Chapter 7: The Workplace as Worship – Productivity with Presence

The modern workplace, whether a bustling office, a remote setup, or a demanding service environment, often feels antithetical to spiritual practice. Deadlines loom, colleagues present challenges, and corporate pressures can feel overwhelming. Yet, Brother Lawrence demonstrated that even the most mundane and repetitive tasks, like washing dishes, could become an act of profound devotion. This chapter explores how to bring that same spirit of worship into the workplace, infusing productivity with presence.
Elevating tasks through intention and love is the cornerstone of this practice. Brother Lawrence famously said, “I turn the cake that is frying on the pan for love of God, and that done, if I have nothing else to do, I prostrate myself on the floor and adore Him, who has given me the grace to work.” He didn’t just perform the task; he offered it.
To apply this in your workplace:
• The “Offering” Mindset: Before you begin a task—whether it’s writing an email, preparing a presentation, taking a call, or even cleaning your workspace—pause for a moment. Silently offer this task to the Divine. It could be a simple, “May this work serve a higher purpose,” or “May I perform this with diligence and love.” This simple intention transforms the mundane into the meaningful.
• Mindful Task Engagement: Approach each part of your work with full attention. If you’re typing, notice the feeling of the keys under your fingers. If you’re listening, truly listen, without planning your response. This isn’t about slowing down; it’s about being fully present in the moment of action.
• Dealing with Deadlines, Difficult Colleagues, and Corporate Pressures with Grace: These are inevitably going to arise. Instead of reacting with frustration or anxiety, use them as opportunities for practice.
• Deadlines: When urgency builds, take a deep breath. Focus on one small step at a time, offering each action to the Divine. “May I apply my best effort to this task.”
• Difficult Colleagues: When challenged, practice compassion and non-reactivity. Before responding to a challenging email or comment, take a conscious pause. Ask, “How can I respond with kindness and wisdom in this moment?” See their humanity, even if you disagree. This aligns with the “Pause, Acknowledge, Respond” method from Chapter 3.
• Corporate Pressures: When stress mounts, remember that your inner peace is not dependent on external circumstances. Your job is to offer your best work, and the outcome is ultimately in higher hands.
Mindful breaks are essential for recharging your spirit throughout the workday. Instead of defaulting to endless scrolling during breaks, use them intentionally:
• Take a one-minute breath break, focusing purely on your inhalation and exhalation.
• Step outside and simply observe the sky, a tree, or the feeling of the air on your skin.
• Practice a simple walking meditation to the water cooler or restroom.
• Close your eyes for 30 seconds and repeat a centering phrase.
Ultimately, offering your labors transforms work into an act of devotion. Your skills, your effort, your patience, your creativity – these are all gifts you bring to the world. By consciously offering them, you elevate your daily grind to a profound spiritual practice. The workplace ceases to be merely a place of obligation and becomes a sacred space where your presence meets the Divine.