On where we seek fulfilment

One of the Vedic teachings that has influenced me most profoundly to date, is on the nature of fulfilment. Where fulfilment is found, where it's not and how to sustain a lasting sense of fulfilment.

If you're anything like me, you've spent a lot of time, energy and resources seeking fulfilment outside of yourself. In relationships, possessions, job titles, experiences, consumption, a number in your bank balance, a body shape or size. And I'm willing to bet you've noticed that while some of these things can bring a temporary sense of fulfilment or satisfaction, it doesn't last. And then there you are, setting your eyes on the next thing that might provide you with that sense of fulfilment or OKness within yourself (despite all evidence to the contrary!)

What I discovered when I learnt an effortless transcending style of meditation, called Vedic meditation, was that the fulfilment I had been searching for was actually only to be found within me. 

Fulfilment is an inner state of being. The experience of supreme inner contentment, Samādhi, is only locatable within the Self. It’s locatable by every single one of us, once we learn to de-excite our awareness and go within to make contact with this state of being. 

Once we locate it there, and we know how to systematically access it through a daily meditation practice, we stop seeking fulfilment in those places it can never be found.

For many of us, we’ll also need to correct some mistaken beliefs around the nature of fulfilment, to really stabilise this experience we’re having in meditation. Because, if we have experiences of complete and utter OKness from within during meditation, but go back into eyes open daily life with the belief that something external can be the source of our fulfilment, we’ll continue to create stress, friction and suffering for ourselves. 

This is why Vedic practices and Vedic wisdom* go hand in hand. Through practices, we get the direct experience of fulfilment and contentment from within. Through Vedic wisdom, we learn of the true nature of reality and correct our mistaken beliefs about ourselves and the world we exist in. 

And here’s the most important part (in my opinion). Once we understand that fulfilment is an inner state of being, accessible within the self and not to be found in the ever changing relative world, not only do we stop looking for fulfilment outside ourselves, we become an exporter of fulfilment rather than a seeker of fulfilment. This means, we approach our relationships, our careers, every interaction we ever have, as an opportunity to share our fulfilment, our love and our joy. We become a generous outlet for fulfilment rather than trying to extract fulfilment from that relationship, job/business or interaction. We become a contributor of peace / fulfilment / knowledge to our environment rather than trying to take something in an attempt to feel better. 

Whether spoken of or not, those we relate to sense this change in dynamic. Just as we can sense neediness or desperation, we can also sense when someone needs nothing from us but rather is choosing to be in relation with us or wants to be of service. 

AND we don’t expect “perfection” from ourselves through this ever evolving process. There is no such thing as perfection in the relative world, and we will of course forget this knowledge at times in the process of stabilising it. This is part of the process. We forget, we remember. We forget, we remember. We keep forgetting and remembering until one day we become aware that there’s very little forgetting going on, and we tend to have a net positive impact on every situation, conversation, dynamic we find ourselves in. 

This is the incredible power of this timeless, ancient wisdom. Not only does it offer us daily practices that allow us to feel more whole, it teaches us how to operate in alignment with the laws of nature so that we direct our energy in a way that is useful, graceful and generous. To me, this is the meaning of enlightenment. Coming home to ourselves and to the nature of things, so that we can share what makes us unique, different and brilliant in a way that inspires the collective to discover their inner light, too. 

*If you’re curious to learn more Vedic wisdom and would like some guidance on where to dive in, contact Caroline and she’ll help you on your way.