Connecting To Your ‘Why’

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” Audre Lorde once wrote. Connecting to your ‘why’, to your personal and professional vision was the topic of our latest course offered to our Pantarei students and practitioners.

The course participants explored their own personal purpose; how they could reach it, and how to let it guide them on their life path. Through teaching this course, our hearts grew with every meeting, and we were both amazed by the impact it had, even though the meetings were still online.

Is there a difference between my personal and my professional ‘why’?

For us, they are very similar. One certainly impacts the other. And often we don’t really even know with which one we got started.  Your ‘why’ is the reason behind doing what you do in your life. And it largely directs your thoughts and feelings.

From the Pantarei point of view, exploring your own personal vision is a process rather than a goal. It is uniquely yours and even though we hope you will find people to join you on your path, it is still as individual and your own feelings.

Do I need to find words to express my life vision?

Do you know the sensation of not having words for something, and yet, knowing it with every cell of your body? This is how we felt while developing and founding the Pantarei Approach. This too, is how we felt while teaching this course.

When we founded the Pantarei Approach, we felt confident about it, even before we could answer the what, how, and when of it all. It was the ‘why’ that was moving us, and we couldn’t ignore the strength it gave us, especially during the most challenging of times.

When people talk about vision or purpose statements, they relate to the importance of clarity, even in the words they use. However, sometimes the wish to find the ‘right’ words from the start can add unnecessary stress, and direct the focus towards the goal rather than the process.

What does the body have to do with having a vision?

The Pantarei Approach uses a combination of touch and verbal communication, and, even though online, this was also the foundation of how we taught our latest course. We wanted the participants to feel their vision, rather than to try to define it in words.

We wanted each of the participants to feel how it is to connect to their experience of their own ‘why. We wanted them to realize that whether they are aware of it or not, their body and spirit have a ‘why’, a purpose, a vision.

How can you connect to your vision?

Take a moment to connect to your own body. Take 3 deep breaths, relax your jaw and shake out your arms. Then stretch out your arms to the sides. Let go again while breathing deeply. You can obviously exchange these instructions with anything else you know from your own training routine.

When you feel that your body is present, that your mind is quieter, you are ready to start. Let your attention travel toward the future. Toward a wish or dream you have. If it is something clear and solid, feel it and let yourself almost daydream with it. All the while continue breathing deeply.

If it is something less clear, simply trust that you have wishes and dreams. You might not be fully aware of them yet, but the feeling of wanting something is there in your being. Connect to how it feels to want, rather than to a specific thing you want.

If this is still difficult to do, try to recall a time in your life in which you wanted something. Close your eyes, and try to remember how was it to feel it. The thing itself might not be relevant anymore, but the wanting, the wishing, and the dream is there.

Feel free to share your experience with us in regard to this exercise, in the comments below.

What about definitions and actions?

Words and definitions are important, but they need to be backed up with your experience. We are sure that you know the feeling when you write a statement, but you don’t manage to connect to it. You might also have experienced the reverse: when you feel very connected to what you want, but whenever somebody asks you about it, you lose your ability to express it in words.

Starting with an experience is starting with energy and fuel. It is starting with the love you have for something you wish would happen. But more than anything, it is to start with trust. Trust that you have a life purpose and vision. That your ‘why’ is present. It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s; it doesn’t have to be huge. It simply has to be yours. It has to feel right, and then, it will already take you further.

Okay, and now what?

Once you feel your dream and purpose, it’s time to find the words to express it. The process toward your ‘why’ is just that; a process. As such, you will likely come across obstacles and challenges along the way. There will be times of insecurity or unclarity; just like there will be achievements to acknowledge and celebrate. This will all eventually help you move through your doubts and fears.

Your ‘why’ is a process. It might stay similar for the rest of your life. Alternatively, it might evolve, change, and develop; just like you will. A word of advice: enjoy the process. We know that it is easier said than done, but our ‘why’ doesn’t like pressure and expectations. It loves our curious and adventurous spirit.

What if I wish to learn more?

Our next course on this topic will be held in September and will be open to anyone who would like to take part. We will soon post more about it. However, if you are curious enough and wish to join us in the adventure of exploring your own ‘why’ and of finding ways to let it guide you, write to us and we will keep you in the loop.

How does connecting to your ‘why’ feel like to you?

 

Written by Claudia Glowik & Vered Manasse. Co-Founders of the Pantarei Approach.

Photos taken by Johannes Berger