Tim Smith types interesting thoughts about business' aversion to ambiguity.
I agree, Tim. It's so striking how separated from "self" business actions
are. I think "business" people (like me, for instance) are expected to
plan, do, check and act based upon data, upon reflection on that data.
The concrete data (such as it may be) passes from the conscious to the
unconscious, where it is chewed, then returned to our action
consciousness. We then react (reaction may be no action, but that's still
a reaction). Because we believe so strongly in the tradition that
business is "run" by big boys and girls who are astute, serious,
well-meaning and sane, we perpetuate barriers and defenses to "letting
go".
To "let go" is scary under any circumstance--even in meditation to some
degree. In business it has been so easy to dismiss the other side of our
psyche or persona seemingly unrelated to making a profit while doing good
in the community. Paradoxically, consultants render workshops for
executives and managers so that they can link themselves better to Dharma!
There are more and more examples (this list) of sincere people searching
to eliminate the barrier between heart and mind in business. Mind you,
there certainly are links, but here I am typing about the barrier which
inhibits freer flowing organizational development in the many ways so well
expressed in this list.
Mike wrote about ambiguity as a key element. Yes. And in business we try
to reduce the use of crystal balls for certain flavors of decision making;
we attempt to eliminate ambiguity, reduce the risk in risk-taking. And
yet...and yet...Tim, you write about another Sun rising in the east which
casts light upon new revelations of self which may have a profound impact
on the traditional business of exchanging goods and services for money. I
feel strongly about this, like you do. I vascillate between optimism
(thanks to you, Listers and listeners) and gloom.
As some others have expressed, I too find mixed realities on this
wonderful list. The pedantic (my choice of word) mixed with the real,
down and dirty. Both have their place to assure syncretism which helps us
say "Emaho"!
Rumi:
All day and night, music,
a quiet, bright
reedsong. If it
fades, we fade.
-- Best, Barry Mallis bmallis@markem.com