Preparing for Purpose
What if I’m Not Ready for Purpose Discovery?
There are times when the most courageous thing you can do is admit that you are not yet ready for something like Purpose Discovery. The process itself is an intensive and somewhat destabilizing experience. It requires a certain amount of psychological "ego strength" and external stability to withstand the potential unravelling of your old identity. If you are currently in the midst of an active crisis such as a toxic work environment, a mental health emergency, burnout, or acute financial instability, now is the time to prioritize your "Survival Dance." Your focus should be on creating safety, tending to your nervous system, and securing your foundations.
On a practical level, Purpose Discovery requires a space in your life for the work to unfold. Like anything meaningful we take up in life, when we give it the time and attention it deserves we have the most success and fulfillment. Many people simply do not have the time and (head)space for the work in between coaching sessions. If you don’t have space for Purpose Discovery it is completely reasonable and encouraged to focus on managing the busy demands of life. Whatever the reason is, if you aren’t quite ready for Purpose Discovery there are several things you can do to foster a Purpose infused life, and prepare yourself for Purpose Discovery in the future.
Starter Kit
Dive in to the world of Purpose Discovery with the Deepening Purpose Starter Workbook. This workbook contains readings and practices to deepen your understanding of Purpose, and to get acquainted with the terrain of Soul.
Meditation
A daily mindfulness practice is an important part of being a Soul-centric adult. While mindfulness practices can vary from person to person, meditation is an ancient tool and scientifically validated method used to enhance emotional well-being, enhance mental focus, and increase cognitive control.
Before you can successfully navigate the journey of Purpose Discovery, you must first develop the capacity to sit in the stillness where the Soul speaks. Meditation is the essential practice of learning how to really listen to your thoughts, to rest in the awareness of your awareness, and to become skillfully adept at continually noticing your internal state. It sensitizes the ears of our hearts to the whispers of our own inner wisdom.
Here is a 10 minute Guided Meditation from Adyashanti to get you started.
If you struggle with meditation you might try yoga, a slow meditative walk, or even just sitting with yourself to journal.
Soul-Centric Reading
Here are a few of my favorite books to help understand Purpose and prepare for the work of Purpose Discovery.
Wild Mind (Plotkin) Wild Mind introduces a nature-based map of the human psyche, identifying four innate "facets of wholeness" that represent our mature, wild potential. By cultivating these facets, individuals can learn to lead and heal their wounded subpersonalities, moving from a survival-based ego toward a soulful life of deep belonging and Earth-rooted purpose.
Awakening the Soul (Meade) - Personal and collective crises are initiatory opportunities for the soul to emerge, urging a "descent" into the depths of myth and imagination to reclaim our unique, innate genius. By shifting from the surface-level demands of the ego to the soulful center of our individuality, we find the "medicine" we are meant to carry for a world in need of restoration.
No Bad Parts (Schwartz) - The Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, showcased in this book, posits that the psyche is composed of various distinct "parts," each with their own personality. All of our parts have a positive intent, even if their actions are currently disruptive. The book teaches that by accessing our core "Self" characterized by qualities like compassion and curiosity, we can heal our wounded parts and lead ourselves from a place of wholeness rather than internal conflict.
Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life (Hollis) - The middle of life is a "summons from the soul" signaling that the successful initial roles and social identities of the first half of life have become too small to sustain true meaning. He suggests that the primary task of the second half of life is to reclaim personal authority by dismantling these survival strategies and consciously choosing a path of individuation that aligns with one's authentic nature.
Don’t see anything that calls to you? Please reach out to me for more tailored recommendations!
Wholing and Healing
One of the biggest adult challenges of our first half of life is the work of wholing and healing. This important work is foundational to be an emotionally mature adult in our world. By creating a healthy and integrated ego, we can arise to the difficult challenges of the second half of life. Wholing and healing is an invitation to heal past traumas, to come to terms with our upbringing and family of origin, or to find our footing in a world that’s turned upside down. Working with grief, shadow, numbing, and difficult emotions are all examples of the ongoing wholing and healing work of Purpose Discovery.
Wherever You Find Yourself
Wherever you find yourself, there you are. Preparing for Purpose is like preparing for the second half of your life. It’s an unexpected journey of necessary gravity, and I’m here for it! I believe that even the smaller steps you take towards Purpose create a welcome shift in any life.
