Through my 35 years of ministry, I have had many people come to tell me they felt called to be a Unity Minister. I generally have told them about the needed educational prerequisites, then suggested they keep asking for guidance so that the right path will open before them. Finally, I let them know that if it is simply an interest or a whim, that it will pass, but if it is a true calling, it will not leave them alone, despite the resistance that always occurs. In fact, when I arrived at Unity Village and began my ministerial studies, I discovered that, like me, my classmates had all experienced a state of resistance before finally surrendering to the call of Spirit.
The “Call,” has often been associated with the profession of clergy and said to be divinely inspired. However, we are all called in various ways throughout our lives to all kinds of professions and jobs, and we are also called to leave them behind. We are called to higher education, to travel, to relationships, to marriage. And we are called to deeper spiritual growth and wholeness. The latter is perhaps the true purpose of all calls—to discover our wholeness. We can think of this as “The Great Work”—our spiritual work of evolution, our work of creativity in the world, our work of Dharma.
Yoga traditions are very interested in the idea of an inner possibility within every human soul. Every being has a unique vocation…a great work…that is called Dharma. It is a Sanskrit word that means “path,” “teaching,” or “law.”
It may be best to think of it as “sacred duty” or “sacred vocation.” The teaching is that our greatest responsibility in life is to this inner possibility—this dharma.
Discernment is essential for any calling, knowing whether it is true or false, and when and how to respond to it. We are often required to balance between two questions: “What is right for me?” and “Where am I willing to be led?” Discernment requires we ask these questions continually, in hopes that the answers will find us. (Greg Levoy, Callings)
If you did not get the job, does that mean you were not supposed to pursue that career, or is it a test of your resolve? If you are bored with your work, does that mean that you need to leave it, or change it? If you have not found the person of your dreams, does that mean that you need to change your focus to something else entirely, or continue to persevere? And on it goes, the eternal balancing act between deepening our discernment, and the ability to tune in and take action to follow our guidance.
We resist our calls for various reasons, but perhaps the ultimate reason is that on some level we know there is a cost. In other words, we must experience the negative results of our resistance or surrender, and take the plunge. Then, we discover the fact that we are being asked to change. Oh no! Not that again! We are hardwired for it, and yet, we fear it. It is amazing, though, that it all leads us to deeper faith. Our calls guide us to the proverbial “leap into the unknown.” We have what it takes to succeed though, or we would not have felt the longing to begin with. Heed the call, take the journey, and make the leap into your greater Self!
Love & Blessings,
Rev. Kathy