"Sacred Commerce": Business as a Path of Awakening

I have started reading a book called "Sacred Commerce" after hearing the authors Matthew and Terces Englehart in an interview. I was really captured by their positive and compassionate perspectives especially when it came down to their work. They are very motivated by love and have written a book which challenges our thoughts on business.

They base their business on four standards, PASS.

P= profit=love of enterprise

A= awakening=love of transformation

S= sustainable=love of Earth or the whole

S= service=love of community

I was also captured by their clearing process. Clearing in the text is defined as "a basic technique for distinguishing how the past is impacting the present and then presenting an opportunity to create something new and shift one's attention to something more empowering." Clearing is used in their business Cafe Gratitude, and it works on investing in the employees. They spend time communicating with each other in order to have workers who can be more present, feel part of a community which listens, and ultimately feel empowered.

The keys to clearing are to be present, listen, and create something new. You begin by asking the person, "What are you present to?" Then, you listen! Don't fix. Just listen. You may want to reassure them by that you are listening by re-telling back to them what the person said. Don't come up with solutions. Just sit there and listen. Finally, shift the experience by asking them something new. For example, "What are you grateful for?"You end the clearing session by acknowledging the person for being honest.

Most recently, I have read another chapter on "The Art of Sacred Service." The author recounts a time he had a dream that he was asked by Jesus to serve at The Last Supper. Coincidentally, this was at a time when he was stuck in a rut and tired of of serving people day after day. He wondered when people were going to serve him.

But, when presented with the opportunity to serve, the author realized that "the highest calling and the mark of a true leader [is] to be the servant of all." So when employees are cleared from their personal crisis and emotions, they are able to serve in their jobs better. They can pay attention to their clients and be present. The present is the only place people can take action, and service is an expression of love.

Wow! It's hard to think about work in that way sometimes, especially when people feel bogged down with drama, dysfunction, and stress. Can you imagine what it would be like if you and your colleagues that of themselves as servants who were extensions of love? How do you convert your negative feelings (overwhelming obligations, being stuck, or feeling unappreciated) into feelings of love? How can we start to think about our workplace as opportunities to present love to others?