Meditations on Unemployment: Soul Nourishment for the Transition

This is an excerpt from a new book I’m writing tentatively titled either: Meditations on Unemployment, or The Zen of Unemployment. It’s about surviving unemployment and thriving.

Meditations on Unemployment:  Soul Nourishment for the Transition

From the Introduction:

“This little book is meant to nourish you and provide a way through a period of unemployment.  The images and text can- if taken quietly with tea or silence, serve as a thread toward your new self.  My thesis is that the current crisis worldwide of massive change and unemployment is meant as a spiritual call to go inside, not a call to arms but a call to heart.  Your own innermost heart.  What are you here to do, to give, to delight, to serve, that is still unexpressed?

In the gap between employ one has time, time and fear perhaps but time nevertheless-that is precious.  Take this time, grab hold of it in between the fearful search for your old self and birth of your new. See if  uncovering this delight you were born to serve up can in fact be a lifeline, pulling you forward to a better way of being than before the Crisis.  The crisis of loss of self, via loss of job.

It’s important to say here that I am not minimizing the turmoil if you have children or elders to care for.  It’s hard enough with just yourself.  That may be the case.  Having food on the table is first and foremost and my deepest wish that you do, or going forward through this book will not serve you.

The  journey of this book began at a point where I was living from my retirement savings, a little stash that was dwindling, I was also able to get support for food.  I had been a professor.   As the child of immigrant parents with less than a high school education, that was a big deal.  Finally in my 40’s to be able to buy a car, for the first time.  To say my profession with pride knowing that the average person,  had a respect for a “professor.”   Artist, yoga teacher which I “was” before did not have the same prestige for most.

I left the job as a professor, after 6 years of soul-grinding, loss of self, autonomy and joy.  It was painful staying and leaving.  I had no plan but to just dive into the unknown with a deep sense of trust.  While I still employed I went to a yoga retreat.  There the teacher, highly intuitive- grouped me and a few women into a group she called the “rebirthers.”  We were going into a “second blossoming, a renaissance” she said, as we sat in a small huddle surrounded by the larger circle of women.

I left that retreat clear on the fact that in a few weeks I must announce that I would not seek tenure…”