I’ve borrowed the term
Enlightened Work from an author friend of mine who’s writing a book by this name. It’s more succinct than saying
Loving What You Do and Doing What You Love, although they both have the same meaning.
This is something I feel very passionately about because, even as a child, I always thought that the normal definition of “work” as “something you have to do in order to make a living” was all wrong. I looked around and saw people enslaved by their jobs and the need to make money just so that they could get by or get ahead. But they sure didn’t look happy to me!
Following Your Dream
So I followed my dream … to make a contribution to the world by offering something unique and of benefit to others. First of all I did this by dedicating myself full-time for 12 years to the study of Psychology and pursuing a Ph.D. in which I researched the relationship of emotional and mental well-being to physical fitness.
Then I did it by writing profusely for popular magazines about the positive impact of regular exercise on stress management. Then I created a Lifestyle Management Consultancy in which I offered programs in physical-mental-emotional well-being. I developed a unique method of “personal transformation” that includes movement, breath, music and awareness to “awaken the heart and free the spirit”.
Today, I share my work by inspiring and empowering others to become active agents of change in their own lives by awakening their inner radiance and bringing that into the world to be seen.
On each step of this journey from academia to awakening, I have followed my bliss and been guided towards my divine destiny. I have found that bliss or joy – is of the highest vibration and aligns me to the creative power of the Universe.
We cannot fake joy: it is a state of being born from true appreciation for what we do like and what we do want. And, I have found that when you truly love what you do and truly do what you love, doors open and miracles happen!
Work Is Part Of The Harmony Of Life
So many people see work as something to endure rather than something to enjoy. In the long term, this fails to nourish us on a soul level. Even those who are on a spiritual path – perhaps participating in transformational workshops, going to yoga classes or meditating daily – often harbour deep-seated negativity about work.
But how can you be truly spiritual if most of the time you hate what you do? If you are on a path of awakening you cannot love life part-time … it’s all or nothing when it comes to liberation!
At least that’s how it has been for me. Even when I was almost destitute, I always took a risk by trusting that Existence would support me .. and it did! I found that when my soul’s purpose becomes my top priority then all the angels celebrate and gather round to me all the help I am willing to receive.
The turning point from destitution to success and fulfilment came for me when I stopped asking God to do things for me and instead asked God what I could do for Him! Instead of asking for money, power, security or approval, I asked how best I could express my unique talents so that the world’s vibration is lifted.
Each of us has something special to offer, something that so perfectly fits in with Divine Plan that to withhold it from the world would be like trying to prevent a beautiful flower from growing. Being authentic and passionate about what we do opens up an infinite source of creative energy that has the ability to fulfil our deepest desires as well as the power to nourish the world.
There’s nothing more contagious than someone who is both enthused by their vision and deeply relaxed as themselves. Add to this an enthusiasm to share this vision with others in order to add value to their lives and you have a ripple of excitement that is almost palpable.
Dare To Be Passionate
The problem is that it’s often easier to stay within our “comfort zone” than risk doing something new. Offering your gifts to the world stretches you past your imaginary safety zone and you risk failure, loss, disappointment, obstacles and uncertainty. But when you have the courage to step in the glaring spotlight of the world by being who you really are and making this your life’s work, then you will grow wings and the rewards are greater than you had ever imagined!
Passion for what you do is what burns through all inner and outer obstacles. Passion is what takes you beyond your smallness to your greatness.
Passion is what drives a vision of service to the world. And being of service to others or the world, in a small or big way, is what “enlightened work” means to me.
It is the marriage of awakened consciousness and practicality. Moving beyond small-minded fear to big-hearted courage by choosing a new definition of “work” and embodying that definition by doing this new work is the key to true success.
Amoda Maa Jeevan is the author of “How To Find God In Everything” (Watkins, 2008), see http://www.amodamaajeevan.com