Buddhist-enacted practices: implications for coping mechanisms in unprecedented times

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Abstract

Buddhist practices when transferred into organizational contexts tend to bear little resemblance to their original forms of practice, leading to misinterpretations of their characteristics of ‘universal’ adaptability. For example, the popular ‘mindfulness revolution’ in the business world has been criticized for reducing mindfulness practices to psychological traits and non-judgmental awareness. Such secular approaches do not represent the Buddhist ethics-based notion of ‘right mindfulness,’ which originates from the Noble Eightfold Path. This chapter takes a critical view of Buddhist-enacted practices in the workplace (e.g., right mindfulness, the Middle Way, skillful means, non-self) to highlight the need for these practices to be interpreted and managed more context-sensitively in organizational contexts. The chapter suggests ways to move forward and present implications for coping mechanisms in contemporary organizations in response to impermanence and crises.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFaith Traditions and Practices in the Workplace Volume II
Subtitle of host publicationThe Role of Spirituality in Unprecedented Times
EditorsMai Chi Vu, Nadia Singh, Nicholas Burton, Irene Chu
Place of PublicationCham Switzerland
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Chapter3
Pages41-61
Number of pages21
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9783031095405
ISBN (Print)9783031095399
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Right mindfulness
  • Middle Way
  • Skillful means
  • Non-self
  • Coping mechanism
  • Crisis

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