Making Sure Our Business Travel Contributes to Stability in the Workplace

Some of us have to travel for business. While we're not in the workplace while we travel, how we travel can contribute (or detract) from stability in the workplace. Today's entries from the Rule of St. Benedict address this in their own way.

Monks typically don't travel a lot. But they do, on occasion venture outside the monastery.

Remember that the basic purpose of the monastery is to create a stable and holy environment for monks to pursue ora et labora - prayer and work. The monks separate themselves from the regular world in order to not only pursue their personal sanctity (which we all must do), but to offer their prayers and sacrifices for all of us in the outside world. One of the great tragedies of the post-Vatican II years has been the reduction in the numbers of such dedicated religious (a subject we won't pursue here). 

So the monks basic routine takes place within the confines of the monastery a routine that lasts for life. In other passages, St. Benedict comments on this. Here, though he addressed those occasions when a monk is sent out of the confines of the monastery. 

"If any brethren be at work at a great distance...then let them perform the Work of God in the place where they are working...let those who are sent on a journey not miss the appointed Hours..."

As we see, he insists the monk not only perform his Divine Office (the Work of God) but do so at the appointed hours. The monk, in effect, bring the daily routine of the monastery with him. It's important for the monk's soul that he keep his spiritual discipline. The outside world can hold special and potentially dangerous temptations and distractions for one used to a stable environment and regular routine.

Even in the case of a monk going out for a portion of the day, there's instruction intended to be sure that the outside distraction and potential influence be minimized. Interestingly, St. Benedict focuses on eating. 

"If a brother be sent out on some business and be expected to return to the Monastery that same day, let him not presume to eat while abroad even though he be urgently pressed to do so..."

This may at first blush seem strange. But remember that the monks meals are strictly planned. Even what is eaten is regulated - within reason. For example, the Rule specifically forbids eating the flesh of "four-footed" animals (unless such is necessary to nurse a sick monk back to strength). 

How can we apply these simple instructions intended for traveling monks to our business travel?

While I've only done a bit of business travel compared to others, I think what I learned might be helpful here.

First, for overnight travel, we should keep our typical schedule as best we can. Wake up early, prepare for the work day. This should incorporate whatever our usual spiritual discipline entails. In may case, I have a morning routine that takes a bit of time, followed by some form of physical exercise. During the day, I pause at intervals for prayer and recollection. When traveling, I do all I can to keep all  this in order. 

St. Benedict's instruction to avoid eating may not be applicable, but we might avoid overindulge in eating or drinking while traveling, just as would do during a typical work day in our usual workplace.

For me, unless there's some event scheduled in the evening, I'm in bed early, as I might be during my normal work days. Even in the case of an evening event, if it's more social than business, you can socialize just fine without stay up to bitter end of the event. Stepping out to get back to your room and snuggle under the covers could be the better option.

Being disciplined in this way on the road is like the monks taking their routine with them best they can when traveling. Such discipline will be good for us, body and soul. It will benefit our business as we won't dissipate our mental and emotional powers through self-indulgence. When we return to work, we won't be "recovering" from undisciplined travel.

All of this means we keep ourselves ready to do our best whether in the workplace or on the road. Of course, this contributes to stability in the workplace.