A reader from Pennsylvania writes:

I’ve spent most of my life taking care of others’ needs and wants and desires. I’m a mother, a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a good friend to many. I am fortunate. I’m just lost. People constantly ask me what I am gonna do with my life. My inner response is usually ‘I’m already doing it.’ But that makes me no financial gains. It is hard to survive when your purpose in life is just …TO BE. If you feel like giving me any guidance on this subject, I would appreciate it.

Sounds as if you are doing a lot; you are participating in fundamental aspects of life. But in our culture, work that is not a paid career is not considered to be doing anything much at all.

Looking beyond these limited cultural karmas, the real and sole purpose of human life is to Self-realize. When we do practice, after a time we discover that our purpose was built-in all along. We don’t need, and shouldn’t seek, any other justification for our lives.

This doesn’t mean that we should drop everything and head for remote mountain caves. Opportunity to move toward Self-realization, our real purpose and the totality of the life process itself, is available everywhere in every moment and form of life.

We have to eat and take basic care of ourselves and our dependents. We are, most of us, engaged in some kind of necessary work. We can discover our enlightened Self in any situation if we do not allow ourselves to get too distracted by karmic emotions and ambition.

The best way to approach the householder life is to carry out your responsibilities very simply — just like you brush your teeth in the morning and night. Don’t make a big deal out of life’s duties. Appreciate their rhythms and try not to over do.

Make daily practice and remembering your true nature your main “business.” Integrate practices such as mantra and guru yoga into your everyday activities. Try to remain undistracted from the inner orientation that urges you onward toward Self-recognition.

In Ma’s love,
Shambhavi

Posted by Shambhavi on July 3rd, 2009 | Explore More! Tags: Guru yoga, materialism, Self-realization