First, allow me to apologise for the overly dramatic title to this post. I couldn’t resist.
And just to be clear this is not some post about discovering your ikigai. I will not be using some ridiculous and contrived venn diagram of how to find where the things you love, the things you’re good at and what people will pay you for, converge. - If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I wouldn’t worry too much, carry on to the next part!
But yeah, so much of what is out there about purpose causes more confusion than clarity. The ikigai stuff in particular annoys me because it mostly seems to be mapping a western - and capitalist - definition of purpose onto a Japanese word.
What have I been up to recently?
So let me back up a bit and share some of what I’ve been up to recently, I know it’s been a while since I wrote you one of these newsletters. I’m currently 1/3 of the way through a training programme to become a volunteer guide at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. I’m loving it and it’s keeping me really busy!
I get to use my research and writing skills and I’m honing some presentation skills too. It’s a pretty awesome bunch of people, which is always a bonus. I’m also getting a crash course in Chinese, Indian and SE Asian history and the trade links and cross cultural exchange which occured both before and after the Europeans reached this region.
There’s also something fascinating about a museum full of artefacts which don’t fit neatly into cultural boxes. Chinese pottery with Persian design motifs, a Japanese kimono patched with Indian and European textiles from a period when Japan was “closed” to the rest of the world. The list goes on.
Now at this point you may be thinking, why are you telling me this Kamsin? Give me a couple more sentences…I’m getting there.
Every week we have a series of lectures to attend. They’re mostly academic, background info to help understand the artefacts we’re researching. But then this week, we had an introduction to Hinduism which opened with this question:
What is my aim in life?
The point of the lecture was to introduce key Hindu concepts such as dharma, karma, maya/ moksha and yoga. As well as the key Hindu texts, their concept of divinity and the importance of a guru. Since I’m clearly neither a Hindu nor a scholar of Hinduism, I won’t attempt to go into any of that.
But, there was something deeply spiritual about the lecture - words which don’t usually go together right?! There was a palpable change in tone compared to the more academic lectures that morning. The guest teacher was sharing something which gave meaning to his life. It felt as though he embodied what he was teaching and brought his full energy to the activity.
So the answer to the question was remarkably simple according to Hinduism, the aim of one’s life is to be happy, satisfied and peaceful.
Why do we overcomplicate purpose?
I grew up in a Christian household and being a good daughter I got baptised at seventeen and got heavily involved with church and Christian organisations. I remember reading this book as a teen, the full title on the cover read:
“Young people you’re thinking the world’s too big and we can’t change it. We can change it! You Can Make a Difference.” It was by an American evangelical pastor.
It was clear to me from a young age my purpose was to change the world. Anything else would be a waste of the precious life I was given. And changing the world meant serving the church and converting more people to Christianity.
Then there was all the messages from mainstream culture, that your purpose is to find as job and make money. If you can find something you love and get rich doing it, then you get bonus points. Those lucky individuals are really “living on purpose.”
The Aim of your Existence
I no longer believe the things I used to believe. Any Christian faith I had fell apart over many years before I finally left it behind for good. I’m grateful for the ways I was opened to the concept of a spiritual life at a young age, but I do not miss everything else that went with that religion. (Well I kind of miss the communal singing, perhaps I should just join a choir.)
So I’ve avoided writing about faith or spirituality for the longest time. Although I’d call myself a spiritual seeker, I’ve shied away from writing about spirituality. Maybe I didn’t want to upset my Christian friends, or give the any reason to pray for me, because I’m good. Or maybe I worried my thoughts of spirituality lacked legitimacy without a clear spiritual tradition. But I’ve been aware for some time now than when I write or speak about creativity, I’m actually talking about something spiritual.
The whole point of creativity for me isn’t to make money from art, or become a published author. Those things aren’t as satisfying as we’re often led to believe. No creativity is about infusing meaning into everything, it’s about opening up and connecting to the divine and it’s about bringing your full energy to your life.
Creative practice can bring you happiness, satisfaction and peace through the creative act itself. Creativity is the destination, not some tool on the path to some place we think we want to go (like winning contests or getting recognition).
But we have to let go of fear of judgment, perfectionism and all that icky stuff which is rooted in fear and our need for self-protection.
Creativity = Spirituality = A life of meaning and purpose
To conclude, this is me putting my stake in the ground as a spiritual writer. I’m going to unpack what that word means for me in future posts. Because I don’t believe in a spirituality which is separate from grounded, embodied everyday living.
Since I’ve basically been avoiding this subject until now, it may take me a bit of time to find my footing. I hope you’ll come along with me for the journey but I understand if it’s not what you’re looking for at all.
P.S. I’m going to be re-opening my creativity coaching practice to new clients in early 2024.
If you’re interesting any of the following:
learning how to free yourself from self-doubt
quitting procrastination for good
finding the joy, peace and the satisfaction you’re longing for through creative practice
reestablishing your creative life after life changes
navigating the choices in front of you to find purpose and creative freedom
nurturing self-trust and self-belief
Then get in touch today to discuss how creativity coaching may be able to help you in your creative journey.
kamsin@kamsinkaneko.com