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Yoga Bits
Morsels of yogic wisdom and information
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Sept. 3 - 9, 2012
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Take This Job and Love It
Or at least try not to hate it "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker." -- Helen Keller Monday is Labor Day, a holiday originally established to celebrate the achievements and contributions of workers. So, naturally, we Americans take the day off to go spend money... ...Wait. Nevermind that part. For the purposes of Yoga Bits, let's focus instead on using this holiday to think about "how" we labor. It seems our culture is a bit obsessed with work. I find lots of folks have an interesting take on the whole  "work ethic" idea, one that borders on a love affair with -- or at least attachment to -- martyrdom. It stems from a variety of sources but there is little in our contemporary society to challenge it.
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As a result, there are so many tasks we do day-in and day-out that become thoughtless, rote or obligatory. Often we mistakenly believe that if we could just be doing something else, we would be happier. Our satisfaction with work actually has little do with what we do and a lot to do with how we do it.
Is it really thrilling to peel 10 pounds of potatoes, fold laundry or balance your budget? Um, I'd say no. But if you can adapt that task into a meditative action, you've got an entirely different situation on your hands. Thich Nhat Hanh gives beautiful instruction about this approach through the related concept of "mindful eating," an endeavor to stay fully in the present. To read about it in his own words, click here.
Even if we are ready and willing to shift our attitude in regards to work, we may not have any idea about how to do it. My friend and fellow yogi, Ad Sach Kaur, shared this wonderful "recipe" for applying oneself to labor with love:
If there is something that you have to do, resist the temptation to do it under duress. Ask yourself, "What's the worst thing that would happen if I didn't do this?" And if you can get away with not doing it at all, don't do it. And then imagine what would it feel like to have this done. Spend a day or two, if you can, just 15 minutes here, 5 minutes here, 2 minutes here, here and here, imagining it completed in a way that pleases you! And then, the next time you decide that you're going to take action about it, the action is going to be a whole lot easier.
Why not give it a try? See if taking a different view of your effort can yield a different result in your satisfaction. You might even find it fun, and that would almost be like not working at all.
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The techniques and suggestions presented in Yoga Bits are not intended as medical claims or to substitute for proper medical advice. Consult your physician before beginning any new exercise program. If you are elderly or have any chronic or recurring conditions such as high blood pressure, neck or back pain, arthritis, heart disease, and so on, seek your physician's advice before practicing.
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