Spirituality in the Workplace

As the pace of our work increases and resources are tested we are required to look within ourselves, to our values, beliefs and faith, that assists us to manage a faster paced and more complex work-life. We need to know how far we can extend ourselves and our limits and take appropriate actions in managing the well-being of self, family and others.

What is the difference between spirituality and religion? Some would say that spirituality is the essential values we hold within ourselves and that religion is the form of practice these values take for us individually and collectively. There are many forms of religious practices and yet essentially we might say the core is recognising an inner human spirituality and for some people a connection with the divine.

There is diversity in New Zealand and we all have a capacity to hold a spiritual view and a close connection to our culture. It is important to acknowledge and respect differences both in culture and in spiritual beliefs.

In such a fast paced world of work such as ours where technology encourages instant responses and availability, it is hard to maintain an open connection to spirituality.  Participation in worship, personal reflection, retreats (time alone), prayer, meditation and other practices encourage people to connect with their inner spirituality.

In order to maintain wellness talking to a third party may help. In the workplace many companies  make good use of Vitae’s Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) supporting people to deal with bereavement, life transitions, family issues, trauma, health and well being, all of which assists to nurture the mind, body and spirit.

In a holistic sense, family, spiritual, psychological and physical wellbeing are inextricably linked.  These contribute in providing greater personal and family stability, improved work/life balance. At Vitae we say “When life works better, Business works better”.  “Pai ake te oranga, pai ake te pakihi.”

If you need to consult on any issue please contact one of Vitae’s professionals on http://www.vitae.co.nz/contact/counselling-form/

“Everyone who is seriously interested in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe” Albert Einstein