I don’t know what you would call it.
I just know I’m empty without it.
Lady Gaga
(in an interview about the purpose of her music)
A small smile creeps across my face when I read the how-to’s for finding your purpose. Like the how-to’s for meditation and intuition, the methods are nearly always in the personal style of the writer / teacher – which is not necessarily the style the client / student / learner. There’s no formula or one- size-fits all way to discover / recognize your mission / purpose. Different leaders call it different things and “get it” in different ways.
REFLECT:
Have you taken a class / workshop or read a book on Purpose>
If so, what “style” was the author based in?
How did that style fit yours? (My guess is if there was a mis-fit, you probably didn’t complete the class / book).
Here are three examples of leaders finding their purpose via their unique style:
(1) a mental sequential processor (CIA analyst) who found it analytically
(2) an emotional processor (PLO sniper / fanatic) who found it emotionally
(3) a devotee who found it by following her guru’s mission
Rupal Patel, a former CIA analyst who became an entrepreneur, says about their mission:
At the CIA, our core mission was to protect our country from threats. …missions are funny things. They seem clearly bounded and cleanly executed, but in real time they are an evolving mess.
Her CIA mission required making the best of it while they figured things out as they went along. And that’s the process she used to find her personal mission. When she first started thinking about it – what would give life to her life – she didn’t have a clue what it was. She continued with her life, constantly looking for signs and analyzing them. Knowing there was something bigger for her, she dug into herself. She estimates it took about 40 years of conscious and subconscious work to “get it”.
Something would come to me and then leave. Ideas would guide my hand and then drop it. Thoughts would plant clues and then run away.
Her professional mission – as she is living it now – is to help founders, leaders and next generation change-makers rewrite the rules of success and become unstoppable. In her book, From CIA to CEO, she presents numerous self reflection exercises and strategies that she used, and gives LOTS of rah rah support. For her, it’s about planning and process (analyzing).
In stark contrast to Rapel’s life and method, Taysir (Tass) Abu Saada, a Palestinian Muslim, was a dramatic and emotional soldier. As a sniper for Yassser Arafat’s rebel movement against the Jews, his mission was to annihilate Jews. After he moved to America and became a successful fine- dining restaurant manager, a friend who was trying to convert him to Christianity was reading the Bible aloud. Tass fell to his knees. He saw and heard a talking light speaking scripture to him, saying”I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
He converted and studied the Bible and prayed daily for guidance. He was instructed to love the Jews, and he began praying for them.
It’s a good thing I didn’t know in advance what the next few years of God’s training and shaping would be like. I certainly would not have signed up for such an experience ahead of time.
He began a dramatic and emotional itinerant ministry across America, giving testimony at Mosques and apologizing for his past at Synagogues and Churches. Then, risking an honor killing by his brother, he returned home to visit his family and reconcile. Miraculously, he was forgiven for becoming Christian.
Partnering with his wife, he returned to Gaza to live, establishing Hope Kindergartens to plant seeds of hope and neutralize hatred. His peace- keeping efforts expanded from there.
In contrast to both of these, Dott is a devotee of an Indian Guru. Her mission is her guru’s spiritual mission: Love All / Serve All. She considers herself in service to humanity in all its forms. She attends Satsang regularly, which means
* having an audience with a Satguru for instruction
She travels to the ashram- a spiritual hermitage or monastery – in India every other year.
* performing devotional activities
She mediates and chants each morning.
* gathering in the company of good people
She plays the harmonium – a reed organ / pump organ – for spiritual gatherings
She lives her life in accordance with her guru’s mission and her guidances and synchronicities. Her response to all beings is to love them and serve them . She receives guidances In meditation, ranging from insights about her personal journey and growth to identifying which events to attend. She experiences synchronicities regularly that create opportunities for Satsang.
Dott and I met for lunch recently. When I asked where she would like to eat, she chose a place walking distance from my place to make it easy for me – automatically being in service.
Both of us ate 1/2 our serving, and had the remaining 1/2 in to-go boxes. We were looking forward to having our leftovers for dinner.
As we chatted, I saw a disoriented homeless woman enter the restaurant and stand behind Dott. I suggested she was looking for the restroom, as this restaurant allows the homeless to use their facilities. Dott swiveled to look at her, and pensively said, “She needs to eat.” After the woman used the restroom and was walking out, Dott extended her to-go box saying, “Sister, you need to eat. Please take this. And I love you.” And without missing a beat, Dott returned her attention to our conversation.
APPLY:
Consider how your personal style affects how you process information – especially about your purpose.
From CIA to CEO, Rupal Patel, Heligo Books, 2022.
Once An Arafat Man, Tass Saada, Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.
