what is "work in consciousness"?

[Plenum]

so is there an element of 'effort' in this, in the sense of say trying to push or move a heavy boulder?

or is that an in-apt analogy, that comes from the physical world, and consciousness is less about exertion per se, and more about fineness of discernment and a careful and refined application of focus, which is not necessarily about expenditure of energy?

that is not to say that there isn't mental and spiritual 'energy'; but more that it's like a consequence, rather than a pre-requisite.