Zen and well-being at the workplace

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate connections between the practice of mindfulness meditation and individual and organisational well-being. Design/methodology/approach – A direct randomised study conducted on a groups of persons involved in various work activities through a programme of Zen meditation courses and a comparison between the situation of well-being found before and after taking part in the courses, assessed in the light of results obtained from a control group that had not taken part in the courses. Findings – The comparison and analysis of results showed that the group of participants taking part in the meditation training obtained a significant increase in certain indicators relating in particular to subjectively perceived well-being, as regards attention and concentration as well as in a physiological indicator measuring stress reduction. Originality/value – The study brought to the place of business a tool traditionally used almost exclusively in relation to the personal sphere, evaluating its potential in terms not only of individual well-being but also in terms of efficiency and productivity.