Ora et Labora and Right Livelihood: Some Notes Toward a Contemplative Spirituality of Work

Most of us spend a lot of time working — so what is the spirituality of work? And how does work impact, or integrate with, our spiritual practice?

The motto of Benedictine monasticism isOra et Labora. It’s Latin for, “Prayer and Work” or “Prayer and Labor.” I love how theora is actually found withinlabora, suggesting that prayer is (or can/should be) a part of work.

Compare this to the noble eightfold path of Buddhism: the Buddha’s prescription for how to balance one’s life in the interest of...