Work and Vexation Continued

  Master Sheng Yen continues to clarify the idea of working diligently without vexations in Tea Words Volume II, when he reflects the following vignette:

Two people I know who occupy very high cabinet posts in the government in Taiwan have two very different attitudes towards their positions. One is quite concerned about his career, in constant fear that he will lose his post. He also worries that even if he keeps his position, there will be nowhere for him to advance. This attitude causes him to be tense and nervous and consequently, apt to falter. As a result, he is often criticized and attacked. The other person, whose position is equally high, has a completely different view. He says, “I only try to do my best. If the government thinks that I am doing well in this position, then I’ll continue to work here. If the government wishes me to step down, then I’ll gladly do it. I am concerned with what I do, not my position.” He happens to be a Buddhist practitioner and a student of mine. Here then are two people who share positions at the same high level, but whose perceptions of those positions are completely different (p.22)

I think the key difference here is that of the orientation toward work. If someone is simply too caught up in the winning or losing of status or position at work, then their attitude will be something like not being able to focus on work due to a tense or nervous attitude about losing one's position (for whatever reason). On the other hand, simply living unafraid of one's position, one will tend to perform the job more effectively, since their main priority is on performing the job well. I think this example shows very well the difference between being occupied with work for profit's sake and being absorbed in work for its own intrinsic value.

Sheng Yen (2013) Tea Words Volume II. Emlhurst, NY: Dharma Drum Publications