There are two aspects of the soul according to the Vedas (yogic scriptures). The limitless, omnipresent, eternal aspect of soul that dwells in the heart of every living creature and is identical to divine intelligence. And, the individual soul. According to Rod Stryker, you can think of the individual soul as “your spiritual thumbprint”. It’s unique to everyone.” The individual soul is the part of you that from conception determines your uniqueness, distinct talents, challenges, potential, inclinations and desires. Your individual soul comes into the world with a specific purpose, which it is compelled to fulfil.
The ancient wisdom of the Vedas also tells us that there are four main purposes or desires of life:
- Dharma - your innate mission or purpose in this lifetime. This is your inherent drive to realise everything you are capable of, thrive and positively affect the world. This is the desire to be and become who you are meant to be.
- Artha - wealth creation and abundance or the means necessary to accomplish your purpose. This includes material resources such as money, food, shelter, physical well-being, health, talents, and your capabilities..
- Kama - pleasure of all kinds including sensory enjoyment, beauty, joy, art, sex, family, friendship, connection and intimacy. This desire for pleasure is the motivation behind all actions.
- Moksha - spiritual pursuit. This is the longing for true freedom and lasting love, peace, joy and aliveness. It is the longing to be free from all boundaries and to realise something beyond the self. Moksha is the impulse that guides us to seek out meditation, prayer, mindfulness, self-inquiry, surrender, awareness and freedom from temporal pleasure and suffering.
No desire is greater than the others. However, dharma is considered to be preeminent as it helps to shape the expression of the other three stages. Everyone has a unique purpose and this can find expression through multiple life missions or undertakings. If you are interested in uncovering your life purpose from your hands email me at rlbloomuk@gmail.com.
It might be helpful to consider which of the desires are reflected in the goals that you have set for the decade or the next three months, six months, one, three or five years. We are all different and have to plan in ways that work for us.
One of the things I have observed from analysing hundreds of hands so far is that most people are not having enough fun and aesthetic pleasure. Remember, pleasure is the driving force behind our actions, whether it’s physical, mental, emotional, financial, spiritual. This is part of kama and is best aligned with living your mighty or almighty purpose and being truly alive.
“The key to happiness is very simple. First, become clear what your duty or purpose is in life. Second, learn to love it.” Swami Rama
