There is only one purpose and it is the same for everyone: to become conscious and be a light unto the world. Let me repeat this: our only purpose is to become conscious. Everything else flows from that; all service flows from that. This doesn’t mean we might not be volunteering and working for issues and organizations we care about while we’re becoming consciousness; it means we can stop knocking our head against the wall when some of the spiritual literature and teachers are telling us to find our purpose.
All the relationships, issues, good and ill fortune that we encounter within the scope of our life are those we attract, and provide us with opportunities for growth. This growth to bring more of our unconsciousness to light often comes through struggle, but as we become more and more conscious, the need for struggle lessens and can even end completely. Consciousness also requires taking time for silent reflection, contemplation and/or some type of meditation, and any number of books and workshops exist to help us incorporate this into our busy life.
Our passion, on the other hand, is our individual creative expression of that which moves us and to which we commit with integrity. It includes creative work in literature and drama, helping the poor and deprived, research, teaching, works of art and architecture, commerce, equality and social justice, healing, science and math, increasing environmental awareness, and any number of other great endeavors. Our passion is an avenue through which we can become conscious, and when fueled by our purpose, it contributes to the conscious evolution of our species and the world.
It is our passion on which we may be unclear, not our purpose. Some people have found their passion in the current work they do; unfortunately they are in the minority. For most of us, our daily job may be less than satisfying. Nevertheless, our reactions to it can provide us with opportunities to grow in consciousness. Let everything serve your purpose and eventually your passion will show itself. As our consciousness becomes more and more clear, we become clear on what meets our needs and what we’re passionate about. It’s a paradox that the more conscious we become through forgiveness, acceptance, self-love and meeting our own needs, the more our needs will serve others. We don’t need to figure it out; we’re called simply to acknowledge our divinity within by growing in consciousness and staying alert to its signs in our life and in our body. All else falls into place over time and becomes effortless. As we embrace our purpose, our passion shows itself.
Our commitment to consciousness and our own creative passion assist the evolution of consciousness in all people. Who we are, what we think, and all we bring to this world are more valuable than we realize.
© 2001 * Barbara Atkinson
