Right Livelihood

Mainstream economists would have us believe that work is a burden. The concept of Right Livelihood instead reframes work as something that is worthwhile and beneficial, arising from our desire to live in alignment with our values and contribute meaningfully to the world.

The pursuit of Right Livelihood refers to the type of work we do as well as our attitude towards work itself. In contrast to conventional, professional development narratives around ‘climbing the corporate ladder’ or equating progress with making more money, Right Livelihood offers a view of work as a vehicle for self-actualization, systems change, and planetary healing.

Right Livelihood invites the practice of approaching work with joy and intention and committing ourselves to efforts that support justice, equity, and sustainability. These include efforts that prevent, identify and heal harm, and shift values that are in alignment with human and ecological well being. If we find ourselves in work that is exploitative or extractive, a commitment to cultivating Right Livelihood empowers us to, when possible, change workplaces from within or to say no and instead turn towards work that reduces suffering.

By consciously aligning our intentions for Right Livelihood with the unfolding currents of global transformation, we realize our unique contributions to a more life-sustaining and enlivening world—simultaneously connecting with one another in the shared intergenerational project of building a more sustainable and equitable future on Earth.

Right Livelihood has its origin in Buddhist philosophy and practice. It is the 5th mindfulness training that the Buddha shared in the Noble Eightfold Path alongside right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right effort, right concentration, and right mindfulness. Right Livelihood reframes work as part of a spiritual path. It is one way we might take our spirituality off the meditation cushion and into embodied action in daily life.