Awakening the Buddha Within _ Eight Steps to Enlightenment - Lama Surya Das [110]
For a moment, think about what is known in Buddhism as the “poisons” or conflicting emotions (kleshas) that veil and cloud reality: Ignorance, Pride, Jealousy, Enmity, and Desire. On some level just about every work situation is going to provoke at least some of these kleshas. If the person at the next desk gets the promotion you wanted, you might well feel jealousy and the desire for your own promotion. If you receive a big raise, what’s wrong with feeling good about yourself and your work?
Don’t misinterpret the Dharma’s message to mean that we should deny our feelings or be oblivious to the whole range of human experience. Strong emotions are not the primary issue; the primary issue is grasping and attachment. When we cling to and grasp at passionate emotions, losing ourselves by too strongly identifying with them, they take over the mind, possess our thoughts, and obscure our clear seeing—tarnishing our present awareness and clear vision.
I often have to remind myself not to hang on to my feelings—not to allow my emotions to impel me to crush things in my grasp but rather to enjoy experiences as they pass by, and then let go. It helps to recall a favorite William Blake poem:
He who binds to himself a joy
does the winged life destroy;
But he who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in eternity’s sunrise.
The Dharma shows us that understanding the why of our speech and behavior can be more important than the words and deeds themselves. No matter what is going on in your life, and no matter what you are doing, you would do well to regularly look into the mirror of your own mind and examine what is taking place, while checking out your motivation and intentions. Self-reflection and inquiry can help us turn every part of our work into part of our spiritual path, just more grist for the mill.
DEALING WITH NEGATIVITY IN THE WORKPLACE
People sometimes complain to me about the level of negativity they experience at work where there can be so much competition, backbiting, dishonesty, and sniping. It’s particularly difficult when you are on the receiving end of some of this negativity. This presents an immediate challenge to our benevolent bodhicitta intentions. For centuries Dharma students have found solace, guidance, and inspiration in some ancient words of the Buddha known as the Metta Sutra (The Scripture of Loving-Kindness), which says in part:
Let none deceive another, or despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill will wish harm upon another.
Even as a mother protects with her life, her child, her only child,
So with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings,
radiating kindness over the entire world.
In this dog-eat-dog world and impersonal marketplace, consider these sterling thoughts. Hang this quote over your desk as a reminder and enjoy a practical application of taking refuge in the Dharma.
HOW THE EIGHT WORLDLY WINDS BLOW US OFF COURSE
Buddhism teaches that most of us are too often motivated and driven by the Eight Worldly Winds or Influences. This ancient teaching, which can be applied to all of our interactions, is very appropriate to the turbulent ups and downs of the contemporary workplace.
More than twenty years ago, Kalu Rinpoche first taught me about the Eight Worldly Winds. He pointed out then how recognizing these influences or concerns could help me distinguish for myself whether my motivations in any given situation were spiritual or worldly. I believe that you can do the same thing. The Eight Worldly Winds are actually four pairs, each pair representing opposite poles on a desire-aversion axis—in other words, what we want and what we don’t want, two different yet totally interrelated forms of desire.
Pleasure and Pain
Gain and Loss
Praise