A Whole Life's Work: Living Passionately, Growing Spiritually

by Lewis Richmond

"Work is not just a job. It is the sum of all our purposeful activities. Seen in this light, work is our whole life."
-- from A Whole Life's Work
What is work in the truest sense of the word? For Buddhist priest and acclaimed author Lewis Richmond, work is more than just having a job, or a means to a profitable end. It is the key to cultivating inner life and contributing to the developing consciousness of all humanity.
In this companion to his national bestseller, Work as a Spiritual Practice, Richmond applies his Buddhist understanding to address what is perhaps one of the primary struggles of contemporary Western how to achieve a healthy balance between professional ambition and personal happiness. Here he adapts Buddhist categories of spiritual virtue in defining eight important modes of work the Earner, the Hobbyist, the Creator, the Monk, the Helper, the Parent, the Learner, and the Elder along with their corresponding eight modes of inner Precepts, Vitality, Patience, Calm, Equanimity, Giving, Humility, and Wisdom. How to internalize these modes of work, and lead a more meaningful and spiritual life, is what this groundbreaking guidebook is all about.
Whether we are professionals, artists, hobbyists, parents, students, or spiritual leaders, A Whole Life¹s Work can teach us how to reconcile our outer livelihood with our inner lives...and reap the benefits of hard work well done.

Genres: Nonfiction, Buddhism, Spirituality

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

I am the author of five books, mostly on Buddhist themes related to the workplace, illness, a nd (more recently) aging. In addition to a career as a Buddhist teacher (now retired), I have been a software entrepreneur, musician and composer.

My latest book EVERY BREATH, NEW CHANCES: HOW TO AGE WITH HONOR AND DIGNITIY--A GUIDE FOR MEN is due for release Nov. 2020. Although as the title implies the book is oriented to men's aging issues, women should find a lot of interest in it; I hope they will buy it, read it, and give it to the man in their life!

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a long time that got me from page 1 and kept me throughout - especially considering two things: 1. it's a book about ordering one's life, spiritually and otherwise, which could sound boring; and 2. it's written by a practicing Buddhist. Not that I have anything against practicing Buddhists! I just don't know many.

He really does a wonderful job of describing the different spheres in which we operate in this life. I will read this one again soon as I continue on my own journey.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lewis Richmond sees work as our life - all aspects of life can be part of our purposeful activities and so, they are part of work. Taking work as life, Richmond goes on to define 8 modes of work. There are, in his mind, eight important aspects of outer work that then have a matching eight aspects of inner work. Richmond defines these as Earner, Hobbyist, Creator, Monk, Helper, Parent, Learner and Elder.

At first I had some trouble with these modes that Richmond defines. I was especially turned off by the term hobbyist. However, once I was open to the author's definitions, I could follow along with his thesis.

This book has a definite slant towards eastern religion, which was not a problem for me. Richmond gave me some ways of looking at my life that were new to me. I especially liked some of his suggested activities. Well worth reading, in my opinion.

[Marietta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book changed my perception of work in this day in age. The first paragraph sheds light on the forgotten truth that "work" is quite literally the transfer of energy from one thing/being to another. This Buddhist approach in turn, led me to reestablish myself within a larger framework, recognizing that every interaction i have with any idea, experience or person is a reflection of a larger purpose. By this I mean, thinking of our work as an ongoing expression and our vocation as a reflection of our larger purpose, what we were meant to do...

[Flora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be something like a muse. As I would read it other thoughts or inspirations would grab me. When I would come back to attending the book I would find that I had barely made it through a few pages. The result of reading this one was true self examination of how I fulfill my commitments in this life.

[Angi M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't really know why I'm reading this. Job frustration & permanent eyeball strain from staring at a computer screen all day every day is putting me in a permanently pissed off state (at least last week & this week). That's why I'm reading it, I guess. Maybe it will spawn a bright idea that will point me in a better direction?

[Barbc]

25

[Manoj Balraj]

An engaging little book. Apart from being a good writer, the author is an entreprenuer, a Buddhist disciple, leader of a buddhist group, musician and composer.The book has an account of his own experiences apart from stories and learnings from others. He examines 'work' and divides it into 8 modes and presents in a very engaging and lucid manner.