Right Livelihood

Right Livelihood is the traditional Buddhist term for work that is ethical and helpful to one's spiritual development. Most of us spend a good deal of our lives working. The work we do has a strong effect on our minds.

Everyone needs to have a form of financial support, and we spend a large part of our lives working to provide it. Right Livelihood is the traditional name for work which is ethical. As we follow the path of Right Livelihood, I felt that it was important to review an article that I previously published on the Suite in 2001. It helps set the stage for a more detailed discussion on food, community economic development and Right Livelihood.

Last week we began an exploration of both the nutritional and economic potential of a range of cash crops that have, for the most part, been ignored by the industrial agricultural factory. In addition, we will visit the ancient world and discuss the possibilities of crops which are thousands of years old and the civilizations that grew them.

Before we begin this adventure, I feel that it is important to get a sound understanding of what I feel is an essential element of any sustainable enterprise and that is the principle of Right Livelihood.

The work that we do or the business that we operate must be one that is ethically based and that will do no harm--no harm to other people, no harm to the ecosystem. It is this principle of Right Livelihood that can make a food-based business such as growing herbs organically a sound, ecologically responsible enterprise.

Once you know what the concept of Right Livelihood entails and have decided what crop or crops you wish to grow or which aspect of the food business you are interested in, you can begin to develop your business plan. The business plan is your guide to a successful venture. If you do your homework, you increase your chances of success considerably. Knowledge is the key to success for any small business and the food game is no exception.

Next week we will begin our journey into the world of exotic but not invasive plants that may well fill a niche in your local marketplace. We will also take a look at cooperative and community businesses. It is often preferable to work together rather than attempting to go it alone. You may also want to consider the possibility of a non-profit instead of a for-profit enterprise.

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