Contemplation and Organization Studies: Why contemplative activities are so crucial for our academic lives
Organization Studies August 15, 2019 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1177/0170840619867717 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
An essay argues that an overemphasis on calculating scholarly impact can stifle contemplation. Drawing on Mary Oliver's poem "Sometimes," it suggests that the poet's instructions for living—pay attention, be astonished, tell about it—describe many activities organizational scholars already undertake. The essay highlights contemplative practices within the field and their integral connection to compassion. It concludes that such activities are vital for scholars' experiences of academic life and personal development.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Contemplative activities, as exemplified by Mary Oliver's instructions, are integral to organizational scholarship and foster compassion, playing a crucial role in scholars' developmental journeys. |
Abstract
Contemporary emphases on calculating the impact of our scholarship can be deadening if they lead us to refrain from contemplation. Thus, in this essay, I show the importance of contemplation and what contemplative dimensions of our scholarship might include. Based on four lines from the poem “Sometimes” by the poet Mary Oliver, I summarize ways that many activities carried out by organizational scholars embody Oliver’s “Instructions for living a life,” which consist solely of “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” My summary shows some of the range of contemplative activities within our field, as well as integral relationships between contemplation and compassion. I conclude by highlighting the importance of the roles such activities play in our experiences of academic life and in our developmental journeys as scholars.