[Buddha-l] buddhisness

[JKirkpatrick]

Hi Tim,
I don't disagree with your points here. Any improvements in human
relations are to be admired and encouraged. Also, it's unknown to
me to what extent biz management programs used the term Buddhist
or Buddhism to describe their offerings. Maybe they were few.

Best,
Joanna

-----Original Message-----
From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com
[mailto:buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Timothy
Smith
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 10:36 AM
To: Buddhist discussion forum
Subject: Re: [Buddha-l] buddhisness

Well hell, I guess I'll jump in here. 

If Buddhist practice helps folks with relationships (with
self/others) by increasing insight, then it can said to be useful
for business.  One might (though incorrectly I believe) make the
claim that it will boost sales, build the bottom line, etc., but
there is certainly no conclusive evidence that specifically
Buddhist teachings have any beneficial effect in business.

What one can say, however, is that lack of self awareness and
poor relationship skills don't make for optimum business results,
and that improvement in these areas can contribute to enhanced
communication at both interpersonal and organizational levels.

Without specifically using 'Buddhism' (American businesses shy
away from 'religious' notions in the workplace) as a discriptor,
I certainly have used the bodhisattva principles as an approach
to developing more self- aware leadership.  I've also had my ass
handed to me by more than one group who have taken offense at the
mention of any spiritual concept that does not include Jesus
himself.  I usually turn the other cheek.

This 'Colours' thing looks like a typical 'typing' scheme which,
if used correctly, can help open up folks to a more
non-judgemental way of viewing their own and other's behavioral
foibles.  I doubt that it has any more buddhist content than
Meyer-Briggs or the Enneagram intrinsically do.  On the other
hand, anything that may help relax our fixations on ourselves and
others might be leaning into impermanence.

Skillful means, perhaps?
T
Timothy Smith
Office/Mobile 831.624.8138
Fax  831.659-5112
www.wheelwrightassoc.com







On Apr 11, 2011, at 8:56 AM, JKirkpatrick wrote:

> 
> Hmmmmm--"Show your true colors" seems to be written in
Dinglish--a mix 
> of Dutch and English--how contemporary--it's been happening in
south 
> Asia for years already.
> 
> I'm not up on Dutch, but I seem to notice that they are talking
about 
> insight-- Inzicht --is that right?
> This insight meditation thing invaded biz management here at
least a 
> decade ago if not longer.
> Courses were offered to improve sales and interaction with
customers 
> and employees, etc.
> I haven't seen if any roshis or other Buddhist leader types
spoke 
> about it. The topic surfaced on this list long time ago.
> http://www.karmanomics.com/index1.php  Yes--this one is typical
of 
> what has been going on here in the USA for several years.
> 
> I always viewed this trend as a corruption of Buddhist practice
and 
> teachings, another example of how capitalisim commodifies
anything, 
> and tries to commodify everything.
> 
> Cheers, Joanna
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com 
> [mailto:buddha-l-bounces at mailman.swcp.com] On Behalf Of Erik 
> Hoogcarspel
> Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 7:41 AM
> To: Buddhist discussion forum
> Subject: [Buddha-l] buddhisness
> 
> Denizens,
> 
> there are strange things happening in the Low Countries. Some
new 
> Buddhists in the Netherlands who are in some kind of commercial
trade, 
> think they can enhance their success by (ab)using Buddhist
words and 
> concepts. See f.i.
>
http://www.boeddhisness.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=arti
>
cle&id=133:show-your-true-colour&catid=49:in-company-en-maatwerk-
> trajecten&Itemid=69
> and http://www.karmanomics.com/index1.php .
>  At the moment there's a discussion going on on the subject.
The new 
> commercial Buddhists claim that it is OK to mix Buddhism and
business 
> because it is a way to penetrate the field of capital with
spiritual 
> values. The opponents claim that the only reason why Buddha
himself 
> doesn't turn around and around in his grave is that he has been

> cremated. My argument that this practice is very unusual in 
> traditional Buddhist countries has not made much weight because
people 
> feel free to do as they please thinking they are inventing
Buddhism 
> anew.
> I personally think these people make a fool of themselves, but
worse 
> is that it may corrupt the reputation of Buddhism in general.
> My question is: do any of you remember cases like this and
reactions 
> of Buddhist teachers?
> 
> erik
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