Take the Zen path towards career happiness

YOU MIGHT wonder what Zen Buddhism has to do with planning a career or finding a job. But according to Laurence Boldt, author of Zen and the Art of Making a Living, the integration of the spiritual and the material is the key to satisfaction and success in our work.

Only when we allow work to be a creative expression of our true selves, can we start to live our lives to the full.

If all this sounds rather abstract for a career book, you would be right, at least in part. Large sections of the book are taken up with philosophical debate. However, Boldt uses his in-depth knowledge of sociology, philosophy, religion and economics to present a persuasive argument for becoming more purposeful in our choice of work.

He then follows through with some clear and practical ideas for creating a working life that we love.

Moreover, since the book is peppered with quotes, illustrations, affirmations, witty anecdotes and inspiring stories, it succeeds in being both a practical career guide and an entertaining and uplifting read.

The first four chapters present a detailed review of how we have come to perceive work. For example, have you ever wondered why we assume we have the right to personal power, leisure time, security and unlimited consumables? Before the industrial revolution, workers did not expect these things.

Boldt argues that our expectation to be 'little kings' has meant we are caught up in a machine that gives us little chance to express ourselves. As we strive to have more power and more things, we begin to see work as drudgery. Eventually we become bored, alienated and stressed.