Purpose > Fear
Hitesh Patel
Founder | Middle Market Exec Search & Exec-Led Platform Creation | Partnering with PE Firms & Family Offices
"Yesterday I was clever and wanted to change the world. Today I'm wise and want to change myself."
Fear has always been an intrinsic part of human existence. In ancient times, it was a crucial survival tool, alerting us to dangers, fight or flight, forcing us to take action, allowing us to evolve.
Today, however, fear often holds us back, stopping us in our tracks over the simplest decisions, knowing they're in our best interest. With too many safety nets, taking action is an option vs a necessity. It's as if our evolutionary progress has left us unable to interpret fear correctly, to recognize that it's not just a signal of danger, but a guide towards what we truly need, not just to survive, but to thrive.
Fear can guide us to discovering our individual purpose in life, what makes us feel truly alive, and pushes us through challenges.
Each person's purpose is unique, and finding it is a personal journey, key to overcoming the inherent fears that come with being human. This journey of discovery is what enables us to offer our unique gifts to the world.
Why I’m Writing about Purpose and Fear
My journey in finding meaning and purpose has led me to explore a variety of religious, spiritual, history, and self-development teachings, seeking insights and guidance. Across diverse philosophies, I found many themes to be common: finding one’s place in the world, understanding one’s purpose, serving others, and embracing a selfless life for deep, lasting satisfaction.
Among these, the Japanese philosophies of Ikigai and Kaizen have resonated deeply with me, guiding me to a balanced life focused on purpose and continuous improvement. (In a previous article, "In My Prime: A Journey of Purpose and Continuous Improvement", I go into some thoughts on how transformative these 2 philosophies have been for me in recent years.)
However, it was my recent studying of the Bhagavad Gita that brought an interesting realization - the ancient wisdom of the Gita has similar messages and themes I found in modern philosophies like Ikigai.
This connection between past and present, between my cultural heritage as a first generation Indian immigrant and my personal growth journey, inspired me to write this article. It's a reflection on how timeless teachings can guide us in the modern search for meaning, helping us lean into our fears to uncover the purpose that pushes us forward, progressing, evolving our own lives and those around us.?
This realization is a lesson in personal growth, encouraging us to explore and embrace wisdom across cultures and generations, guiding us towards a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Coming up...
Let's begin with the Bhagavad Gita, timeless ancient wisdom.
Understanding the Bhagavad Gita
As a first generation Indian American, I remember the Gita, among many other religious, spiritual, and cultural teachings and traditions, always being present in my childhood - ceremonies, prayers, temple visits - it was always something. I remember all of these were more forced vs things I actually had an interest in, or actually believed in. They were more obligations and expectations growing up Indian.
After years of engaging with these rituals without any real interest, revisiting the Gita as an adult was enlightening. It was no longer about fulfilling a cultural expectation, instead it became a source of insights. I learned that confronting fear is not just a battle - it's an opportunity for growth, a theme that resonates strongly with one's search for meaning and purpose.
I realized the Gita is not a religious scripture but a practical guide for navigating the complexities of life. It presents life as a battlefield, symbolizing the many challenges we face. The narrative centers around a dialogue between Prince Arjuna, faced with a moral crisis, and Lord Krishna, who serves both as his charioteer and spiritual mentor. Their conversation is around duty (Dharma), selfless action (Karma Yoga), devotion (Bhakti), wisdom (Jnana), and the soul (Atman), offering timeless insights into living a life of purpose and integrity.?
The Bhagavad Gita is divided into three main sections, each six chapters, focusing on different paths to nirvana or spiritual liberation (Moksha). The three main themes are:
The Gita can be complex and confusing with all of the characters and terminology. Learning from different perspectives is key for a better understanding.?
Coming up are 3 sources I found valuable:
?? The Bhagavad Gita - Eknath Easwaran (Audible, Audiobook, 8 hrs 54 mins)
Everything you need to know within 9 hours. I had to listen to each chapter 2-3 times to really grasp some of the themes. Format is great - each chapter starts with a primer explanation on what main themes will be discussed in easy to understand language, then goes into the 'need-to-know' dialogues between Arjuna and Krishna. Nice overall flow to it.
?? The Bhagavad Gita made easy: A 3-Part Series (3 videos, ~15 mins each).
I came across this YouTube series which summarizes the Gita nicely in 3 videos. You'll find many similar video summaries on YouTube, worth checking out a variety given the many complex themes.
The Bhagavad Gita - Chapters 1-6 Summary (13 mins 49 secs)
The Bhagavad Gita - Chapters 7-12 Summary (13 mins 26 secs)
The Bhagavad Gita - Chapters 13-18 Summary (16 mins 11 secs)
Gaur Gopal Das: Gita Lessons learned?
I enjoyed diving into the Gita recently. It taught me about the importance of duty and selfless action, which I realized are also echoed in Ikigai. This Japanese philosophy emphasizes personal satisfaction and well-being, guiding us on a fulfilling journey to find our life's purpose.
Let's dive into Ikigai next...
Understanding Ikigai
Ikigai is a Japanese philosophy that translates to "reason for being". Unlike the Bhagavad Gita's ancient battlefield setting, Ikigai finds its roots in the Okinawan culture, offering a contemporary lens through which to view purpose and fulfillment in life.
Ikigai is about finding joy, fulfillment, and balance in the daily activities that bring meaning to our lives. It's a blend of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you get paid for.
Key Concepts of Ikigai:
Ikigai is at the intersection of these four aspects, guiding individuals toward a life that is not only fulfilling but also sustainable and beneficial to the broader community. Unlike the path of duty and selfless action in the Gita, Ikigai offers a more personal and introspective journey to finding purpose, suggesting that it can evolve and change over time as we do.
By embracing the principles of Ikigai, we learn that living a purpose-driven life is about more than just finding a single calling, it's about the balance between our desires, abilities, and contributions to society. Ikigai encourages us to seek out and appreciate the simple joys that make life worth living, that purpose can be found in the everyday.
There are countless sources to get a better understanding of Ikigai. For me, the below audiobook was a great listen, covers all you need to know in a few hours. Highly recommended.
?? Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles (Audible, Audiobook, 3 hrs 18 mins)
Great insights into Ikigai including Flow, the Blues Zones, and the town of Ogimi, a village in Okinawa with the highest life expectancy and most centenarians and super centenarians (110+ years old).
The principles of Ikigai naturally lead us to the concepts of Flow and the Blue Zones, modern evidence supporting the timeless pursuit of purpose.
Flow and Blue Zones: Living Proof
领英推荐
Flow
The concept of Flow, coined by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, describes a state of complete immersion in an activity, characterized by a total focus that makes time feel as if it stands still. Here are the key aspects of achieving Flow:
Flow aligns perfectly with finding one's purpose - it's in this state that we often find our greatest satisfaction and contribute our best to the world.
Blue Zones
Blue Zones are areas where people live the longest - Okinawa in Japan, Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Icaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California - proving how lifestyle choices are key to longevity and happiness. These regions are not just about living longer, they show how a life with clear purpose can enhance everyday life.
Researchers attribute this longevity to several factors:
The principles of Flow and the lifestyles of the Blue Zones show us the keys to living a life filled with purpose. They reaffirm that when we deeply engage with our tasks and community, we find joy and satisfaction, while leading to a healthier, more meaningful existence.
For more insights into the Blue Zones, check out the below Netflix series. Dan Buettner does a great job hosting and navigating. Covers all you need to know. Fascinating and inspiring. Well worth your time.
?? Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones (Netflix Series, 4 episodes, ~40 mins each)
Flow and the Blue Zones reinforce the significance of finding our purpose in overcoming fear and leading a fulfilling life.
Why Purpose Matters
All these learnings point to one thing: having a purpose, a 'why' in your life is essential. This purpose makes fear easier to overcome. When we focus on our purpose and helping others, we move beyond our own worries and connect with something bigger.
"You find yourself by losing yourself in the service of others." - Gandhi
When we live for a reason bigger than our fears, we truly find ourselves. In work, in leadership, in life, overcoming fear starts with purpose, with giving, and with connecting to the world around us.
Understanding our purpose isn't just about personal fulfillment, it has significant implications for our professional lives too.
With the Gita, Ikigai, purpose, flow, and the blue zones in mind, we can transform the way we work. Let's see how...
Bringing Purpose to Work
In the workplace, aligning our daily tasks with our deeper purpose can transform the way we approach challenges, collaborate with others, and lead our teams. When we operate from a place of purpose, our work becomes more than just a job - it becomes a meaningful contribution to something larger than ourselves.
In Practice:
Integrating these insights into our professional lives not only enhances individual well-being but also drives collective success, reiterating how the pursuit of purpose goes beyond personal and becomes a powerful tool for transformation in any organization.
Below YouTube video is Seth Godin talking about dreaming big, purpose, fear and more. Solid modern day wisdom. I really enjoyed Godin's reference to Martin Luther King Jr.'s quote on being a street sweeper. Check it out below, well worth the 20 minutes.
"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Purpose in Action
If you find joy in what you do, you're not just working, you're bringing your Ikigai to life. Imagine waking up every day feeling energized because your work aligns with what you love and are good at, fulfilling not just your needs but also contributing to what the world needs.
If you face challenges with the mindset of selfless action (Karma Yoga), you transform obstacles into opportunities for growth. Consider the difference in approaching a difficult project not as a hurdle, but as a chance to enhance your skills and contribute to your team's success without worrying about personal gain.
If you cultivate a state of Flow in your tasks, you'll find that time flies and productivity soars. Envision immersing yourself so deeply in a project that aligns with your skills and challenges you just enough to keep you engaged, leading to your best work.
If you build connections and create a sense of community at work, inspired by the strong social ties in Blue Zones, you contribute to creating a thriving, supportive workplace. Imagine a work environment where everyone feels connected and supported, similar to the communal bonds that contribute to the longevity and happiness found in Blue Zones.
If you lead with purpose, drawing on the lessons of the Bhagavad Gita and Ikigai, you inspire your team to find their own purpose, enhancing collective fulfillment and success. Think about the impact of leading by example, where your dedication to a greater purpose motivates your team to find meaning in their work and contribute to a shared vision.
Conclusion
Reflecting on the Bhagavad Gita, Ikigai, Flow, and the lifestyles of the Blue Zones pushes us to reconsider our paths. Socrates said, "An unexamined life is a life not worth living." Let's take that to heart.
How can we align more closely with our purpose and truly make a difference? It starts with the courage to face our fears and the determination to pursue what genuinely fulfills us.
Let’s make our journey one of purpose and passion, shaping not just our lives but also impacting those around us.
"Yesterday I was clever and wanted to change the world. Today I'm wise and want to change myself."
Purpose Behind This Newsletter:
Frequency of Posts:
LinkedIn has you pick frequency (daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly) of posts when creating a newsletter, however, I'm not sure I'll be following one of these options. I'll simply be posting when I feel like it. This is a passion project with no time constraints or pressure.
To all who have subscribed and / or taken the time to read my articles, thank you, I appreciate it.
#Purpose #Fear #BhagavadGita #Ikigai #Flow #BlueZones
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER: Empowering Tech Companies to Accelerate Revenue and Reach New Audiences through High-Achieving Servant Leadership. Global Thought Leader | Organizational Scaler | Keynote Speaker
7 个月Hitesh, thank you for bringing us along on your journey and especially bringing up the topic of finding your purpose. I've found that many people tend to become frozen or feel blocked when thinking about their purpose. There are those who are intentionally seeking to find their purpose through reading, communities of faith, serving, etc., which is all great. However, I've still heard a fair number of people struggle with their purpose or are not quite as driven to research/learn. One tip an early mentor of mine used to give was "If you do not know your purpose and do not have a pull towards one, find a friend that has a strong purpose and do everything you can to help them until find your purpose or realize you don't care.". I've used this with mentees so many times. It gets them into motion and relatively quickly 1-12 months, most realize that they either care or don't care at all for their friend's purpose/mission. It's a great way to weed through things, become better friends by helping someone, and seeds their pursuit of alternatives. It was his approach at following Socrates's "An unexamined life is a life not worth living." but doing so in motion.