A Meditation Guide For Job Seekers
So far, I have not dabbled in the metaphysical on this blog. Nor am I about to. However, meditation is an essential part of my life and has helped me in ways that go beyond words. So I feel compelled to share some of my experience with you.
In 1996 I traveled to Nepal to study language and culture, as part of a Junior Year Abroad program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. My ulterior motive, of course, was to find a teacher.
Finding a teacher is not easy, and I think has less to do with your efforts than it has to do with your state of mind. It took me many months of interviewing Tibetan Lamas, wandering Yogis, and ancient monks. But finally, I found a teacher. (If you are interested, I helped write his autobiography, which is available on Amazon here: Lama Wangdu).
One of the first things I learned, and the meditation I still perform today, is called Generosity. Some readers may recognize this from books such as The Secret and other abundance-type programs. But this practice is old; it dates back a thousand years to 12th century Tibet.
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One of the benefits of this meditation is that it completely removes fear and desperation. I remember what it was like being laid off — and I know fear and desperation were my daily companions until I healed from the experience.
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Another great thing about this meditation is that it doesn’t take a lot of time or require past experience.
Here’s how it works.
Picture the thing it is that you want. Do you want a job? Do you want a promotion? Do you want more money, a bigger house, whatever? Picture it clearly in your head.
Then begin to give it away. That’s right. Imagine giving it away.
Start with people you love. If it’s a job you seek, imagine that the people you love in your life receive their dream jobs.
Next, move to strangers. Imagine everyone you don’t know, everyone on Earth, receiving jobs. It just rains down on them by the thousands.
Finally, imagine the people you don’t like getting jobs.
Conceptualize giving away an infinite number of jobs to every human on Earth.
Feel the joy that brings.
Do this once a day, for at least 10 minutes, right after you wake up, for 30 days. I can’t guarantee that you’ll have a job by then, but from my own experience I can guarantee that you will feel VERY different about your situation.
Joshua Waldman wrote Job Searching with Social Media For Dummies after being laid off twice in six months (2008–2009). He’s changed careers five times and learned firsthand that technology is the job seeker’s biggest advantage. At CareerEnlightenment he shares what actually works.
I m extremely depressed as I ve lost my jobs because of internal politics. I ve a loan to be repaid and family to protect. I am the sole bread winner of my family. I m unable to find a suitable job. I am helpless and losing confidence day by day. I am draining out in every way. Don’t know what to do and where to go.
Very much appreciate your sharing this. Thank you for writing a book about Lama Wangdu. Great to see you applying Buddhist teachings in the business world.
LouisaGluck Louisa, the book was a joy to write, and even though I don’t consider myself a Buddhist (I don’t like labels), I can’t deny how much he’s taught me in my life.
JoshuaWaldman LouisaGluck
I’ve had manyTibetan teachers, so I greatly appreciate seeing their teachings are being applied in many areas. Buddha means awake, Buddhist has become more of a religious term. But really to be a Buddhist means to aspire to awaken.
Hi Joshua,
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with meditation in your professional life. I, too, found the peacefulness that meditation could bring you in the job search after I had been laid off. Good luck to all seeking work!