🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A

Selection from Casual Conversation with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim (November 14, 2020)

🔹Question: I’m a scientist, and scientists in the United States at least are expected to work long hours including weekends and holidays. Though this culture is very normal, but in this pandemic time, it’s very difficult to work these hours. Because we have to split up our time with our co-workers, because we cannot be too closed to each other. So the problem is that, it’s not just my boss but I have noticed this and other senior scientists as well, they want us to work like it's normal times. At least in our lab, we still have the same amount of meetings where we were expected to generate data and update our boss, but it’s not really possible to be as productive as before. My question is how do you handle people who expect too much from you during this time?

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🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A

“I Don't Like My New Job.” Selection from CasualConversation with Ven. Pomnyun Sunim (Septermber 19, 2021)

🔹Question: I recently changed my job but I feel a strongfeeling of uncomfortable with my job. I’ve been trying many new things and different responsibilities but my current job is very different from any other job that I had been doing before. I don’t feel comfortable doing it and I also don’t think that I could deliver my best here. And I don’t think I’m fit in this job. Also I’m still not passionate about what I’m doing right now. That often makes me sad. I think I need time to take a break. I’d like to know your opinion and advice on my situation. Thank you.

🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/

🔻Jungto Dharma School (Introduction to Buddhism): https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/

🔻 All Jungto Society’s social platforms: http://linktr.ee/jungtoint

🔹Ven Pomnyun’s Dharma Q&A

2021/11/14

🔹Question: Hello, Sunim Thank you so much for taking thetime to talk to us. I have a similar question. I am an addiction counselor for a nonprofit. I have been doing this for about a year and a half since I graduated college. Your talk, last week, really helped me with feelings of jealousy over salary. And you helped me realize that this is still the job that I want to do. However, I wanted to ask a follow up question about free time, energy, and balance in my life. I actually really enjoy the core parts of my job which is working directly with other people who are in need of support. I also really like my team which has made a big difference from the other social service jobs that I did before. I also feel like my performance is okay. However, the job is often still hard because of how it impacts my sense of freedom and because of how long the paperwork and other bureaucratic elements take. I feel like I am always working more than the 40 hours a week that I am paid for just to not fall behind. Organizational skills have always been one of my weak points, but all of my coworkers also spend more time doing paperwork than actually helping clients. I don't know how I can ever view this aspect of the job as play. Even though I love my job, it is so hard how far away I feel like I am from financial freedom. I have still been living with my parents since last year while I am saving money. Sometimes, I still get jealous of those who have more freedom to relax, travel, and grow since my job makes me so tired. I feel like I don't have enough time to take care of myself, reading, exercising, or pursuing my other interests, let alone improve at my job and my career. I don't know how I can ever start a family eventually like this. Sometimes, it makes me feel very tired and depressed. Sometimes, it gives me nightmares. I don't know how to work less or feel like I'm working less without feeling like I might be laid off, or I won't be growing fast enough in my career as expected. In the past, when I have had more free time, I've been able to stay very happy by exercising and pursuing my own hobbies and interests.However, even though this job is a passion of mine, and the core aspects feel like play, sometimes it feels like it is too demanding staying on top of all of the liability stuff for the city, the state, and the federal government and all of the paperwork. Sometimes, it feels too demanding for me to stay energized and live well.

🔻Jungto Dharma School(Introduction to Buddhism):https://www.jungtosociety.org/jungto-dharma-school-online-course/

🔻 All Jungto Society’ssocial platforms: ⁠http://linktr.ee/jungtoint⁠