What Is Life Asking of You?

"Transformation arises from a willingness that develops very slowly over time to be what life asks of us."

-- Charlotte Jodo Beck

We are taught in Western culture that we can be whatever we want to be. And maybe we can. At least some of us. The unasked question, though, is should we? Should we use personal desire as our one guiding star to determine who we're going to be and what we're going to do?

Coming out of the Zen perspective, Charlotte offers us an alternative. The alternative is to listen to the whisperings of life. What is life asking? Are we willing to take up a larger call?

One of the problems with many so-called New Age teachings is that they focus upon "getting" from life. In the guise of spirituality, personal desire is christened as holy. The whole enterprise smacks of  selfishness in drag.

Instead, how about listening to "the still, small voice within?" How about seeking to harmonize with the Universe rather than trying to put our stamp upon it? Deeper needs are met, higher purposes served, when we move beyond merely collecting more stuff, experience, or praise. In reality, the best results are produced, the most joy is uncovered, when co-creation, rather than egoic desire, is the driving force.

So, the koan du jour and the perennial question are one and the same: What is life asking of you? And, secondarily: Are you willing? Are you willing to do and be what life asks rather than continuously trying to remold life in your image?

When you are both listening and willing, that's when true transformation happens -- to you, to those around you, to the world.