Good Work

As it happens, I spent the evening with Laurence last week at the new WCCM centre at Bonnevaux near Poitiers, having driven up with a carload of review books from this journal. Starting from the definition then good work is 'work that brings out the best in the people who do it, and brings enduring benefit to those who are influenced by it', this book is about the contribution of meditation to this process. It is based on a series of talks given to the staff at DP Architects in Singapore, who have incidentally offered their architectural services to the rebuilding of Bonnevaux monastery. Laurence has also pioneered popular MBA courses on meditation and leadership at two leading business schools, with interesting and successful results. The first part of the book explains the background and technique of the mantra meditation used by the World Community for Christian Meditation, with very helpful guidance based on many years of experience. Laurence distinguishes between mindfulness and mantra meditation, where the focus of the first is on yourself, while the second seeks to go beyond the ego and attend to others.

Attention is perhaps the key term as it is refined and developed in the course of practice. This is simple but not easy in terms of the discipline involved, where fidelity is required, and there is a shift from a focus on doing to being, or doing infused by being. The benefits and fruits in terms of equanimity, inner peace, presence of mind and improved relationships are clear to see and are indeed articulated in the second half of the book by leaders who have practised the discipline, including a sample of MBA students. There is also an interesting reflection on the relevance of the Rule of St Benedict for modern ideas relating to leadership and responsibility - with the Abbot as the equivalent of the CEO. In an age of distraction and overstimulation, this book is a precious resource on a journey to become more fully human, selfless and perhaps wiser and humbler in the process.