Where to Now?

I just did a webcast in Minnesota on the subject of Spirituality in the Workplace. The major issue that came up for discussion was whether spirituality and religion are the same. As you are probably aware from other posts, I believe they are very different. Spirituality is one's inner consciousness and religion is an organized system of beliefs, rituals, guidelines for living from which people derive meaning and purpose in their lives. Spirituality is source and religion is form. Spirituality gives rise to all religions and compatibly embraces them as One.

Spirituality is inclusive of all phenomena that come from one's inner self--beyond programmed beliefs and values. Expressions of spirituality include creativity, meditation, respect, support, inspiration, patience, courage, vision, empathy, compassion, humility, and love. Examples include inclusion, religion, work-life balance, equality, service, empowerment, unconditional acceptance, and passion. You can easily see that a Spirituality Support Group is an experiment in creating a compatible microcosm of the the world.

We have not demonstrated the collective ability to create such humanly compatible living environments; particularly where differences are involved. We tend to stick with groups who are the same in interests, culture, religion, backgrounds, or life journeys. That is why diversity is the most important phenomenon in the first part of this century. It provides us the opportunity to discover the technology that can create human compatibility and continued existence on this planet we call Earth. So far, we have not done so well.

If we have the courage to pursue diversity in highly progressive organizations, we will find ourselves dealing with fundamental issues of what it truly means to be a human being. We have only assumed we are thus far. However, our "record of results" as a collective species over many eons has not indicated any measurable evolvement of human consciousness. Only impressive technological advancements.

So, at the end of the program I posed a question to the group:

Do you believe that a rigorous business case for diversity would "carry the day" in creating the cultural transformation necessary to create an inclusive culture?"

If the answer is no, then what would be necessary?

I am absolutely not suggesting that we should not have a business case. To not have one would be irresponsible. My question is "Would it carry the day" in transforming our ethnocentric beliefs and attitudes in creating the expressions and examples of spirituality I have cited above.

Let me know what you think!