(Continued from page 18)

energetic, working in his forest every day.  Merv found his life's purpose and work as a young man and continues to live it, everyday.

To discover our life's purpose, as the Buddha said is the first step in our real work.  Our life's purpose is inside of us.  It is written in every cell of our bodies.   It is waiting to be called upon. Because it is inside of us it is not even to be discovered or found, it is simply to have the realization of "What Is".  "What Is", is who you are.   We do not require outside means to access our life's purpose, although we may choose to have one or more people and tools support us in discovering the inner knowledge and wisdom that we have about it.

The simple truth about our life's purpose is that it is calling us to be ourselves in every moment.  It calls us to release ourselves from the trappings of thoughts and belief systems that we have accepted.  Knowing our life' s purpose is the basis for total inner and outer freedom.

When we know our life's purpose, we have an inner compass.  It enables us to set a  compass bearing and determine the direction in which we are headed with our lives and  work.   We might decide to take some interesting sidetrips on our way.  Fog might set in and we might be delayed or lose our direction temporarily but knowing our life's purpose ensures that we will never be completely lost.

Knowing our life's purpose is the basis for having a sacred vision for our lives.   When we  lose touch with our dreams and visions, we have also lost touch with our purpose, and life becomes meaningless.   Visions and the dreams that guide them are the source and substance of a wholly created life and future.   We can do anything we envision, if it is also aligned with our life's purpose.  A vision guides us in the present moment on the path of work towards the future. It provides us with hope, inspiration, aspiration and guidance to see our visions and therefore our life's purpose fulfilled. 

Knowing these things also helps us to discern where we place our energy at work.   When we know our life's purpose and our vision and express them, we meet like-minded people who share different parts of our vision. Each  person holds an important piece of the community vision for our organizations and the world.   

If our life's purpose and vision does not fit with that of the organization then it is time to leave. We are wasting both our own energy and that of the organization.  We know when this is happening because we find ourselves in situations and with people with whom we feel little connection.  Our work will be less than fulfilling because we can be so much more.

Knowing our own life's purpose will help us to choose where we put our energy and resources so that we are most efficient with our energy.  We connect with the people who and the resources with which we are meant to work.  We support others and they support us.  Can you imagine an organization of people who have found their life's purpose, each working in their purpose, their full energy directed towards organizational purpose?   

If we are willing and determined to find our life's purpose, we will find it. It was important for me to find my life's purpose. There were times that I despaired.   Even now after realizing what my life's purpose is, I have many doubts and fears.  But, I now have a different strength and inner capacity knowing that my compass bearing and direction have been set.  Knowing my life's purpose acts as a touchstone and a reminder on the days when I have doubt.  Everyday, I am witness to at least one miracle of my life's purpose and the unfolding

Continued on page 20
>>> To Order this book Click Here
>>> To register for 7 day workshop based on this book Click Here