Soul Purpose: A Journey from Doing to Being
By being in a human incarnation, we have tied ourselves to this deep inner quest of purpose. When we are searching for our purpose, we are also searching for our wholeness. In order to become whole, we also have to become worthy.
Our purpose also evolves as our perspective on Life evolves. From a certain level of consciousness, purpose can easily be defined by how you are applying yourself in your day to day. What you are ‘doing’ with your life.
At another level of consciousness, the idea of your purpose will shift and it becomes less about what you are doing, and more about who you are being. Let’s travel through the layers of consciousness to view your purpose from multiple perspectives.
Understanding Purpose at Different Levels of Consciousness
We are all vacillating at different levels of consciousness throughout each moment and throughout our lives. Just because you may be baselining at a lower level does not mean there is something wrong with you, it just means there’s possibility. It’s also important to remember that moving through levels of consciousness is not linear, even though it may appear that way. Mystical experiences, or profound realizations are examples of moving from one level of consciousness to another in an instant.
At the lower end of the ladder of consciousness, we are often limited to the material perspective and guided much more by the defined personality (ego) than the higher self’s perspective. From here purpose is externally defined. You may see your worth and purpose through the lens of productivity, achievements and social validation.
This can look like a focus on career success, social roles and material accomplishments. Not that there's anything wrong with these things, but at this level of consciousness your value and worth are tied to them. This means that if you were to succeed or fail in these areas, the ego is strengthened. Your attachment to these external outcomes is directly tied to your perceived purpose. If you do not see yourself as aligned with these outcomes, then this means you are not in your purpose, and likely that you are not worthy of these outcomes.
This sounds like it could be painful, and certainly from the personality’s perspective, it is. Oftentimes, people are fine operating at this level of consciousness until they 1) feel unfulfilled after these desires are realized and/or 2) feel deeply unworthy when these outcomes are not realized. There’s a hint that something is off, and that there must be more. There is.
The Quest for Deeper Meaning
These feelings of unworthiness and a deep inner itch to find your purpose can propel you into higher states of consciousness, like courage. To be courageous, you must open your heart to new possibilities. Courage comes from the root words meaning ‘to be of heart’, which is inherently vulnerable.
You start to question the meaning of life beyond doing through introspection. This is where meditation can be your ally, as you start to become more aware of your beliefs around purpose and worthiness.
At this level of consciousness, you start to explore intellectual topics on purpose, take courses, maybe take up a spiritual practice and explore this connection between doing and being. You start to prioritize things outside of productivity, although there are still hesitations around the true value of being. Doing may still be prioritized, because the collective still prioritizes it so you feel yourself starting to go against the societal grain.
Concepts on purpose such as finding the natural intersection of your interests, ability to make money and collective need are prioritized. This feels like an improvement, and it is. By starting to get more clear on your desires, you start to become more aware of what your soul is calling you to, although it’s still tethered to external outcomes.
Embracing Being as Purpose: Higher Consciousness
As you awaken further, the concept of purpose makes a monumental shift from doing into being. Your purpose and the world around you start to become more synergistic and you start to see the similarities in what you want for yourself, and what others want for themselves. Compassion and understanding grows.
The idea of purpose is rooted in existence itself. Your purpose is no different than any other being. It’s wholeness. The only difference is the journey to it. You start to embody this knowing through deep contemplation and the ‘how’ of your purpose, meaning how it manifests, is no longer a priority. You start to understand that by simply being you, you are inherently worthy. You bring this knowing deeper and deeper into your consciousness.
From one perspective, Purpose is highly personalized and easily measured. From another perspective, Purpose is highly communal and simple.
The beautiful thing about realizing your purpose is your journey to wholeness is that you can experience more wholeness through expansion into the greater field of awareness through meditation or other practices. As you start to sustain this alignment within, then the doing becomes informed by your being.
What does Psychology have to say about Purpose?
We’ve taken a look at Purpose from a spiritual perspective, now let’s dive into what it looks like from a psychological perspective.
Viktor Frankl, an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor, is best known for his powerful book "Man's Search for Meaning". His theories on purpose and meaning have had a profound impact on clinical psychology and existential philosophy. Here are some key findings from his work (highly recommend reading his book):
Logotherapy:
Frankl developed logotherapy, a form of existential analysis that focuses on a "will to meaning" as the primary driving force in humans. Unlike Freud's "will to pleasure" or Adler's "will to power," Frankl posited that the primary motivational force in humans is to find meaning in life.
Meaning in Suffering:
Frankl believed that even in the most painful and dehumanizing situations, such as his experiences in Nazi concentration camps, individuals can find meaning. "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." This perspective helps individuals to endure suffering by finding a purpose in it, which can lead to personal growth and resilience.
Existential Vacuum:
Frankl introduced the idea of the "existential vacuum," a state of inner emptiness and lack of meaning that many people experience. This vacuum often manifests as boredom, apathy, and a sense of aimlessness. Frankl suggested that individuals can overcome this vacuum by discovering and pursuing meaningful goals and values.
Three Sources of Meaning:
Creative Values: Engaging in work or activities that are meaningful and fulfilling.
Experiential Values: Experiencing something or someone we value deeply, such as love, nature, or art.
Attitudinal Values: Adopting a positive attitude towards unavoidable suffering, finding meaning in the way we respond to life's challenges.
Human Freedom:
Frankl emphasized that while we cannot always control our circumstances, we can control our responses to them.
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
The Role of Responsibility:
Frankl believed that each person has a responsibility to find and fulfill their unique purpose in life.
"Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose."
Viktor Frankl's work highlights the profound impact that finding meaning and purpose can have on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. His insights into the human capacity for resilience, even in the face of extreme suffering, continue to inspire and guide people in their search for a fulfilling and purposeful life.
Integrating Purpose Across Consciousness Levels
The exploration of purpose across different levels of consciousness reveals a transformative journey from doing to being. As we reach more wholeness, step by step we allow the love that is always there to flow more freely. As we evolve from choices dictated by societal norms to a life led by our powerful hearts, we realize that purpose is not an equation to be solved but ongoing unshackling of our blocks to love. While we may all end up at the same place, how we chose to journey there is up to us.
At SoulPod, we encourage you to embrace this journey, not just as a path to achievement but as a never-ending journey of discovery. Find more in SoulPod and take a step towards living your purpose, not just finding it.
