Reflections on The Mind of Clover

Robert Aiken writes in his book in regards to the Sixth Grave Precept:

“Almost all of us respond immaturely to others and cling to the bushes and grasses we have created. We say, ‘He is a woman-chaser; she is lazy; that other person is aloof,’ and we react to these people accordingly. We distrust the woman-chaser; we avoid giving the lazy one an important task; and we turn our own resentment and aloofness onto the withdrawn person.”

How difficult is it to maintain Right Thought and Right Speech in the world of office politics? I feel overwhelmed on a daily basis by the energy and emotions of my co-workers and the constant gossiping that goes on. I admit that, over time, I have fallen more and more from my own moral views and have engaged in this behavior along with them.

As I was reading this chapter of the book, I kept thinking back to my work situation, the issues with my supervisors and the low morale of the department. I can readily admit that I respond immaturely to my supervisors in that I have labeled them. But, what does one do in the face of inefficiency and irresponsibility? In many areas they are clearly at fault, to the detriment of the department’s overall performance. I always maintain the practice of faulting myself first and others second, but when the faults continue to mount, one on top of the other, it becomes quite difficult not to become immature. I keep thinking to myself “why have I let it get this bad? Shouldn’t I have said something before?” I think, ultimately, I do not yet have a firm grasp of the protocol of office politics. At what point can one discuss short-comings with a senior officer? When is it appropriate to do so?

I had stated before that I have become quite self-indulgent in stirring the malcontent within the department. Now that the wheel has been set in motion, I don’t know how to stop it, or if it even should be stopped. I think my hope is that, as a department, we will all become more open and honest with one another, that we will development an environment that nurtures such honesty without the stress or fear of retaliation. We are all adults and professionals; we should act as such. The mind sometimes does not mature as quickly as the body; though I am 26, sometimes I act as if I were 15. Perhaps I can say of myself that my rebellious stage has come later in life.