Work as worship? Ancient wisdom for modern workplaces
The employer and employee chasm has been growing faster than ever. Former wants latter to spend all the time possible at work and efficiently contribute to the organisation’s growth. In this, some see growth and prosperity of the nation. In the fast-paced race to modernisation, we are leaving behind our rich culture of caring for life, respecting work and high spiritual values. It’s time for us to revisit the timeless teachings of saints and the ancient Indic approach towards work. In ancient Bharat, work was never seen as a burden or mere duty; it was an offering – a way to align oneself with the natural order and contribute to the well-being of society. Since the work was intertwined with one’s spiritual journey and aligned with one’s inner nature, it was a source of joy rather than fatigue.
People did not differentiate between personal and professional duties; instead, they saw their tasks as extensions of their existence and fulfilling of purusharthas – dharm, arth, kaam, moksh. Work was worship. It was done with devotion and offered as a service. Today, humans have been reduced to mere resources in the name of efficiency and scalability. Strict time management, rigid structures, and unreasonable demands have become the norm, often orchestrated by human resource departments to maximise resource utilisation. However, such practices are unsustainable.
Discipline, when taken to the extreme, becomes misgovernance. It goes against our inner nature and disturbs basic tenets of ‘being human’. For instance, enforcing strict time constraints or unreasonable performance metrics would demotivate and frustrate employees and lead to a ‘dragging’ mentality. According to the Tattvartha Sutra (7.25), “Bandha vadhachedatibhararopananna-pananirodha,” overburdening is a form of violence.
Ancient wisdom offers solutions that are more relevant than ever. Bharat must lead by example, embracing and exhibiting the principle of ‘Parasparopagrho jivanam’ – all life is bound together by mutual support and interdependence. Employees must follow their dharm, and employers must honour their raj dharm. Rather than viewing employees as cogs in a machine, organisations should treat them as living, breathing contributors to a shared purpose. They are like the various organs in the body, each having its unique role and yet all of them working cohesively. For the body to be healthy, it should treat all of them with respect, love and care.
Individuals should be nurtured and empowered to connect with the larger purpose. This helps them respect their work and connect emotionally and mentally. This would promote a culture of ownership, innovation and efficiency.
Individuals should be performing duties aligned with one’s swabhava, nature. Workplaces should allow individuals to engage in roles that resonate with their strengths and interests. This autonomy would foster creativity and commitment. Employees must not be seen as mere resources. Their emotions, personal time, and well-being must be respected. Undue pressure can harm individuals and organisations.
If we only manage time, we will not be able to manage individuals’ holistic well-being, productivity, and efficiency. This gradual shift from time management to mind management would ensure that time is also well managed.