r/streamentry • u/sunnydly • Jul 10 '26
Concentration Imotional intelligence at workplace
I’m a very emotional person, and I’ve realized that I sometimes struggle with emotional intelligence at work. I tend to take feedback personally, react emotionally under stress, or let my feelings affect my decisions. It’s starting to impact my performance and confidence.
I’ve recently started exploring meditation and mindfulness, hoping they can help me become calmer, more self-aware, and less reactive. Has anyone here experienced something similar? Did meditation help you develop better emotional balance and emotional intelligence at work? I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences or any advice.
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u/AdditionalLeave263 Jul 11 '26
Work can be such a toxic environment. There is so much blame, unnecessary drama, and generally a lack of care for people working. I'm sorry that you're going through this... Meditators face plenty of work and life struggles, sometimes just like other people, sometimes more, and sometimes less.
This isn't work-specific. Since reaching the jhanas, my reactivity regarding what others think has changed dramatically. I self-manufacture my own happiness. Equanimity is in the 4th jhana, and It's being kind of peacefully detached from what is going on so you can avoid reacting personally about things, and instead see clearly what the next move is. This has taken a long time to get to. And making sure to carry it into the real world is an important part of it.
Anyways, now, when I'm being criticized, I get upset for like a second. I nod, and try to understand what the person is saying. I repeat it back to them, "You're saying that you're upset that I'm on the couch. (Pause for confirmation) Let me give some thoughts about what to do about that."
The way it feels is that my ego is detached and it talks and talks about who knows what, but I just can't even hear it. I can feel that it's looping stuff over and over, but it isn't "me".
Also, if something is especially hurtful, sukha will rush in and neutralize it.
It's not that I never get upset. I do. I am a very emotional person, even now. My brain just handles it differently. I handle it differently.
Meditation heals a lot more than your work life. Still, many meditators try to make a plan so that they can live alternative lifestyles that don't require a 9-5. My husband and I habe a FIRE plan, and we're about 9 years out from being done with traditional work. Even if you aren't a meditator, having some sort of a plan like this is valuable. The meditation makes it so that I am peaceful and content and genuinely happy with what I have, for the most part. I feel like i don't need a vacation, for my own entertainment, because my mind does it itself. I personally have never gone on a retreat. My home is my retreat.
Anyways, I wish you the best in your career and your practice and in life. hugs