The document discusses workplace spirituality and the Indian ethos. It makes three key points: 1. It outlines the evolution of societal waves from agriculture to industrialization to a emerging "fourth wave" of spiritual consciousness. Workplace spirituality is seen as the last bastion of this emerging wave. 2. It examines the concept of workplace spirituality as a Western phenomenon but with global implications. Many businesses have incorporated spiritual practices but there is confusion around what constitutes workplace spirituality. 3. It proposes an Indian perspective grounded in the metaphysics of "The Spirit" and the ethics of "conscious living". An Indian-ethos driven business model is outlined with values, governance, strategy, and

1. Workplace Spirituality & Indian Ethos
By: Sandeep Gupta, FCA, PGD(Theology)
25th February, 2012
International Conference
‘SPIRITUAL PARADIGM FOR SURMOUNTING GLOBAL MANAGEMENT CRISIS’
School of Management Sciences, Varanasi

2. Societal Evolution Waves
Every civilization has a hidden code – a set of rules or principles that run through all its
activities programming the behavior of millions and spreading across the planet like a wave
(Alvin Toffler)
– 8500 BC – 1700 AD : The ‘First Wave’ – Agriculture
– 1700 AD onwards : The ‘Second Wave’ - Industrialization
– Early 1900s onward: The ‘Third Wave’ - Information and knowledge
– Late 1900s onward : The ‘Fourth Wave’ - ‘Spiritual Consciousness’
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The Emerging Social Paradigm
1. Shift in Consciousness
2. Disenchantment with Scientism
3. Inner Sources of Authority and Power
4. Re-spiritualization of Society
5. Decline of Materialism
6. Political and Economic Democratization
7. Beyond Nationality
(Source: Maynard & Mehrtens, 1993)
The 21st century is witnessing a new wave of development in ‘Human Consciousness’
whose last bastion is the workplace (Neal & Biberman, 2003)

3. Business
 Business is an integral part of human life and functions like a living system that adapts itself
quickly to its external environment i.e. societal values
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Businesses are adding ‘spirituality’ in their operational paradigm, a dimension that has less
to do with rules and order and more to do with meaning, purpose and a sense of
community (Ashmos & Duchon, 1998)

4. ‘Workplace Spirituality’ Phenomenon
 Starting in the 1990 ‘Workplace Spirituality’ is a reaction to the scientism, materialism and
individualism that got promoted during the 20th century
 Primarily a Western phenomenon but has global implications due to West’s economic and
industrial dominance
 Rooted in business economics, science and religion, it is an attempt to accommodate
‘spiritual consciousness’ at the workplace (Fahey, 2007)
 Organizations trying to ‘retrofit’ spirituality into their existing scheme of things
 Spirituality being used more as a tool to address leadership, employees’ motivation and
productivity issues, rather than as a scaffold to structure and enhance business sustainability
and growth quotient
– Coca-Cola, Boeing and Sears – some adopted practices include religious study groups;
voluntary prayer groups; interfaith dialog groups; introspection sessions; meditation
exercises; etc.
– The Body Shop and Tom’s of Maine – have incorporated spirituality in their CSR
program
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Spirituality is neither a business opportunity nor a management tool and it should not be
used to develop corporate reputation (Lozano and Ribera, 2005)

5. ‘Workplace Spirituality’ Phenomenon (cont.)
 Confusion exists about what constitutes ‘workplace spirituality’ and how it influences
organizational culture
 More than 70 definitions of ‘workplace spirituality’ identified by Markow and Klenke (2005)
 Businesses need to appreciate that ‘workplace spirituality’ is not practice of personal
spirituality at workplace but an operational culture that enables business to “See – Think –
Behave” holistically
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THE INDIAN PERSPECTIVE
 the SPIRIT is the core of existence and the principle of conscious life
 what pertains to it or consists of it is spiritual
 the quality or fact of being spiritual is known as spirituality
Thus ‘WORKPLACE SPIRITUALITY’ can be defined as “harnessing the characteristics of the
“SPIRIT” in the work environment and conducting business in a socially responsible
manner which promotes internal (organization) and external (society) co-creation and co-
development”

6. The Essence of Indian Philosophy & Ethos
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 The ‘Indian Ethos’ center around ‘conscious living’ and are rooted in the metaphysics of‘The
Spirit’ i.e. single point reality with multiple manifestations of different shades
 ‘Conscious Living’ means a “moral and righteous” living – viz. a life not of zero desires but of
regulated desires, a life whose hallmark are love, fellowship & sacrifice, and a life that gives
preference to society over personal gratification
“Spirituality is leading a highly rational, value based and active life culminating in Self-
Knowledge” (Swami Nikhilananda)
MAN
Infinite pure spiritual
energy with attendant
features of supreme
creative energy,
intelligence,
refulgence and bliss;
the cause of all
creation and the
essence of all life
Extension of “spirit”
whose divinity is not
an actuality, but a
potentiality; a cross
between dust and
deity, & God and
brute
Mental&Physical
Forces
Mental&Physical
Forces
SPIRIT
Spirit
Force
PHYSICAL (GROSS) PLANE
SPIRIT (SUBTLE) PLANE
DOMINANT
ABSENT
Kama
Krodha
Lobh
Moha
Ahankar
Matsarya
SELFLESS &
GLOBAL
SELFISH
Focus of
Life
TRUE &
COMPLETE
PERCEIVED
& PARTIAL
Knowledge
& Wisdom
ABSOLUTE
& KINETIC
LOW &
LATENT
Consciou
sness
MORAL & RIGHTEOUS LIFE
Objective: Evolve human
consciousness
Rationale: Action is inevitable in
this world (Karmabhoomi)
Method: Self governance,
regulated desires and
participative active life
Tools: Contemplation,
conscious decision making,
selfless acts, etc.
Result: Revised view of life
leading to integrated growth of
self and society

7.  Moral & Rational Life – Do’s & Don’ts (Radhakrishnan, 1914)
– Respect human dignity and recognize man as man
– Nothing human is alien
– Do not isolate yourself from the life of the whole
– Life is a trust for humanity, satisfaction of personal desires is secondary
– Do your best to make your small corner beautiful, efficient and loving
– Lead a life governed by the principle of ‘Dharma’ (righteousness) – i.e. not a
life of zero desires but a life of regulated desires
– Reign your ‘Lust (Kama), anger (Krodha), greed (Lobh), attachment (Moha),
pride (Mada or Ahankar) and jealousy (Matsarya) ‘the six human weaknesses
otherwise the divine in you will be pushed back by the beast in you
– Contemplation, control over senses, conscious decision making (think before
you act), selfless action are some of the action points for leading a rational life
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Since business is integral part of human life, a social arrangement to create and
share wealth, the do’s and don’ts of moral and rational living are equally
applicable to businesses situations
The Essence of Indian Philosophy & Ethos (cont..)The Essence of Indian Philosophy & Ethos (cont..)

8. The Essence of Indian Philosophy & Ethos (cont..)
8
Transcendence from Self-centeredness to Selflessness
Evolutionofindividual&groupconsciousness
I &
my family
MAN
SPIRIT

9. Indian Ethos & Business
 Wealth generation (Artha) is encouraged provided it is done for the ‘right purpose and the
right way’ (socially responsible behaviour)
– Right Purpose: For societal good rather than for amassing personal wealth and personal
gratification
– Right Way: Using honest & fair means and without causing damage to man, property
and nature
 Recent studies have established the efficacy of ‘The Right Purpose Right Way’ concept
– Marglis and Walsh (2003) examined 127 published studies and found that only 5%
reported a negative impact of ‘socially responsible behaviour’ on profits
– Sheth (2007) identified 30 publically traded companies who dared to look beyond
‘investor’s wealth maximization’ maxim and observed that the short term & long term
performance of these 30 companies was much higher than the ‘S&P 500’ companies
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Money is the visible sign of a universal force, and this force in its manifestation works on
the vital and physical planes, and is necessary and indispensible for fullness of outer life. A
strong attraction for human ego, thus the seekers and keepers of wealth are more often
possessed rather than its possessor (Sri Aurobindo)

10. Indian Ethos & Business Culture
 Business being a non living entity does not have a culture of its own
 ‘The so called business culture’ is the sum total of the culture of its leaders, managers and
workers
 Man is a spiritual being and is instinctively drawn towards harmony and interdependence, it
is a different matter that the dominance of his lower tendencies makes him to act otherwise
 Man has an inborn ability to transcend himself and his surroundings from low tendencies to
high tendencies, provided he wants to do so
 History is full of examples of societal transformation thru spiritual values (change in
collective consciousness)
– Era of Ashoka The Great: Transformed from a warrior society to a peace loving and spiritual society
thru Buddhist values
– The Bhakti Movement: Resurgence of Hinduism in society
 THUS a business culture driven by Indian Ethos is also achievable provided there is
commitment and patience on the part of the management – ALL cultural changes take time
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THE NEED: A business model that amalgamates ‘economics’ and ‘spirituality’ - Economics
nurtures the outer (physical) world of man - Spirituality nurtures the inner
(consciousness) world of man
Spirituality & Economics combine is responsible for all growth & evolution (Swami
Vivekananda)

11. Indian Ethos Driven Business Model
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Culture
Officer
Contribution in
resolution of
social, economic
& environmental
challenges
Enhanced societal
acceptance and
support
Enhanced brand
value and prestige
Increased
sustainability
quotient
Mission
State in terms of commerce and finance
Vision
Define in terms of Societal Wealth creation
Values: The 5 universal virtues
Non-violence, Truthfulness, Not Stealing, Restraint
& Non-Possessiveness
Board of Directors
To include spiritualists, economists & scientists
Strategy
Driven by Co-creation & Co-evolution Philosophy
Operating & Management Environment
(Change / include)
Management style
• Participatory (brain storming sessions)
Decision making paradigm
• Does it confirm to organization’s values?
• Will it add to the sustainability quotient?
• Will it generate profits for the organization?
Target Setting
• A mix of financial & participation in CSR
Incentives
• Calculated on a mix of financial, community
participation & adherence to organizational
values
Company
becomes
attractive for
investors
INCREASE IN
SUSTAINABILITY
This Model
does not asks
for sacrificing
profits or
economic
principles, on
the contrary
it opens the
path for
larger profits
by striking a
right balance
between
business’s
economic
and social
obligations

12. Conclusion
 The recipe to:
– Replace a pure economic decision making approach by a ‘socio-economic’ society sensitive
approach’
– Develop internal and external coherence within the organization
– Make work meaningful and purposeful for the members of the organization
– Etc. ….
IS ONLY ONE
INTENTION – INTENTION – INTENTION
The core & starting point of transformation in Indian Ethos
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13. Thank You
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