Skillful Means: Patterns for Success

For many people today, work is losing its meaning.  This dissatisfaction is not limited to certain professions, backgrounds, or beliefs, but subtly pervades every aspect of work.  This is unfortunate, for work is a very effective means for learning how to find deep satisfaction in life.  Work can be a source of growth, an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and to develop positive and healthy relationships.  If we view work in this way, we find there is really no difference between devoting energy and care to our work and devoting energy to improving our awareness and appreciation of life. 

It is important for us to see that our survival in a broad sense depends on our willingness to work with the full power of our minds and hearts, to participate fully in life.  We cannot continue to ignore the effects of selfish motivation, of practices such as competition and manipulation.  We need a new philosophy of work based on greater human understanding, respect for ourselves and others, and awareness of the qualities and skills which create peace in the world: communication, cooperation, and responsibility.