The Art of Zen Living

For a Buddhist, one of the things we have to consider is the concept of “right livelihood”.  It’s part of the eight fold path.  I think it applies to most people, not just Buddhists.  How many times have you heard someone say “How do they sleep at night?”?  At least a few.  That’s really what “right livelihood” is all about - making sure that you choose a way to make a living that lets you sleep at night.  Well, as a start, anyway.  What you really want is a way to earn a living that both lets you live comfortably, and also allows you to reduce the suffering in the world.  Or, if you prefer the “glass half full” version, then you want a way to earn a living that both lets you live comfortably and also allows you to increase the happiness in the world.  I don’t think many westerners make the connection that reduce suffering means the same as increase happiness.

Now I’ve gone and wandered off topic - what I really want to know is are you a bee, or are you a mosquito?

Now, remember, we’re talking about livelihood.  So what is a mosquito’s job?  A mosquito flies around, hunting for a victim to steal a meal from.  It wants to sneak up on you, unnoticed, and fill itself up feeding on you, leaving you with an itchy bite that will bother you for days.  The mosquito doesn’t care that you’re going to suffer, so long as it gets what it needs.

A bee, on the other hand, spends it’s day going from flower to flower, collecting what it needs to feed it’s hive.  In the process, it performs an important service in pollinating the flowers, which will result in seeds for more flowers, or fruits and vegetables.  Why, remove bees from the equation, and it wouldn’t be long until there was a serious food shortage.

This is something I’ve had to give some thought to recently, because I’m actively looking for a job.  Can I take just any job?  Or is that the same thing as letting the ends justify the means?  I’m pretty fortunate in that my skills are in computer support - usually when someone calls me, they’re frustrated and annoyed, and in need of help.  They’re suffering.  I may not get to be the bee, and spend my days going from beautiful flower to beautiful flower, ensuring the future of every plant I visit, but I do get to make someones day a little better, and ease (hopefully) their suffering a bit.

Of course, bees can make people a little nervous too.  When a bee flies right at me, I’m not thinking I’m grateful that it helps the flowers - I’m thinking I’d prefer to NOT get stung.  Actually, that part fits too - no one ever seems excited when they see the I.T. guy making a “beeline” for their desk.  At least no one’s every swatted me away - yet.

So which are you?  The bee or the mosquito?