New Book Aims to Help People Do Work That Matters
Writer, Consultant and Coach, Maia Duerr Wants to Help Create a Livelihood That Reflects Core Intention
SANTA FE, N.M., Nov. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In the recently released "Work that Matters: Create a Livelihood that Reflects Your Core Intention" (Parallax Press), writer and cultural anthropologist Maia Duerr takes readers through a mindfulness-based process that guides them on the path to create "Liberation-Based Livelihood" — joyful work that embodies love and compassion for oneself, and for the whole world. The book provides a map for the reader's journey toward work that matters to them.
"If you have been searching for work that doesn't just pay your bills but that you can truly fall in love with, this book is for you," Duerr writes. "It's the book I wish I had twenty years ago, as I tried to find my way out of a lot of career-related suffering.
"If you feel stuck and have been unable to gain traction in this part of your life, the mindfulness-based approach that's at the heart of this book can help you make a shift to a deeper level that creates possibilities for new insights and positive change."
The book mirrors the path Duerr took. After her first 10-year career as a mental health professional, Duerr was burned out and yearning for change. In her own journey to find meaningful work, she experimented with several careers and dozens of jobs (ranging from alfalfa sprout packer to Buddhist chaplain), and used conventional approaches like career counseling, aptitude tests and reading other books on the topic. Something still wasn't clicking. Duerr turned to her longtime meditation practice and began exploring emotional, psychological and cultural barriers — and in the process, discovered how to create a livelihood that was deeply fulfilling and paid the bills.
"Maia Duerr takes the ancient understanding of right livelihood and makes it current, grounding it in the realities of the day," wrote Sharon Salzberg, the author of "Real Happiness at Work." "Her book is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in creatively developing their career."
"This book is destined to become a well-thumbed classic passed from one questing soul to another," wrote Jennifer Louden, author of "The Women's Comfort Book" and "The Life Organizer." "In a field filled with far too much flimsy, made-up, and plain dangerous advice, this grounded and deeply knowledgeable guide is a godsend."
"Work that Matters: Create a Livelihood that Reflects Your Core Intention" offers the reader a journey to get reacquainted with parts of their heart and mind they may have lost touch with. The journey begins with the three building blocks to transformation: returning to this very moment; leveraging adversity; and staying the course.
Duerr emphasizes the internal qualities, beliefs and attitudes that readers need to cultivate in order to create work that truly sustains them. She calls these the Six Keys to Liberation-Based Livelihood:
- "Become Intimate with Your Core Intention"
- "Value Your Gifts and Time"
- "Break Through Inertia and Take Action"
- "Make Friends with Uncertainty"
- "Think Big and Make the Most of Your Resources"
- "Build a Circle of Allies and Ask for Help"
The heart of the book takes readers through each of these keys with exploration and practices to strengthen the reader's capacity for them. And then the book pivots on a person's personal mission statement which is informed by the reader's insights of the six keys. The final part of the book grounds the reader in practical action to translate these insights into a sustainable livelihood.
Over the last eight years, Duerr has witnessed many of her clients transform their work lives using this process, which she originally taught as an online course called "Fall in Love with Your Work."
As a consultant, coach and mentor, Maia Duerr draws on her decades of Zen practice as well as training in anthropology to create powerful tools for integrating mindfulness into the workplace and in clients' everyday lives. Through her workshops, online programs and coaching, she has supported people around the world to create work that matters. Duerr has an MA in Cultural Anthropology from the California Institute of Integral Studies and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Duerr offers individual coaching, consulting services for nonprofit organizations and small businesses, and transformative learning experiences in both in-person and online formats.
For those who are yearning for more meaningful work but feel stuck and unsure how to move forward, Duerr can help. She is also skilled at guiding teams through the process of integrating mindfulness into the workplace. Her clients have included the Environmental Defense Fund, University of Washington and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
"If you are a leader in a workplace where there's room for growth in terms of employee happiness and commitment, I can help," Duerr said. "I am passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to create the conditions for work that matters."
Duerr will be holding multiple book events in the Northeast (New York, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut) from Nov. 4-10 including stops in these cities:
- Nov. 4, Saratoga Springs, NY: Meditation and book reading/signing, 9–10:30 a.m.
One Roof Holistic Health Center in Saratoga Springs, NY - Nov. 4, Cornwall, VT: Book reading and signing, 3–4:30 p.m.
Bread Loaf Mountain Zen Community in Cornwall, VT - Nov. 7, Easthampton, MA: Book reading and signing, 7–8:30 p.m.
Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley, Easthampton, MA - Nov. 8, Middletown, CT: Book reading and signing, 6:30–8 p.m.
The Lotus House at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT - Nov. 10, Northampton, MA: Work That Matters one-day workshop, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Everyday Mindfulness in Northampton, MA.
To learn more about Maia Duerr and the services she offers, please visit www.maiaduerr.com or go to amazon.com or better bookstores nationwide to get a copy of "Work That Matters: Create a Livelihood That Reflects Your Core Intention." Readers can sign up to receive Maia's monthly e-newsletter -- with reflections on life + liberation and event announcements by going to her website.
Media Contact:
Robert K. Newman
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