Pursuing Dreams and Ego Needs

By on August 7, 2009 in Work & Life
Question:
 
I have had a long hard struggle to pursue my dreams, follow my passion and achieve my goals. As I also grow spiritually, I have become aware that there are ego needs and higher order needs. When I do what I love, I feel connected and fulfilled, it feels good. I do want to help people but it also makes me feel good therefore it is feeding my ego needs. Can I still do what I love in my field and help people at the same time, knowing it feels good, but that it also serves a higher purpose? Can I still work towards enlightenment? (I am not using spirituality to obtain physical rewards, rather I am trying to live in two worlds, the physical and the spiritual).

Answer:
 
It’s perfectly natural to feel fulfilled and good about what you are doing when it is your dharma or life purpose. A musician likes to make music; a mathematician enjoys doing mathematics; a basketball player loves to play basketball. The issue of ego gratification is a separate issue and depends upon whether your  identity is defined by the activity or not.
 
If you love to sell real estate and belief that is who you really are, a real estate agent, then it becomes a ego indulgence. However if you enjoy selling real estate, but know that is simply something that you do, and that your real nature is pure awareness that has nothing to do with your job, relationships, or body, then enjoying your career will only serve your spiritual purpose.
 
You don’t need to try to live in two worlds at the same time. If you make your spiritual life a priority, then the material world takes care of itself with just a little attention.
 
Love,
Deepak

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Time Magazine heralded Deepak Chopra as one of the 100 heroes and icons of the century, and credited him as "the poet-prophet of alternative medicine." Entertainment Weekly described Deepak Chopra as "Hollywood's man of the moment, one of publishing's best-selling and most prolific self-help authors." He is the author of more than 50 books and more than 100 audio, video and CD-Rom titles. He has been published on every continent and in dozens of languages. Fifteen of his books have landed on the New York Times Best-seller list. Toastmaster International recognized him as one of the top five outstanding speakers in the world. Through his over two decades of work since leaving his medical practice, Deepak continues to revolutionize common wisdom about the crucial connection between body, mind, spirit, and healing. His mission of "bridging the technological miracles of the west with the wisdom of the east" remains his thrust and provides the basis for his recognition as one of India's historically greatest ambassadors to the west. Chopra has been a keynote speaker at several academic institutions including Harvard Medical School, Harvard Business School, Harvard Divinity School, Kellogg School of Management, Stanford Business School and Wharton.His latest book is "Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul."
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3 Responses to Pursuing Dreams and Ego Needs

  1. mydomainpvt August 7, 2009 at 1:08 am #

    Dear deepak,

    This is one of the most beautiful explanations i have ever read. this clear acknowledgement of our roles spares us from pain and disappointment too. thanks for this beautiful explanation.

    Wish you love, peace and happiness.

    Trisha

  2. Tonez August 7, 2009 at 2:12 am #

    Dear Deepak, this is a very clear answer and makes a lot of sense to me too. I don't know how or why you are so wise but I am grateful that it is so!

    Thank you again for your generosity in sharing so freely with others.

    Love

    Toni

  3. seaturtlespirit August 7, 2009 at 9:17 am #

    I concur, Trisha and Toni. Deepak's wisdom is so transformative. If we listen with an open heart and mind and allow it to do its magic, our progress can take place in leaps and bounds.

    It may seem such a simple thing focusing our attention on our spirits but sometimes it is difficult to release the control and have faith that the material world will take care of itself, especially in a culture where we are told it is essential to work hard to achieve our goals. It seems almost counterintuitive and having to go against our natures to believe that achieving goals can be so effortless. We must know, however, that it is not our true nature to struggle but something in which we have been socially conditioned to believe. With diligence and faith, we can learn to counteract our social conditioning and embrace the Mystery which is this life.

    Namaste

    Cheri