Commitment is one of the more familiar essences in the workplace context. Almost goes without saying that we expect to bring a sense of commitment to our work. Yet as obvious a desired state as commitment may be, when Dan sat down to record this very episode, ironically, he had to admit that a sense of commitment just wasn't there. So, he threw out his script and offers here an example of his approach to a self-guided ritual, inspired by shamanic practice, for restoring a sense of connection to a productive endeavor...in this case, Season 3 of this podcast.

This podcast is offered by your workplace well-being partner HEALEOLOGY. Learn more about the practical strategies of modern meditation, a compassionate work-style, and rituals of belonging at Healeology.

What is Medicine Wheel and how does it related to the Essence Map tool Dan's using throughout this season? Dan is joined by long-time shamanic practitioner Kriket who offers her perspective. Firstly, this exchange serves as a great primer on the certain aspects of the foundations of shamanic practice, as well as an overview of Medicine Wheel structure. Secondly, Kriket deftly discusses the alignment between the core of the Essence Map -- East/Joy, South/Trust, West/Hope, North/Peace -- and her own application of Medicine Wheel. Thirdly, Dan and Kriket share their hopes for a time in humanity's near future where, just perhaps, shamanic wisdom is brought back into the fold of contemporary Western culture. Fourthly, Kriket offers several practices we can all use in our work life to call upon the Essence of Resilience.

To learn more from Kriket's teachings, please visit www.shamansway.net and subscribe to her wonderful, authentic, informative, joyful podcast.

This podcast is offered by your workplace well-being partner HEALEOLOGY. Learn more about the practical strategies of modern meditation, a compassionate work-style, and rituals of belonging at Healeology.

Too many of us fear -- yes FEAR -- allowing Joy into our work life. Because we're programmed to be professional, to be winners, to strong. As a result we relegate Joy to a quality for weekends and personal celebrations. The result? Disempowering ourselves from a basic ingredient for creativity, productivity, teamwork. Lois Kelly, the co-author of Rebels at Work, joins Dan to discuss the business of Joy.

This podcast is offered by your workplace well-being partner HEALEOLOGY. Learn more about the practical strategies of modern meditation, a compassionate work-style, and rituals of belonging at Healeology.

In a time seemingly filled with so much grievance and tribalism, it's more important than ever to invite the essence of Hope into our work settings. Do we really need to debate what hope is? In this episode, Dani jumps right in offering three practices for allowing oneself to experience the essence of Hope.

For anyone in a leadership role, Dani poses a special challenge: to understand modeling hopefulness as a part of your responsibility. Not simply a nice idea.

This podcast is offered by your workplace well-being partner HEALEOLOGY. Learn more about the practical strategies of modern meditation, a compassionate work-style, and rituals of belonging at Healeology.

The concept of "purpose" and its importance in a thriving workplace might seem obvious. Yet we each may well approach the idea in a distinct way. For you is it more akin to responsibility, or drive, or calling, or something else? Here we reflect on the importance of taking some care to acknowledge that each concept on the Essence Map holds different meaning for every individual. And from that place, we consider how we allow ourselves to experience the core essence of "purpose" -- whatever our particular definition.

Dani ends the episode sharing some of the messages received through a spirit journey asking the question, "What do I need to understand about purpose for my own work in this life?"

This podcast is offered by your workplace well-being partner HEALEOLOGY. Learn more about the practical strategies of modern meditation, a compassionate work-style, and rituals of belonging at Healeology.

Here we begin our exploration of the Essence Map by looking to the North for the essence of Balance. We all are prone to one form of extreme or another. When we are "always" this or that. We are all prone to relying on a particular approach or posture. And gradually we learn the particular ways in which we may benefit from moderation or from taking a different perspective. By allowing ourselves to experience Balance in our work life, what do we find? Rather than a destination, Balance is never ending process..a flow. Balance is water. Balance is cyclical. Balance prepares us to begin and balance supports us to come to an end.

How do you truly experience Balance when you allow it? Mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually?

This podcast is offered by your workplace well-being partner HEALEOLOGY. Learn more about the practical strategies of modern meditation, a compassionate work-style, and rituals of belonging at Healeology.

Drawing inspiration from shamanic practice, we review the Essence Map. This Essence Map lays out a conceptual world through which we'll wander together throughout Season 3, Intentional Magic. In the east we find the core essence of Joy. In the south we find the core essence of Trust. In the west, Hope. In the north, Peace. Along with these four core essences we encounter 16 more, each an energy...a quality...an essence that may contribute to a more thriving workplace if only we allow ourselves to truly experience them.

This podcast is offered by your workplace well-being partner HEALEOLOGY. Learn more about the practical strategies of modern meditation, a compassionate work-style, and rituals of belonging at Healeology.

Welcome to Season 3, Intentional Magic. During this season we ask the question: What would happen if a group of colleagues were to open themselves up fully -- mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually -- to a single idea? The idea may be Joy, Collaboration, Inclusion, Innovation, or any other concept that we believe would strengthen the workplace. We can't simple declare any particular value to be present; we must be truly willing to invite the experience of its presence. Collaboration, for example, is merely a stale word on paper unless we connect deeply with the intention of Collaboration. During this season we'll energize our intentions to bring practical magic into our everyday experience at work...the magic born of our intention.

This podcast is offered by your workplace well-being partner HEALEOLOGY. Learn more about the practical strategies of modern meditation, a compassionate work-style, and rituals of belonging at Healeology.

The winter solstice is a time for turning inward, a time for opening to ask questions, a time for surrender. How does this apply to our working life? We can pursue goals and ambitions without judgment. But if we are to show up as the best version of ourselves that we may offer, what more may we manifest in support of our success....however we may define that? No, no...don't answer the question. For now just verbalize the question. Allow the questions to resonate. What may you release, restore and remember?

This podcast is offered by your workplace well-being partner HEALEOLOGY. Learn more about the practical strategies of modern meditation, a compassionate work-style, and rituals of belonging at Healeology.

New does not always mean better. Perhaps our bias to dismiss old ways leads us at times to set aside valuable wisdom. We're all here today because our ancestors survived in part due to a connection with Spirit through the mediation of their shamans. As we enter a new decade of the 21st century increasingly aware of the great risks posed by our economic activity, oughtn't we draw on the full breadth of wisdom accumulated by human kind? Shouldn't we open up to at least a curiosity about the potential for shamanic practice to return as a respected tool for guiding our choices? Count me in!

This podcast is offered by your workplace well-being partner HEALEOLOGY. Learn more about the practical strategies of modern meditation, a compassionate work-style, and rituals of belonging at Healeology.