Totally Stressed Out? Hate Your Boss? Let Ancient Eastern Wisdom
Author: Lama Surya Das

Is your workplace a toxic mess? Is your boss a
monster? Is your job too stressed? Centuries-old Buddhist philosophy and
relaxation techniques may be the solution, according to Lama Surya Das,
author of "Letting Go of the Person You Used to Be"
(Broadway Books, 2003).

"Buddhism is all about paying attention and being relaxed," says Surya Das,
one of the most highly trained Western Buddhists practicing in the U.S. "And
a little of each can go a long way in today's stressful workplace."

Angry at your boss? A Buddhist practice called 'loving kindness' might be a
good place to begin. Here's an exercise: Visualize your boss and bathe him
in light. As you do this, chant these words to yourself. 'May you be happy,
may you be peaceful, may you be fulfilled.' This helps you realize that your
boss is just like you, and is only trying to get what he wants and needs out
of life.

Will 'loving kindness' work? "Whether or not you think the prayers or the
blessing actually help your boss,it helps him because you become a better,
wiser person for him to relate to," says Surya Das.

Too stressed out? Take a moment for a 'mini-mediation' at work. Stop what
you're doing and just sit there. Relax and just drop everything. Breathe in
and out, slowly,three times through your nose, paying attention to each
breath. Breathe in the darkness, and breathe out the light. If you're alone
in your office, take three minutes for this 'instant meditation.' But don't
give up on it just because you're in a high-stress meeting with others. You
can still take a 15-second 'moment of mindfulness' by just breathing, smiling
and relaxing three times in a row. That helps you access the innate sanity
that is always there.

"You may think that the Dalai Lama or the smiling Buddha get there by some
incredible knowledge or some esoteric practice, but the Buddhism relaxation
slogan is really very simple:" says Surya Das. "Take a breath, take a break."

But if you're looking for a Buddhist approach to asking for a raise -- you're
out of luck. "Buddha was born to a wealthy family, but walked away from it
all to search for enlightenment," says Surya Das. "So Buddhism doesn't have
a whole lot of advice for those seeking wealth as opposed to knowledge. We
do, however, have a great deal to say about simplifying your life and clarifying
and focusing your mind, as well as about right livelihood making a life, not
just a living."







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Lama Surya Das, an American-born and Asian-trained lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, is one of the foremost Western Buddhist meditation teachers and scholars in America. Surya Das teaches and lectures around the world. Based on his relationship with the Dalai Lama, Surya Das founded the Western Buddhist Teachers Network with the Dalai Lama and is active in interfaith dialogue and social activism. He is the author of the recently released LETTING GO OF THE PERSON YOU USED TO BE: Lessons on Change, Loss, and Spiritual Transformation (Broadway Books, 2003), as well as, several other books which include the national best-seller AWAKENING THE BUDDHA WITHIN (Broadway Books). He resides outside of Boston, Mass. More information can be found on his Web sites www.Surya.org or www.Dzogchen.org

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