Monk and the Office Rottweiler
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One day after listening to a sermon on endless compassion, a monk walked home from his teacher's house. In high spirits, he saw a stray dog and bent down to stroke it. The dog bit off his finger.
The next day, the monk asked his teacher why, when he was so full of endless compassion, had the dog bitten off his finger. The teacher replied: 'Maybe the dog missed the sermon.'
In the workplace, nearly everyone knows someone that missed the sermon. The office Rot. Sometimes in a senior position with a ferocious temper, the Rot is universally feared, can be prone to tantrums, and is often a master of the dark arts of manipulation and backstabbing. So what can a monk in the City do? What 'uppaya' or skillful means can we use?
First of all you must accept that you are in the presence of an angry dog. You might not like it, you might think it's unfair; you might feel like bitching and moaning about it, but accept it all the same. Just let it be, see it as it is. Then, do what you'd do with a real angry dog and keep your distance. No point getting a finger bitten off, or the seat torn out of your trousers. No doubt the Rot has reasons for being angry, but these aren't your concern at this moment.
But don't shy away, and don't be frightened. The monk in the city is fearless. Otherwise, as we all know, the Rot will sense our fear and in its confused and angry state, seek to exploit it further.
Finally, if you can, give the Rot the space to be angry. If you get a yelling down the phone - or a blast in person - stand firm at a distance and enjoy the silence. Maybe not straight away, but eventually your lack of fear and inner strength will sink in. It might take a while. Keep at it. It could well be felt as compassion for them and appreciated, or as animal lovers know, it may cause that sheepish look we get when someone has been up to no good. You may not get this instantly, but the scenario changes, and your stillness will mean you are perfectly placed to react.
You may, as the space expands, notice the Rot will seek to befriend you, and become a little tamer. This won't happen over night, and you are advised to proceed with caution. Either way, even a mad Rot calms down some time. Or eventually they will pick on a pit bull that barks and bites even harder than they do.
Grrrrr.
In the workplace, nearly everyone knows someone that missed the sermon. The office Rot. Sometimes in a senior position with a ferocious temper, the Rot is universally feared, can be prone to tantrums, and is often a master of the dark arts of manipulation and backstabbing. So what can a monk in the City do? What 'uppaya' or skillful means can we use?
First of all you must accept that you are in the presence of an angry dog. You might not like it, you might think it's unfair; you might feel like bitching and moaning about it, but accept it all the same. Just let it be, see it as it is. Then, do what you'd do with a real angry dog and keep your distance. No point getting a finger bitten off, or the seat torn out of your trousers. No doubt the Rot has reasons for being angry, but these aren't your concern at this moment.
But don't shy away, and don't be frightened. The monk in the city is fearless. Otherwise, as we all know, the Rot will sense our fear and in its confused and angry state, seek to exploit it further.
Finally, if you can, give the Rot the space to be angry. If you get a yelling down the phone - or a blast in person - stand firm at a distance and enjoy the silence. Maybe not straight away, but eventually your lack of fear and inner strength will sink in. It might take a while. Keep at it. It could well be felt as compassion for them and appreciated, or as animal lovers know, it may cause that sheepish look we get when someone has been up to no good. You may not get this instantly, but the scenario changes, and your stillness will mean you are perfectly placed to react.
You may, as the space expands, notice the Rot will seek to befriend you, and become a little tamer. This won't happen over night, and you are advised to proceed with caution. Either way, even a mad Rot calms down some time. Or eventually they will pick on a pit bull that barks and bites even harder than they do.
Grrrrr.
Here Is The Writer : MonkintheCity
Monk in the City works for a large investment bank. He went to Asia in his 20's for a bit of jaunt, realised he knew very little about anything useful, stayed a lot longer than expected, and returned with sore knees from meditation and a head full of quirky ideas. He has a soft spot for dance music and a pint, and suffers from karaoke flashbacks. You can read more from him here.
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