In the first and second parts of this series, we have talked about the two indicators that tell us whether we are living our higher purpose — our health and emotions.
Though they may seem like two separate things, our body and emotions are in fact interconnected. When emotions are left unresolved, our health would usually suffer in some way. Conversely, a poor health will also have a negative impact on the way we feel and act.
Meditation can help us to become more attuned to our mind and the way we feel, physically and emotionally. By seeing how our feelings, thoughts and physical reactions give rise to one another through meditation, we learn to discern our true voice from our attitudes, memories, projections and conditioned thoughts.
When we are able to hear what our true self says, expressing our authentic self and living our higher purpose become possible, and we will be less inclined to act out our insecurities, fears, worries and mindless thoughts.
But initially, you may not trust your own inner voice and its calling as much as you would like. Maybe you find your true calling overwhelming, maybe it’s too simple, or perhaps you simply don’t trust yourself anymore after countless betrayal by your own thoughts. In this concluding part, we will touch on these obstacles and discuss how we can overcome them.
3. Recognizing Your True Voice
In your daily routine or during meditation, you may be aware of the many voices from within that clamor for your attention. These are not real voices you hear in your ears, but are more fuzzy thoughts that surface in your mind. How do you know which is your true voice then?
To separate your true voice from the noises, it is useful to be still and inquiry into each voice with these self-illuminating questions:
Does the voice:
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Express who and what I really am, instead of who and what I should be?
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Sound natural, and not forced or contrived?
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Connect me to how I really feel, even if that means feeling my pain?
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Allow me to be real?
Using the light of inquiry, it is not hard to separate the real voice from the noises which originate from fears, projections and attachments.
But even after finding your true voice, feelings of confusion, uncertainty, fear and ambivalence can still set in, stopping us right in our tracks. Because our conditioned self together with its concepts, attachments, insecurities and fears are still very much in control of us, manifesting in the form of negative self-talk and fearful emotions. There are seven common types of negative self-talk, check them out to see whether you have used any of them yourself.
Meditation to Increase Courage & Confidence
Facing up to our true destiny calls for strong confidence and courage. Here is a practice called Breathing with the Earth Meditation which can help you to increase both of these qualities and counteract fearful emotions. It is similar to the breathing meditation I have mentioned in Free Yourself from the Prison of Your Mind, but with a different emphasis.
Breathing with the Earth Meditation
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Sit comfortably and begin by taking a few slow and increasingly deep inhalation and exhalation to relax and calm down.
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When you are fully relaxed, bring to mind your loved ones and friends. Notice that they are also breathing at this moment with you, taking in and giving out one breath at a time, wherever they are.
Now slowly expand your awareness to all the living things in your country — the people you know, the strangers, all creatures big and small, as well as the trees and plants. Right now, they are also breathing in unity with you, while going about their lives in their unique way.
Let’s expand our circle of consciousness across borders to include every living thing that exists on this world. All the known and unknown creatures and plants are all breathing with energy at this very moment with you. Breathing is a natural part of their being. We are all connected by the very same breath.
Feel the entire Earth pulsating under this collective breathing. What would it be like if all breathing stops? Cherish the breathing you hear around you. You are not alone! Listen quietly and you will hear the sound of Mother Earth breathing.
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When you are fully immersed in this rhythm of breathing with the whole Earth, imagine you are drawing the courage, strength and confidence that you need with each breath. Each breath you take is a blessing from every single living thing on this planet. There are at least 800 billion living things, big and small, on Earth, which means 800 billion blessings for you in a single breath!
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Soak in the waves of blessings sent across with breaths for as long as you need. With every breath you take, feel your courage, strength and confidence increasing and expanding. Imagine that your breaths are also blessing all living things, energizing and healing them with your overflowing energies.
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After your meditation, let your overflowing courage, strength and confidence touch the people you come in contact with like a clear, thirst-quenching and gentle stream of river. Whenever you feel the need to recharge, simply return your attention to your breaths and bring to mind the blessings you receive by breathing together with the entire Earth.
Conclusion
Finding our true calling is a process that requires deep exploration into our true nature, rather than an exact science. It’s important to lighten up and laugh at ourselves often during this journey, especially when we are met with unexpected dead ends and perplexing crossroads. After all, life becomes exciting and full of surprises precisely because of them.
Thank you for keeping me company in this three-part series. I hope you have gained some useful insights that can help you to uncover your true calling.
I wish you all the best!
« Uncover Your Life Purpose with Meditation — Part 2
Uncover Your Life Purpose with Meditation — Part 1 »
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