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Right livelihood – Abundance at work
“Right livelihood is concerned with ensuring that one earns one’s living in a righteous way.” Bhikkhu Bodhi
Right livelihood relates to work, it’s about doing right by those you work with and for, to the benefit of everyone.
It doesn’t stop at having an honorable profession, it is concerned with the how and the why we do our job.
Why is it important? Because actions carry effects and that applies to our professional careers as well.
The practice protects us from wrong actions and helps us take care now of what’s to come later.
A way towards harmony
Right livelihood is the fifth element of the noble eightfold path, one that leads to freedom and peace.
Given we spend most of our waking hours at work, it is wise to contemplate adopting the practice.
For one it invites us to consider ahead what serves best and to steer clear of sabotaging the future.
Secondly, it sets us on the path away from extremes by keeping right principles in mind all the time.
Be clear about your motivation
“Our job is to tend to our own growth as people, our grace and integrity and humility.” Marianne Williamson
When it comes to our professional lives, our outlook is more often than not stuck in “tunnel vision”.
We focus on grand dreams, attaining fame, status and wealth, and may be ready to do whatever it takes.
In effect, we believe they will guarantee lasting happiness, satisfaction and comfort, although they might not.
What’s more we’re in a rush to arrive, that presses us to take shortcuts, to seize opportunities blindly.
Keep your priorities straight
If we’re not careful, our craving for success has the power to cloud our judgment, have us take risks.
Our pursuit may call for acts that involve lying, stealing, treachery, that’s when the practice is critical.
Holding fast the motivation to do good, supports our staying on course, even at the price of delayed gratification.
Disengaging from wrongful behaviors takes will especially if it involves renunciation, but trust it’s best.
Broaden your horizons
“The poison that nourishes the peacock brings ruin to all others”. Tibetan proverb
The entirety of the spiritual path taught by the Buddha is intended to turn us away from violence for our own welfare.
Right livelihood is concerned with just that, making sure our livelihood doesn’t become cause for suffering.
Hence, we are taught to turn away from occupations that can potentially harm others directly or indirectly.
We must change perspective and understand that our making a living cannot be at someone else’s expense.
Right livelihood – not just about you
The law of cause and effect is clear, everything we do makes ripples, sooner or later we will experience the results.
Also, we are not the only beneficiaries of our actions, it touches everything and everyone around you.
The same stands with professional choices, advancement cannot be at the detriment of another, because it will cost you.
Rule of thumb – if your line of work involves hurting others find another trade.
Plan Before you start
“Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.” Proverbs 18:9
We have very little control over the elements but can take time to think through the steps beforehand.
Carelessness is a bad habit because it makes for sorry results, that’s not what we want, we’re smarter than that.
Our plans may change overtime, but the guidelines should stay the same, whatever you do “first do no harm”.
Every decision has the potential to bring about negative effects if we’re not careful, no matter how slight, don’t risk it.
Think about it first
We often underestimate the power of karma, our mind’s lazy tendencies and its “it will be alright” mentality are to blame.
Your happiness is important just as your future, don’t be rash, cutting corners is never to our benefit.
Think about it first, look at the pros and cons before you act, give it your full attention.
Be watchful of your motivation, bear in mind happiness is not about being rich and powerful, it’s about living at peace.
Mindful of every action
“Everything we do contributes to practice right livelihood.” Thich Nhat Hanh
Planning forward means very little if we’re not applying ourselves on the actual tasks, pay attention.
Diligence is needed if we want to see through our projects to completion, we cannot give in to forgetfulness.
Our prime concern should be to protect ourselves from the needless stress and anxiety that is brought about by negligence.
So, take responsibility for your work, start-over if need be, become your own ‘quality control’ agent.
Karma is in the details
Think of the ripples you make, what you do now to a large extent determines the future.
Consider the advantages of a job well done, the confidence it gives you and the satisfaction it generates.
Now reflect on the disadvantages of a lax performance, the unease it creates and the fear it stirs within.
Peace of mind is the direct result of your moment-to-moment investment, the control is literally in your own hands.
A non-stop job
“We must work with our individual experiences.” Chogyam Trungpa
Right livelihood isn’t a practice you do when it is most comfortable, regardless of your present circumstances stay consistent.
Even when things are at their worse, when you’re pressured by time or external forces, persevere.
No matter who or what is involved, these can’t determine whether you cross the line, remember the stakes.
For our mind to adopt the way as its only mode of operation we need systemic application, assimilation comes with repetition.
Veer as you go
We’re not expected to act right all the time, if we did wrong, we can keep at it and improve.
Don’t be hard on yourself when you make a mistake, you are untitled a second chance, just fix it!
Trying to cover-up your missteps will only make the karmic debt worse, own them, making amends is a mark of courage.
Resolve to do better, change direction if it’s what it takes, you’re are your own captain, so where to?
Right livelihood – Mind your business
“It is more important to find out what you are giving to society than to ask what is the right means of livelihood.” Jiddu Krishnamurti
The Buddhist take on making a living falls along the lines of modern society’s norms, if it’s illegal don’t do it!
Avoid at all cost occupations that have to do with human and animal trade, dealings in contraband, narcotics and weapons.
The practice goes further by drawing clear guidelines to make our choices easier, your job is to follow the advice.
We are not left to our own devices, many have adopted the path before us, trust the guide.
Awareness always On
Always question first, take your time before jumping in, whatever you do, do not treat anything lightly.
Ask yourself, Is what I am about to do beneficial? Use the power of reasoning, broaden your perspective.
Am I doing right by everyone? If you want a taste of how it feels, put yourself in their shoes.
Is it really worth it? Whatever the object, the prize is not worth creating bad karma for ourselves.
Start your workday with a daily reminder, ‘my work my care’, when in doubt sit in meditation, look at it closely.
Nathalie Bizawi, founder of Wisdom & Mindfulness meditation center. Senior Meditation, Mindfulness and philosophy instructor, From Wingate Academic College. M.A in Education from TAU University, Tel Aviv.
Wisdom & Mindfulness your meditation center in Tel Aviv