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Work Wisdom Arising from Three-Dimensional Mindfulness

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How to Work Wisely: Work Wisdom Arising from Three-Dimensional Mindfulness by Suwimon Phaetthayanan A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Suwimon Phaetthayanan 2019 How to Work Wisely: Work Wisdom Arising from Three-Dimensional Mindfulness Suwimon Phaetthayanan Doctor of Philosophy Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto 2019 Abstract While research on the benefits of mindfulness for organizational well-being and performance has dramatically increased during the past decade, rarely has it revealed obstacles experienced by practitioners in integrating mindfulness into work. Further, I argue that the literature on mindfulness fails to fully integrate three dimensions of Buddhism: virtue, concentration and wisdom, referred to as ‘Three-Dimensional Mindfulness,’ which together increase the effectiveness of mindfulness in ending stress. To facilitate this integration, I explore two research questions: 1) ‘How do Buddhist-informed and secular-informed mindfulness practitioners reduce work stress and improve work performance through mindfulness practice in work-life?’ and 2) ‘What obstacles do they experience in integrating mindfulness into work?’ Critical reflexivity and critical phenomenology are employed as a methodological framework for qualitative interviewing. Data are drawn from interviews with 21 long-term Buddhist mindfulness practitioners, 16 of whom are from Buddhist traditions and 5 from secular traditions. Findings show that practicing Three-Dimensional Mindfulness helped both groups reduce work stress and improve work performance. However, both groups constantly experienced internal difficulties of not being able to accept stress instantaneously and external difficulties due to unsupportive external work conditions and attributing causes of stress to these conditions. To embrace, ii transform or overcome these difficulties, participants tried to put more effort into practicing Three-Dimensional Mindfulness and/or change or accept external work conditions. However, some external difficulties, such as the contradiction between compassion and competition, were viewed by some participants as more complicated to overcome. In handling these difficulties, participants showed four patterns: A) prioritizing work, B) prioritizing Three-Dimensional Mindfulness, C) not prioritizing either, and D) combining them. Most Buddhist-informed participants fell within the first three patterns; secular-informed participants and one Buddhist- informed participant fit the last pattern. Patterns A and C show positive organizational outcomes of resilience and retention, while Patterns B and D have mixed results of resilience or resistance and retention or turnover. To remedy this disconnect between Three-Dimensional Mindfulness and work, I propose that organizations align their values with Buddhist values. These findings contribute to the fields of adult education, Buddhist studies and human resources management in transforming work-life. Keywords: mindfulness, Buddhist wisdom, work stress, organizational values, well-being, virtue iii Acknowledgments I wish to thank everyone and everything that helped me realize the importance of Buddhism and encouraged me to pursue a thesis with this focus in the context of work. Thank you for supporting me throughout this endeavour. I have now arrived at its conclusion, and I hope that your efforts put into this work will have a positive impact on mindfulness practice. Firstly, I am most grateful for my family’s unconditional support, encouragement and understanding. Home is where I find acceptance, love, comfort, freedom, motivation, joy, warmth and good food. Second, I would like to thank my thesis committee members: Supervisor, Dr. Jamie Magnusson; supervisory members, Dr. Kiran Mirchandani and Dr. Sherida Ryan; internal/external examiner, Dr. Michel Ferrari; alternate internal examiner, Dr. Bonnie Burstow, and external examiner, Dr. Heesoon Bai, and the oral examination chair, Dr. Michael Chazan for their academic support, patience and goodwill. I am also thankful to all my professors, University of Toronto colleagues and friends, the OISE Student Success Centre peers and staff, administrative and student life staff at the University of Toronto and lifelong friends for their invaluable contribution to the thesis in the form of lectures, mentorship, academic advice, insightful guidance, listening ears and joy. With special thanks to Dr. Roxana Ng, Dr. Anne Jordan, Dr. John Vervaeke, Dr. Tony Toneatto, Dr. Frances Garrett, Dr. Henry Shiu, Dr. Blake Poland, Dr. Yuk-Lin Renita Wong, Dr. Jack Miller, Dr. Gary Knowles, Dr. Eunice Jang, Dr. Nancy Jackson, Dr. Monique Herbert, Dr. Olesya Falenchuk, Dr. Lingqin Feng, Dr. Shahrzad Mojab, Dr. Mary Ann Archer, Alex Gallacher, Dr. Nina Bascia, Dr. Glen Taylor, Dr. Valerie Damasco, Dr. Zeenat Janmohamed, Dr. Michelle Coombs, Dr. Adam Perry, Dr. Soma Chatterjee, Dr. Adriana Berlingieri, Dr. Agnes Thomas, Dr. Sheila Stewart, Dr. Vijay Ramjattan, Dulani Suraweera, Fiona Sookhai, Anjali Helferty, Yukyung Kim-Cho, Amelia Merrick, Dr. Andrea Chan, Dr. Daisy Zhu, Dr. Marissa Largo, Dr. Rochelle Johnston, Dr. Julia Gray, Haeson Moon, Samantha Walsh, Michael Koslowski, Jeananne Robertson, Karolina Szymanski, Dr. Sanghyun Kris Kim, Dr. Susan Harrison, Dr. Napat Sittanomai, Dr. Joseph Ng, Dr. Mimi Kam, Jotzu Huang, Christine Liu, Hayley Dilazzaro, Chalita Santatisup, Narissara Chalermchaichan, among others. I am forever indebted to you all. Third, I wish to express my gratitude to all my research participants in Thailand and Canada for volunteering their time and sharing their wisdom and experiences of mindfulness. I am inspired by your way of living. Your stories, as recorded and interpreted in this thesis, shall live on in my practice and in other fellow practitioners. Fourth, I am also thankful to researchers on the topic of workplace learning and mindfulness, trainers of mindfulness, teachers of Buddhism, the utmost being the Buddha, and all Buddhist and secular practitioners and communities of mindfulness. My special thanks to Ajarn Supee Tumtong whom I have never met but appreciate his online Dhamma talks. My experience has been enriched by your legacies, presence and continued fellowship. Fifth, I wish to thank my work supervisors: Dr. Sherida Ryan, Dr. Jack Quarter, Dr. Kunle Akingbola, Dr. James Ryan, Dr. Michel Ferrari, Dr. Peter Sawchuk, Dr. Rafael Chiuzi, iv Dr. Zubin Austin, Dr. Monica Gautam, Dr. Phanikiran Radhakrishnan, Michal Serwin and Elizabeth Whittington, and work teams throughout the program for supporting me in my capacities as a research assistant, teaching assistant, invigilator, peer career advisor, and other student volunteer positions within the university. These employment and volunteer opportunities enriched and fulfilled my academic and leadership development, knowledge of student life and administration, and love for education. More importantly, I am truly thankful to the readers of this thesis and hope you will find your path in practicing Three-Dimensional Mindfulness in both your social and work lives. While this entire piece acknowledges a web of connections with people to whom I am thankful, many more of you are unnamed but will always be remembered, including those of whom I met before starting my Ph.D. and those who I will meet in the future. Along this path, I might not have always been aware and understanding; if there has been any misunderstanding, misrepresentation, misconduct, or any other intentional or unintentional actions on my part that caused you discomfort or suffering in any way, I am truly sorry and ask for your forgiveness. Thank you very much! Suwimon Phaetthayanan v Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ ii Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures ...............................................................................................................................................x List of Appendices ....................................................................................................................................... xi PART I: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS ...............................................................................................1 Chapter 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................2 Personal Background .................................................................................................................................3 Rationale ....................................................................................................................................................6 Research Objectives ..................................................................................................................................7 Theoretical Framework .............................................................................................................................9
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