​Conflict and Competition vs. Cessation and Contemplation

In a fast-paced workplace, traces of competition can be found everywhere, from interpersonal relationships, to product manufacturing, to business management. Competitive atmosphere is so pervasive that everyone is struggling to find ways to survive. Staff sharpen their professional and workplace skills, and improve their abilities to respond to the competitive environment. Managers introduce a system of evaluation indexes to assess employees and provide a full set of training programs in the hope of enhancing employee competitiveness and long-term sales performance.


Competition, a driving force for unremitting improvement

How do you face and cope with competition? In order to help employees realize that competition is not about fighting, Lin Zhimei (林知美), general manager at TGI FRIDAYS, keeps exploring room for growth and setting higher goals so that every employee can find their niche, and therefore move towards a broader future under friendly competition. Here, competition serves as a driving force for continuous improvement. She indicated that employees must be aware of their own capabilities, as well as the value and goal of their work, so that they can work with ease and enjoyment. This is the concept she learns from the Chan practice of "cessation and contemplation."

As Master Sheng Yen taught us, in the face of competition, the skill of "cessation" in the Chan practice of silent illumination enables us to "calm and stabilize our mind, without feeling irritated and troubled while maintaining a clear and lucid state of being." After gaining a better understanding of ourselves and the environment by practicing cessation, we then broaden our vision with the method of "contemplation" and "observation." "At the beginning of applying the basic method, it is to observe our whole body rather than a specific part of it." As Master Sheng Yen further expounded on the experience of Silent Illumination, it is about being clearly aware of the surroundings, while remaining unaffected by others' opinions and actions, as well as not being confused by changes in the environment. As Hongzhi Zhengjue (1091–1157) put it, "Even when engaging in national affairs, the mind remains as clear as sitting in Silent Illumination," indicating that a person with a clear mind feels at ease whether serving as an official or living in seclusion.


Don't Let Conflict Compromise Relationships

Dr. Yang Bei (楊蓓), an associate professor in the Department of Social Work at National Taipei University who had been commissioned by the government to study workplace psychology, pointed out that "conflict between people happens, not only because of the differences in opinions and views, but also due to their preconceived aims and expectations. When things go against their will, it challenges their inner sense of need."

According to Dr. Daniel Dana, who has taught at the University of Hartford and authored Conflict Resolution, conflict not only causes time wasting, poor decision-making, and high loss of employees, but also leads to workplace retaliation such as vandalism, data theft, and disruptive behavior to co-workers. Many people leave their jobs due to unresolved conflicts. According to his survey, up to 50% of the people who had just changed jobs did so as a result of workplace conflict.

As Master Sheng Yen said, some people believe that conflict can be resolved using their intelligence. However, intelligence, often marked by self-centeredness, is subjective rather than objective. With subjectivity comes conflict of interests. For example, when it comes to product design, while a marketer will focus on the marketing strategy of product packaging, what an engineer sees is the function of products and technical innovation. They may hold different opinions, and conflict is inevitable if they insist on their own perspectives.

In facing and finding solutions to conflicts, people often expect to rely on their supervisors for decisions, seeing it as their responsibility to settle disputes. Should we resort to external authority as the only way to quell conflicts?

Wu Zhenhua (吳貞嬅), Vice President of Lih Woei Industries, which specializes in the export of automotive parts, has for several times resolved conflicts through the Chan practice of cessation and contemplation. Once, during a business meeting, she witnessed how different backgrounds and various professional considerations had triggered a conflict. "It was a meeting for a new project, which was full of risks and uncertainties, but the profits and opportunities would be boundless for sure. However, it is difficult to coordinate opinions from participants with different points of view and their preconceived professional considerations." The aftermath caused by such conflict may range from delaying the case for further discussion, to making hasty decisions, resulting in huge losses for the company.


Using cessation and contemplation to see the situation clearly

At the time, Wu spontaneously utilized the Chan teaching of cessation and contemplation. With the skill of "cessation," she successfully detached her mind from the chaotic situation without allowing her judgment to be swayed by it or subjectively picking sides. With the method of "contemplation," she quickly identified the different viewpoints and understood the reasons behind the various perspectives. She then tried to seek a shared common ground and the possibility for a compromise. In the end, as Wu said, participants gradually reached a consensus after her sincere and logical remarks. With the atmosphere turning from antagonistic to amicable, they not only made substantial progress during the meeting, but also let everyone feel happy.



Related articles:

Chan Practice for a Happier Workplace

Efficiency and Speed vs. Relaxation and Concentration: Work Efficiently in a Relaxed Mood

Relaxation and Concentration as a Path to Self-Healing

Conflict and Competition vs. Cessation and Contemplation

Crises and Bottlenecks vs. Letting Go and Getting Motivated



Resource: Issue 271 of Humanity Magazine (March 2006), Dharma Drum Publishing Corporation
Translation and illustration: Li Siang-ling (李祥苓)
Editing: Keith Brown, Chang Chia-cheng (張家誠)