When I had my practice in Florida, I repeatedly saw a particular dynamic in people. They moved down from Ohio, Pennsylvania, or wherever. For them, that was their home. Their roots remained “up north.” That’s the community they cared about. Florida was just a place to avoid the winters. It seemed their sense of responsibility, dignity, and integrity was left at the border. But what I really noticed was a loss of their own human decency, their own self-respect, meaning to their life. A lot of people move to Florida in their old age. It’s as if it’s a place they can go to die. What I think a number of them don’t realize is that it is as if the best part of them died the moment they set foot on Florida soil. Needless to say, this certainly isn’t true of all Floridians, but it certainly is a syndrome I saw.
It’s been said that a person needs to live for something greater than themselves. I only agree with that with respect to the small self, the personality self. (Needless to say, there is nothing bigger than the true Self, the Transcendental Self, but that’s not what we are referring to here.) You would do well to ask yourself what it is you live for. What is it that you live true to?
I have spoken in the past of the Cosmic Flow, the Divine Flow of life. I’ve said coming into tune with your own true nature, your dharma, your life’s purpose, is all about living in accord with the Cosmic Flow. You are one with it.
But let’s take a closer look at this. On a day-to-day level, what does that look like? What does it mean to you? For some people, it’s just making money. Other people would say it is their family. I certainly see the truth in that, understand it, and can completely relate to it. However, that is not the extent of it. A person needs to have some purpose, something to achieve, something to commit their life to. Some would say it is their profession. That may or may not be true depending upon the profession chosen.
In my life, my commitment is clear. That commitment is what brought Mount Soma into existence. Though it is understood on so many different levels that it almost becomes meaningless, I feel from my side that my commitment is a commitment to God. God is the Divine Flow, the Cosmic Flow.
You are one with God. To be committed to God is to be committed to the true Self. The true Self is far bigger than the small self, the personality self. In that sense, you have to live your life committed to something greater than the personality self, greater than family, friends, and loved ones. A life without that is a life without roots. It’s a life without true purpose. It saddens me to see how few people know their purpose, or even if they do, how few have all out commitment to it. And people wonder why they are not happy. The truth is you need to know your Self fully enough that the theme of your life is something that on a daily basis you live for, and that if need be, you would be willing to die for.
Few people understand this. They project their priorities and their value systems onto me. I’ve come to realize it is simply because they cannot begin to comprehend what motivates me. What motivates me is the Divine Flow. It is almost as if I have ceased to exist. If by “I”, you mean my personality self, I no longer live for that. I live and breathe the divinity that dwells at the depth of my being, a level of the Self that remains shrouded from the perception of most individuals. My purpose is to assist every individual in removing that shroud. Only commitment to that will bring you the fulfillment you long for.
Do not waiver. Do not compromise. Your true purpose is divine. Your true purpose is not limited to a handful of people or a fistful of dollars. Your true purpose is one with all that is. When you find it, nothing would ever be able to distract you from it. It is then that you will find what it is you long for. Think big.
For years I was searching for something, until I sat and listened in my first class in San Diego to you in 1996, did I know really what that was. The trail has been long and winding, and lately steep. I am thankful that there is a mountain top in NC that I will soon enjoy the Sun, and call home “Om”.
I am thankful to see the birth of and the Community evolving at Mount Soma, and that there is a home for all who awaken to their purpose. I look forward to my continuing journey and evolution there.
Jai Siva Sankara
Thank you for the beautiful reminder : ), Bautista
Yesterday when i went up to the temple after meditation, and talking with you. I walked in, looked at Shiva. And it was like this thing, that underlined all of me. I don’t know how to explain it. But it was beneath the surface of me. The feeling of it wasn’t emotional, but of pure sweetness. And the thoughts that arose from the feeling were, this is it. This is my life. Commitment to God. Service to Shiva. (Or could say Brahmarishi or Mt Soma or all 3) But in that moment it was so clear to me. So concrete, this is what I’m here to do.
What an inspirational blog! Although my mission and my passion is to join the cosmic flow, I know I don’t have an all-out commitment. I have a good life, good job, family, etc. and I’m too scared to just point my car towards Mount Soma and drive. Family I could leave behind, but I do want to have an income if possible when I move to Mount Soma. For me, that is taking time. If I had the money, I would move today. My lack-of-money fear is powerful.
What a beautiful explanation of the difference between the small self (Personality) and the True Self (God Consciousness). Learning to keep myself focused on the True Self and living from that consciousness is my
goal. It saddens me to hear about or see people adhere to the demands of the personality self every day.
This posting echoes observations that I have entertained regarding purpose. While we are here for only a period of time, the dispirited are in stark contrast to those of the self realization.
This process of awakening, of engaging with life through our ‘ultimate’ purpose, of recognizing the source and sustenance of our privilege and existence requires great discernment. As you point out the choices are many but really only one.
While I participate in the unfolding within this corner of the universe, I am heartened as you urge others forward to their destiny, placing yourself as a beacon, yet…identifying the pitfalls of premature decisions and projections.
May the joy of your existence continue to inspire and flourish.
Betty,
Your years of commitment to Truth have paid you some beautiful dividends.
Lovely comments… one and all.
This blog is so beautiful, I know I have been searching too. Sometimes I know it’s hard to understand what motivates me. Yes, underneath it is ultimately, the longing, the truth. And then there is so much else, maybe superficial, maybe biological, maybe karmic, or all of the above and the way things are so intertwined. It’s funny because I do feel committed, yet it seems to take time, which has felt good lately. Like integration. I am so beyond grateful for Mt.Soma, the community, Maharshi. I feel the words from the blogs, classes, and people everyday. Thank you
Jenny,
I am happy for you!
All things gravitate back to Oneness. At first the pull may be ignored. Then perhaps as it is felt more, it may still be resisted. Then perhaps it becomes an irresistible intrigue or curiosity. Then you may feel compelled to pursue it. Then at some point, it becomes your own unrelenting, wide eyed commitment.
At every step it is the same one force taking separation back to oneness, your distracted self back to your true Self. As you get closer and closer, the pull becomes greater and greater. You are simply moving toward your true nature, your true Self, the unified field, the one thing that eternally stands as the source of all that is. Thou art that.