with Sister Mary (Name changed),
Asro Home for HIV children, Cavelossim
I recently lost a person I was healing for some time to cancer. Having worked on many clients with serious illnesses, I realised, in the end it comes down to ‘The reason’ to live. Those who want to live for a motive stay longer, others get consumed by the pain and cannot bear it. From a spiritual perspective, there is law of karma driving some part of the life but intention and will power to live become a driving factor in coming out of any life-threatening illness. My, patient, who passed on, inspired me to investigate deeper into finding the meaning of life. It is different for people at different stages of life. This series is born out of that motivation.
In the quaint town of Cavelossim I stopped by Asro community centre, a home for HIV children. Sister Mary (Name changed) is a gentlest soul I have met in a long time. Her thin structure, frail arms, tender half smile couldn’t hide the courageous work she is doing. When I asked her why did she want to leave everything and do this work she determinedly mentioned “My purpose of life is to serve God. Work for the people”. She started at the age of 16, wasn’t forced to do it. Her mother was religious and always motivated her to be in service of others. Her training involved taking care of the old, ill and homeless. This is the first time she is working with children that too with HIV and enjoying doing this.
Nothing short of a soldier, her initial motivation was to get the saree with the three red stripes, earned after much hard work, certain amount of training and a lot of service. The saree, according to Saint Franciscan Sisters of Christ the King (SFSCK), signifies habit as a value. The three red stripes on the edge convey obedience, poverty and chastity. That’s the philosophy of her life, she is in obedience to serve, doesn’t waste resources and doesn’t get distracted by anything.
As our discussion drifted to events around the world, her tears rolled down. She opened up to being emotional when she hears about people are passing on due to covid. Her compassionate eyes reflected the concern for hardships of people she doesn’t even know. They have been organising masses and prayers for people passing on and bless those who have been helping the community centre with food grains and funds. She sees herself following the service wherever it takes her. Detached to the place or people.
As I walked out of Asro, taking Sister’s blessings, I requested the universe to give me the inner strength to follow my purpose. I couldn’t control my tears when I started to analyse Sister’s discernment at finding her purpose at such a young age and leaving everything to serve humanity, without attachment or fear.
Not everyone needs to have an altruistic purpose in life. We are all unique with a tailor-made task to be fulfilled in this life time. As we are air dropped on this planet we find our own feet, create our own ground and then sit back with feet lifted looking at the laurels. In the process of building and eventually living life we forget why are we here. Each one’s purpose is different, what is important is to find it and then dogmatically follow, with perseverance and one pointedness. There may be shorter, smaller goals leading up to that larger view, don’t get overwhelmed, just keep going.
Lack of purpose is what leads people astray, lost and eventually depressed. Pain takes over the purpose. For example, there is nothing more frightening than life threatening illnesses, those who defy them have a hunger to live either for themselves, an unfinished task or people around them. There is evidence where people have been resurrected after a near death experience and they recall being willing to come back to fulfil a higher purpose.
We can collapse a few lifetimes in this one, provided we keep going with higher purpose. Sister Mary finds joy in being part of the process to relieve other people’s pain. Don’t know what material she is made up of, but I decided to take a bit of that and add to my life’s purpose.
The light of purpose and meaning of life is shining within you now. It is upon you to be aware of it. Here are a few hacks to explore
- Ask yourself- “Why am I here” “What is my purpose”
- Analyse what are your extreme comfort zones of emotions and skills.
- Consider there could be something new beyond that comfort zone.
- Examine if what you are currently good at has been mastered or is there still a lot to learn. If there is room for improvement then are you doing something actively about it.
- You have mastered a few things and there may be a few you completely avoid. Go deeper into that area and understand the reason behind the resistance. Something may come up to learn or open another door.
The light is universal and in abundance, it doesn’t belong to anyone. It is for everyone to download, lighten up the path and follow. Find, Follow and eventually radiate the knowledge of light with your intention and action.