ABSTRACT
Given our ‘fast and fragmented lives’—both personally and professionally—few topics are more pertinent in the present times than the art of conscious living and working. Since awareness is considered a universal human capacity and the most fundamental quality of our being, mindfulness accords great application potential in myriad fields involving personal and collective well-being. Interest in mindfulness is growing rapidly and it is now being examined scientifically for stress reduction and overall happiness. The research on mindfulness has shown that meditation sharpens skills like attention, memory, resilience, and emotional intelligence, competencies critical to leadership effectiveness.
This chapter explores the construct of mindfulness from multiple perspectives, especially from the standpoint of Theravada Buddhism. The Theravada represents, according to most Buddhist scholars (Rahula, 1974; Carrithers, 1988; Nanamoli, 1992, 2001; Gethin, 1998; Bodhi, 2005, 2012, 2016, 2017; Piyadassi, 1991, 2005), the ‘oldest’ and, hence, the most ‘genuine’ form of Buddhist teachings. The chapter will also briefly explore the existing mindfulness literature in health care and in cognitive and clinical psychology to create a pathway to the exploration of mindfulness in the workplace. Finally, it will chronicle applications of mindfulness in the workplace and leadership domain.
