Much has been written about “finding your purpose” in life, however, I want to explore the idea of finding your spiritual purpose in life. Assuming one believes there is a spiritual realm to our everyday existence, to our very beingness, what is the nature of that purpose?
Why are we here? Many have pondered this question over the millennia. I do not presume to have the answer to this question — I’m not sure there is one answer. I share only the beliefs and experiences I have acquired in my 60-plus years on the planet. I do expect more will be revealed as I continue to grow. I aim only to continue pondering the question.
I knew early on in life there was something else to this world, to my existence. I was a seeker from a young age. In my teens and early twenties I began an active search for answers to my questions — in yoga, meditation and visiting various organized religions. I was looking for something I couldn’t describe — only hoping I would know it when I found it.
I still have a Peanuts cartoon I cut out of the Juneau Empire in 1982 that represents the confusing feeling I’d had for years: Peppermint Patty is sitting at a classroom desk, raising her hand enthusiastically and saying, “I know the answer! The answer lies within the heart of all mankind!” Marcy, the student behind Patty leans over and whispers, “The answer was ‘twelve,’ sir.” In the last frame, Patty is slumped in her chair and says, “I think I’m in the wrong building.”
Throughout the journey I learned many things about myself as a human being, and myself as a Soul living in a human body. Much debris had to be cleared from my consciousness before the clarity would come. Fear, anger and old pain had clogged the channels of my spirituality.
Over the years I learned what was not my spiritual purpose in life. It was not my spiritual purpose in life to change the world, change others, make others happy or be a saint. Sainthood was a hard illusion to let go of; accepting that I could be an imperfect human being and still be a spiritual being seemed paradoxical.
Slowly, I found my answer to “what is my spiritual purpose in life?” and it is much simpler than I could have imagined, though not easy. My spiritual purpose in life is to give and receive love; to be a channel for God’s love. To let God’s love flow through me unimpeded by the barriers of ego and all its manifestations such as fear, control and judgment. Sometimes the flow is a trickle, other times it flows more freely. The key is “me” getting out of the way, surrendering to the intuitive ever-present flow of divine love.
That’s it. Nothing dramatic. It does, however, take practicing a new way of thinking all day long. During my morning meditation I contemplate on opening my heart to divine love. And then I go forth into my day and forget. Over and over, I have to remind myself of my true purpose for being here, and to pay attention for opportunities to love. To listen, really listen, to others. To be kind to myself and others. To notice when my human mind is creating barriers to living with an open heart.
Amazing things can and have happened when I approach my day this way. Small, seemingly unimportant experiences or encounters arise; meaningful moments filled with love and connectedness to others and the world around me.
A simple but extraordinary approach to life, it is available to us all. The gifts it brings are often life’s greatest treasures.
• Wendy Hamilton lives and writes in Juneau.
