211 - Right Livelihood
I’m excited to share the latest episode in my series on the Eightfold Path. This week, we’re exploring Right Livelihood — a teaching that often gets reduced to a simple checklist, but in reality, it goes much deeper.
Traditionally, Right Livelihood means avoiding professions that cause harm. But in practice, it’s really about reflecting on how the way we earn a living shapes who we are. It’s less about having the “perfect job” and more about asking: Does my work align with my values? Does it cultivate compassion and presence, or does it leave me divided and depleted?
In this episode, I share personal stories — from wearing the “golden handcuffs” in a marketing job I disliked, to discovering balance in my current work, to the lessons of Tetris and paragliding that remind us how to navigate life’s conditions skillfully.
We’ll explore:
- Why livelihood is more than a box to check — it’s at the heart of how we live.
- How our work, whatever it is, can either reinforce suffering or support well-being.
- The balance between financial practicality and meaningful purpose — the Middle Way applied to careers.
- Practical questions to bring more mindfulness, compassion, and integrity into your daily work.
As always, the invitation isn’t to find the “perfect career,” but to cultivate a more skillful relationship with the work you already do.
Thank you for listening, and for walking this path with me.
With gratitude,
Noah
Written by
