Service or Spirituality, or Both?

Tarmac: (Ed. note: not in my circa 1971 dictionary. Apparently the tarmac didn't exist then).

I wonder sometimes what it means to live a life of service, a spiritual life. If I didn't have to work, could I sit on my deck, slack-jawed, and stare into the distance? That doesn't sound too spiritual especially since I don't have a deck. I'd actually be sitting on the tarmac, which is a great word, a truly world class word. Could I sit there half the day, or for an hour or two? What if I sat there, jaw totally not slack, and tried to pray and meditate? That sounds spiritual but then, am I being of service to the world as I pursue my own spiritual growth? I can't see a huge difference between the two situations despite the differential in force being exerted by my clenched jaw muscles. They both sound a little selfish.

I wonder how monks view the worth of a monastic lifestyle. A part of me is impressed that they are so committed to their spiritual growth but another part --possibly adding up to the entire whole if you add it to the first part -- wonders if they're simply hiding out to a certain degree. If I didn't have to work to buy food, should I volunteer at a non-profit organization? That seems pretty servicey but what if I worked 60 hours a week, totally depriving myself of time to enlarge my spiritual life? Being a guy with a big, hot engine revved way up high I bet I'd go overboard with my hours.


One of the keys to happiness that constantly pops up on lists and in how-to books telling you how to be happy is to have work or interests that you find fulfilling. That sounds like a heavy order. Interesting and fulfilling? Whew.