry, 118). For, the “experience of nature may be the most truly recreating or rewarding, and the most health-giving to mind and body” (Spry, 121).

In effect, leisure allows for the healthy balance of daily life. It puts the importance back on the person as a whole and life as a whole and not just on production and consumerism. For, “just as concern is growing for the quality of life that cannot be measured in GNP figures, so may concern be growing for human quality that is not demonstrated by lavish expenditures and elaborate apparatus of spare time enjoyment”. Instead ways can be found of “gauging the character and caliber of what individuals and groups contribute to the community through creative stimulus, artistic achievement, constructive intelligence, and the assumption of social responsibility” (Spry, 120). We must combat this widespread productionism where the “emphasis is persistently on having things, the things that everyone else has, not on doing the things that interest you as a unique human being, nor on being the individual to the utmost limit of your powers” (Spry, 116).

Thus work and leisure should develop the person to their fullest potential. It unites persons in solidarity and community to combine in one purpose and goal to achieve together. According to Don Grant, Kathleen O'Neil, and Laura Stephens in their article, Spirituality in the Workplace: New Empirical Directions in the Study of the Sacred:

“the workplace is one of the most important settings in which people come together daily to accomplish what they cannot do on their own, that is, to realize their full potential as human beings. For organizations to erect walls in the way of everyday spiritual development goes against the grain of deep human needs and puts an intolerable burden on individuals. Unless organizations become more spiritual, the fragmentation and ambivalence felt by individuals cannot be repaired”.

The researchers found that even in a secular, hospital workplace a large majority of employees believe that their work practices are spiritual; they experience the sacred in a variety of ways, and are eager to talk about spirituality. Yet, many workers may still struggle to find opportunities to practice their spiritual beliefs, they may have other work experiences that cause them to doubt spirituality's relevance, or they may perceive talk about spirituality to be unwelcome.

Thus, work is not as sterile and lifeless as we first proposed. Instead, it contains the potential for self actualization and the expression of spirit through meaningful work for the benefit of all. Further, the Encyclical, Human Work, even states:

"the most ordinary everyday activities. For, while providing the substance of life for themselves and their families, men and women are performing their activities in a way which appropriately benefits society. They can justly consider that by their labor they are unfolding the Creator's work, consulting the advantages of their brothers and sisters, and contributing by their personal industry to the realization in history of the divine plan…Just as human activity proceeds from man, so it is ordered toward man. For when a man works he not only alters things and society, he develops himself as well. He learns much, he cultivates his resources, and he goes outside of himself and beyond himself. Rightly understood, this kind of growth is of greater value than any external riches which can be garnered . . . Hence, the norm of human activity is this: that in accord with the divine plan and will, it should harmonize with the genuine good of the human race and allow people as individuals and as members of society to pursue their total vocation and fulfill it." (JPII, 37 and 79)

Thus, work is essential and beneficial to the human being if kept in right order. In, How Leaders Cultivate Spirituality in the Workplace: What the Research Shows, Janet Groen explains that the workplace can promote creativity and community and also foster values and goals. It gives people a sense of vocation and purpose to their life and proper leadership ensures care for basic needs of the whole person. Yet, it is essential to have and open and trusting workplace that one feels comfortable to bring their spirituality into. The leadership must provide ethical decision making, and take on both the internal and external qualities of leadership to promote a spiritual workplace.

Essentially, the workplace devoid of spirituality is dead. It is devoid of its life-giving force and energy that provide purpose and passion for the work itself and fullness and meaning for the worker. This research leads one to ask: What place does spirituality have in my workplace? Is my work and leisure balanced to provide a healthy and whole lifestyle? If not, what changes can I make to allow my spirit to find expression in my work? How can I change the work, the environment, the goal, or the schedule to better accommodate my spiritual needs?

These are all important questions, and if you would like any more information all of the articles mentioned are provided by links on the web site.

Thanks and “may the spirit/force be with you!”

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