The False Duality Between "Job" And "Service"
Around the time when I set off for Asia in July, two of my dearest friends/teachers both went from full-time volunteer work to taking full-time jobs. Their decision to return to the "system" really shook me up, and made me review my assumptions around work and service.
Until then, I was not even aware that I have been holding the following assumptions: "to serve fully, one has to quit his job"; "to be the change, one has to disconnect from the dominant system"; "the more distant and opposed to the dominant system, the more virtuous one is." In my mind, I had created an unnecessary duality between "holding a job" and "living to serve".
Perhaps by being around some hard-core activists, I have been influenced by some sort of "service fundamentalism": in order to truly grow in service, you must quit your job, lose your visa, burn your passport, give away all your money and possessions, move to an impoverished and violent neighborhood, become a strict organic vegan localvore -- and maybe grow a beard; anything short of that would be pointless.
Little did I noticed the subtle ego and the "arms race of purism" embedded in these assumptions; nor was I aware of the violence in my monopolizing "what service should look like".
In the past nine months of the pilgrimage, almost everywhere I go, I am supported by the charity of householders to provide for my worldly needs. Who am I to say that my way is more virtuous and pure? Am I outsourcing my "dirty work" to others, while wearing my "detachment" as a badge of honor?
As I open my eyes to the "thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground", the following has become clear.
First, it is impossible to sever all ties with the dominant system, unless we withdraw entirely from society. It would be hypocritical to measure one's virtue by one's degree of disconnection with the System.
Second, it requires more humility and skillfulness to serve from within the system. Humility, because there is no instant moral high ground to claim, no subtle affirmation derived from austerity. Skillfulness, because one is forced to learn to hold paradoxes, to listen to the different voices, to develop expedient means, and find the nooks and crannies to "sneak in" seeds of change.
I used to flatter myself by thinking that I quit my job because the industry was not addressing the root cause -- "how righteous of me!", said the ego. But now, I am realizing that it was me who was not capable to "serve from wherever I am". If it is possible for a butcher to abide by the Dao as he carves up oxen, then we might be expected to at least make an attempt to cultivate in nice offices :)
Third, there are great benefits to "have a foot in both worlds". The conventional work (paid work in public/private/NGO sectors) helps to keep us grounded in reality, and develop "efficiency tools". The service/volunteer work helps us remember the ultimate purpose of life, and develop "heart tools". They complement each other.
Ultimately, the practice is to serve from wherever we are. No one form of service is superior and holier than another. We are all placed in the grand scheme for a reason.
How do you relate to the notion of service fundamentalism? Can you share a personal story of a time you discovered sacredness in a form of work that you had earlier judged as lacking in virtue? What helps you avoid the trap of service fundamentalism?
Very meaningful piece. My late husband's life's work (dealing with mysticism and schizophrenia) was interrupted numerous time and he was forced to support me and the children while doing his research. His paid job as a cab-driver was, although difficult, another way he served people. He was exceptional, a truly altruistic person.
As so many folks commented last night, a lot of it is in the intent and attitude, and compassion/kindness that we bring to our work, in whatever form. "Serve from where you are" and "Find the nooks and crannies in the world to plant seeds"--that visual will stay with me and is very powerful. I am close to someone who has spent a lifetime as a "karma yogi" and has impacted so many people with kindness, selflessness, integrity and generosity....whether mentoring, finding just the right job for someone, creating opportunities for others to grow and flourish, leading with values and never ever thinking about the "fruits" of the labors. So this example reminds me all the time that if you "go deep", always stay true to your values, and don't worry about the "fruits", service is the natural flow.....
Work in whatever form is needed for living but does not stop from the service.
Most important thing is the attitude.
This is a wonderful "problem" to have and to engage with. It challenges all of us to serve from where we stand, not from where we think we ought to be. Where we stand is ever and always the present moment - we are never elsewhere, all superstitions and "occurrings" to the contrary! And so we will always serve from where we stand, be it in volunteerism, corporate America, politics, the world of NGOs, at home with our loved ones, alone on the trail, on the line, sharing in the Circle. As we live our lives as stewards of love and possibility, where would we not choose to serve? Every venue in life calls out to us and even the most "unlikely" (the boardroom, perhaps?) are openings for healing and workability. A world that works at every level and for all time is made from all of these!
Agree now after few weeks of trying to console myself that only way is to run to other place and do my sadhna for purifying and sublimating mind desires.
All duality is here to serve us to move.... nothing is fixed or permanent. Hence the need to shift to serve in the manner best.
What holds true in this moment, will not be so, in the next. And hence drememuality serves the sacred purpose of helping us see that rootedness also has "limited" purpose. To be in one place, serve the purpose, find the ground beneath, untill we are ready to move on.
At times, the journey may be long, hard and also fraught with many msitakes, or long-turns..... but the learning is always useful so that the soul "sees" and remembers.
Thanks so much for this piece. This is a topic that I think/talk/ponder about, quite often. Such an interesting balancing act between work/home, obligation/compassion, etc. I've experienced "regular" jobs characterized by selfless service, and "charities" characterized by turf and elitism, and of course, mostly those that are somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. All wonderful opportunities to be mindfully engaged in positive change. I'm reminded of the "embrace tiger/return to mountain" concept- I need both tigers and mountains in my life.
My move from a corporate job (dominant system) to a startup job (soon-to-be dominant system!) to an NGO felt to me as my ideal way to gradual full-time service. But as a part of an NGO, we are always having to crowdfund money in the schools that we teach, which is when I realised we are being able to carry our "noble" work only because the others continue to serve in the dominant system. They support us with money because they don't have the time or sometime the willingness for hands activity. Basically, there is interdependence, and there is so much beauty in it too. This article gave me so much more clarity and insight into the topic. Very grateful! :)
Work is absolutely an avenue to demonstrate our love for God. The apostle Paul sees all work as God's work. 'whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord'. Service requires humility and always a joy to make Christ known at the workplace.
