"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be." ~ Patanjali
tulum, mexico ~ january 1, 2013
The last 6 months of my life have been transformational in ways I could never have imagined. During one of the busiest times in my life, I decided to take a mini "hiatus" and go back to school. I enrolled in the YogaWorks 300hour Professional Teacher Training program with the intention of deepening my knowledge of yoga so that I could be a better teacher for my students. Also, selfishly, I was looking to spice things up and become inspired again. Believe it or not, it becomes so easy to stop being a student of yoga once you become a teacher. Your focus shifts to creating interesting classes and unfortunately, for many of us, we lack the time, discipline or availability to be students in the ways that we would like. So, reflecting back on the past few months, YES, I have most certainly gained more knowledge, re-dedicated myself to my personal practice AND become inspired again - and it feels incredible! But that is just the icing on the cake. What I'm taking away from my experience with YogaWorks is so much deeper than that - I have discovered my GREAT PURPOSE.
Like Patanjali describes in his quote above, finding a new project or purpose bigger than yourself opens up a new world of possibility that expands way beyond yourself and your self-imposed limitations and expectations. Something I've discovered about myself recently is that I absolutely thrive on that feeling of creation - being at the precipice of a new idea, new project, something that gives you butterflies in the pit of your stomach and a rush of mixed emotions ranging from: "holy sh*t, this is terrifying!...to...holy sh*t, we could be on to something huge here!"
So, based on my own experience, I think STEP ONE in discovering your Great Purpose is identifying your source of BLISS. Spend some quiet time meditating, journaling, vision boarding, or just being alone and connecting with your heart - What makes it come alive? What give YOU the butterflies?
Whatever that is, do more of it.
In doing more of what makes your heart come alive, you will find that slowly, over time, your Great Purpose starts to reveal itself to you. But, only if you tune out the distractions, focus on yourself and really listen.
Whatever that is, do more of it.
In doing more of what makes your heart come alive, you will find that slowly, over time, your Great Purpose starts to reveal itself to you. But, only if you tune out the distractions, focus on yourself and really listen.
For me, I'm discovering that my source of bliss lies in creating meaningful and transformative experiences for myself and others. Growing up around the world, I was able to experience so many different cultures and appreciate the many ways that has shaped my worldview, cultivated an unlimited source of compassion in my heart and deep longing for adventure in my soul. As an adult now, with a career in yoga, I experience those same feelings of open-mindedness, compassion, adventure every time I step onto my yoga mat. All of the pieces of the puzzle really came together for me this past December when I spent two weeks in Mexico. Without even trying, in simply living and being what I love most, my Great Purpose revealed itself to me: To build a business that creates meaningful and transformative experiences for people through yoga and travel.
Lesson learned: My dreams are limitless! Yours are too! Anything is possible when you discover your Great Purpose and create the right team of people around you to support the process.
Thank you to everyone reading this. You have been a part of my Great Purpose, whether you know it or not!
What is your Great Purpose?
I would love to know and possibly be a part of it....
My great purpose is currently in the process. I thought I knew, I took a risk. Only to discover that what I thought it was really wasn't, and quite possibly served other's expectations more than my own. I want to know what it is. I want to do so many things, travel, be creative, listen, teach, learn, write. I'm afraid to take another risk, It seems like time is running out and the universe is saying "ok, decide now, i've got your back" but i'm scared of giving up control. I lack confidence in my goals and actions. I want this to be for me this time, but i don't know how to do that. This year feels the start of something wonderful. I won't give up listening for the answer. Thank you for your wonderful blog and instagram! It is a source of daily inspiration for me to be my authentic self.
ReplyDeleteDear Pure RawNature,
DeleteThank you so much for sharing from your soul. One thing I want you to understand: time is NOT running out for you. Everything happens to us in perfect, divine timing. This is your nesting phase; your time to reflect, grow, and get ready to build something new and magnificent. Try this mantra: "Time is in abundance. Everything is happening exactly as it should. When I release the need to control my life, everything will fall into divine order."
Good luck. Keep in touch. We are all rooting for you!
Namaste ~ Mandy