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Career Dharma: The Natural Art of Work
Whether you are starting a career for the first time, ready to break free from an occupation that feels unsuitable for you, or trying to improve your current workplace experience, Career The Natural Art of Work can help. The guidance system presented in this book presents a coherent framework based on ancient wisdom while successfully addressing the challenges in today's world. When we work according to our unique nature and the principles of dharma, we experience a rich and meaningful life that also enriches society. Discover how connecting your particular nature with your career allows you to experience a joyful life.
624 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2023
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19 people want to read
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June 22, 2024
Every problem that we face in today's world was also faced thousands of years ago, and solutions were prescribed in the ancient spiritual texts. The core tenants of most religions point to the same eternal truths, but the systematic way in which Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavatam, and Upanishads decipher the solutions is unparalleled. However, these books are quite long, and subject to various interpretations. Plus, there is a risk that you'd take them too literally and miss the underlying principles.
That is where Urmila Mataji (Dr. Edith Best) and Ruchira Datta's book is so amazing. From Urmila Mataji's extensive years both studying and preaching from these spiritual texts, and her PhD in education and Dr. Ruchira Datta's extensive corporates, non-profits, consulting, and government make them an ideal pair to distill the essence of these scriptures and help us apply them in our daily life, to contribute to career success.
This book is long but it is a worthwhile investment - ESPECIALLY for parents of kids who are in school, adolescents and young adults in early stages of their careers - to prevent making the mistakes that I (and many others) have made choosing careers based on "safe choices" e.g., flavor of the decade - used to be doctor, engineer, now its AI, Data analytics etc., and now what they are truly a good fit for.
The authors explain that while most of us think of wealth in terms of money and possessions - that is just one of the six manifestations of wealth. Similarly, each of us has certain innate tendencies - and if we repress or fight against them, we will not be happy in the long run. Particularly in the western countries, any kind of spontaneity may get diagnosed as ADHD, or borderline autism - rather than a patient understanding of where or how that trait can be nurtured to the greater good that individual and intern, of society. It is late for me to apply the learnings of this book but having read this gives me a framework to correctly nurture and raise my toddler son as per sashtras.
The other great thing about this book is that they have also researched, and quote from leading best sellers, and modern research - so that even if you do not believe in god, or the Indian scriptures, you can follow the logic of the modern research which indicates to the same basic truths. So that is also why the book is fairly long because the authors have tried to almost make it an encyclopedia. If you are short pressed on time, perhaps you can just read Section I and II which will give you enough of a foundation to help yourself and your children.
The chapter on giving particularly spoke to me - as that is a place where I have been lacking somewhat because of being insecure about money growing up. Their examples of a fictional Richard who needs 50 million pounds to feel secure after which he can start giving and then their systematic explanation of how that is illogical as there is no amount of material wealth that can help you be secure - as any and all of the six kinds of wealth can be lost in a moment (e.g., health in a car crash, wealth in a robbery or market crash) and she cross-references these teachings to the Bible (Do not set your hopes on the uncertainty of riches - apostle Paul) and the story of Ranti Deva from Srimad Bhagavatam 9.21.12-13. Dr. Ruchira quote's Edith's mom - a phrase that really speaks to me "It is better to give with a warm hand (i.e. while being alive) than with a cold hand (i.e. forcibly at death)
It is sometimes difficult for people who are not immersed in the Hare Krishna / ISKCON movement/lingo to truly appreciate these texts but this book makes it accessible to the general public. Further with the modern outlook and practical applicability, the authors have done this great service so that people who for whatever reason are not drawn to Bhakti can still benefit from the essence of these texts and modern research to improve their career, job satisfaction and be a better human being in the bargain.
In the last section of the book, the authors become aspirational and draw out a framework on how these learnings and truths can help to improve systems and society at large. If you are in a power position (e.g., a leader at a school, government, organization) - then reading this section can really benefit both your organization and its members. The authors explain the correct way to use benefits of competition, how to prevent Envy, and cooperate with each other for greater good. They explain how like various cells of a body are part of whole and if one set of cells decide to go their own way it would be the end of the body (cancer) - and similarly all of us living entities (humans, animals, fishes, birds, plants etc) and nature are a delicate ecosystem and therefore focusing on a false identity (e.g., this is good for "my people" or "my country") can be cancerous for the world as a whole.
Recently an article in NYTimes that explained that we need to not focus on economic growth all the time and maybe even keep it flat or decline resonates with chapter 37 unsustainable prosperity. Think about it - an average family before Industrial Revolution had very few items and now many families in developed countries have so much stuff that self-storage is a booming industry. Do we really need all this? Or is capitalism, social media and marketing telling us that we do? The authors explain a Ecosociological Model which is interesting and feasible if there is will from the people - This has been proven by ISKCON to be successful and sustainable in West Virginia and parts of India.
I would ALSO recommend that you watch Urmila Mataji's lectures on YouTube, which vary on a variety of topics - where you would see her sense of humor and wit. I am grateful for the authors to have written such a wonderful life changing book and I really do hope more people get to read and implement it, especially those in positions of authority (e.g., parents, CEOs, politicians etc.)
That is where Urmila Mataji (Dr. Edith Best) and Ruchira Datta's book is so amazing. From Urmila Mataji's extensive years both studying and preaching from these spiritual texts, and her PhD in education and Dr. Ruchira Datta's extensive corporates, non-profits, consulting, and government make them an ideal pair to distill the essence of these scriptures and help us apply them in our daily life, to contribute to career success.
This book is long but it is a worthwhile investment - ESPECIALLY for parents of kids who are in school, adolescents and young adults in early stages of their careers - to prevent making the mistakes that I (and many others) have made choosing careers based on "safe choices" e.g., flavor of the decade - used to be doctor, engineer, now its AI, Data analytics etc., and now what they are truly a good fit for.
The authors explain that while most of us think of wealth in terms of money and possessions - that is just one of the six manifestations of wealth. Similarly, each of us has certain innate tendencies - and if we repress or fight against them, we will not be happy in the long run. Particularly in the western countries, any kind of spontaneity may get diagnosed as ADHD, or borderline autism - rather than a patient understanding of where or how that trait can be nurtured to the greater good that individual and intern, of society. It is late for me to apply the learnings of this book but having read this gives me a framework to correctly nurture and raise my toddler son as per sashtras.
The other great thing about this book is that they have also researched, and quote from leading best sellers, and modern research - so that even if you do not believe in god, or the Indian scriptures, you can follow the logic of the modern research which indicates to the same basic truths. So that is also why the book is fairly long because the authors have tried to almost make it an encyclopedia. If you are short pressed on time, perhaps you can just read Section I and II which will give you enough of a foundation to help yourself and your children.
The chapter on giving particularly spoke to me - as that is a place where I have been lacking somewhat because of being insecure about money growing up. Their examples of a fictional Richard who needs 50 million pounds to feel secure after which he can start giving and then their systematic explanation of how that is illogical as there is no amount of material wealth that can help you be secure - as any and all of the six kinds of wealth can be lost in a moment (e.g., health in a car crash, wealth in a robbery or market crash) and she cross-references these teachings to the Bible (Do not set your hopes on the uncertainty of riches - apostle Paul) and the story of Ranti Deva from Srimad Bhagavatam 9.21.12-13. Dr. Ruchira quote's Edith's mom - a phrase that really speaks to me "It is better to give with a warm hand (i.e. while being alive) than with a cold hand (i.e. forcibly at death)
It is sometimes difficult for people who are not immersed in the Hare Krishna / ISKCON movement/lingo to truly appreciate these texts but this book makes it accessible to the general public. Further with the modern outlook and practical applicability, the authors have done this great service so that people who for whatever reason are not drawn to Bhakti can still benefit from the essence of these texts and modern research to improve their career, job satisfaction and be a better human being in the bargain.
In the last section of the book, the authors become aspirational and draw out a framework on how these learnings and truths can help to improve systems and society at large. If you are in a power position (e.g., a leader at a school, government, organization) - then reading this section can really benefit both your organization and its members. The authors explain the correct way to use benefits of competition, how to prevent Envy, and cooperate with each other for greater good. They explain how like various cells of a body are part of whole and if one set of cells decide to go their own way it would be the end of the body (cancer) - and similarly all of us living entities (humans, animals, fishes, birds, plants etc) and nature are a delicate ecosystem and therefore focusing on a false identity (e.g., this is good for "my people" or "my country") can be cancerous for the world as a whole.
Recently an article in NYTimes that explained that we need to not focus on economic growth all the time and maybe even keep it flat or decline resonates with chapter 37 unsustainable prosperity. Think about it - an average family before Industrial Revolution had very few items and now many families in developed countries have so much stuff that self-storage is a booming industry. Do we really need all this? Or is capitalism, social media and marketing telling us that we do? The authors explain a Ecosociological Model which is interesting and feasible if there is will from the people - This has been proven by ISKCON to be successful and sustainable in West Virginia and parts of India.
I would ALSO recommend that you watch Urmila Mataji's lectures on YouTube, which vary on a variety of topics - where you would see her sense of humor and wit. I am grateful for the authors to have written such a wonderful life changing book and I really do hope more people get to read and implement it, especially those in positions of authority (e.g., parents, CEOs, politicians etc.)
May 10, 2025
Best book for Career guidance in kali-yuga
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews