Let's Use Some Lenten Discipline to Create Stability in the Workplace

St. Benedict addresses the subject of Lenten discipline in the next entry of his Rule. Let's see what we can take away from his remarks that might help us create stability in our workplace - the ongoing theme of our posts. We will first understand St. Benedict's instructions to his monks; then we'll interpolate those remarks and apply them to us non-monks. 

Right off the bat, we see that Benedict thinks a monk should be "lenten" in character all the time. But, as always, his understanding of fallen human nature generates a more practical approach than a dictatorial one. 

"The life of a monk ought at all times to be lenten in its character; but since few have the strength for that, we therefore urge that in these days of Lent the brethren should lead lives of great purity, and should also in this sacred season expiate the negligence of other times. This will be worthily done if we refrain from all sin and apply ourselves to prayer with tears, to reading, to compunction of heart, and to abstinence...private prayers and abstinence in food and drink...offer God something of his own free will in the joy of the Holy Spirit...let him stint himself of food, drink, sleep, talk, and jesting, and look forward with the joy of spiritual longing to the holy feast of Easter..."

So we see that as his  monks can't be "lenten" all the time, when Lent does roll around they need to take it very seriously. Suggestions are made that translate "lenten" into specific actions, both spiritual and material. You can see that these are rather similar to what we lay people might practice during Lent, albeit perhaps more beefy.

Keeping Lent in mind, how can these suggestion contribute to stability in the workplace?

First of all, during Lent, we would be well-disposed if we did bring some of these practices to our workplace. Let's take going light on food as an example.

I recall thinking - at one time - that I ought not fast in any way during work. Perhaps a bit of abstinence, but fasting was out. After all, I was expected to "perform" in whatever jab I had. Fasting would weaken me. I could save my fasting for weekends and/or later in the day when I got home. And that wouldn't lessen my effectiveness. If it sounds good, it's not. It was nothing more than an excuse to take it easy on myself. 

Eventually, with some years of maturing behind me, I faced the music and brought whatever my fasting discipline was to work with me. Typically, that involved lunch and eating between meals. And, as you might expect, it was no big deal. It pains me to think of how phony my previous logic really was. But there it is.

Fasting takes discipline. And workers who can discipline themselves by fasting likely can discipline themselves in other matters as well, After all, besides offering our fasting to God as a sacrifice, the effect of fasting is an increase in self-mastery. Indeed, such an effect calls on us to fast on occasion even when it's not Lent. 

While mortification isn't strictly the same as fasting, mortification should be one of our primary tools in our general spiritual discipline - Lent or not Lent. We've discussed this many times in the past. During Lent we might for example extend our "delay" after saying grace from a couple of minutes to, let's say 3 or 4. We might forego butter on our bread, our typical use of salt, etc. But notice these are "extensions" of our general practice of mortification.

Again, we offer mortification to God as a sacrifice. That sacrifice can serve as part of our penance for our sins and faults. It can be offered up for the holy souls in Purgatory. It can simply be an offering of love - a way to let God know how much we love Him. And, as with fasting, one effect of serious mortification will be an increase in self-mastery. 

Self-mastery will of course help us to increase in holiness. It will help us to grow closer to God. It facilitates our controlling our emotions, attending to our duties no matter the distractions that assail us. All of this benefits our souls. But it also contributes to stability in the workplace.

A workplace filled with people who display some degree of self-mastery will be a calmer, more ordered workplace. Unnecessary disagreement and dispute, procrastination, even gossip - that infernal time-waster - will be reduced, if not eliminated. A reduction in gossip will minimize detraction. Detraction, whether in the form of devaluing of another person's work, or the spreading of personal rumors (whether true or false) about another can be a source of tremendous disruption in a workplace.

I think you get the point here. If we master our emotions, our imaginations, and our overall behavior, we can better accomplish the goals and objectives of our business, contributing to the success of the enterprise. We can also treat others in the workplace in a charitable manner, thereby contributing to a more pleasant and cooperative workforce.

Until I read St. Benedict's remarks, I thought of Lenten discipline as a strictly personal and spiritual matter. Now I see how it also can create and sustain stability in the workplace.