Yoga and Ayurveda Perspective on Workplace Well-Being
 |
This article needs editing.
Add and improvise the content from reliable sources. |
Yoga and Ayurveda are two ancient traditions originating from India that emphasize multidimensional and holistic well-being of all. Workplace well-being holds a significant place for people considering the centrality of work in their lives and the sheer amount of time and effort expended.[1]
This article discussing workplace well-being from the perspectives of Yoga and Ayurveda has been taken from the paper "Well-Being at Workplace: A Perspective from Traditions of Yoga and Ayurveda" (2020) by C. Dagar & A. Pandey in S. Dhiman (ed.), The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Well-Being.
परिचयः ॥ Introduction[1]
The term happiness is frequently used analogous to terms such as well-being and quality of life and signifies both individual and social welfare.[2]
A broad examination of the history of happiness highlights that its definition has evolved over time.
The spiritual view of happiness emphasizes the internal orientation that aims at the freedom from external sources of pain and pleasure and accepting the world with all its beauty and distortions.[3] Venerable to the spiritual view of happiness, Haidt[4] explains that one has to delve internally, and the external world cannot bring more than momentary happiness. He also mentions that there are some externals (relationships, work, the degree of control) that matter and are worth striving for to enhance the level of happiness. Haidt reconsiders happiness and states that it engenders from the link between self and others, self and work, and self and the beyond which is something bigger than the self.
Flourishing as a concept is associated with happiness[4] and high levels of well-being[5] and is defined as a state of complete or maximal well-being coupled with optimal functioning.[6] It is a holistic and broader representation of well-being comprising of intrapersonal and interpersonal dimensions.[6][7]
As noted, work is one of the determinants of well-being and a potential means to flourish. Also, as per the report by World Health Organization (WHO) (1995), workplace constitutes a premise where individuals spend a substantial amount of time. Therefore, it is pivotal that individuals thrive and flourish at the workplace.
Yoga is a mind-body-based contemplative practice that aims at the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Its objectives include to cultivate a state of equilibrium, harmony, and a sense of awareness.[8] The Sanskrit word Ayurveda means “science of longevity.” It is not confined to being merely a system of medicine to prevent and treat diseases; it is a way to lead a healthy and fulfilling life.[9] Similar to Yoga, it is a holistic system that perceives a (whole) person as a combination of body, mind, and soul.[10] The practices underlying the traditions of both Yoga and Ayurveda aim at the complete well-being of an individual encompassing physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions (e.g., Rioux 2014).[11]
The aim of this article is to understand well-being in the context of the traditions of Yoga and Ayurveda and how the underlying philosophy and practices in these two ancient traditions have implications at the workplace and in management scholarship.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 C. Dagar & A. Pandey (2020), Well-Being at Workplace: A Perspective from Traditions of Yoga and Ayurveda, S. Dhiman (ed.), The Palgrave Handbook of Workplace Well-Being.
- ↑ Veenhoven R (2015), Happiness: history of the concept, Wright J (ed), International encyclopedia of social and behavioral sciences, 2nd edn, vol 10. Elsevier, Oxford, pp 521–525.
- ↑ Ricard M (2013), A buddhist view of happiness, David SA, Boniwell I, Ayers AC (eds), Oxford handbook of happiness, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, pp 344–356.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Haidt J (2006), The happiness hypothesis: finding modern truth in ancient wisdom, New York: Basic Books.
- ↑ Hone LC, Jarden A, Schofield GM, Duncan S (2014) , Measuring flourishing: the impact of operational definitions on the prevalence of high levels of wellbeing, Int J Wellbeing 4(1):62–90.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Keyes CL (2002), The mental health continuum: from languishing to flourishing in life, J Health Soc Behav 43:207–222.
- ↑ Seligman ME (2011), Flourish: a visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being, (1st free press hardcover ed). New York: Free Press.
- ↑ Feuerstein G (2011), The encyclopedia of yoga and tantra, Boston, Shambhala.
- ↑ Wujastyk D (2003), The roots of Āyurveda: selections from Sanskrit medical writings, London: Penguin Books.
- ↑ Atreya (2002), Perfect balance: Ayurvedic nutrition for mind, body, and soul, New York: Penguin Penguin Putnam Inc.
- ↑ Rioux J (2014), Whole-systems Ayurveda and yoga therapy for obesity: complete outcomes of a pilot study, J Altern Complement Med 20(5):A145–A146.