Gui-Zhen Philo-Cultural Society :: View topic

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 4:15 am

Ok, I'm going to try to keep this simple: I've been thinking about a career change.

I don't mind teaching college kids, but, over the years, my interest in my subject matter has gradually waned to the point of indifference. I don't like to conduct research because I know that almost anything I would do in my field could be used against humanity.

I smell the toxic vapors wafting from the brand-new computer monitor that I was given and that sits on a desk in my office. I taste, with much unease, the bland and warped flavor of a crass genetic experiment that is sold in the grocery store and carries the label of "Delicious, Sweet Watermelon." I touch equipment that fouls the air with noxious smoke, and I hear the gravelly rumble of diesel engines and the high-pitched whine of warplanes. I look at the weapons that the military has -- weapons powerful enough to melt steel and char and flash-broil a human down to the size of a child, all in the matter of two seconds.

All of this is courtesy of modern science. I think that humanity has very poorly managed the knowledge it has acquired, and I would rather not be pushing it forward, at least not in its current direction. Scientists seem blind to the suffering they create with their technology: The dollar is the only bottom line, along with maybe an award or some such.

Do you have any ideas for right livelihood? My mind is open to possibilities, especially those that involve working in the outdoors. In advance, I thank you very much.

Obi Wan

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:14 am

I empathise with you man. One of my dillemas at times has been when i've been asked to kill some ants or spiders in a clients' garden because they 'didn't like them'.

I also work in tertiary eduacation offering support to special needs students. Much of modern education seems to me to be very 'competition' based, rather than co-operative.

Do you have any ideas for right livelihood?

I got no answers other than to say until the 'right' job comes, to be as good in the current job in terms of maintining integrity, kindness, honesty etc

wishing you the best.

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 4:33 pm

too bad 'hermit in the woods' just isnt a high paying gig anymore Laughing

well, at least not in modern material terms, anyway it never was hahahaa

I am a tiny cog amongst 30,000 in my company, I spin in circles for 8 hours a day, then unplug myself...

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:14 pm

mat b wrote:

Do you have any ideas for right livelihood?

I got no answers other than to say until the 'right' job comes, to be as good in the current job in terms of maintining integrity, kindness, honesty etc

wishing you the best.

Namaste. *bows*

joeblast wrote:

too bad 'hermit in the woods' just isnt a high paying gig anymore

Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:18 pm

Ok, I'm going to try to keep this simple: I've been thinking about a career change.

I don't mind teaching college kids, but, over the years, my interest in my subject matter has gradually waned to the point of indifference. I don't like to conduct research because I know that almost anything I would do in my field could be used against humanity.

I smell the toxic vapors wafting from the brand-new computer monitor that I was given and that sits on a desk in my office. I taste, with much unease, the bland and warped flavor of a crass genetic experiment that is sold in the grocery store and carries the label of "Delicious, Sweet Watermelon." I touch equipment that fouls the air with noxious smoke, and I hear the gravelly rumble of diesel engines and the high-pitched whine of warplanes. I look at the weapons that the military has -- weapons powerful enough to melt steel and char and flash-broil a human down to the size of a child, all in the matter of two seconds.

All of this is courtesy of modern science. I think that humanity has very poorly managed the knowledge it has acquired, and I would rather not be pushing it forward, at least not in its current direction. Scientists seem blind to the suffering they create with their technology: The dollar is the only bottom line, along with maybe an award or some such.

Do you have any ideas for right livelihood? My mind is open to possibilities, especially those that involve working in the outdoors. In advance, I thank you very much.

Take what you know about cultivation. Make it into a teaching plan by levels of beginning to intermediate: meaning structure, and posture of body and mental focus. Teach it to those interested and charge a few dollars. But it won't pay the bills totally.. haha

Basically, right livelihood means that which does not cause living beings to harbor false thinking and that which causes living beings to do good, cultivate compassion, patience and attain wisdom.

Teaching in college will pay the bills, and thus utilize the chance to give wholesome education with proper principles for daily living and you are all set. That's what I did in China teaching English.

Just do that which causes living beings to do no harm to themselves and others, and that which helps them maintain wholesome thoughts aboutt he world, and that's about all we can do till the conditions of society change so as to lay out more teachings, more bluntly... Smile

Peace.

Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 12:37 am

Hi Obi,

Here's my two centavos.... As a teacher, at least you have the chance to make a difference. Plant some small seeds and maybe a few will take root. Don't give them paradigm shattering knowledge too easily, but push them to discover things introspectively for themselves. I still remember with fondness the teachers that really cared, and they definitely changed my course. One such teacher is the reason I ended up with a not-so marketable philosophy degree haha. Even if you only reach a couple souls, then you have done a great thing. I think this is just as meritorious as sitting in seclusion meditating for 8 hrs a day. But then again, what do I know?

I pray that you find your Way brother!

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:44 am

Thank you all.

*bows*