Our Purpose is to Heal
This January, as we start the new calendar year and reflect on past progress and goals for the future, it’s essential to remember our purpose. When we have a purpose to our goals, a “why” that inspires our decisions and actions, something feels right and aligned. I refer to this as feeling “in the zone.”
I believe that our purpose is to heal. A Course In Miracles is a metaphysical text that teaches us that very idea. ACIM teaches us that a miracle is a shift in perception from fear (the ego, beliefs of lack, anger, worries, self- and other criticism) to love (our essence, unconditional compassion). These miracles happen in an instant and frequently when we are in line with our purpose, which is to heal.
When we line up our natural desire to grow and improve with our purpose to heal, it starts to become clear what is actually important to our true self. You see, our wounds are our purpose. More specifically, healing our own wounds is the purpose of our lives. We all have wounds that we carry with us. These wounds may be from childhood and not getting our emotional needs met, experiences of being disrespected or fooled, or from our internal voice of shame. Some philosophies even believe that we carry karma from past lives that need can be “righted” or healed in this life.
I have found that the more I dive into Mindfulness practices and principles, using them to guide my life and stay connected to well-being, the more I transform. I will be clear in that I don’t just sit down and meditate and then magically attain enlightenment. Mindfulness asks us to take a mindset of willingness to witness without judgment, accepting and embracing all that comes our way. That includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. The more I engage in Mindfulness, the more I feel open to experiencing it all and have more and more tolerance to being patient with what feels unpleasant or even scary.
I’ve been able to open the doors of awareness to my authentic self (instead of the role-self I’d been desperately trying to perfect), address my insecurities and my (as Tara Brach refers to it) trance of unworthiness, connect with a sense of abundance and creativity, and feel at peace and ease. I’m not only a happier person, but I am a better friend, teammate, partner, and family member because I can now live a life feeling secure in vulnerability and approach all aspects of life whole-heartedly. It’s not perfect and I’m always learning. It’s a path of progress and showing up when my inner voice calls.
Turns out, the only way to heal, and create a life of love and equanimity, is going through the challenges that show up. When we try to avoid our wounds, stuffing down the pain and suffering, we become depressed, anxious, and full of self-doubt. Being with the pain, the discomfort, and the fears is not for the faint of heart. Though when we keep our purpose in mind, and trust that these pains and challenges are guide posts on our path to healing, we can approach life lessons with confidence.
