Towards living with meaning and purpose: Spiritual perspectives of people at work

Abstract

It seems that many people who are seeking meaning and purpose in their lives, are exploring spirituality as a way of providing greater levels of understanding of their life journeys. The focus of this research was to ascertain the meaning and purpose that spirituality gives to peoples’ lives. This study was based on interviews conducted with ten professionals at middle and senior management levels, in a South African Financial Services company. A thematic analysis approach was used within the qualitative research paradigm. Respondents indicated through various themes, that having a spiritual perspective in life, helps them create meaning and purpose in their lives.

Opsomming
Dit wil voorkom of baie mense wat na sin en betekenis in hulle lewens soek, die moontlikhede van spiritualiteit verken as ’n wyse om hoër vlakke van insig in hul lewensreise te bewerkstellig. Die fokus van hierdie navorsing was om vas te stel watter sin en betekenis spiritualiteit aan mense se lewens gee. Hierdie studie is gebaseer op tien onderhoude wat met professionele persone op middel en senior bestuursvlakke in ’n Suid-Afrikaanse dienstemaatskappy gevoer is. ’n Tematiese ontledingsbenadering binne die kwalitatiewe navorsingsparadigma is gebruik. Respondente het aan die hand van ’n verskeidenheid temas aangedui dat ’n spirituele lewensperspektief tot sin en betekenis in hul lewens bydra.