Spiritual, The: Journal of Natural Spirituality - Spiritual Management Thesis, Preface

This thesis is being presented as an academic research paper for the subject Field Investigation, GB590. The paper aims to analyse key management theories from human perspective and measure their impact (positive or negative) on perceived natural human qualities such as motivation, knowledge, instinct, compassion and spiritual beliefs. The relationship of human elements to work is interwoven in the subject to highlight the human side of management and meaning of work.

This paper also queries the perceptive nature of human mind and its resultant perception of values, life, skills, knowledge and change in relation to work. The topic is tackled with a conceived view (paradigm) that in general, we have lost touch with our intuitive, natural side by engaging ourselves in logical interpretations of events and by relying on our individual perception of things. Consequently, it explores the subtle and intrinsic realms of basic human nature which is seen in various spiritual texts as connecting us with the Nature and holding profound instinctive and natural qualities. In the same connection, it is explored whether the potential of basic human nature can be tapped through an intrinsic, spiritual process that is independent of thoughts, words and languages. The challenge in this paper is to crate a focus on the human elements of the work which can be described by some as spiritual properties or tendencies. The spiritual or spirituality mentioned in this paper may not fit each individual interpretations or beliefs on spirituality. However, it should be understood that the spirituality in this paper does not refer to any established ideology but rather deals with the subtle human sensitivities and characteristics that do not come under any other definition than being human. To call them spiritual or otherwise is subjective.

In the Western (largely USA and other counties following similar principles) management thought, it is often believed that personal and professional lives are two separate aspects of a person’s life and should be perceived differently. This view is intensely debated in this paper by questioning the effectiveness of key management models that lack a basic understanding of human nature and its sensitivities. Motivation to work vastly differs from person to person even within a common function or objective. This paper questions the perception of work and workplace achievements as fulfilments of human life especially when the professional life is largely seen as separate from personal life and its values. It aims to argue that the human life can be perceived one as a whole and that indepth and subtle exploration of fundamental human characteristics can lead to more profound understand of the human nature and resultant systems in the areas of organisation culture, relationships, motivation, change, cohesiveness and human performance within an organisation. The primary data for this research will be collected from the available public domain information, anecdotal accounts of individuals by citing personal expereieces. The level of this research restricts a full-fledged research and data collection. However, this study can have a wider scope with further research involving real human subjects in the future.

The process of looking into the human mind and its complexities is tackled from two angles. In order to create awareness towards the human sensitivities, it also becomes imperative that the human nature and self is first explored and understood. The author, thus, has a complex task of first relating the key management models to the human nature and then exploring the human nature to prove the relevance. As a whole, this paper presents an interesting insight into the human nature and the spiritual aspects of a human life that directly impinge upon our present perception of work and worldly achievements. The quest to find the human answer to business and management questions has continuously stirred the conscience of many scholars and writers. However, the lack of knowledge of the human nature itself has limited those theories. A person’s religious, spiritual, ideological, social, cultural and logical beliefs have a big influence in his or her perception of life and work. It will not be possible to create a management model that aims to provide “satisfaction”, “fulfilment” or “meaning of work” without first understanding the human nature itself. Therefore, we need to first explore the areas such as spirituality and self-realisation and then bring that insight into our study. This paper attempts to do just that.

The definition of basic human nature and elements of thoughtless spirituality are ingrained in each argument in this paper. The concepts, comparisons and arguments are inter-woven and developed throughout this paper. This is a humble attempt to present the human life in one divine entity and create an awareness that may lead to discovering our natural potential and inherent capabilities.

***