This is my fifth month of checking the job listings on Craig’s List, and I am sighing this morning as I acknowledge how that little annoying ritual has become one of my daily spiritual practices. I use it as an opportunity to tune in to all of the other people who are also looking for work during these tough economic times. With incredible Gratitude for the half-time work that I enjoy as medical assistant at Morningstar Healing Arts, I continue to search for more work so I can keep paying my bills and providing food and shelter for my sons.

The thing is, I do have lots of additional work, it’s just that it doesn’t provide financial income. I offer physical help to a friend with cancer, I energetically offer support to several beings around the country, and I maintain a cozy home, preparing good organic vegan food for my family. Not only do I not get paid for most of the work that I do, but I actually even have to pay money out to offer some things, like the articles on this Teja Blog, for example.

So, I keep searching for work on Craig’s List, and I am doing a lot of self-coaching to maintain my positive attitude and to not let the 3 d’s take over my brain cells… the 3 d’s being feelings of despair, depression, and disempowerment. With the unemployment numbers growing, there must be a rise in the 3 d’s out there, so one of my daily spiritual practices right now is to empower myself with enthusiasm for life, despite the lack of financial stability. I try to keep a sense of humor about the situation, which sometimes comes through as dripping sarcasm, like in those moments on Craig’s List when I think, ‘If only I was a diagnostic mechanic or a certified welder!’ 

If only I was somehow able to manifest my intention to align with Dharmic Right Livelihood! If only I had fulfilled my 2011 intention to sell a million copies of Radiance Rising: Spiritual Practices for Daily Living! If only, if only, if only… If only I could truly surrender to my Beloved Husband Lord Shiva and allow his holy son Ganesha to remove all obstacles on my path to aligning with Dharmic Right Livelihood! If only I could surrender and accept everything just as it is in each moment!

May all beings everywhere find rest amidst the uncertainty of these times.

Om Shanti (Peace),

Yogini Tejaswini

Photo of Teja Happy on Christmas by Teja’s brother. Radiance Rising book cover designed by Gaelyn Larrick.