Social and cultural change has impacted upon traditional religious activity, compliance, and fulfilment, opening opportunities for individuals to engage in a more spiritual orientation to both their inner and outer ‘self’. In parallel, social change has exposed individuals to a wider array of contemplative, spiritual practises, intensifying the quest for meaning and understanding in both asking and answering existential questions. At the same time, the intensity of activity in the World beyond self increases pressure and inherent complexity in engaging with others in meaningful ways.
Addressing these contemporary challenges and enhancing interconnectedness, between inner and outer self, and between self and others, demands conscious choices concerning contemplative practice whilst recognising the pervasive impact upon whole-life experiences. Contemplative practice and spirituality cannot be ‘compartmentalised’ enabling impacts and outcomes to be brought into play in certain situations but ignored or over-ridden in others. Throughout life individuals continuously move between roles as managers, leaders, and followers, but the advantages and disadvantages are brought sharply into relief for those who occupy formal or informal roles within organisational settings.
Based upon participant observation and autoethnography, the authors reflect upon their personal experiences within the context of Christian spirituality to illustrate the benefits accruing to individuals, especially in terms of interconnectedness, wellbeing, and leadership activity from engaging in contemplative practice. Unusually, reflecting autoethnography as the principal research methodology has facilitated much of the discussion and empirical, practical sections of the paper to be written in the first person. Core outcomes indicate that benefits derive from engagement in mindfulness and embodiment with either a theistic or non-theistic foundation
