The General Inquiry:

About once a year, we receive a touching letter from someone who seems to wonder, "Have you any ideas on how, with my seeming disability, I can't find my ideal job ?" No matter how touching the inquiry sounds, it is our stated policy not to try to advise individuals.

Not infrequently the letter is hugely problem-centered. Anyone who has read our books knows these are highly solution-oriented. Each one scopes out images and generic descriptions of answers (not problems) and positively structures one or more optimal models: e.g., for aging, for enhancing the experience of spiritual intelligence (especially in young people), or for living as "ordinary people as monks and mystics."

To focus on problems is to build faith in the problem, and drain oneself of vital answers -- spiritual insight or intelligence. Since we merge with what we notice, that problem-consciousness only gives power to the apparent obstruction. As discussed -- at great length in Don't Call Me Old... -- assumptions shape our reality. Hence, even the most heartfelt letter of this sort (written from a framework far, far afield from ours) reveals that someone lacks an understanding of our reference points. On that score alone, it's impossible to answer! There are other reasons we never offer specific (individualized) solutions:

1. Remember: It's a lesson world!

As individuals we often need to grow from the precise lessons that our apparent obstructions introduce! One lacks the marketing skills his or her job requires. Another, sets up rejection by ill-chosen or poorly timed requests for promotions, jobs, whatever. Problems are, in an odd way, opportunities for each of us to grow in skill -- to qualify ourselves for what we want to achieve by gaining much needed optimism, self-awareness, understanding, tenacity, entrepreneurship (i.e., the solid fit between our talents, goals and what our marketplace of choice offers) The list of these qualifying variables and life-lessons are infinite, as individualized as each of us. Yet once the specific lesson is learned the specific problem disappears. A pastor we like listening to often says, "Pass the test, enter the rest." To us, this means our problems are often tests or trials of sorts, if only in consciousness, that we'll need to overcome in order to grow. (The film, "Defending Your Life," seems an effective, well-written comedy along these lines!)

2. If Stuck, Get Thee to A Healer -- In Person!

The Center 's themes relate to contemplation-- not individualized prescriptions, counseling or even suggested routes to same. Individualized needs require individualized solutions. Everyone gets stuck now and then, and when this occurs we recommend taking our dilemma seriously enough to book a bit of time with competent, well trained career or guidance counselors -- professionals with credentials who are trained and qualified to prescribe answers suited to our individual requirements. In some case -- for instance with clinical depression-- we may require competent medical help, at the very least a check up! Sometimes we have esoteric goals -- want to play pro-ball, yet lack the innate talent -- or special needs (e.g., youth) that only a mentor, career counselor or knowledgeable therapist can help us address.

(Please see our archived article titled "Money" for more ideas about some ancillary themes related to the above.)