I have always been focused on purpose – the purpose of a meeting, a project, a team activity, an organization, a role, a relationship, a person. Over the years I have found that asking the question, “What is the purpose of this thing that I am engaged with?” has been incredibly helpful. The answer grounds decisions, keeps people focused on desired outcome, and supports letting go of anything that does not serve the purpose. It organizes and focuses energy and attention toward fulfilling the purpose.
Imagine my surprise recently when I had the thought that there is no bigger purpose for the universe, other than simply to be. The thought came to me during a deep spiritual practice. And it felt true, in my bones. I also realized that I had unconsciously been holding on to the belief that there is some bigger purpose, some reason for being, but that I just had not discovered it yet or perhaps it was too big for my mind to comprehend. Letting go of that belief felt very freeing but also created a sense of groundlessness. If there is no other purpose beyond Be-ing, what does that mean for focusing on purpose for all those other things: organizations, people, meetings, etc? Does that mean that purpose does not matter?
Sitting with this paradox made my mind stop – but in a good way. I was questioning some deeply held assumptions. I was being stretched beyond my comfort zone. Then it occurred to me that purpose can be (and is) defined – not as something received from outside of ourselves but as something we create for ourselves. We can hold lightly to it, and use it as long as it serves us, and then we can let it go when it no longer serves us. For me, this was a very different way of holding purpose – with more ease, less need to get it “right”, more playfulness.
What is your relationship with purpose? How does it serve you, or not? I would love to hear from you in the comments.
