(posted at www.lifebeforebusiness.com)

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about spirituality in the work place?  It’s probably not the first thing that comes to my mind.  I’ve been so steeped in the world of 12-step programs, coaching and exploring consciousness for so long that I have created this nice little cocoon of healthy soulful people who are constantly working on becoming more aware about how they interrelate with the world around them.  Unfortunately, this “spirit sphere” is a small representation of how the rest of the world believes and interacts.  Most people are so consumed with just getting through their lives that they do not take the time to look beyond the basic steps of Maslow’s theory (physiology and safety). 

I remember years ago reading M. Scott Peck’s book, “The Road Less Traveled” which talked about the four stages of human spiritual development.  The first two stages are basically the individuals who are “asleep” or not conscious of what they believe and just do (or not do) what the people in their environment do without question.  Stages III and IV are the ones that get my attention. This is where I like to play! 

Stage III is the stage of scientific skepticism and inquisitivity. A Stage III person does not accept things on faith but only accepts them if convinced logically. Many people working in scientific and technological research are in Stage III.  
 

Stage IV is the stage where an individual starts enjoying the mystery and beauty of nature. While retaining skepticism, he starts perceiving grand patterns in nature. His religiousness and spirituality differ significantly from that of a Stage II person, in the sense that he does not accept things through blind faith but does so because of genuine belief. Stage IV people are labelled as mystics.
 

Scott Peck argues that while transitions from Stage I to Stage II are sharp, transitions from Stage III to Stage IV are gradual. Nonetheless, these changes are very noticeable and mark a significant difference in the personality of the individual.
  My encouragement to you today is to be curious about what you are thinking day in and day out and notice the impact your thoughts have on your beliefs.  The next step would be to become aware of how your beliefs shape your actions (or in actions) in your life and in your work place.  Are you really who you think you are and would those around you agree with your sumnation? 
 I realize now that I must scare the hell out of a lot of people because I must seem like some kind of mystic to them.  I just hope that my mysticism doesn’t close the doors of communication  from happening. 
 

What doors are you willing to open or walk through today?