On June 9, 2022, the International Culture Federation (ICF) held its ninth salon event at the M2 Gallery in Improve Canada. The theme of this session was “Career Success from a Spiritual Perspective.” The event was hosted by Ms. Maggie Yu and co-sponsored by CYCA and ACPN.
Ms. Yu analyzed the interrelationship between spirituality and career success from a philosophical perspective, interpreting what “spirituality” and “success” mean with both rational thinking and emotive language. She proposed that success is, in essence, a feeling—a positive feeling of confidence and satisfaction that arises when one achieves their ideals. Career success can be multifaceted: it may mean success in doing tasks or in being a person; in entrepreneurship or in professional life; in an industry or in a specialized field; in life or in the deeper meaning of life. It may consist of great achievements and discoveries, but also great sacrifice and contribution. It can be personal success or collective success, practical or theoretical, material or spiritual. It may involve founding companies or organizations, staging influential events, or accomplishing remarkable feats recognized by the world.
She explained that spirituality does not need to be complicated. Simply looking at the Chinese character 灵 (“spirit”) conveys vitality, joy, and a boundless, ever-changing energy that inspires imagination and rarely carries negative connotations. All things have spirit, and because of it, there is life and flourishing in the world. Without spirit, there is no life. Spirituality lies deep within us—it is the primal life force in our hearts, filled with wisdom and energy, enabling us to discover our innermost mysteries. Spirituality cannot be attained through the intellect, since it is not logic or thought, but life energy itself. Spiritual growth means transcending the limitations of the mind, reconnecting with that inner life force, and tapping into its inexhaustible wisdom.
A person with spirituality has insight and intelligence. In career paths, the kind of work, industry, and people one encounters are crucial. If one meets individuals with vision, goals, strategies, methods, and management ability, they can achieve success. Such people have sharp observation, foresight, and the ability to identify emerging industries rather than clinging to declining ones. A spiritually perceptive person will choose a career at the forefront of growth, positioning themselves for vast opportunities. Success also requires capability—so that when the right people appear at the right time, one can walk alongside them in harmony, with matching pace and energy. This mutual resonance fosters growth and increases the chances of success. Conversely, if people are not aligned in frequency, conflicts intensify, support is withheld, and progress is hindered.
Since resources in society are limited, conflicts arise as people compete to satisfy desires. How then can one achieve their goals while also considering others’ interests? This requires wisdom, kindness, and spirituality. From career choice to self-improvement, all are essential for success, but one indispensable factor is helping the vulnerable. By assisting those in difficulty, one accumulates blessings, making future endeavors smoother. Human reasoning does provide some foresight, but when bound by dualistic thinking, errors in judgment can arise. People often overestimate their limited knowledge, mistaking it for the standard by which to interpret the unknown—this is what we call arrogance.
Today, more and more people realize that the connection between the spiritual realm and the human world is deeper than commonly imagined. The spiritual world directly influences human life. The true battle is whether the upward channel between the two is blocked. If it remains open, human negativity flows into the spiritual world, while energies of spiritual conflict permeate human life. If the spiritual realm is full of light, its positive energy uplifts humanity; if it is dark, people’s hearts are easily shadowed by negativity. This reflects the unity of all existence.
This event was jointly organized by the ICF executive team together with the Federation’s Artists Club, Wellness Club, Women Entrepreneurs Club, and Daoist Philosophy Club.
