By: Janet M. Drey (Past Executive Director)
“Contemplation” is a word that has a long history, yet many people of faith do not have great familiarity or experience with. Plato (c.428-347 B.C.) described contemplation as a means to admire or think about something. In Christianity, the gospels tell us that Jesus spent time in prayer alone and with others. In the decades and centuries after Jesus, we find many references to contemplation beginning with the desert Fathers and Mothers, then throughout the Middle Ages from mystics such as Hildegard of Bingen, Meister Eckart, Julian of Norwich, St. Theresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and others. In the 20th century, mystics such as Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, and others are re-awakening interest in the importance of contemplative prayer beyond monasteries.
Various forms of contemplative practice can be found in all the world’s wisdom and monastic traditions where contemplation and meditation are seen as pathways to transformation of self and union with the Divine. Why is this important? Because we can point to a universal foundation that supports contemplative leadership even for diverse audiences that we find in society and workplaces. While not every form of contemplative practice is used as a means of prayer, there is growing support that the journey of leadership needed for our times must include a spiritual component to awaken a motivation more compelling than the self-preservation of the modern ego.
How is contemplation practiced? Sometimes sitting in silence (as in the practice of Centering Prayer or meditation); but there are many other ways as well.
Many days, I go for a walk in a city cemetery that is located two blocks from my home. On the way there, I pass a grove of pine trees. Some days, when my mind is very busy thinking about a hundred “important” things, I walk right by these pine trees deep in thought. Other days, when my attention is clear and open to the present moment, I walk past the pine trees and become aware of their scent: fresh, invigorating, sweet, slightly minty. I hear the needles rustling in the breeze. Depending on the time of year, I notice how green the needles look as tender sprouts emerge or how the needles have blown onto the street creating a ‘carpet’ for me to walk on. I linger and draw a deep breath, savoring the experience of God’s presence all around me as pure gift.
Or when I’m outside on a beautiful evening and witness a colorful painted sunset, like this one taken at our family farm. Again, the setting with all of its exquisite sensory beauty invites my thoughts to fall away. I become still, fully present to the sacredness of the moment… not considering the past or what lies in the future… but fully in the present to the NOW unfolding before me.
What would happen if we could actually cultivate present-centered awareness in the midst of our daily lives, to include our work lives? What if we could foster greater awareness not just around us, but also within ourselves, to quiet the “chattering” of our often too-busy minds? How might our lives, relationships, and team work change if we became more present to the people and the situations right in front of us, even those that are upsetting or not “pretty”? My questions need not be abstract: we can actually experience the difference when we take ourselves off of auto-pilot and be willing to create safe space within ourselves or with others.
Contemplative Practice
Take a moment now to close your eyes. Focus on your breath. As you inhale, be aware of God’s presence, allowing God’s love and light to fill you. As you exhale, become aware of any anxiety or fear that you may be carrying in your mind or body. Let go and release as you breathe out. Inhale again slowly, filling the space with God’s love and light… and then exhale slowly. Continue breathing in… and then out.
As you slowly settle, allow yourself to rest in God’s love and light for a few moments. Consent to God’s presence and action within. As you become aware of a thought, gently let it go. God’s presence and action within is enough.
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Regular contemplative practice (individually and collectively) assists leaders over time to develop and deepen habits of presence and awareness in our everyday lives of action and service. Contemplative leadership recognizes that in order for leaders to effectively work with “reality,” we must be aware of our own preferences and blind spots. Contemplative leadership promotes ongoing awakening, developing habits of noticing, and penetrating strong attachments to points of view and opinions related to favored external and internal perceptions. Instead of protecting opinions, conclusions, and certainties (as often our egos tend to do), contemplative leaders stop reacting, open, observe ourselves and others, and seek to respond with greater consciousness, freedom, and agility. The practice of consenting helps leaders to bring an open mind (vs. a judgmental closed mind), an open heart (vs. a cynical or distrustful heart), and an open will (vs. a willful or fearful presence) to difficult and emergent situations of life and relationships.
In summary, contemplative leadership is an unfolding journey that assists leaders in becoming more conscious of who they are and the purposes they serve; as well as the motivations, perceptions, and worldviews that can limit or cause problems in our leadership. In an evolving way, contemplative leadership combines organizational and social transformation with personal and interpersonal development.
For more information about contemplative leadership contact:
Janet Drey, Managing Director
Consortium for Contemplative Leadership
www.contemplative-leadership.com
janet@contemplative-leadership.com
