For this Sunday post on Labor Day weekend, I am considering a teaching from Hinduism, "Work is Worship." Like many issues in a pluralistic society, the history of Labor Day and it's evolution is complex. It is meant to honor American workers for the contribution they have made in building and sustaining the country and has now become a way to culturally close the summer season with get-togethers and travel. The Pandemic brings a renewed recognition of our collective dependency on workers (from so many different roles) who have courageously kept life moving forward. Tomorrow's Labor Day is a time to reflect on the vast field of American workers. Today though, consider the practice of our own work as worship. This idea is presented in the spiritual classic, Bhagavad-Gita, described as the essence of the Upanishads, the Sanskrit philosophical texts which form the foundations of Hinduism.
There are layers and varying interpretations to "work as worship". Some teachings interpret this as meaning that in true devotion to God, you can have no expectation of any return or reward, personal gain or acknowledgement for your labor. This extreme can create inner conflict and an unrealistic servitude for those trying to live "selflessly". It also can impose a mis-interpreted religious concept that undermines fair, healthy work conditions and the basic human dignity that comes with working in and for society. Elevating work to a form of worship does not mean sacrificing basic human needs. In instructing his disciples on the work that they were to do in their world--healing, teaching and lifting others from their burdens, Jesus told them to receive what support they were offered: "... for the laborer is worthy of his hire".
The 15th century Telugu poet, Bammera Pothana, wrote, "Work is worship. But also worship will help us in doing our work properly." This means when work is understood as a form of worship, we lay the spiritual ground of daily life. We shift personal focus to our role in the wholeness of life, the mystery of life, while dedicating our activity to a spiritual recognition of, and devotion to, that which sustains us and life around us. It is a shifting of consciousness from personal, separate struggle to the larger transcendent reality, however we envision that. This opens a door to new meaning and from that meaning comes new understanding, strength and competency. That is our spiritual ground. That is worship.
Emmett Fox lends further meaning with his definition that worship is confidence. Work as worship has the added dimension of confidence in God and our Oneness with God so that we can let go of fear, doubt, and resentment in work and move through our day assured that things are working toward the greatest possible outcome. Work becomes spiritual practice and we are worthy of our hire. (Susan Nettleton)
for a poetic reflection of workers, follow the link: https://www.poetryoutloud.org/poem/to-be-of-use/