Buddhism in Office Politics

coolbluewater SG

Pretty sure that all the brothers and sisters have encountered this problem. Care to share on how to deal with it in accordance to your understanding of dharma knowledge?

Reason for asking was because I have met alot of problems in office, and I'm pretty much at a lost of what I could do. I dare not admit that I'm compassion, but I tried to feel for others, ended up have been doing other's work which bogged my performance down. As my basket gets heavier, my frustration level goes up, and has affected my index of happiness. I'm not happy going to work anymore because I have to face all the negative comments coming from others, regarding me can't do my job problem, which is clearly because I'm doing their work. As a result, i'm like stuck in this pressure cooker, and at the brink of explosion. I can't find anywhere to release my stress, and I feel that I need a break, though I know it won't help much.

Any advise on what to do?

Cenarious SG

Do not place your mind on gain and loss

Isis SG

M why didnt you stop taking up so much work loads if you can't handle them?

sinweiy SG

maybe u didnt transfer ur merits to sentient beings. what u can do is transfer ur merits to them.
but why didnt u mind your own bussiness in the first place?
in terms of keeping the mind pure and serene,
that say, more work is no better than less work and less work is no better than NO work,
better dont purposely go and do good deeds though.
though we dont let go of good deeds from the outside, but we do have to let go of good deeds from the inside.

recall theres a story about a praxis went to help a dying animal, then the animal become attached to him where ever he goes.
somehow become a burden. or unless, u can transform it, like Buddha did, where He vow to liberate them when He become enlighten.

/\

justdoit77 SG

Hi cool,

Compassion should come with wisdom.

If you allow others to take advantage of you, this is like giving them opportunities to do bad karma. For their own good, pls stop this.

Second, even if it is good to do other people's work (depends on what work), make sure it won't make your life miserable. Otherwise, it will create a conflict between compassion and happiness in your mind. Gradually and subconciously, you will begin to think that compassion is against happiness. So, to maintain your compassion over long period, pls take note of this.

But since you already made a precedent of doing their work, if you suddendly stop doing so, they will make a lot of noise, be prepared how to deal with it.

If you still encounter any problem, feel free to share with us here.

earthling82 SG

Hi

1. Review your current working patterns and identify key areas for improvement
This inculdes

a. Prioritizing matters
b. Schedule time
c. Breakdown of matter using divide and conquer

2. Have a good communication strategy
This includes communicatoin with

a. Boss
b. Immediate supervisors
c. Colleagues
d. Friends

3. Practise some humanity and ethics
This can be

a. Learning to be firm. Say no if need be
b. See things from different angles
c. Use some humour. Dun be too serious or uptight

neutral_onliner SG

In the Buddhist approach to life the value of work is deeply embedded. The Buddha taught that actions bring results, whether for good or ill. He also taught that nothing just happens by itself - all things are conditioned and each thing as a cause. To work hard and conscientiously has beneficial consequences, whether this is working on spiritual practices or cleaning the streets. Idleness, lethargy, dissolute behavior are decried by the Buddha as unwholesome.

Agan and again, the Buddha urges us to act - to meditate, to do good deeds, to build good relationships with others. Indeed, it is notable that the Buddha's last words were 'strive on with diligence!'.

the book oso available at the Libraries Cool

Isis SG

Hi coolbluewater,

Going through all these problems is actually a great way to learn and an opportunity for cultivation.

From what i see, you are playing matyr here and being softhearted Wink

It is important to learn to be assertive once in awhile.
Practise the middle-way.

I don't know if this is what you are thinking. If you are thinking that practising compassionate in helping others or by giving...well, i think it is important to practise compassionate with wisdom too. You are encouraging others to be lazy.

unless you have made a vow as a pusa in the past and has been cultivating for aeons.. you will not be affected emotionally and mentally.. In other words, it is definitely take some time and efforts to cultivate to there level. So till now, if you still feeling abit unease with your action, i suggest to take small steps.

coolbluewater SG

Just an update on my recent career. Nothing much has changed, except I took a different view to make clear of what exactly is gong on. Thanks to a lesson that I've learnt in my dharma class, it's called ¹Û¹¦Äî¶÷, to view the good effort, and appreciate the kindness of others. My relationship with my colleagues have improved. In fact, they have now became more willing to help me with my arrowed duties, though in the first place, these are suppose to be their job. At least, they are doing it willingly, and I'm enjoying more peace at at my workspace.

I realised, to really get along with people, first you must change your own attitude, to suit the environment. Regard yourself as water, rather than rock, cos water can fill every single space in a glass, but rock can't. Your life could be happier, if your you have less needs, and demand.

Cheers to all for your advice, they certainly helped.

An Eternal Now SG

If you can sustain that level of awareness in office, I believe gradually - not immediately, but gradually, things will change.

coolbluewater SG

I decided to add on this thread to maybe mention something that I've observed so far from the few organisations that I'm affiliated with.

I realised that politics does exists in these organisations, where the committess basically wanted the policies to benefit themselves rather than the organisation. One instances that I came across was that this committee decided to that all activities organised by the volunteers must obtain the approval of the committees, despite the venerables's have agreed to go ahead, and when it comes to big events such as venerables visited Singapore, the committees are always absent, citing busy work schedules etc.

Another example is another committee even set high entry level for the volunteers, citing that they must be of certain tradition etc, despite knowing the volunteers number are dwindling fast.

From these few examples, I noticed that sometimes, people join the management committee of a religious organisation, or any voluntary organisations because they want to gain control and ensure the events work towards their advantage.

Citing the incidence that I've encountered in the two different committees, I have nothing but disappointments, but I stayed on because I do have friends inside who kinda "suffered" under the hands of these committee unknowingly.

This makes me ponder on the qualities of these so call committee members who preaches dharma, but doesn't seems to be practicing it. Of course, I have met good committee members who are dedicated to serve for unconditionally for the work of dharma propagation. However this will have a long term adverse impact on the progress of Buddhism in this society. Pretty much disappointed, but luckily my advising venerable is constantly encouraging me, and teaching me on different ways to handle it. If not, I'll probably ended up in IMH sooner that I expect.