Purpose

We are obsessed with finding our purpose. We read books, we go to workshops, we hire coaches, all in a desperate search for the one thing that will give our lives meaning. We believe that our purpose is something outside of ourselves, something that we have to find, to achieve, to attain. But what if our purpose is not something we find, but something that finds us? What if our purpose is not a destination, but a direction? What if our purpose is simply to be who we are?

The Myth of the One True Purpose

The idea that we each have one true purpose is a myth. It’s a product of the ego’s need for a grand narrative, a heroic story of a special self with a special mission. But the spiritual path is not about becoming special. It’s about becoming ordinary. It’s about realizing that you are not separate from the whole, that you are a unique and perfect expression of the one life that is living itself through all of us.

Dharma: The Path of Right Action

In the yogic tradition, the concept of purpose is expressed through the word dharma. Dharma is often translated as “purpose” or “duty,” but it is much more than that. It is the inherent nature of a thing, the cosmic law that governs all of existence. The dharma of a bee is to make honey. The dharma of a flower is to bloom. The dharma of a human being is to be human.

Your dharma is not something you have to figure out. It is something that is already written in your heart. It is the unique combination of your gifts, your talents, your passions, and your challenges. It is the path that is laid out before you, the path that will lead you to your own awakening.

A Real-Life Example: The Accidental Teacher

I know a man who spent the first half of his life trying to be a rock star. He was a talented musician, but he was constantly struggling, constantly striving, constantly trying to make it big. He was miserable. Then, one day, a friend asked him to teach his son how to play the guitar. He reluctantly agreed. And something amazing happened. He discovered that he loved teaching. He was a natural at it. He had a gift for connecting with his students, for inspiring them, for helping them to find their own voice. He had stumbled upon his dharma. He had stopped chasing his purpose, and his purpose had found him.

How to Embody This Teaching

Embodying this teaching is about letting go of the search for purpose and instead, focusing on living in alignment with your own true nature. Here are some practices to help you discover the purpose that is already within you:

• Follow Your Joy: What makes you come alive? What are you passionate about? What would you do even if you weren’t getting paid for it? Follow your joy. It is a compass that will always point you in the direction of your dharma.
• Pay Attention to the Signs: The universe is constantly giving you clues about your purpose. Pay attention to the synchronicities, the coincidences, the opportunities that show up in your life. They are not random. They are breadcrumbs on the path to your purpose.
• Be of Service: Your purpose is not just about you. It’s about how you can use your unique gifts to be of service to the world. Ask yourself, “How can I help? How can I contribute? How can I make a difference?”

When This Card Appears

When the Purpose card appears in a reading, it is a sign that you are being called to align with your true north. It is a reminder that you don’t have to search for your purpose, you just have to be willing to be who you are. This card is asking you to let go of the ego’s need for a grand and glorious mission, and to embrace the simple and deep purpose of living your life with authenticity, integrity, and love. Your purpose is not a destination. It is the journey itself.