Your Satori Moment
Zen Buddhism has a beautiful concept known as satori -- or what we might call in English a "satori moment". Satori refers to a deep, abiding insight in which someone sees and understands the true nature of the universe and of reality itself. In Zen, satori is the first step towards Buddha-hood.
In connecting with your highest purpose, experiencing a satori moment is an important experience. In my life, I can point to at least two different satori moments -- important points in my life where I knew I had to walk away from a traditional path to pursue something unique and different.
At the time, I didn't realize the meaning of these moments. As I've learned to connect to my deepest passions and interests, and walking a road aligned with my highest purpose, I now see how critical satori moments are.
My first satori moment came when I walked away from a traditional corporate law career path. I had a deep urge to do something else with my life, to use my law degree in a meaningful and purposeful way. But I also realized I was missing significant personal life events. I was being swallowed up by the demanding corporate culture and lifestyle. When I quit, I didn't have a larger plan in mind--all I knew is that I needed time off and wanted to make more time for meaningful relationships. In hindsight, I realized that this was the first time I started to listen to my instincts and my intuition. I hadn't yet formulated my Life's Work, but freeing myself from a corporate career was a necessary step.
My second satori moment came much more recently, over wine at dinner. For many months I had felt the initial framework of a larger and grander purpose bubbling inside me. But it was still vague and diffuse. I didn't know how to define it or express it. It was like trying to catch a shadow. But I still remember the dinner I had, where I was talking about how important it was to have a purpose in life and to connect with one’s highest goals and desires. Someone asked me what this was for me, and for the first time, I was able to express it: My highest purpose is to help other people discover their own highest purpose, so that together we can build peace and sustainability.
Satori moments are critical experiences. They are rare—maybe once a decade, or even once a lifetime. But when you have one, they will change your life. When they happen, you will know. They will change your life forever.