Depression – Is there a solution?
'Every human life contains a potential.’ Carl Gustav JungThe belief that every human being is born with a potential, is not new. Philosophers, teachers, elders, and shamans, across the ages, believed that every human being comes to earth bearing a gift. Some have the gift of intuition or healing, others are gifted in the fields of science, engineering, poetry, or song. The list encompasses all aspects of human endeavour.
And although this has been known throughout the ages, for many people in our modern world, their gifts and purpose remain a mystery.
And yet, our purpose in life is not some illusive ideal, nor is it something you need to go in search of, like lost treasure. It is already in us, as us – an integral part of who and what we are. And it will remain in us, as us, all the days of our lives.
The Question
Who am I?
The root source of these age-old queries is the same, an existential yearning within the heart of mankind toward meaning, purpose, and integrity. Some suppressed, internal imperative that yearns for a vision that would inform and enrich our lives. For without a definitive purpose, a goal to achieve, or a vision to aspire to, human life quickly becomes mundane.
The Sevety Five Percenter
Surveys carried out over the past few years tell us that as many as 75% of people are bored, disillusioned, depressed, or downright unhappy with the work they are doing for a living
These are alarming statistics and, if true, we must ask ourselves; could this modern phenomenon be a causal factor behind the rampant social, cultural, and psychological problems that are creating havoc in much of the developed world?
So, if these issues are connected—and after working in this field for over twenty-five years, I have no doubt they are—is it surprising that the incidence of depression, alienation, suicidal ideation, youth suicide, alcoholism, drug addiction, anorexia nervosa and a dozen other scourges, all virtually unheard of just fifty short years ago, are now plaguing populations worldwide?
WHAT AM I?
Raison d’être
There is a meaning to every human life. What the French call a Raison d’être, a Reason for Being. A fulfilling way of life you can discover by unearthing the gifts and talents that lay buried within you and every other human being. Once you know what that gift is, you can then go on to pursue your own, individual, life-purpose, your mission, or your calling. That is the most important thing any of us can do with our lives. For ourselves, for our families and ultimately, for the planet itself.
“Every human life contains a potential. If that potential is not fulfilled, that life is wasted.”- Carl Jung
Gifts & Talents
On the path towards creativity, independence, and integrity, be aware that the journey is yours and yours alone. We will not attempt to put anything into you. No philosophies, no dogmas, no beliefs of any kind. We believe that what you need to know is already in you, as you. An integral part of who and what you already are, for ultimately, you are your own destination. Our purpose is to help you discover the gifts and talents you already posess, and how to use those gifts in your career, in your family and your community.
Give me a man who whistles while he works.” – Anon
Every human being is born with a gift
The Reasons for Being program enables you to unearth the gifts and talents that lie dormant in you, and every other human being, before helping you find a new and creative purpose for your life. Whether that manifests as a career in the arts, a profession, the trades, a university or night school course, or volunteering for some worthy cause at home or abroad, we will encourage you to seek out that inner imperative that will empower you to fulfill your own unique and individual purpose in life.
ABOUT REASONS FOR BEING – every human life contains a potential
WITHOUT PURPOSE, THE PEOPLE PERISH
The concept that we are all born with a purpose in life is not new. The wise men and women, the shamans, teachers, seers, elders, and priests of every ancient culture believed that everyone comes to earth bearing gifts. Some have the gift of intuition, some accounting, others are gifted in the fields of construction, engineering, science, writing, poetry, or song. The list is endless and encompasses all aspects of human endeavor.
Although this has been known throughout the ages, for many people in our modern world, their gifts and purpose remain a mystery. Something they may consider occasionally, but never actually come to terms with. A fascinating concept perhaps, but something just a little beyond their comprehension.
And yet, our purpose in life is not some illusive ideal, nor is it something we need to go in search of like lost treasure, for it is already within us, as us—an integral part of who and what we are. It will remain in us, as us, all the days of our lives.
The disinterested waitress, the passive-aggressive bus driver, and the lifeless preacher. The shop assistant
taking calls while ignoring customers. The public servant repeatedly glancing at his watch. All examples of
people working in jobs they are no longer suited for. Working in the wrong careers, without purpose or
passion, while squandering, all the days of their lives…
who am I? what am I?
Being or Doing
“What I do is me, for that I came”
Gerard Manley Hopkins.
The way most people continue working at jobs they are not suited for is by tossing themselves out the window every morning. By that I mean that they suppress the essence of who they are to fit in to a work environment they’re no longer happy with or actively dislike. At that point they are no longer human beings; they have become humans doing. They have surrendered the integrity of being, to fit in with the perceived necessity of doing.
This is the dilemma that so many people succumb to every day of their lives. ‘I have responsibilities. I need this job.’ Somewhere along the way they surrendered to the idea that they must do one thing or the other, either fulfil their responsibilities or abandon ship and pursue their real purpose in life. Right? No. Wrong! We do both, at least for a time. It is critical that we fulfil our obligations. We do the nine-to-five at the office, or the shift work at the restaurant. We meet our commitments but—and this is a major BUT—we also pursue our dreams. It is not either or; it is both.
‘Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.’
Oprah Winfrey
The Cosmic Task
‘Every human life contains a potential,’ Carl Jung
Dr. Maria Montessori, the renowned educator, pointed out that every living creature on the face of the earth has an innate, inner imperative that compels it to perform certain tasks throughout its lifetime. The primary tasks that all species fulfil are to work, eat, procreate, and be of use to its species, its group or tribe. The second function, which Montessori labelled the ‘Cosmic Task’ are tasks that every creature performs, albeit unconsciously, that ultimately benefit not only itself but the planet, its ecosystems, and all its inhabitants.
The bumblebee is a classic example. The primary imperative of a bumblebee’s life is to work, eat, procreate, and help look after the colony. To do this, the bee travels miles every day, seeking out the nectar that it brings back to the nest to support the colony. But the bee’s Cosmic Task, the higher purpose of its existence, is to cross-pollinate the various flowers, shrubs, and trees it encounters in search of nectar. That is the bees Cismic Task. We all have one!
“From the great blue whale, ploughing the depths of the Southern Ocean, to the tiniest amoeba crawling along through the primordial ooze, all things on earth sing and dance to their own peculiar rhythm. Only the children of mankind have lost their way. Anon
Other Books by Brian O’Raleigh
Passage to Inis Mór
When 38-Year-old Conor O’Rourke arrives in Ireland after an absence of thirty years, his life is in bits. His marriage has fallen apart, his advertising agency in Australia is bankrupt, and he’s hearing poetic voices in his mind urging him to return to his childhood home, the remote Island of Inis Mór.
Poetry of Inis Mór
Poems inspired by the island of Inis Mór.
Quest for Meaning
Finding your purpose and meaning.
“O’Raleigh’s new work: Passage to Inis Mór – reminds one of great Irish writers, such as Sean O’Faolain and Benedict Kiely.”
– The Irish Echo (Australia)
“From raw and compelling prose, a moving portrait emerges of Brian. From cowed child to fierce rebel and finally to an adult battling his own inner demons. This is a finely crafted memoir.”