What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a condition of attention in which both focus (single-pointed) and broad (field) awareness are consciously activated, yielding states of flow and creative integration. Mindfulness is challenged by inner and outer distractions and by the natural human tendencies to follow known mental and somatic pathways, aka habit or autopilot.

Since these distractions and tendencies are so pervasive and strong, it requires a discipline of practice to re-wire the sensory, nervous and cognitive systems to re-establish flow and creativity. Fortunately, the specific practices to accomplish this are very simple and available to all people, regardless of their psychological makeup or environmental conditions.

By directing the attention to specific mental and physical aspects of one’s current state (ideally performed in an environment supportive of quiet, space, and stillness) mindfulness practices cultivate a stronger “power of attention”, with many beneficial results.

Is Zen@Work Mindfulness?

Zen@Work incorporates Mindfulness practices into its program, but goes deeper by consciously connecting your practice to your personal inspiration to do purposeful work and serve others.

Elaborating on this a bit … the Mindfulness “movement” such as it is, has contributed to Western business culture through a succession of paradigms. It first entered the culture through the clinical paradigm of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR). The benefits of Mindfulness in this paradigm (at least the primary, measurable ones) were, well, exactly what the name states: stress reduction. Mindfulness evolved from there to a Productivity paradigm in which organizations consciously sought and received the benefits of increased productivity, which were naturally attendant upon the increased focus of the practitioners (productivity = time * skills * focus). The Productivity paradigm widened to become an overall Optimization paradigm, as many organizations (primarily tech) geeked out on the “brain-hacking” powers of meditation to exploit the (newly discovered!) qualities of neuronal neuroplasticity to “re-wire the brain”.

Due to the success of these programs, Mindfulness has now become adopted as part of the overall Wellness paradigm, the full-spectrum recognition that integrated physical, emotional and mental health contributes not only to stress reduction and productivity, but to deeper qualities such as job satisfaction, creativity, and collaboration skills. While more difficult to measure, these benefits are increasingly appearing in “downstream” metrics such as employee retention, increased innovation, quicker identification and resolution of conflict, and more successful collaborations.

Zen@Work provides all of these benefits, and expands the purview even further by connecting Presence with Purpose. Ultimately, these are related, since you are more at ease and creative when you know your work is important, and (on the flip side), you need to be in touch with your peaceful center to really understand your deepest gifts and how to manifest them. For leaders, this work extends to the larger mission of your business, and your corporate culture. The result is healthier cultures and more responsible stewardship of the core assets and offerings of the business.