The Soul’s Purpose

~ Attending to the Trend of Thought ~

When an individual begins to consciously recognize the inner promptings of the soul, a sense of spiritual purpose will likewise begin to germinate within the mind.  In the early stages, this is experienced as a growing conviction that one’s life must be rooted in a raison d’être—a reason for being.  Initially, the specific nature of this destined purpose is usually vague and nebulous, but its broad outline is nonetheless inwardly sensed.

The first indication of soul contact is the emergence of conscience, followed by a sense that the purpose of the soul is to support the betterment of something beyond oneself.  Yet as the soul infuses more of itself into the personality, more clues to its purpose begin to crest upon the shores of one’s mind.  There is a gradual recognition that the soul’s purpose can be more narrowly defined by attending to the trend of one’s thoughts and interests, particularly those that support the upliftment of others in some way.  In short, the progressive topics and general themes that our minds continue to ruminate upon are a clue to the soul’s intention within our lives.

To fully appreciate this notion it is well to remember that the Causal Body (the vehicle that contains the consciousness of the soul) resides on the higher mental plane.  As such, the soul tends to give impulse to thematic trends of thought and progressive ideations.  And, when these contemplations reach sufficient strength and determined focus, an individual’s outer life begins to adjust in accordance with them.  Eventually, this becomes the preoccupation of one’s life, and the outer means of soulful service arises as a natural byproduct.

Many years ago the great scholar and mythologist, Joseph Campbell, popularized the notion that the spiritual key to moving forward is to “follow your bliss”.  Indeed, there is much wisdom and truth to this idea.  Yet to widen our appreciation of it I would slightly modify his statement by saying—follow the trend of your thinking that gives rise to bliss.

William Meader