“What's my purpose in life?" It's a common enough question, yet it's nearly impossible to answer unless we allow for a broader definition of what life purpose really means. Our life purpose is evolving, just as we are. This article explores the 3 stages of purpose and helps you discover where you are in the growth of your own life purpose.
“What's my purpose in life?"
It's a common enough question, one that is burning in our hearts with greater and greater intensity as humanity evolves collectively. Yet this question is nearly impossible to answer unless we allow for a broader definition of what life purpose really means. Our life purpose is evolving, just as we are. This evolution flows through 3 clear stages:
Outer Purpose = Doing.
Inner Purpose = Becoming.
Ultimate Purpose = Being.
Which stage of purpose are you in currently?
Outer Purpose
Humanity as a whole has long been in the first stage of outer purpose—doing. When you think of life purpose, is “career” what usually comes to mind? This stage is about activities that relate to surviving and thriving. You work to discover what you're good at and what will bring you happiness and security.
The belief associated with stage one of doing is that the purpose of life is about achievement. You worry that if you don't achieve success in some way, you won't be fulfilled. Whatever you achieve, it’s never enough. To move to the next stage, you must search for your joy from within rather than trying to find it from without through work, roles, possessions, or relationships.
Inner Purpose
The birth of the Human Potential Movement started our collective move towards stage two—becoming. This stage is about discovering who you are beyond the surface level of your personality, and why you're really here. When you think of life purpose, do words like “significance” and “service” come to mind? In stage two, you're very concerned with overcoming limiting beliefs and habits in your life. You also want to find your unique gifts and give back to the world in a meaningful way.
The belief associated with stage two of becoming is that the purpose of life is about discovering who you are and what you can offer others. You sense that despite all the success you've achieved so far, something is still missing. Now is the time to master your inner lessons and claim your inner gifts in order to contribute to humanity.
Ultimate Purpose
Though the new millennium is just getting started, we have already begun to see signs of stage three—being. Many are turning to Mindfulness-based approaches to living. Seeing a book like Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth reach the New York Times bestseller list is a sure sign that stage three of being is emerging. When you think of life purpose, does the word “spiritual” come to mind? This stage is about experiencing yourself spiritually. In other words: awakening. You're probably very concerned with learning about the spiritual journey, meditation and/or prayer, and enlightenment. You sense that the whole world is ready to awaken, and you know you can help it do so by shifting your own consciousness.
The belief in stage three of being is that the purpose of life is about awakening. You begin this stage by understanding that you are not separate from God/Source/Love/The Universe (however you define Spirit). To master this stage, however, you must experience this truth beyond the conceptual level. Learn to live in the present moment and to practice acceptance, detachment, and compassion. There is nothing to become. You are already enough. So, by the way, is everyone else.
Why is it important to shift and expand our concept of what life purpose is all about? The healing of our planet depends on each of us to do so. We’re on a journey together to evolve from a state of isolation, competition, separation and destruction to a state of unity, collaboration, acceptance, and compassion. I invite you to allow the meaning of your life purpose to grow. As your life purpose evolves, so does the collective purpose of humanity.
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