Albert Einstein once said, "The problems that exist
in the world today cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created
them." The first essential step to stopping the abuse is to learn to
listen to the rich knowing we can access within ourselves - to learn how to use
our minds in new ways, and create new solutions to current problems.
As we learn to listen within, there are several different
approaches we may take in meditation practice. Let's review the different types
of meditation techniques, and how they relate to our work lives.
Passive:
This type of meditation is only a first step. It incorporates deep
relaxation, concentration and directing the life force. It involves a relaxed
openness, with a gentle expansion toward complete peace and a sense of well
being, without much effort - such as using guided visualizations. This work is
the base upon which the higher forms of meditation can be built.
Active:
Active meditation focuses energies for a breakthrough of understanding and
knowing. It includes body, mind, and experiential activities with a focus on
increased awareness of the world and our participation in it. Here we begin to
do the important work of developing the mental body, using it to build new
thought forms. More...
Enhancing
Extension Employee Coaching: Navigating the Triangular Relationship
Dr. Nancy Franz
Professor/Extension
Specialist Program Development
Virginia
Cooperative Extension
Robin Weeks
Executive Coach
Life as an Extension employee can be overwhelming. Personal
coaching helps employees successfully navigate Extension's complex environment
(Kutilek & Earnest, 2001). Cooperative Extension hires new employees who
benefit from occupational coaching. The success of this coaching relies on
navigating the triangular relationship of the coach, coachee/employee, and
organization. A coach balances the relationship between these three entities to
positively influence the individual and the organization (Sherman & Freas,
2004).
A successful coach knows the difference between coaching,
mentoring, and supervising. Coaching focuses on the individual and their
context with little advice or counsel given by the coach who may not be in the
same occupation as the coachee.A
mentor on the other hand holds the same occupation as the employee and treats
the mentee as a friend who garners advice and counsel from the mentor with more
experience and perspective in the occupation. Finally, the supervisor focuses
on the employee's fit within the organization. The needs of the organization
are privileged over the employee in this relationship (Parsloe, 1992). more...
Using Personality Tools in the Workplace By Robin Weeks
It is common in the workplace today for companies to offer to their employee's opportunities to take behavioral or personality assessments. The choice of which tool to use can be mind boggling. Do you choose one that tells you what color you are? Do you prefer to know what letter of the alphabet identifies your personality or behavior? Do you fall back on the grand daddy of tools the Meyers Briggs Type Indicator? Some are quick and easy, others provide labels, and some are just fun. You will need to decide if a behavioral or personality tool is what you need.
A good personality tool can provide insight into both behavior and personality. "Personality is the pattern of behavior by which we are recognized." (Howard & Howard, "The Owner's Manual for Personality at Work", 2001, p. 190). While our behaviors are influenced by our personality we have the ability to alter or change behaviors but not our personality. More...
The Power of the Mind By Rebecca A. Nagy (As seen in Charlotte Health and Fitness Magazine)
It was 1976, and my first year as an assistant buyer for Lord & Taylor, New York. For years I had been challenged by back and neck pain, and finally had found an osteopath, with the wonderfully fitting name of Dr. Bachrach, who led me to the startling discovery of my mind and body connection, and the ability I had within myself to accelerate healing - called meditation. Over the ensuing years, we achieved some dramatic results through my learning some relatively simply breathing, relaxation and visualization techniques, which, when combined with physical therapy, allowed me to reach levels within myself that not only aided me in my physical challenges over the years, but also led me to formerly unrealized levels of creativity and self improvement.
Theses experiences sent me on an avid search into the realm of the body/mind/spirit connection, subsequently studying both Eastern and Western methods including TMŪ, The Silva Method, The Relaxation Response, Conscious Breathing, Hemi SyncŪ and other forms of Meditation and Contemplative Prayer. More...
