[Unedited] Mirabai Bush with Krista Tippett

Corporate Culture

Incorporating mindfulness into corporate culture can transform workplace dynamics. Mirabai Bush shares her experience with Google's mindfulness initiatives, like mindful emailing, which encourages employees to pause and reflect before sending emails, considering the emotional impact on recipients 1. This practice, though simple, was described as "radical" by participants who found it transformative. Additionally, Bush highlights the importance of cultivating emotional intelligence in tech environments, where cultural differences and intense focus on technical skills often overshadow interpersonal awareness 2.

   

Higher Education

In educational settings, contemplative practices are reshaping how students engage with their environment. Mirabai Bush recounts teaching mindfulness to freshmen at Amherst College, where students learned to slow down and connect with nature through simple exercises like focusing on a leaf 3. This approach fosters a deeper connection to the world and enhances decision-making. Bush also emphasizes the need for individuals to find personal practices that resonate with them, as seen in her work with diverse groups at the Fetzer Institute 4.

   

Artistic Expression

Artistic expression and contemplation are deeply intertwined, as Mirabai Bush illustrates through her entrepreneurial ventures. She describes integrating contemplative values into her business, creating products that reflect spiritual and artistic traditions 5. This integration extends to her broader work, where she identifies the contemplative impulse as a universal human tradition, transcending religious boundaries 6. Bush's efforts highlight the potential for contemplation to enrich both personal creativity and collective cultural practices.