The Seven Great Spiritual Questions – 3 of 7

3. Why am I here?

Asking why a person exists can be one of the most challenging, frustrating, and enjoyable explorations a person can ever take. It is challenging in that the question asks you to find your spot in the world (if not in the Universe), and accept it, embrace it, or change it. It is frustrating to feel as if you do not have a spot in the world, and feel that life has no purpose. Yet it is enjoyable when you finally decide to step into yourself, and figure out your unique purpose.

This question can only be answered by one person: yourself. So, instead of telling you how you're supposed to figure it all out, I'll share with you how I've discovered my life's purpose. The journey has not always been pleasant, but the rewards from the hard work are worth more than gold. (I'll also try to keep it brief...you need a guide, not a novel.)

So instead of starting at the beginning, let's start at the middle. There was a point when I was living in Tampa, Florida and enjoyed the company of two of the best people I've ever known in my lifetime. One was a fervent Atheist who was always challenging me to think with an Existential bend, and understand the Universe through Science. His skepticism was beneficial – it taught me to question everything. Another good friend was an Earth Goddess come to human form as my best friend and sister – she was and is an explorer of mysteries great and small. I learned from her how to accept things whether they were positive or negative – that sometimes, you just have to let things BE.

At any rate, it was a point in my life where I was waffling about what I wanted out of life. I was in a good job, but I felt like I wasn't really fulfilled. I wanted to be a doctor, a nurse...something that would help others...but I didn't feel I had the stomach for surgery or the physical wearwithall to handle being a nurse (my mother is a nurse and I know firsthand it takes nearly superhuman stamina). But what could I do?

That's when my Athiest friend introduced me to a film called, What the Bleep Do We Know?. A scientific and spiritual intersecting film, it was a message from the Universe from the moment the film opened. It reminded me that I am one of infinite possibilities in the vast Universe. That I, in my smallness, could make an impact...if only I could step out of my mindset and reach out to Great Spirit to guide me.

And guide me it did. I began researching helping professions, and settled my sights on something I hadn't looked into since I was fifteen years old (I was 28 at the time) – counseling psychology.

From that moment, it was like a landslide of perfect placement. I found a school that accepted me and had online courses for my masters, and even allowed me to transfer some of those credits when I transferred to Atlanta. However, I felt it still wasn't enough. The psychology was great...but it lacked the spiritual component I craved.

That's when I met my Reiki Master. She was at the place I worked, and I came to her seeking help. She saw something special in me, and took me under her wing. Now, I am a level II practitioner, working on becoming a Reiki Master, myself. Her patient and loving teaching has helped me add the final component to fulfilling my life's purpose – to bring Reiki and Psychology together and allow it to touch the world.

Recently, I felt yet another hole open up in my heart regarding my life's purpose. Again, I felt I was missing a piece of the puzzle. By now, I have learned that when this happens, I need to reach out to the Universe (or God, or Great Spirit/Mystery, what you choose to call it is fine, of course) for answers.

The answer came to me in the form of a colleague. A colleague who is currently working to develop his unique brand of therapy (the same thing I am working toward). He was able to help me heal some very painful spiritual hurts that I had that were from my orientation and organized religion. It was a painful process, but it was exactly what Great Spirit intended for me.

I am now on yet another fork in the road...finding out how I will help others in the quest to fulfilling my life's purpose. It is my hope that you will read this, and it will give you some insight on how you would like to fit into the Universe. After all, your birth is one possibility in a Universe of infinite possibilities...it's no accident that you're here.

Give yourself a chance to make meaning.

Namaste,
The Transpersonal Psychologist

For Further Learning:

http://www.one-purpose.com/Home%20.html

http://www.whatthebleep.com/

http://www.quantumconsciousness.org/

http://www.chopra.com/

Author's Note: I am unable to recommend anything written by Rev. Rick Warren due to his discriminatory stance against the Gay and Lesbian community. It was with great sadness that I learned of his prejudice, and I continue to pray for him that Great Spirit will help him understand the damage he is doing to Christ's message of love and acceptance.