Transformative Practices

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meaning

Living A Meaningful Life

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Living a meaningful life, a life with greater satisfaction, is a powerful objective for each of us.  In some traditions this is referred to as individuation and is an expected part of the second half of life.

We may find ourselves asking many worthy questions.

What do I want to do next?  What will be fulfilling?  What is my purpose?  Is my life in line with my values?  What is my reason for being here?  What is this lifetime all about for me and how can I make the best of what is left?

A more meaningful life is close at hand

If we are asking these questions the answers are probably close.  When we are asking these questions it is likely that we are already fulfilling part of our purpose, we are taking steps to individuate.

Knowing what our ideals and purpose are in life, and actively working to fulfill our purpose – each day – brings a feeling of peace and accomplishment.  Our purpose need not be grand, it is often quite simple and within our reach.  What are some of the steps involved in feathering out a life purpose statement?

It is useful to first identify with our ‘real essence’; the authentic person who may be behind a developed persona or way of being in the world.  Early in life we develop ways to ‘fit in’, thrive, or survive.  Later in life we have a chance to re-connect with our inner nature and take steps to line up our lives so that we are living true to ourselves.

Steps to separate these two selves include looking at times when we are most content, at peace, happy and authentic.

Feeling a clear connection with our authentic self, we can look for evidence to determine what skills and gifts we have.  We have skills in part to support the fulfilling of our life purpose.  Talent lists include areas where we excel, areas others notice, latent talents identified through positive and negative projection, skills evident in past accomplishment, information from dreams or dream mentors and intuitive knowing.  An initial list may be quite long, then refined based on analysis and intuition, to a set of three to five key gifts.

The next step is crafting a purpose or mission statement and then seeing and testing how the statement feels.  Here are some sample statements:

I am a unifier, one who synthesizes and blends the fragments of life

Life has placed me in the position to be an agent of inner and outer peace

I innovate and get new things started

My gift is to be the discerning and wise analyst

I share creativity and healing

Transmitting and clarifying new ideas is my gift

I work compassionately for justice in the world

Taking steps in the world to live a meaningful life

Testing and refining our ideals – our purpose – involves actively taking steps in the world and then watching to see how we feel, what others say and do, and what synchronistic events support us.  The process will result in refining our understanding and commitment.

With understanding and commitment, it serves us to refine our mission statement.  Our work is then to focus on expressing our nature, our being and purpose each day.  If we have it right, we will begin feeling more and more connected, at peace, and fulfilled.

Being authentic

Often our inner impelling, the way we are drawn to authentically express ourselves  is at odds with collective norms.  If we don’t allow ourselves to live in line with our essence, to individuate, then we may become depressed smaller versions of ourselves leading unfulfilled lives.  We may project the blame outward toward others for not letting us be ourselves, we may blame ourselves, we may live with a low-level suffering.
Ultimately the responsibility is ours, to express who we are, to differentiate ourselves from the pressures around us.  As we dare to express who we are, be relaxed in that, we feel simple joy and meaning.
What are the areas within ourselves that are currently reaching for greater worldly expression?

I lead a very effective process for connecting and aligning with your individual purpose.

Nourishing Ourselves with Joy & Meaning

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Nourishing ourselves is vital.  The food we eat, the quality of our daily rest and sleep, our daily movement, and exercise.  All of these contribute to the joy and meaning we feel in our lives.  We are multi-faceted and benefit from multiple forms of nourishment.

What nourishes our inner nature?

Do we have a breath, reflection, journalling, or prayer practice?  What bring joy and meaning to our days?

What we listen to is important.  What we say has impact.  Do the words we choose to use reflect a balance of our experience?  Do the words we choose lead us towards our goals?

Beyond these close-to-the-bone activities, our environment, impacts us.  Is our living space clean and orderly.  Have we released what no longer serves us?  Do we treasure what we have chosen to retain?  Do we surround ourselves with beauty and nature?

Who we spend time with is important

Do we have a few close friends that up-lift us, and we them?  Do we respect ourselves enough to choose who we associate with?

Self-expression is fulfilling

When we express, we share, thus creating inner space to be replenished. Do we write, paint, cook, or dance?  In what ways are we able to express our truest nature?

As leaves fall to the ground, attention turns inward.  Energy is freed from the activity of summer.  This is a perfect time of year to shift our habits, learn new skills, and set goals.  The relatively equal length of our day / night cycle gives a strong foundation for any new commitment.

Here are a few ideas

Nourishing your inner nature

A simple morning breath meditation practice; lengthening the inhale and exhale with each round.

Maintaining the physical body

Regardless or your age or condition the body needs to move to stay healthy.  Yoga and walking are a perfect combination.

Listening and speaking

Our minds have a habitual way of hearing.  Try considering 2 other meanings for each thing you hear another say.  Try speaking with new words.

Releasing, cleaning & valuing

Clear out the past season.  Pass on what you have finished with to make room for new experience.  Magnify special moments, by giving them more time and attention.

Energy Work & Deep Relaxation

Learn a few simple techniques to understand and enhance your natural energy flows, in your body, and your emotions.

Self Expression

Everyday, and perhaps once a week for a longer period – have individual, undirected ‘play time’.  What brings joy and meaning for you?  I love to draw mandals and dance.  What about you?

Learning new Pathways and Skills

Commit to learning a new skill or taking a new adventure.  This opens new pathways in the brain and helps us to stay flexible.  If possible, make this fun.