The Buddha was clear that in order to be happy, we need to adjust our goals so that we travel a spiritual path rather than seek happiness from material wealth alone.
This advice can sometimes be misinterpreted to mean that we do not need material supports, but that is not what the Buddha meant. His advice was that when we are traveling the spiritual path, material support comes naturally and with less effort. Our material success also goes much further when unwholesome activities are not draining our satisfaction.
There are many activities that we can do to earn a living that do not cause harm to others. Such activities include those that do not involve killing, stealing, committing adultery, lying, or using drugs or alcohol. Profiting from these activities, even if we don’t engage in them directly, would also be excluded from right livelihood.
All other forms of livelihood are conducive to meditation because they provide material support without leading to regret. From this position, the next step is for us to decide to put mindfulness, i.e., noting in the present moment, at the centre of our lives. A life filled with unconditional happiness will soon flow from there.