Our sense of purpose is not a fixed point, but rather dynamic. In fact, thinking about what is most vital to you right now helps you set your goal.
Although it’s helpful to have a clearly defined sense of purpose, I also find purpose to be a really dynamic thing.
I invite you to think about what is most vital to you in your life right now.
Let me explain a little: In order to further support our journey towards living with meaning, purpose and purpose ResilienceIt is useful for us to articulate a vision for our lives in a statement.
I’ve found it very helpful for me, over the past couple of decades, to have a statement that I can really use as my north star.
These statements change over time. In fact, it can change frequently, so the important thing is to tune into what is most vital to you and then, based on what is most dynamic, derive this guiding phrase, this sense of clarity for yourself. This statement can then be used to help us define our goal.
I’m driving institute Which focuses on bringing secular, science-based mindfulness and emotional intelligence tools to communities and organizations around the world. Mindfulness has been a part of my life for at least the last 30 years. It started as a personal practice and has become an increasing part of my work.
So, when I think about what is alive to me, mindfulness is just that. It’s a daily practice and something I truly cherish and enjoy. It also brings many benefits to my life.
My North Star is the complete integration of consciousness into every area of my life. Therefore, I aspire to be a conscientious father, a conscientious husband, a conscientious colleague, and a conscientious friend. I say Aspire Because I’m human, like all of us, and there are times when I’m definitely not conscious, and that’s okay. I still have this ambition. I have this really specific goal – and I really want to draw attention to the fact that this goal also derives from my intention.
From purpose to intentions
What values do you hold dear? What is the ideal or aspirational life you want to live? It all comes up when I think about my purpose, because purpose does not exist on its own, independently of intention and meaning.
That is, your values, the things that matter to you, and the things you aspire to all define your purpose. I would encourage you to think about how you bring your values, the things that are meaningful to you, and the things you hope for in your best life together in relation to your purpose.
Exercise: What is vital to you right now?
- So, if you want to join me, and if you’re comfortable, close your eyes Or simply direct your gaze downward and soften the visual field so we can hold our attention.
- Bring awareness to your bodyWhere you find yourself sitting, lying or standing. Bring awareness to this felt experience of your body and the quality of your consciousness. How can you develop the quality of alertness, brightness and, at the same time, tranquility? It’s about being alert and relaxed at the same time. Allow your awareness to connect with the feel of your body, your posture, and the places where your body makes contact with the surface of your chair and the floor.
- Then begin to gently but firmly direct your attention to the breathing: Inhalation and exhalation, the complete cycle of breathing air as it moves in and out of your body.
- I now invite you to think about what is most vital to you at this moment. Where is your attention? What do you notice most prominently? how do you feel? Take note of everything that arises. Name it. Is this a familiar feeling, what is most vital to you right now? What has stayed alive for you during this time period? What caught your attention? What questions were you asking? What were you wondering? What came back repeatedly? What is the neighborhood now? These can be very positive and encouraging things. It can also be very difficult stuff. Without judgment, simply notice what is alive. What was vivid for you in your experience?
- Think of something else that is very important: Everything that has happened to you in your life and at this moment did not happen in isolation. There are causes, circumstances, and people who have all contributed to this vital thing for you. So I invite you to think about what support you need to care for him or work with him, whatever works for you. What support do you need to work with this? We are not alone. We are never truly alone in the sense that a whole host of reasons and circumstances allow us to live our lives every moment of every day. In this sense, what are the reasons, circumstances or people you need in terms of support, to work with what is vital for you?
- As you connect to what is most vital to you, and as we conclude this meditationLet’s take some last deep breaths. And if you like, you’re welcome to write down anything you can think of regarding what’s alive. What questions do you have? What support do you need?
Write down the word or sentence that embodies what is most vital to you in this season of life—and consider how this dynamic energy influences and nurtures your sense of purpose.
