Welcome back to the Prana + Patchouli Podcast! Today I want to share a word with you that has unlocked something powerful within me lately. That word is "dharma". It's not a new word I've learned, it's been floating around my inner cosmos ever since I began my yoga practice nearly 18 years ago. It's a word that appears in the Vedic texts, and although it has many meanings, the one that we're rolling with for today's episode is your "soul's purpose".
You were put on this planet for a reason, so that you could share your unique gifts. You have those big dreams within you, because you are the one to bring them to life. All of the obstacles you've encountered on your journey were given to you for a reason, and have provided you with spiritual opportunities for growth and the strength you need, so that you can show up as your highest and most powerful self.
This is one of the prevalent themes in the Bhagavad Gita. The warrior Arjuna must dispel his delusions about who he really is in order to follow his dharma, or purpose.
I talk about purpose a lot, but I think that after the last couple of years, so many of us are questioning: why am I really here? It's not surprising that this time is being called The Great Resignation, because we're seeking more joy, meaning and purpose in our lives.
If there's something you've felt called to do, let this be your sign that now is the time to start!
As a restorative yoga teacher, it's interesting to see that people come to me for deep rest and calm, but they're also seeking clarity, and a connection to their inner knowing, or purpose in life.
If you're in my membership or listen to my show, like you are right now, what draws you in?
My guess is that you feel the same.
The more I share my own story, the more emails I receive asking: how do I find my true purpose?
So, I want to share 4 prompts that will help you uncover your own answers.
If you like you can respond in your journal, or meditate on them, and next week I'll guide you through a visualisation meditation to help you discover your dharma.
Even if you already know what you were put on this planet to do, clarity breathes confidence, and our purpose is always evolving. We're always being led to that next step.
1) What lights you up?
2) What did you love doing as a child?
3) What are your greatest gifts?
4) What obstacles have you overcome?
Tune in to your inner knowing, and trust the answers that come through. If you wrote them down, look back over what you've written and highlight anything that stands out or sparks something in your body. Pay attention to that.
When I left my legal career, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I'd been working towards that goal for most of my life. So, in the words of Joseph Campbell, I "followed my bliss", which was yoga. My practice showed me how much potential I actually had, and being on the mat lit me up, so I went to Bali to train as a yoga teacher. I didn't have all the answers then and that terrified me, but it's like Rumi said: "As you start to walk on the way, the way appears." It did.
I took that first step, and fast forward eight years... everything else divinely unfolded. I find that it's actually more uncomfortable to stay stuck when you're unhappy than it is to take action.
As a child, I loved to pretend I was a teacher. I had a blackboard and chalk, and taught my toys whatever it was I was interested in back then! I had a huge imagination.
My gifts are holding space, sensitivity and empathy, and seeing the potential in others.
The obstacles I've overcome are my emotional struggles with anxiety, depression and burnout, as well as finding my true purpose.
That's how I got where I am today, and like I said at the beginning of this episode, remembering that word "dharma," has inspired the next evolution of that, and while I'm not quite ready to share what that is yet, I'm so excited about it! You'll be the first to know here, so make sure you subscribe to the show and get on my email list.
But I just want to say that this isn't just about your career. It could be the business you start, or it may be the art you create or how you parent. We're all here to fulfil our purpose in different ways. Everything is energy, and how you express yourself in the world, that frequency is your purpose. Your purpose is to be the light. That's a really nice mantra, actually. Take that with you... "my purpose is to be the light".
I talked about this more in another episode called "How To Find Your True Purpose", so if you want to check that out, I'll put the link in the shownotes.
Getting crystal clarity on your soul's purpose isn't something that's found "out there", it's right here, within you. Continue to listen to those whispers.
Because when you're living in alignment, life flows with ease and grace. There's this embodiment of "kriya" or effortless flow. But when you're out of alignment, and that's an experience I know intimately, you may feel anxious or depressed, find yourself burnt out, or everything just feels like a struggle. I know you're a warrior, but life isn't supposed to be lived that way. That's why I'm so passionate about helping you take care of your emotional and energetic wellbeing because it all contributes to your purpose. And when we all fulfil our soul's purpose, we collectively raise the vibration of this entire planet, bringing it back into balance, and that's incredibly healing for humanity.
Your dharma is so much bigger than you.
Here's to rising up, because the world needs you.
I hope you enjoyed this episode and I'll be back next week with a guided meditation to help you gain even more clarity of what your soul is calling you to do. Make sure you tune in!
