Buddhist teacher and author Richmond (Healing Lazarus
) accomplishes a marvelous feat with this outstanding book on life and work. More than helping readers find their calling or pursue more spiritually fulfilling employment, this is a book that shifts and broadens the meaning of a life's work. Lewis helps readers see the importance of daily acts that do not earn income but certainly advance that most powerful of human ambitions—to reach spiritual maturity, to wake up, to become Buddha. Lewis calls this process of awakening "The Consciousness Project" and shows how raising children, making friends, pursuing careers, going fishing and climbing mountains are all equally valuable aspects of a life's work. He clarifies the "modes of work" into eight categories (earner, hobbyist, creator, monk, helper, parent, learner and elder) and devotes an extensive chapter to each. Richmond argues that we all possess numerous archetypes at any given moment. For instance, we may earn money as a teacher (helper, earner), but when we face unexpected unemployment and pursue a year of self-discovery, we become the monk and the learner. Likewise, when we go on a solo hiking trip, we embody the hobbyist as well as the monk. Each mode offers opportunities for spiritual growth—the earner might learn how to "carry the burden lightly" and the helper may need to learn the art of tough love, for example. A book structure like this runs the risk of becoming confining rather than offering clarity and enlightenment but, fortunately, Lewis offers us his finest "elder" mode. He is an experienced teacher who shares his wisdom with generosity and integrity. (Feb.)
