How this book got on my reading list I'm not sure. Maybe someone thought I needed it, or else thought maybe it would help me understand what I do as "true work."

      These authors have a radio show "New Dimensions Radio." They also do workshops and founded a program called "True Work Circles."

      It takes an inspirational approach to the finding of one's work. They are proponents of Joseph Campbell's philosophy of "finding your bliss."

      They took the leap and tell how it worked for them. They tell of others who left unhappy careers to follow other paths.

      My questioning nature thought of how being able to choose a work that pleases you is a luxury offered only in a prosperous society. For most people, work is they way to survive. People do work that is available and helps them survive. Choice only becomes possible in a developed country. They might argue against that. Many careers are the result of people moving from one way of making a living to another, simply from opportunity or necessity. My father had a wife and four little boys to support during the depression. His work choice was not an option. Following his bliss was not an option. Only when freed of compelling responsibility could he consider risking a job change.  The only choice was whether to be grateful for any work and think of it in some positive way, or to endure it. If there was a work of "bliss," it had to be done as an avocation rather than vocation.

      Other than that, the idea of risking yourself into a circumstance of your choosing—then finding what allows you to live there—is great.

      One thought the authors offer is that in looking back over what one had done in the course of a life, it almost looks like there was a plan to it. Some think that way. I tend to think that every choice has its possibilities. Had we made the other choice there would also have been possibilities. I doubt the notion of a life plan. There's a touch of pre-destination in such an idea.

      Nevertheless, the authors stir thoughts about the how, why and meaning of work. They talk about the meaning of money. There is hardly any aspect of work that is not touched in some way. Throughout the book there is focus on work as a spirit-connected activity.

      For some reason, I thought the chapter on Circle of Work: Friends of the Heart, was most interesting. The authors firmly believe that meaning requires relationships. They propose that people participate in "Circles." These can be of various kinds:

Some are gender-specific, such as men's circles, women's circles or specific to sexual orientation, such as gay people's circles. Some are mixed. You can choose to gather with people of your own age and stage in the life cycle, or you can choose to meet with people of all ages. You can meet around certain topics for special celebrations and/or rituals. A circle can be a study group or a group that makes music." (p. 167)

      Ministers will see similarities to kinds of groups found in churches. The "Circles" suggested in the book have a semi-spiritual style to them, but are secular enough to openly embrace a wide range of belief systems. In fact, the groups do not necessarily require a belief or spiritual system. They require people who want to relate with some other people in a close face-to-face way.

This book could probably work as a study group meeting for 8 – 10 weeks. (If used this way the group might benefit by adapting some of the group guidelines found in the appendix of the book).