$14.95, Trade paper, ISBN: 0-89800-262-1 Dharma Publishing

Inner Excellence: Spiritual Principles of Life-Driven Business, by Carol Orsborn

$10.95, Trade Paper, ISBN 1-880032-21-x New World Library

Mastering Successful Work addresses the integration of the world of work with the spiritual path. Tulku examines work as a transformational discipline that not only helps us develop as human beings but also helps us maximize our efforts and skills, thus providing immediate feedback on our attention, focus and discipline. The intended result of this study is clearly stated at the beginning: "Work does not have to be a painful necessity or a dirty word. If we use work to challenge our limits, to perfect awareness and deepen concentration, then work can open into knowledge that makes us more successful while also nourishing us at the deepest levels."

Mastering Successful Work will be useful to people experienced in business as well as those just stating out although many of the exercises could be practiced outside of a business setting. It is not necessary to be interested in any spiritual concerns to benefit from this study, nor is prior business experience required. Both topics are discussed at length.

A list of Good Business Practices is included at the end of the book that would be particularly useful to beginning businesses. A set of fundamental exercises called Tools for Change are collected at the end of the book as well as Tools for Troubled Times, exercises specifically designed for coping with crises.

Mastering Successful Work is a clear, thorough introduction to the application of Tibetan Buddhism in the life of modern American business written in the spare, authoritative style which has made Tarthang 'Tulku one of its most popular and respected expositors.

Carol Orsborn takes a different tack while approaching the same problem of the integration of everyday work and inner spiritual work. Six years ago her groundbreaking Enough is Enough, opened our eyes to the possibility of downward mobility while advocating quality of life over material success at all costs. Now, however, she returns with the good news, "You can work less and achieve more." She continues in chapter one, "I am not 'talking about leaving the world of ambition and success to find peace by escaping to a less demanding life. I am talking about being willing to venture inward to find new sources of inspiration for practical application to your life... you have a career and business that is driven by life rather than fear... I refer to this new paradigm as 'life-driven.'"

The seven principles anecdotally illustrated in the remainder of the book include among others: change your beliefs about business and life, be more fully alive, empty yourself of illusions of who you think you are, and surrender ambition. Although the deeper underpinnings are only hinted at, many readers familiar with Buddhist philosophies and meditation practices will recognize the source of these precepts and will be comforted by their inclusion in the working attitudes of business people and companies. Inner Excellence is a fun, useful and inspiring book that draws upon Zen masters, the I Ching, the Tarot, and meditation. Just the ticket for a New Age Business.

-Anderson Smith

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