We Are the Economy: The Buddhist Way of Work, Consumption, and Money

by Kai Romhardt, Christine Welter (Translation)

There is no such thing as "Buddhist Capitalism," but pithy German business analyst Kai Romhardt, the founder of the International Network for Mindful Business, argues that a no-nonsense Zen approach to our economic realities can transform everything.

Is real, lasting satisfaction possible within our current financial system? If you're skeptical, business analyst and Zen practitioner Kai Romhardt proposes a minimalist, awareness-based strategy that totally reconfigures our core economic relationships: work, consumption, and money.

Too often, we think of the economy as something outside of us, as beyond the scope of our individual choices. We're unhappy with how things are going, with unthinking growth that polarizes our world and condenses wealth at the top, but we don't know what to do. Romhardt argues that individuals who wield a sharp Buddhist mindset can, in fact, create change through personal decisions: when we can see in to society, and in to our constructs, we become empowered to choose deeply real and purposeful lives.

Genres: Buddhism, Economics, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 14, 2020

Reviews

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book asks that the reader understand and define, work and the economy from within and not see it as something that's beyond their ability to influence.
It's a compelling read, one that Ii believe anyone who has ever wondered or wished to know what their relationship to money, work, stuff and their goals is.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[Trang Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book to raise your awareness in your work and your investment.

[Kate Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

A worthwhile and fairly detailed look at work, money and consumption from the standpoint of Buddhist precepts. The author has just the resume to qualify him to be holding forth on these topics. Because I have read so much about simple living, etc. and studied Buddhist ethics for over 20 years, I did not find very much that was new here. But it would be ideal for those just beginning this study, thoughtful readers who are concerned about our society's rampant overconsumption and glorification of wealth, which pose a very real threat to our future on this planet.

[Keith Akers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is mostly about how the individual can relate to the economy, not about (despite the title) the economy as such. How can you find meaningful work? How can you get along with your boss? What kind of work, and what kind of consumption, really makes me happy? And similar questions.

This book doesn't really connect to the economics of simple living on a massive scale, such as taxes on massive wealth, protection of natural resources, drastically reducing or eliminating livestock agriculture, which are really what is required if the planet is to survive. But while he doesn't discuss this sort of thing, I rather suspect he'd sympathize.

He does deal with "simple living" and there is an extensive section (143 ff.) that discusses "the simple life" and similar topics. As you might expect, he thinks that simple living is a good idea! He also discusses meat consumption (189 ff.) and alcohol consumption (193 ff.). He doesn't explicitly address veganism, but given his honest assessment of factory farms and the slaughterhouse, it's not hard to imagine that he would find veganism to be a positive thing. Throughout there is some basically good, common-sense advice using Buddhist psychology about watering the seeds of the character that you want to develop and not watering those that you don't (compassion, rather than anger).

While, as you might expect, he doesn't think that alcohol is a good idea, he quotes Thich Nhat Hanh (the leader of the Plum Village tradition) as saying that he doesn't absolutely forbid alcohol. Rather, if you do drink alcohol, do so mindfully, aware of what is happening to your consciousness. He quotes TNH as saying: "When you drink in that way, it won't take very long until you stop drinking at all." (P. 193. I'm left wondering where he got this quote? He doesn't have footnotes. It's not that I question the authenticity of the saying, since the publisher is Parallax Press, but it would just be nice to know the context.)

I'm continually puzzled by the reluctance of Buddhist teachers to engage the issue of veganism (or strict vegetarianism, or whatever you want to call it). Kai Romhardt and the Plum Village tradition generally are exceptions, along with the "Dharma Voices for Animals" group and some in the Vipassana tradition, such as Tara Brach.

[Maileen Hamto · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do I work toward? Whom does my work serve? These are among the many thoughtful questions that author Kai Romhardt invites us to ponder through We are the Economy: The Buddhist Way of Work, Consumption, and Money. Anchored in the teachings of the Plum Village tradition by esteemed spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hanh, Romhardt applies Buddhist philosophy to a critique of the economy, focusing the analysis on our work lives, spending habits, and investment choices.

Romhardt offers a critique of economic models and resultant corporate cultures that prioritize profits over people. While not directly speaking to the rising criticism of capitalist greed, the book echoes similar sentiments and offers an alternative, minimalist approach to endless cycles of consumption and competitiveness.

Mindfulness is the heart of reflective inquiry, and Romhardt asks many probing questions, guiding readers toward developing an ethical framework for how we work and manage money. Mindfulness is about fully knowing our intentions, and what motivates the economic choices that we make throughout our lifetime.

In light of the ongoing global pandemic and impending economic downturn, Romhardt’s lessons about purposeful work and meaningful consumption are timely and relevant. Searching deeply to identify the roots of desire and entitlement, there’s an opportunity to pivot toward moderation, achieving the middle way.

This review was originally published in Manhattan Book Review.

[Hieu Minh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really quick read! I think I find the discussion about consumption particularly useful because I became aware of my consumption and shopping habits. Also, I really liked how it makes me think about money as I am
in that phase of my life where I'm deciding on the kind of career that I'd like to do and the kind of business I'd choose. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author has integrated mindfulness into economics and more particularly in the monetary processes. I always love when books give me a new way of thinking! Besides, I really liked the Maxims of Mindful Economics Action at the end of the book. They're all the things that I strive to achieve.

[David Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been reading a bunch of Buddhist literature lately and this really struck a chord given. Again, essential reading. Hammers home some great points and outlooks on life and how we can all live better together. Expectedly a little repetitive as all such books are but thats all good to make sure the message sticks!

[Nag Jayaraman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting perspectives on mindfulness. Details out some interesting ways to become aware of our own mindfulness and ways to improve it. Links up effects of mindfulness on our own performance as well as how it affects everything around us. Thus the title :)

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of few books that I’ve found that addresses financial topics from a Buddhist perspective. I particularly appreciated the last section on consumption, and how it touches on ways we engage with our money, how we can be motivated out of fear, and how having money doesn’t create security.

[Jemma Sloth · Rating 4 out of 5]

yep i’m going vegetarian again

[Michael Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought this would be new age-y and annoying, but it was excellent and inspiring.

[Carmen Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will read again😘