The
Effect of Vipassana on the Work Environment
S.S.
Joshi
To study the effect of Vipassana on the work environment, we
interviewed people who had attended a ten-day Vipassana course. A questionnaire
was given to them. Their colleagues were also interviewed to find out their
views about the results of Vipassana.
In general, everyone experienced a positive change in the behaviour of Vipassana students and a consequent
improvement in the work environment. There was a new dimension of trust,
commitment and cooperation with others, and a remarkable rise in goodwill. There
was a decrease in hatred or strong dislike towards others, short-temperedness,
mental fatigue, jealousy, negative feelings towards others, and confrontation
because of jealousy, ego, guilt-feelings, etc.
Now let us look at the interviews of Vipassana students in detail:
Mr. Balle, Manager (R&D) has been practising Vipassana for the last ten years. He said that
his anger and short-temperedness have greatly lessened and he has cooled down
considerably. He thinks twice or before answering now, and does not give harsh
replies to either seniors or juniors. His subordinates feel free to approach
him and the atmosphere has become cordial both in the office and at home.
His trust in people has increased. He feels comfortable with all
types of people. For example, while others were having difficulty in dealing
with one person in the factory, Mr. Balle was
comfortable with him and in due course they became friends. Because Mr. Balle benefited from Vipassana, he recommended it to his
friend, who was clever but short-tempered. After the friend attended a
Vipassana course his shorttemperedness was reduced
remarkably-even his family members were surprised. Later his friend sent
another two or three doctor friends for a Vipassana course.
As Mr. Balle has become less angry and
more trusting of his subordinates, the commitment of his subordinates to work
has increased. During work on a project, normally a direction of work is
selected and work is started accordingly. Previously, projects used to reach a
lot of ends, with new lines of action being chosen and work re-started. A lot
of fline was wasted. Now after learning Vipassana,
Mr. Balle chooses the direction of work in
consultation with his colleagues so that the risk of selecting a wrong
direction is reduced and time is saved. The result is a direct increase in
productivity, i.e., more output in less time.
All Vipassana students and their colleagues agree that there has
been a positive improvement in the atmosphere of the workplace. Different
reasons have been mentioned by them. For example, Mr. Kulkarni (Executive) says
that previously he had very high expectations of results from his subordinates.
If these expectations were not fulfilled then it gave rise to anger and
tension. Now after he has learrit Vipassana, he looks
at the 65 mistakes of subordinates objectively and gives guidance to them to
correct those mistakes. His concentration and peace of mind have increased and
tension has lessened, which has resulted in more work output each day.
Colleagues of a Vipassana student have reported that after a
Vipassana course, he is more co-operative at work and less aggressive. Now,
before replying to them, he thinks first and then takes action or not, as
appropriate. They say that are now more comfortable with him.
Mr. B. Sitharam (GM) attended his second
ten-day course in January 1993. After his first course he stopped using
tobacco, paan and alcohol. He practises
Vipassana every day for one hour. His wife attended a ten-day course in
November 1993.
Mr. N.P. Joshi (Assistant Manager) feels that after learning
Vipassana he has become more polite and more considerate towards others. His
wife attended a course in January 1994. Her outlook towards life has changed.
Now his nine-year-old son is also planning to attend a course in May 1994.
Mr. P.J. Shah (Purchase Officer) practises
Vipassana daily for one hour. He says that even if his mind is upset, it
becomes fresh and sharp after meditating. His shorttemperedness
has been reduced. His working efficiency and decision making
power have improved and he feels more confident.
Mr. Pathak, a Stores Officer, has practised
Vipassana since July 1992. Before that, he used to sleep during lunchtime; now
it is not required since his mind is more fresh. He
works more quickly and therefore completes most of his work before the end of
the day. As a result he can give attention to other
areas, like housekeeping. His subordinates report that Mr. Pathak has cooled
down, and is less angry and tense. His colleague, the Purchase Officer, focussed on the term, "reliability". He said that
the answers given by Mr. Pathak are more reliable. This shows that his work is
more efficient and accurate.
A general observation of all employees is that those who are practising Vipassana are clearing paperwork daily, with
less pending work, showing that they have better concentration and work faster.
They have given up the habit of cigarette and tobacco smoking.
Increased trust and co-operativeness
have strengthened the attitude of teamwork which is essential for the success
of the organization. If we widen this concept of co-operation with people and
team spirit, we can see that it will also greatly benefit the society at large.
In a nutshell, we can conclude confidently that Vipassana has a
very positive effect on productivity and the work environment.
Sincere thanks to Phramaha
Witoon Thacha for retyping this article.