Last night I manifested the answer to my question. What is the motivation for commitment to self discipline or to stay on a spiritual path. I realized after some contemplation, that many factors came together in this realization (of course!). Here is my understanding.
First of all, my name - well, both my names: Lisa, which means “God’s oath” and Siri Om Kaur which means “Princess of the great sound of Infinity”. It was receiving the second one - my spiritual name that caused me to think about the meaning of both of my names and what relevance the held in my life. As a kid, I never thought about what I was saying before it had left my mouth, which caused a lot of problems. I just thought that I had a lot to say, and that I better get it out there before I forgot. Hard as it may be to believe, this was not actually the case. Around the time I received my spiritual name I also began to receive lessons in communication. Through these lessons I often ended up with me hurting someone with my words and sometimes I would really serve someone with my words - I call this communication Karma.
I loved the feeling of being able to give insight or inspiration with my words - it was such a shift from how I felt as a child and teenager. The further along my path I have come, the more I have felt the need to work on my communication abilities. As of the past year, I have decided that writing is my favorite way and have since manifested a job in Communications and Marketing for Yoga West. This job provides me with the opportunity to inspire and give insight, as well as providing me with greater and greater lessons (God’s way of keeping me humble?)
Then, not long ago, I was studying with the Monk, and he said that purpose in life comes from giving. I had always felt that to be true, but really only related the idea to healing. I realized yesterday, however, giving is not only an excellent purpose in life, but an excellent motivation for my writing and inadvertently for getting up in the morning, so to speak. (Duh, seva….) To be truely effective in my communication, I need to be good. Which means I need a spiritual practice so my words are clear and coming from the right place. I need a physical discipline so that I have strength to give, and most importantly, I need to give so that I am motivated to keep giving. It’s a cycle that feeds itself.
Snatam Kaur is an excellent example of this (I’m writing an article for the common ground about her to promote the concert) In reading her blog to collect ideas, I realized that she doesn’t sing for her, she sings for everyone else - to give. I didn’t really understand how she could do that and not wear herself out, but I see now.
A gift is for giving. Committing to giving the gift is a commitment to receiving it.
To answer a question in the comments, yes, I will continue to update my blog as well as YW’s blog in regards to Hilary, and this evening I will post what sevas would help the Sullivans the most.