Spirituality, Creativity Linked

Practicing Silence, Deep Listening Can Result In Solutions

I have worked in corporations and in private and public universities. I've been on the boards of nonprofit organizations and have consulted with many kinds of organizations.

Unfortunately, in most of these environments, I found both creativity and spirituality were repressed and resisted. There are many theories about why this happens. One is our managerial systems have been based on a command and control mindset inherited from the past when the world was more predictable. Even our educational systems tend to produce graduates who will fit in and obey. New employees are quickly indoctrinated into the importance of following the chain of command, for example.

At the same time, one of the main complaints I hear from leaders is they have employees who won't take initiative and who don't seem to have the ability to think for themselves. These leaders say they need to have more creativity in their organizations in order to be competitive.

The Bible opens with a description of God the Creator. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1) Some American Indians refer to God as the "Great Creator." Since we are made in God's likeness, then we are also creators. "Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God," writes Julia Cameron, author of "The Artist's Way."

Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, author of "Creativity -- Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention," studied creative people. This is a list some of the characteristics of a creative personality from his research. As you read this, consider how well a creative person might be accepted in your organization:

• Creative individuals have a great deal of energy, but they are also often quiet and at rest.

• Creative individuals tend to be smart yet also naive.

• Creative individuals have a combination of playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.

• Creative individuals alternate between imagination and fantasy at one end and a rooted sense of reality at the other.

• Creative people seem to harbor opposite tendencies on the continuum between extroversion and introversion.

• Creative individuals are also remarkably humble and proud at the same time.

• Creative individuals to a certain extent escape rigid gender role stereotyping and have a tendency toward androgyny.

• Generally, creative people are thought to be rebellious and independent.

• Most creative persons are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well.

• The openness and sensitivity of creative individuals often exposes them to pain yet also a great deal of enjoyment.

My guess is people like this are likely to be marginalized in your organization. In my book "Edgewalkers," a study of spiritual leaders, I describe similar characteristics. You could substitute the word "spiritual" for the word "creative" in each phrase above, and the statements would still be valid. I believe there is a strong link between spirituality and creativity. Yet people with these characteristics are not often valued in organizations. They are either pressured to conform or are driven out. What a shame! What a waste of human potential.

The word "spirit" comes from the Latin words "spirare," to breathe, and "spiritus," the breath. Without breath, we would not be alive. So "spirit" has something to do with the energy that gives us the gift of life. This word is also the basis of the word "inspiration," which to me means to be filled with the breath of God. When we are inspired, we are connected to something greater than ourselves, and that gives us meaning and purpose. What if people in workplaces were encouraged more to tap into the spirit that inspires them from whatever faith or spiritual tradition is most comfortable for them?

There are actually several organizations that do this and who have specific spiritual practices that are used in an environment that honors diversity. Many of these organizations are profiled in my book, "Creating Enlightened Organizations." For example, a number of organizations, including Johnson & Johnson, Rodale Press, Pfizer, ANZ Bank and Ouimet-Tomasso Cordon Bleu have "silence" rooms where employees can go for meditation and prayer. Some of these organizations also invite a moment of silence before meetings, during which employees who are so inclined can use the time to get in touch with the Transcendent, whatever that is for them. Other organizations, including Travelers Insurance, Sears, Ford Motor Co. and Google, have prayer groups where employees can meet to pray for each other as well as for the company.

Still, it is rare to find organizations that are openly supportive of spirituality and creativity. However, examples of individual spiritual practices that support creativity abound. There are so many things an employee can do to tap into spirit for creative solutions to problems as well as for the inspiration to create a product, service or process that has never existed before. Some people might call it "tapping into the Muse" or "connecting to the Holy Spirit" or "receiving inspiration from God."

Personal spiritual practices include prayer, contemplation, journaling, reading sacred texts, such as the Holy Bible, and meditation. One of the most effective ways to receive inspiration is to spend time in nature, even if it means just going outside for a short walk during your break and looking up at a tree or the sky. Some companies, such as Xerox and Rockport Shoes, have sponsored vision quests in nature for their leadership teams with profound results.

It is my hope the next time you need to come up with a creative solution or a new creation, you will take that opportunity to connect to the God of your understanding and ask for inspiration. If you will take the time for silence and for deep listening, you are sure to get an answer you would not have thought of on your own.

NAN Religion on 06/28/2014

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