This weekend we launched Practical Buddhism at the Norwich Buddhist Centre.
You can buy my book in the UK from Amazon and it's also available on Kindle.
One of the themes that came up is how to practise Buddhism when conditions are not ideal. In fact, with some effort and a little creativity we can practise in any situation. Here are some tips from the chapter on Taking the Teachings to Work in Practical Buddhism:
Whatever our work situation, it is always possible to put mindfulness, kindness and the other precepts into practice. A good place to start is trying to be more aware of our body and mind. We can pause a moment between emails and check our posture, sitting up if we find we have slumped. If we have to move between places, even if it is just to the next room, we can bring awareness to our feet as we are walking. This can take us for a few moments out of our habitual thinking, which may include worrying and be causing ourselves additional stress. We can take a breathing space (chapter 2) while standing at the photocopier or waiting for the kettle to boil.
Work usually involves other people, albeit perhaps only at the end of a telephone or email. There is a lot of scope for considering how we can be kind and helpful in our interaction with others. We can reflect on how to best co-operate rather than just trying to get our own way. Work situations often invite gossip. There can be a strong pull to join in to be part of the group. A worthwhile challenge can be finding ways to talk skilfully about other people or desist from talking about others at all.
You can buy my book in the UK from Amazon and it's also available on Kindle.
One of the themes that came up is how to practise Buddhism when conditions are not ideal. In fact, with some effort and a little creativity we can practise in any situation. Here are some tips from the chapter on Taking the Teachings to Work in Practical Buddhism:
Whatever our work situation, it is always possible to put mindfulness, kindness and the other precepts into practice. A good place to start is trying to be more aware of our body and mind. We can pause a moment between emails and check our posture, sitting up if we find we have slumped. If we have to move between places, even if it is just to the next room, we can bring awareness to our feet as we are walking. This can take us for a few moments out of our habitual thinking, which may include worrying and be causing ourselves additional stress. We can take a breathing space (chapter 2) while standing at the photocopier or waiting for the kettle to boil.
Work usually involves other people, albeit perhaps only at the end of a telephone or email. There is a lot of scope for considering how we can be kind and helpful in our interaction with others. We can reflect on how to best co-operate rather than just trying to get our own way. Work situations often invite gossip. There can be a strong pull to join in to be part of the group. A worthwhile challenge can be finding ways to talk skilfully about other people or desist from talking about others at all.
