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Antidote to Toxic Culture
October 28, 2022
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First, From the Heart
The profound impacts of toxic cultures and systems are evident all around us. People are increasingly at the end of their rope. As John O’Donohue so artfully expressed in his poem For One Who Is Exhausted, a Blessing,
Then all the unattended stress falls in
On the mind like an endless, increasing weight.
…Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
Dragging down every bone.
We share these brief excerpts to reflect on what is happening all around us, and most directly within us. Cultivating compassion for ourselves and for others will help. Summoning up fierce compassion is the way we shift systems during these challenging times.
For personal support and a deeper dive into the powers of compassion, join us for the next online Compassion Intensive starting Tuesday, November 1. Led by our gifted colleague Laura Banks, this short course will strengthen your practice and resilience. You can find more information and register here. And please reach out if a scholarship would make it possible for you to join in.
Be gentle,
Laura
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Upcoming Program – STARTS NEXT TUESDAY
Compassion Intensive
A Focused Exploration Into the Personal Practice of Compassion
Tuesdays, 11AM - 1PM ET, November 1 thru November 22, 2022
How do we respond to the profound suffering around the world today? How do we hold both the pain and joy of life at the same time? Our 4-week online program led by Laura Banks condenses components of Compassion Institute’s 8-week Compassion Cultivation Training© course developed at Stanford CCARE, and now housed at the Compassion Institute. Our next experiential journey begins November 1 – Join us! Find out more and register.
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Best of the Blog
Compassion Is a Verb
Leaders are doers by nature, which is helpful when it comes to compassion. Skillfully moving compassion into action is how we create safety, connection and belonging for ourselves and for others. Compassion is the path we follow to support us through the uncertainty and challenges of the moment. Read about these three approaches to weave more compassionate action into your path of thriving. Read more.
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Research Worth Sharing
Toxic Culture Is Driving the Great Resignation
by Donald Sull, Charles Sull, and Ben Zweig
in MIT Sloan Measuring Culture/Research Highlight, January 11, 2022
A toxic corporate culture is by far the strongest predictor of industry-adjusted attrition and is 10 times more important than compensation in predicting turnover. The authors’ analysis found that the leading elements contributing to toxic cultures include failure to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; workers feeling disrespected; and unethical behavior. Read the research.
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Upcoming Event
Wisdom for Life: The Power of Practicing Fierce Compassion Virtual Workshop
Free Online Event presented by Wisdom for Life and Sharon Salzberg
Sunday, October 30, 2022, 12PM - 6PM ET
Although frequently denigrated in our culture as simplistic and weak, the quality of kindness has an inherent power to transform our worldview from one of fear and isolation to one rooted in clarity, courage and compassion. This workshop will explore the powerful, sometimes intense side of kindness, known in the teachings as wrathful or fierce compassion. Through talks, guided meditations and question and answer sessions, Sharon Salzberg will explore the terrain of right intention, right speech and right action in the everyday challenge of bringing together compassion, honesty, strength and balance. Register here.
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Practice Matters
Wrap in Compassion
The moments of life dart by. Sometimes they happen without much notice, and occasionally there are moments fueled by intention and awareness. What’s the difference? Everything, and nothing. Moments are moments are moments. That we know. We also know that entering each moment with intention can make all the difference about the quality of this moment, and each subsequent moment – how we feel, our thoughts, our relationships, and our actions.
The essence of a compassionate life is to approach each moment, each choice point, with an intention toward compassionate action. That might be as simple as being intentional when we greet one another, or how we speak to a colleague or family member. Bringing compassionate intention to each moment doesn’t take any more time or effort. But it does take practice. Then we can show up with the awareness of compassionate intention and let that flow throughout each and every day.
When can we practice? Always!
If you'd like to explore additional Practice Matters, you can find them here.
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