Follow Your Bliss

In his 2005 commencement address to Stanford University, Apple founder, Steve Jobs, told the audience, “For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And, whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.  He went on to encourage the graduates to follow their dreams, and to not waste their lives “living someone else’s life.”

Taken literally the thought that one could live someone else’s life is preposterous.  How can a person live a life that is not his own?  Of course, it is not possible; however, it is possible and even common for one to live a life that someone else has prescribed for her, perhaps her parents, culture, or even her religion.  All too often, we succumb to the pressures of others and do what is “expected” or what we believe will bring us success in the eyes of others.  We may not live the life of another, but we often live our lives for another.  Often we, as Thoreau said, live “lives of quiet desperation” in an attempt to make a living, be “respectable,” or feel safe and secure.  In doing so, we may meet some needs, but we may sacrifice our deepest need, which is to know ourselves as a magnificent expression of the One Life, to connect with the Essence of who we are and who we have come here to be, and to manifest that in the world.  In other words, our deepest need is to, as American mythologist, writer and lecturer, Joseph Campbell, said, follow our bliss.

Most of us are most likely familiar with that quote, “Follow your bliss,” but like me, some may have a misconception of what it means to follow our bliss.  Until recently, I thought it meant to discover what brings joy and only do what is fun; ‘bliss’ meant ‘pleasure,’ ‘elation’ and ‘ebullience.’  After further exploration of Campbell’s lectures and writing, I found a greater depth of understanding.  The following quotes are taken from The Hero’s Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work.

“I think the best thing I can say is to follow your bliss. If your bliss is just your fun and your excitement, you’re on the wrong track. Know where your bliss is. And that involves coming down to a deep place in yourself.”“Your bliss can guide you to that transcendent mystery, because your bliss is the welling up of the energy of the transcendent wisdom within you.”

When we consider that Campbell defines ‘bliss’ as the energy of transcendent wisdom within us, we can clearly see that he was encouraging us to follow what could also be called the “Divine Urge” within us.  It is not about feeling blissful 24/7, but about being true to who we are.

Also, following our bliss does not mean that life will always be easy, that we will not face pain and struggle or that we can just sit back and let it happen.  On the contrary, following our bliss is, as Campbell says, the hero’s journey.  It is a journey that each one must undertake in order to be true to himself.

Campbell also says, “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.”  Some well-known hero journeys from literature include Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.  It is an age-old theme. Perhaps the best known hero’s journey for those from the Christian tradition is the life of Jesus Christ.

Each of these were called to embark upon the hero’s journey, and even though fear may have arisen, something within them urged them onward as they came face to face with dark and mysterious forces that attempted to dissuade them from their missions.  When we choose to follow our bliss we will probably be called upon to come face-to-face with our fears, and in doing so, we are given the opportunity to embrace our own strength and power at a deeper level.

Campbell encourages, “You follow [your bliss] and doors will open where there were no doors before, where you would not have thought there’d be doors, and where there wouldn’t be a door for anybody else. There’s something about the integrity of a life.  And the world moves in and helps.  It really does.” 

When we say “Yes” to the Divine Urge within, we can rest assured that all the power of the Universe rushes in to help.  Again, it will not always be easy, but with faith we know that all is provided in the moment it is needed. 

“And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs

The Divine Urge is the movement of that “transcendent wisdom” in the heart.  Intuition is the awareness of our innate wisdom.  As Charles Fillmore, the co-founder of Unity said, “All wisdom is implanted in us by divine intelligence.”  He further said, “Wisdom can only be found in its purity at the heart center.”   We access wisdom when we consciously center our awareness in the heart, experience serenity, and listen for the still small voice.  From this centered consciousness, we receive guidance, and can then take the steps to follow our bliss with courage.  ‘Courage’ is derived from the French ‘coeur,’ which translates into English as ‘heart.’  Courage is the willingness to follow where the heart leads, trusting that the heart, the Divine Urge, our bliss, always guides us to the highest and best good for all.

As Steve Jobs said, “Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.  As with all matters of the heart, you will know it when you hear it.” 

There are over seven billion people on Earth, and each and every one is a unique expression of the creative energy of the Universe.  I have often wondered why there are so many people on the planet.  That it takes each one expressing his or her magnificence in order to bring forth the kingdom of heaven is the only plausible reason I can think of.  Further, until every last one recognizes the Divine Urge and follows his or her ‘bliss’ we will not fully realize the kingdom.  That is how vital it is for us to follow our bliss.  Listen!  Follow your bliss.