[Buddha-l] buddhisness

[Timothy Smith]

Well hell, I guess I'll jump in here. 

If Buddhist practice helps folks with relationships (with self/others) by increasing insight, then it can
said to be useful for business.  One might (though incorrectly I believe) make the claim that it
will boost sales, build the bottom line, etc., but there is certainly no conclusive evidence that
specifically Buddhist teachings have any beneficial effect in business.

What one can say, however, is that lack of self awareness and poor relationship skills don't make
for optimum business results, and that improvement in these areas can contribute to enhanced
communication at both interpersonal and organizational levels.

Without specifically using 'Buddhism' (American businesses shy away from 'religious' notions in the workplace)
as a discriptor, I certainly have used the bodhisattva principles as an approach to developing more self-
aware leadership.  I've also had my ass handed to me by more than one group who have taken offense 
at the mention of any spiritual concept that does not include Jesus himself.  I usually turn the other cheek.

This 'Colours' thing looks like a typical 'typing' scheme which, if used correctly, can help open up folks
to a more non-judgemental way of viewing their own and other's behavioral foibles.  I doubt that it has
any more buddhist content than Meyer-Briggs or the Enneagram intrinsically do.  On the other hand,
anything that may help relax our fixations on ourselves and others might be leaning into impermanence.

Skillful means, perhaps?
T
Timothy Smith
Office/Mobile 831.624.8138
Fax  831.659-5112
www.wheelwrightassoc.com







On Apr 11, 2011, at 8:56 AM, JKirkpatrick wrote:

> 
> Hmmmmm--"Show your true colors" seems to be written in
> Dinglish--a mix of Dutch and English--how contemporary--it's been
> happening in south Asia for years already.  
> 
> I'm not up on Dutch, but I seem to notice that they are talking
> about insight-- Inzicht --is that right? 
> This insight meditation thing invaded biz management here at
> least a decade ago if not longer.
> Courses were offered to improve sales and interaction with
> customers and employees, etc. 
> I haven't seen if any roshis or other Buddhist leader types spoke
> about it. The topic surfaced on this list long time ago.
> http://www.karmanomics.com/index1.php  Yes--this one is typical
> of what has been going on here in the USA for several years.
> 
> I always viewed this trend as a corruption of Buddhist practice
> and teachings, another example of how capitalisim commodifies
> anything, and tries to commodify everything.
> 
> Cheers, Joanna
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com
> [mailto:buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Erik
> Hoogcarspel
> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 7:41 AM
> To: Buddhist discussion forum
> Subject: [Buddha-l] buddhisness
> 
> Denizens,
> 
> there are strange things happening in the Low Countries. Some new
> Buddhists in the Netherlands who are in some kind of commercial
> trade, think they can enhance their success by (ab)using Buddhist
> words and concepts. See f.i. 
> http://www.boeddhisness.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti
> cle&id=133:show-your-true-colour&catid=49:in-company-en-maatwerk-
> trajecten&Itemid=69
> and http://www.karmanomics.com/index1.php .
>  At the moment there's a discussion going on on the subject. The
> new commercial Buddhists claim that it is OK to mix Buddhism and
> business because it is a way to penetrate the field of capital
> with spiritual values. The opponents claim that the only reason
> why Buddha himself doesn't turn around and around in his grave is
> that he has been cremated. My argument that this practice is very
> unusual in traditional Buddhist countries has not made much
> weight because people feel free to do as they please thinking
> they are inventing Buddhism anew.
> I personally think these people make a fool of themselves, but
> worse is that it may corrupt the reputation of Buddhism in
> general.
> My question is: do any of you remember cases like this and
> reactions of Buddhist teachers?
> 
> erik
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