Sacred Commerce: Business as a Path of Awakening

(Paperback)

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"Sacred Commerce" takes the view that the empty promise of materialism is finished and that the coming exorcism will require Sacred Community. Authors Matthew and Terces Engelhart, who are owners of a successful chain of organic vegan restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, present the view that love before appearances is the antidote to our spiritual, environmental and social degradation. Discussing topics such as mission statements, manager as coach, human resources as a sacred culture and inspiring meetings, they provide a manual for building a spiritual community at the workplace - a vital concept in this day and age when for most people the pursuit of livelihood occupies the majority of their attention.Business, the authors explain, is all about providing a service, product or experience that the market wants, and no business can succeed when it misses this point. However, one must incorporate the idea of "Sacred Commerce", business as a spiritual as well as financial enterprise. Offering the idea that every business is the opportunity to make a lasting impression in the lives of both clients and employees, the Engelharts share tools and ways to fulfil this vision. "Sacred Commerce" is the perfect mix of personal and practical - a guidebook written by people who have felt success, not just spent it. In a world where increasing numbers of people are dissatisfied with their work, the Engelharts show that you don't have to suffer personally in order to pay the mortgage.

Reviews

We are avid fans of anyone who can truly make a difference in these challenging times. Caf Gratitude is a model for a successful business, and Matthew and Terces have proven they understand the importance of bringing respect, reverence, and love into the workplace. Were thrilled they have chosen to graciously share their wisdom and experience with this book. Theres hope for us all.
Woody Harrelson and Laura Louie, environmental activists and cofounders of Voice Yourself

The Engelharts have an intriguing and preposterous notion: Companies can now serve as centers of self-realization and CEOs can nurture a business communitys spiritual transformation as well as a healthy bottom line. This is cutting-edge stuff and Im cheering them on.
Chip Conley, Founder and CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality

Caf Gratitude is in the humankind business. The Engleharts commitment to a sustainable, socially just, and spiritually fulfilling business presence is hopeful in an era of cynicism and indifference. I have benefited from and am inspired by their valiant stand for making love the bottom line.
Michel Franti, musician and filmmaker

Sacred Commerce: Business as a Path of Awakening blends quotations from famous religious and political figures (Rumi to St. Francis of Assisi to Gandhi) with the couples business philosophy and anecdotes from their experience to provide either an instruction manual or a manifestoor bothfor doing business that honors peoples lives.
Easier Being Green

Reading [Sacred Commerce] has completely changed the way I look at business. Of course there is nothing wrong with paying the bills, but if we are not enjoying the process and offering something of value to the people who need it, what is the point of business Terces and Matthew Engelhart break down their thoughts on making commerce sacred, and it really struck home
unCooking101

Author Bio

Matthew and Terces Engelhart are the owners of Cafe Gratitude, a popular organic vegan restaurant chain in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Terces is also the author of I Am Grateful, a recipe and lifestyle book based on their restaurant. They live in San Francisco.