I love Joseph Campbell. I think his writings and his philosophies were and continue to be brilliant and thought-provoking, and when I read his works it is clear to me that he was tapping into a deeper, ancient fountain of wisdom. “Follow Your Bliss” is one of his most famous statements. We all know what that means: follow what it is that brings you true joy, and you will find true happiness at the other end. While I agree with that in part, the problem is that we humans tend to take it too literally. What do I mean by that? Well, here’s the thing: if you are living a full life, there will be dozens if not tens of dozens of things (hobbies, activities, careers, etc) that bring you Bliss. So how do you know if you are following the right one?
When I was a kid, like many little girls I dreamed of being a dancer. If I had followed that Bliss, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t have turned out very fruitful for me. But would it be because I didn’t try hard enough or that I didn’t set a strong enough intention and stick with it? Nope. Not at all. It would in fact be because I don’t believe I was good enough. I loved to dance, but truthfully I was only an average dancer. And as I watched the top students go on to be stars in the Nutcracker, I knew they had something that I didn’t. They were born with a talent that I knew I did not possess. Was I being too hard on myself and giving up too easily? Nope. Even as a child I had enough wisdom to know that not all dreams are meant for all people. Since moving to San Francisco, I’ve met a woman who is one of the soloist ballerinas for the San Francisco Ballet. When I watch this woman move, it is clear to me that she was born with a true gift: she was born with this special talent, but she was also born with the perfect stature and grace to be a ballerina. I was not. I believe this was her Calling. And I know that it was not mine.
Later on in life, in my late 20’s I found myself writing an extensive thesis to President Bush about all that was wrong with our foreign policy. Even as I wrote it, I found myself wondering “Wow, where is THIS coming from?” I was passionate about foreign affairs. So following that Bliss, I quit my job in Boston and moved to Washington, DC where I enrolled in a Master’s program in International Affairs at George Washington University. I was going to solve the Middle East Crisis, that was my goal. I was following my passion, my Bliss, so surely I was on the correct track. Right? Wrong. It didn’t take me more than one semester in Washington, DC to realize that I was NOT a bureaucrat, that the life of a government employee would not in fact bring me Bliss, that it would instead bring me soul-numbing frustration. So I left graduate school and gave up on that dream and went on to another. One could read that and tell me that I had simply quit, that I had given up. But here’s where they’d be wrong: one major mistake that we make as stubborn human beings is not knowing WHEN to give up, when to change gears. I did not quit. I simply was aware of the sign posts, and when the sign said “turn here” I paid attention and turned instead of wasting more time on what I knew was the wrong path. I had followed Bliss, but it was the wrong Bliss.
That experience of dropping out of graduate school was a perfect example of trial and error and this is what I think is so important with helping us to truly find the Bliss that we are meant to find. Many of the things that we LOVE to do, that truly bring us Bliss, are not in fact our true Calling and would actually be better simply as hobbies. This is what I realized about foreign affairs. I realized that I could simply read The Economist weekly and engage in intellectual debates with my like-minded friends. But it didn’t have to be my career, my livelihood. It could instead simply be a hobby. Years prior when I had been a Zoology major and was determined to fulfill my childhood dream of going to Africa to save all of the endangered species, I was disappointed to find myself earning C’s and D’s in the challenging science classes: chemistry, physics, etc. This brought me the same realization. I could love animals, and I could volunteer my time and donate money to animal charities (which I do), but it did not need to be my career. I knew that that path was met with too much challenge for it to be my true Bliss.
As we are such a stubborn race, so many of us foolishly cling to false ideas of what we think is our Bliss, and instead we lose the opportunity to be open to something that we never might have imagined. Several days ago someone told me that they had followed their Bliss to be a musician, but that it had only led to a life of pain. I would then argue that that was the wrong Bliss, and not the one that was truly that person’s Calling. When you’ve found your true Calling, it is true that the Universe conspires to help you: doors that were previously shut tight suddenly blow open for you, the right people show up into your life to help you at exactly the right moment, and magic happens. I know this because this has happened to me since I started writing. And here’s the beauty in this statement: I never in my life wanted to be a writer. Looking back, it would never have been my Bliss. So how can I then say that I support the idea, even somewhat of “Follow Your Bliss“. Because writing actually IS my Bliss, I just hadn’t yet discovered it. There was a whole path out there that I never would have considered for myself, one that I never would have imagined would bring me Bliss. So how could I have found it? I couldn’t have. I had to be OPEN to IT finding me. And once it did, that’s when I knew this was a Bliss I could follow. And just as with the trial and error that I had tried previously, I tried this path. And that’s when the doors started blowing wide open.
Life is not meant to be difficult, and so often we waste so much time swimming upstream, and we fail to recognize that the fact that we are being met with nothing but obstacle, challenge and uphill battles is actually the Universe trying to hit us over the head and tell us that we are on the WRONG path. And if we would just let go, and let the current take us downstream, we would find that life can be so much easier, and beauty that we never would have imagined will come to us. So many of us are clinging to ideas that we THINK are right, but we are too afraid to let go and surrender to the idea that there may be something entirely different meant for us. What about that person who had followed their Bliss into a life of pain as a musician? Perhaps, their TRUE Bliss would have been not in being a performing musician, but rather as a teacher, bringing the magic of music to others? I was blessed with an incredible music teacher and band director in high school. This man had gone to school for music and I’m sure at one time or another thought that his Bliss was to be a professional musician. But I can tell you that from the 1,000s of students lives he has impacted, and the beautiful and life-changing lessons that he instilled in all of us, that this man had found his Calling as a teacher.
What about the person who is clinging to the idea that they are meant to be an artist, they are trying to follow their Bliss, but instead it has led to a life of struggle and destitution? That is not true Bliss. Perhaps if this person opened themselves up to other ideas, they might find their true magic in doing art therapy with disabled children. Perhaps the person who is certain that they are supposed to be a famous, published author, is actually instead meant to be the one-of-a-kind, special teacher who nurtures and mentors the NEXT Nobel Laureate. Or perhaps it’s something entirely different than what we want and imagine for ourselves. Perhaps the person who insists that their Bliss is to be a filmmaker is actually meant to be an internationally-renowned Yoga teacher? This one is actually a real-life example of which I just learned. When I was living in Los Angeles, one of my earliest yoga teachers who inspired me onto the path of yoga was this fabulous teacher named Tara Judelle. She is an internationally-renowned Anusara yoga teacher who travels the world leading workshops and now lives in Bali teaching yoga in paradise. I did not know this about Tara, but just the other day she posted this message: “9/11 marks the 10 year anniversary of my decision to stop making films and start making change as a yoga facilitator- be the change.” I was shocked because I had never known that she had previously been a filmmaker. All I knew of her was that she made magic on the mat as a yoga teacher. It is clear to me now that by releasing her career as a filmmaker, she was able to find what I believe is her true Bliss, her true Calling: to be a soulful, beautifully impactful yoga teacher who spreads light, and Bliss, all around the world.
So how do you find YOUR Bliss? Trial and error. Try lots of different things, explore all of the different activities and adventures that bring you Bliss. BE OPEN: Be open to the idea that any one of those examples of Bliss may in fact be better meant as a hobby and not actually as your Calling. BE ATTENTIVE: If life is too difficult and wrought with challenge, and is not simply flowing, the Universe is trying to tell you something. Listen. BE FLEXIBLE: When you get these blaring sign-posts from the Universe be willing to change gears, be willing to give up what you are doing and turn to the right and try something else. Be like the water and go with the flow. BE BRAVE: Be willing to try something completely new, something you never would have imagined. You just never know what Calling may find YOU.
Well said, I too am a fan of Joseph Campbell. What I often find in my own personal life is how to be attentive to the path. The signal to noise ratio is pretty high.
Hello friend! It is true. This is where meditation, and as you know, all of that peaceful time spent in nature, can help profoundly. Thanks for reading. : )
Hi Jeannie, gret advice. Life isn’t flowing and at work I am under sever pressure (and stress). So, I guess it’s time to be open, flexible and brave; and more importantly, pay attention to those ‘blaring signals’. Take care, Stephen
It really does pay to listen to the sounds, I speak from way too many years of experience of doing the opposite… ignoring those signs and swimming upstream. It was only once I let go and LISTENED, that magic began to happen. ; )
I love how the Universe speaks to me. I just recently went through an experience with Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign. I was so sure that was my bliss, my passion, my path only to discover nope – time to regroup and now I am living from my heart and releasing a lot of the stuff that was keeping me away from the blissful path I am now on, everything is just flowing. Thank you so much for this beautiful post! Very insightful, very inspiring and ringing with Truth. Namaste
Mary, how wonderful and synchronistic that you found me and then that my post found you exactly when it would resonate most with you. The Universe truly is magical. : ) Thank you so much for reading.
Trial and Error are beautiful things. It’s the letting go when you have convinced yourself its your calling too many times that’s the key. Release resistance to ‘saying bye-bye’ to the things that aren’t serving you even when you’ve told yourself you’ve spent too much time, money or effort to stop. Let that go…
This was a great post…thanks for your insight 🙂
Thank you for reading! It is so very true that it is the letting go that is critical! The good news is that it gets much easier with practice. 😉
Totally! I love the practice 🙂
As I was reading this, I kept thinking “Oh, she’s going in the wrong direction, I’m not going to be able to agree with her.” But then the longer you went, the more I agreed with you until basically, you’ve written exactly what I have figured out myself. I lived in LA to be an actor, went to film school in Austin, but quit school to go back to teaching yoga. And in all honesty, I’ve definitely been questioning whether teaching yoga is my calling or not, but all I can say is that I’m still testing all the waters!
You crack me up Jeremiah!! I appreciate your honesty! And glad we ended up somewhat on the same page. Trial and error is great! Whatever your calling turns out to be, I’m glad your path led you to San Francisco. ; )
Hi Jeannie, Very insightful post. The theme is that you pay attention to your feelings and ‘the whispers,’ it seems. This topic has been a great passion of mine. My email is, in fact passioninmotion… However, I’ve come to align with the notion that the only true career we are ‘meant’ to have is a career of Joy and Fulfillment. This can come out of our way of being, our way of looking at things, and, yes, of course, the area I have long emphasized (but less so now) – one’s chosen lifework. And…that can change. One can be this for a period of time and switch to that. Like you said, it may not be one thing; probably not for most. What will be present all the time, though, is one’s authentic nature. Bringing out your authentic nature while you’re doing what is not your highest passion helps, but, yes, yes, yes, the ideal is to find outer work that lines up with your authentic self. Perhaps I part with you only in one way (or perhaps it’s just what you’ve emphasized in your piece)- sometimes, in part because of how we tend to sabotage our own efforts with limiting thinking and partly because of the enslavement to making money to survive that pervades this world, it really does take a whole lot of tenacity to bring to life our bliss in a meaningful and effective way. There is a place for persistence, just as there is a place for changing directions. And, so, back to Joseph Campbell, I am a huge proponent of carving out time early in the morning to just focus on playing with your ideas and talents. This is my answer to people who say they don’t have enough time, money or clarity. Set aside the time to play. Few do it. Congrats on connecting with your Bliss (outer form for expressing your authentic nature) as it is taking shape now. Joy on your journey… Eric PS. Imagine a world where we are not bound by the need to make money; one where joy, growth, self-expression, adventure, and positive connection with others and humanity at large is the path before us. This is the one I have insisted on walking and every week doing so with greater momentum. We all know of this world deep in our souls and long for it. Let’s co-create it.
Hi Eric, thank you so much for your in depth response and passion! Regarding your P.S., I dream of that world all the time. I believe there is a Shift occurring on the planet as we speak, and I believe that is where we are ultimately heading. : ) Thanks for reading!
[…] I found this on another blog and found it so inspiring that I wanted to share it with you. to read the whole article please go to: https://theawakenedlife.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/follow-your-bliss-but-is-it-the-right-bliss/ […]
Jeannie, You might enjoy this. The legendary Jean Houston, a good friend of Joseph Campbell’s – she just gave a conference call. Here is the audio: http://www.purposeanddestiny.net/download/ Cheers, Eric
Thanks so much Eric, I look forward to checking it out! Cheers!
Your post, as usual, is full of much wisdom. Thanks, pat
Interesting how manifestations work! I have asked for such a read to help me come to my own bliss. I am at a crossroads this very moment. My “dream” job approached me a few months ago and landed right in my lap. I feel blesses and responsible to accept it and make it work. I’ve been a struggling yet talented massage therapist & esthetician for over 10 years. Many other therapists have made a real living from their practices. I have not. Makes me wonder if I just didn’t set my intentions correctly from the beginning. I live in Costa Rica, a beautiful tropical location, for 3 years not. Still haven’t grasped the language completely, isolated because of it, and now this “dream” job.
On the other hand, I love to sing. After some strange illnesses here in Central America, and a really bad case of bronchitis, I was forced to stop singing for over a year. Now I find my heart singing again. I’ve manifested a ticket back home to CA, one-way, to take some time with family and friends and really evaluate if my Bliss is to pursue the spa industry at this moment. Or if I am being ungrateful for the opportunity that could help out with my finances to pursue other goals and help employ some local ladies who need the work. Where is the line drawn from being selfish and responsible?
My other opportunity in the States would allow me to pursue my other passions of singing, SoundShifting with Tryshe Dhevney, creating and promoting retreats to Costa Rica with an emphasis on health & wellness, becoming a raw food ambassador, instructor, & chef. creating a much needed product line to help ease pain for cancer patients (in memory of my departed grandma), also create a natural skin care line for teens and adults, and many other things. All could be equally lucrative yet with a different result. Especially to my heart! Then there is the topic of my boyfriend, of three years, who is Costa Rican and doesn’t have the visa to visit CA. I know my happiness is my responsibility and no one elses. He is very supportive of whatever decision I make. I’m very thankful for that & he is a rare and wonderful man.
I’m 34 this year, and I feel as if this crossroad has me holding my head in my hands wondering when will the search for this Bliss be over or at least revealed. Or has it already been revealed and I am just spinning around not being able to focus on what’s already in front of me. When do you really know. Is the Spa Business in Costa Rica my Bliss come true, quite literally just handed to me? Or, are the struggles with getting it up and running a sign and open door to just run the other direction into my other passions. They have only been thoughts up until just recently. I’m excited just to think of how it could work out benefit so many more. I’m creative, vibrant, professional, I think outside the box, I’m a free spirit who needs to spread out, I love to teach & instruct, motivate, cook, dance to my own beat, sing, travel, give a life changing massage and connect with clients and people, I’m a dreamer,bmotivated, and much more!
I can see myself in my mind and the woman I want to become, for me! My fear is, what if I make the wrong decision and go in a direction that leaves me worse off than I am right now and I can’t go back? What to do…
Thank you for indulging this lengthy comment. From my heart I just needed to put it out there. You’re the first to know my thought! I’m willing to hear your comments!
I aspire to inspire!
Michelle 🙂
Hi Michelle, thank you so much for opening your heart to me. I invite you to reread your entire message from the beginning, really read it. Some of your leanings are revealed in the email. But that’s not for me to say, you have to figure that out for yourself. The best advice I can give to you is that when you are faced with a tough choice between 2 paths, is to meditate, and meditate a lot. If you meditate everyday for 30 minutes and do this for 2 weeks straight, I think you will get some clarity. The answers are always within us, we just choose to cover them with fear and doubt instead. Don’t let money, or which one is more lucrative, be a factor in your decision. Following the money never, ever led anyone to their true Bliss. You have to follow which one your heart says. I’ve had times where I’ve had jobs lined up and the logical, lucrative decision would have been to go for those jobs. But my gut was screaming at me to go in another direction, so I had to trust that, even though society said it was wrong. Don’t worry about what society says and don’t worry about what people think you are “supposed” to do. Do what you FEEL you need to do. You already have the answer within you. You just have to get in tune with it and more importantly, trust it! I wish you peace and clarity. Hugs,Jeannie
Yeah only thing I would add is persistence over resistance.. That’s like McDonalds never reopening after bankruptcy… Perseverance
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Thank you so much for this article. I have just graduated college with a degree that does not truly interest me whatsoever, so I am currently re-beginning this path to seek out my true bliss…whatever it may be. I am often overwhelmed and feel bogged-down because of all of the potential directions and paths that await me, but your words and insight gave me comfort and relief, and reinforced my beliefs that a positive mindset is a powerful thing…especially when dealing with trial and error. So here I go!
Namaste
Jessica, I am so happy that my words helped you. You will undoubtedly have many twists and turns in the road ahead. Embrace them all. Follow your instincts. You’ll end up exactly where you are meant to be, and having had a myriad of wonderful experiences! 🙂
Wow, found this article by accidentally clicking on a photo of Joseph Campbell’s ‘Follow Your Bliss’ quote and this hit me at exactly the time I was thinking, “How do I know I’m following the right bliss?” Kizmet, or something else. I’ve been searching for my calling for over a month now and am hoping, with meditation and nature, I’ll hit on something more than what I think it is right now. I realize this article is a few years back, so not sure you’ll get this reply, but if so, thanks, and from one inner voice seeker to another, here’s hoping I find what I need. Thanks!
So glad it resonated with you. Thanks for posting! Good luck to you!