Twisted Truths: Mindfulness
Complicated feelings about something I love
This is the second in a series of articles about how companies can assimilate and twist meaningful, helpful philosophies to their own uses, warping them into something completely counter to their original meaning. Follow the link to read the first one on Work/Life Balance, at this link.
I am a huge proponent of mindfulness: in one’s personal life, professional life, relationships — all of the above. It seems important that I say this up front, just to establish my own particular bias on the topic. But I should also say this: I am deeply suspicious of the corporate mindfulness trend, even though I have experienced first-hand the benefits of having a contemplative practice in my life.
I’m not the only one who has doubts about the institutionalization of mindfulness practices within businesses. Livia Gershon’s recent article, “Can Mindfulness Fill Corporate America with Better, Happier Workers?” covers the issues pretty thoroughly, including references to the blistering critiques of corporate mindfulness by Dharma teacher and former Buddhist monk Christopher Titmuss.
It is a confusing thing, that a practice that can help alleviate anxiety and instill peace can also be used a tool to create more docile, accepting, and productive workers within a toxic system. Just like the term entrepreneur, “mindfulness” has been used and over-used to the extent that it has become a cliché in its own right — and not for the better.
In my research of corporate mindfulness initiatives, I learned that one of their main themes involves accepting things as they are, with non-judgment. Indeed, Buddhist philosophy teaches that wanting things to be different than they are can be a real cause of suffering, and that finding peace in every moment — even the uncomfortable ones — should be our goal. However, this does not mean that we must accept toxic or untenable situations. Mindfulness and meditation are not recipes for being more cheerful doormats. Tara Brach, a psychologist, dharma teacher, and social activist describes “consciousness as a place of activism” — a way of tapping into the productive energy of anger to enact change from a place of kindness and compassion. No, you shouldn’t leave that dysfunctional office environment with wastebaskets blazing and bridges burned, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t leave. And letting go of your anger or frustration in the moment does not preclude working to alter the larger circumstances that caused it.
I keep returning to Karl Marx, and his critiques of religion as I ponder this conundrum. Most of us are familiar with the famous “religion is the opiate of the masses,” quote, but there is another quote in the larger context of his argument that struck me as relevant.
“The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions.” (1843)
There are many ways into this discussion, and I have absolutely no interest in arguing against religion, per se. However, one of the realities Marx identified was the way in which religion could be manipulated by those in power as a way to convince people to relinquish any hope of present happiness for the potential of a greater, supernatural one. Insofar as religion could soothe the soul of the oppressed, and keep people narrowly focused on their own work and their own lives, they would not rise up to fight the larger system oppressing them.
Mindfulness has proven medical and social benefits. But is it being used in corporate settings to distract employees from the real problems and inequalities that plague them?
Sometimes revolutions start in very small ways. Perhaps mindfulness initiatives born from a place of control and distraction in corporations can also plant seeds of radical change in managers and employees. I believe it is better to take small steps in *some* direction than to stand still, waiting for the perfect direction. There is a real price, however, to equating happiness with complacency.
So, what next? How to reconcile these conflicting ideas and truly integrate real, whole-hearted mindfulness in your organization?
Integrate retrospectives into your company culture.
Often discussed in terms of the Agile method of software development, retrospectives are meetings held at the end of particular milestones that allow the team members to share their perspectives on the project. Usually a team lead will focus the conversation around what worked well, what could have been better, and what participants might have learned in the course of the work. Retrospectives are a great pressure-release valve for any resentment or frustration that might be developing — assuming you are using them in earnest. When you’re doing it right, things can get uncomfortable. Which leads me to…
Be open to discomfort and vulnerability
If your check-ins or retrospectives tend to be shallow conversations with a little “constructive criticism” built in, it’s likely you’re not getting the full story. When you ask people for how they really feel about their work, and what the real blockers might be, you have to be open to hearing some hard truths, and you have to be open to actually enacting change. Brené Brown’s work is an excellent place to start learning about safely integrating vulnerability and safe spaces into professional environments.
Allow for moments of pause
You don’t have to have a wellness room or a designated meditation time set aside to bring mindfulness into your business. Years ago, I read an interview about a manager who recommended this great idea: before every meeting, ask everyone to pause for 30 seconds. No texting, no email, no conversations carried over from previous meetings, no chit-chat about weekend plans. Give everyone a chance to stop, take a breath, and re-focus. Your team will be much more attentive to the discussion at hand, and it’s a great way of clearing out mental chatter that might otherwise intrude and distract.
Progress can be painful. Life does involve suffering. Mindfulness is a great way to introduce peace into a hectic work day. But if mindfulness is deployed as a band-aid over a festering sore, then it’s not being used correctly.
This article was written as part of INITIATE, a project sponsored by CoshX Labs to find new ways to explore business and entrepreneurship. You can follow us on Twitter, and visit our website to learn more about our efforts.
