Detachment at work by Swami Swatmananda
Swami ji started today's talk by saying - Alphabets ABCD are learnt in the English language when we are young but most do not learn the ABCD of spirituality. Swami Vivekananda would emphasize on Detachment and Concentration. It is important to first understand what 'detachment is not', as people are confused about it. It is not disinterest, indifference, escapism, carelessness mediocrity, laziness, absence of ambition/aspiration.
Detachment is required for great success. In the Geeta chariot, Lord Krishna is symbolic of detachment.
Our Olympians practiced great detachment to achieve so many medals. It is important to introspect and know our attachments.
Our Pujya Gurudev explained attachment as: I + I want/object.
Psychological dependence on people, things, situations for happiness are attachment.
Attachment thrives on our “image.” One should drop attachment as it makes us blind, distracts us from our duties, harms/destroys the beloved, increases insecurity, makes one rigid. This leads to its own attachments like jealousy, anger, fear, insecurity, loneliness, psychological dependence.
Attachment goes together with sorrow while detachment goes with happiness. People think detachment is only for 'sadhus' but it is for everybody. In the Geeta, the word detachment is used 80 times when Lord Krishna is talking to Arjuna - both being grihastis.
Detachment at work: One must be clear why one works -livelihood, make a difference to society or manifest potential. Work is a must as action is integral to our life. Without fear, one must set high goals and challenges otherwise life will become boring. Clarity of the meaning of work helps make it fulfilling and if one works for the sake of work then success and happiness follow.
Avoid working for the sake of only money and do not take things personally when faced with failure.
Work with a vision. “A single inspiring ideal can transform a listless man into towering leader of men”. Higher the vision, greater is the inspiration. Think big. Think beyond I. Today as old professions are dying, the numero uno skill is leadership and skills, thus listen and be open minded.
Detach from execution by planning out one's work and working out one’s plan. If work is not planned the one is merely responding. The mantra is prioritize, focus and execute. No distractions, do smart work not merely hard work.
Avoid multitasking as it leads to a 40% drop in productivity, takes 50% more time to complete a task and lowers IQ up to 15 points.
Avoid casual approach to work.
Detachment for a team worker is being a team player, speaking positively to inspire and take criticism objectively.
Focus on work and do not dissipate energy in comparisons.
Detachment also plays a vital role if one has to adapt to the new company/culture. In the Geeta, the Lord says, work with the Yagna bhavana. Dedicate all actions to the highest.
Accept results with Prasad buddhi. Let our actions determine our life, not merely results. Work with the 'WOW' - With or Without attitude.
Detachment is the ability to drop and pick up work at will.
Lastly, we are only instruments, the Lord is the Doer. So, drop doer ship and be a flute in the Lord’s hand. This will relieve us of all stress.
