Creating a Sacred Space: The Benefits of Starting Every Meeting with a Sermon, Guided Meditation, Land Acknowledgment or Hip Hop Song

Raise your hand if the mere mention of a company meeting has ever sent chills down your spine.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone in your reluctance.

For a lot of traditional business and nonprofit gatherings, excitement is often scarce, agendas are almost always abandoned, and people leave feeling anything but inspired.

In the 21st century, why do we continue to torture ourselves like this?

So let’s get real for a moment. Traditional meetings? They’re like comfort food for boredom, a guaranteed snooze-fest that leaves you questioning your life choices.

What’s the alternative in this post-COVID world where Zoom meetings have become the standard and organizations are forcing their workforces back into the office?

I want to turn your attention to the social entrepreneurs who — from what I’ve seen over the last several years — stand poised to liberate meetings from the chains of monotony.

Here is why these practices are essential and how they can contribute to the success of your social enterprise.

Reinventing meetings for engagement and impact

First things first…let’s understand one main thing: Gone are the days of monotonous boardrooms and uninspired presentations.

Because meetings — they’re like old friends who’ve lost their way. You know the drill — top-down, agenda-derailed and more confusing than a maze in the dark.

But guess what? Social entrepreneurs have been turning the game around. They’re rewriting the rulebook, throwing out the script and infusing meetings with a shot of adrenaline.

Which is why, from this point on, I want you to picture a meeting not as a mundane obligation, but as an immersive experience that ignites the soul, stimulates the mind and fuels a communal fire.

Imagine the electrifying prospect of a meeting that begins with a soul-stirring sermon, a guided meditation that nurtures creativity, a land acknowledgment that fosters respect or a hip-hop anthem that sparks collaboration.

How do I know this is possible? Because I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes.

And why does it matter? It matters because social enterprises are not just about conducting business; they are about transforming lives, fostering inclusivity and addressing societal challenges head-on. The way meetings are conducted within these organizations should mirror their values, embodying the essence of purpose-driven initiatives. By setting the right tone, meetings become more than a mere exchange of ideas; they become transformative experiences that inspire, motivate and unite individuals towards a collective mission.

Welcome to the new era of meetings — where innovation and purpose intertwine.

Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty.

The power of purposeful meeting introductions

How sermons can ignite change in people

Meeting intro one: the sermon.

We’re not talking about your Sunday pew-filler. Nope. We’re talking about a pastor or an imam or a rabbi who weaves history, struggle and hope into a narrative that sparks change.

When I worked for a nonprofit in Oakland, I remember being at a meeting that resonated so well with my spirit that I couldn’t help but feel an obligation to get out in the community the next day and start organizing people.

The meeting started with a short sermon from a local pastor. In her sermon, the pastor drew parallels between the abolitionists of the 19th century and today’s activists.

Although slavery was initially accepted as the norm, abolitionists gradually emerged, she explained, and they began questioning the institution as racist and un-American. While the Emancipation Proclamation eventually played a pivotal role in ending slavery, she said, it was preceded by countless ordinary individuals who took small actions, which collectively fueled the momentum for change.

The pastor was then able to draw a parallel to the social justice causes of the 21st century, emphasizing that any significant victory won these days is never rarely ever orchestrated by one powerful figure. Most often, victories are won by regular people courageously advocating for change in small, persistent ways.

That’s why justice is inevitable, she said.

Needless to say, that was one of the most productive meetings I’ve ever attended.

Meditation helps people find balance and empathy

Meeting intro two: meditation.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a room filled with people, all journeying within themselves to find that wellspring of creativity and empathy. It’s like a collective sigh of relief, a break from the cacophony of the world.

While this might sound like a wellness retreat for highly paid tech workers, we’re talking about police officers finding emotional balance and empathy through mindfulness.

Yes, you heard that right — mindfulness, the unexpected ally in the law enforcement field.

Several years ago, just out of curiosity, I decided to visit the Museum of Capitalism.

Inside the exhibit, I stumbled upon the Police Mindfulness Meditation Chamber, which at first might sound like a joke because it was an art installation. But it’s so much more than that.

When you enter the chamber, you’re welcomed by soft, colorful lighting and you’re invited to sit in a special reclined chair that houses speakers that play hypnotic music and a guided meditation.

This idea of creating a space for police officers to meditate is such an innovative idea because it addresses what’s at issue the most when it comes to 21st century policing and the need for social change. There is an urgent need for reform and a shift in policing that disproportionately targets people of color.

So just imagine what could happen if at the start of every police briefing, law enforcement agencies incorporated something like the mindfulness meditation chamber into their routines so that officers could not only get ready to prevent crime but also learn how to build trust and positive relationships with the communities they serve. Instances of police brutality and misconduct would drop dramatically.

The creator of the police meditation chamber said it was built because mindfulness has been proven to help officers develop emotional regulation, self-reflection and empathy. In fact, at least one police department has already put it into practice.

Understandably, while there has been some initial skepticism among officers and police administrators that have tried mindfulness and meditation, the benefits to society are too great to ignore.

A more mindful police force could lead to improved community relations, decreased tensions and a more compassionate approach to law enforcement.

Land acknowledgment: Honoring indigenous history

Meeting intro three: the land acknowledgment.

It’s a concept that goes beyond lip service. Imagine standing on the land, feeling its pulse and acknowledging the indigenous peoples who’ve been here long before us. It’s like history comes alive, a respectful nod to the past, a bridge to the present.

The first time I heard a land acknowledgment at a meeting was when I attended a social impact conference in Berkeley. It was truly life-changing.

The organizers of the conference invited a representative from one of the local Native American tribes to come up on stage and say a few words.

But the woman didn’t just do a traditional motivational speech. She meticulously went through the history of the Ohlone tribes, the indigenous people who originally inhabited the area around Oakland.

She explained how the Ohlone were taken from their land, denied fair access to resources and education, and treated as second-class citizens. She then acknowledged how the gathering was taking place on their ancestral land and expressed gratitude for being able to use it.

All was not lost, though.

The Ohlone who still exist today, she said, have done the miraculous work of preserving their traditions and, most importantly, their language. She then revealed the indigenous name of the area, which is called Huichin — something I had never heard before even though I grew up in the Bay Area.

The history of the land — the Ohlone tribe, their struggles, their resilience — took on a new meaning that day for everyone who was at that conference.

It’s a reminder that every piece of earth carries stories, and it’s up to us to listen.

How hip hop can fuel collaboration and unity among people

Meeting intro four: hip hop.

This genre of music is more than just beats and rhymes; it’s a language of rebellion, resilience and unity.

Music is already a powerful tool for inspiring others and unifying people around a cause or message. But hip hop, in particular, has the ability to reach people on a spiritual level, as it often speaks directly to the experiences and struggles of Black people and other historically marginalized communities.

This makes it an ideal genre for engaging participants in social justice conversations.

So imagine walking into a meeting, and instead of a stuffy intro, you’re greeted by a hip-hop anthem that fuels collaboration and dissolves barriers. It’s like a jolt of energy, a spark that electrifies the room.

Several years ago, rapper Travis Scott had what I would consider to be one of the hottest songs of the last decade. The song was called, “Sicko Mode,” and it featured rap superstar Drake.

“Sicko Mode” was essentially a reference to Travis and Drake’s work ethic, showing they’re a cut above the competition by going into “sicko” or “beast” mode.

Beyond just having a mesmerizing beat, the verses from both artists throughout the song were clever and instant party-starters. At certain points of the song, I guarantee you that every person in a crowd who knew the song had to stop what they were doing, get up out of their seats, start nodding their heads and recite every lyric like they were the kings of the world.

So when I was at a big training event and one of the motivational speakers decided to forgo the traditional pop song and come on the stage to “Sicko Mode,” it immediately got my attention and the attention of the rest of the audience in that arena.

That energy was electric, and I can tell you from experience that everyone was not only attentive when that motivational speaker gave his training. We were inspired to leave that event and achieve greatness on our own.

Imagine if your next business meeting went something like that.

A new era of purposeful meetings

So there you have it — meetings aren’t just meetings anymore. They’re transformative experiences that resonate deep within us.

Social enterprises are blazing trails, rewriting the script and crafting meetings that embody purpose, authenticity and connection. The old ways are fading, and a new dawn is breaking.

The next time you want to motivate your workforce, consider using one of these alternative approaches to set the stage for meaningful and impactful meetings.

By thoughtfully selecting an intro that aligns with the mission of the gathering, you can create an atmosphere of respect, understanding and unity while inspiring those in attendance to work together towards a common goal.

Isn’t that the whole point?