The Law of Passion

Walking can be a wonderfully meditative experience, especially when it is done in the midst of natural beauty. In this situation, it's easy to ask questions inwardly about the source of our world, and all the wonder and natural beauty we find in it. I was taking such a walk the other day, looking at the mountains in their majesty, the clear blue wide-open sky, and the trees with their intricate patterns of leaves. It's hard to imagine that all of this came about due purely to accident. It must have a purpose, right?

Thomas Edison is purported to have said "Genius is 1 percent inspiration, and 99 percent perspiration." I loathe to disagree with geniuses, but I don't think he got it quite right. Allow me to explain.

How many of us find ourselves in jobs that seem like drudgery -- that lack meaning? If we didn't have to perform these jobs to survive, or help our family survive, would we still do them? How many of us wish that we were blessed with work that also fulfilled our life's purpose -- that provided our lives with meaning and value? If we had this kind of job, work wouldn't seem like drudgery at all. We would wake up early, hardly being able to wait to take up where we left off the day before. In fact, work would seem a lot more like fun -- full of grace and ease, laughter and wonder.

Edison's quote seems on the surface to make a valid point, but it really misses the point. The part about "inspiration" is downplayed, while the "perspiration" part is given all the focus. It's true -- In order for Edison to create a working light bulb, he spent a great effort trying hundreds of different materials to use as filiments until he finally found the right one. It was a lot of work for him and his assistants. Or was it?

I ask you -- is it hard work for a tree to grow? Or the Earth's seasons to come and go? Of course not! The true wonder of a tree is not in the beauty of it's leaves, or its steadfastness through the seasons of time. It is the idea of a tree, contained in a tiny seed, from which a mighty giant grows. An individual tree will not likely last ten thousand years, but trees have been around for millions of years, because it is the idea of a tree that is persistent.

What would ease our burden here on Earth? If we could lounge around and have all of our needs met, would that make us happy? I doubt for long! What is it then, that so often illudes us -- that has the power to ease our burden and bring happiness to our lives? It's that little seed -- an idea -- a vision so small and simple, and yet so grand. Set a vision for yourself, and for the world. Follow it with passion -- with love and joy. It's the vision that is so often hard to find. But when we do, the rest is effortless!

Science can explain a lot about the world we live in, but it will never be able to explain where inspiration comes from. This is because the wellspring of ideas is a source far greater than what we can measure with instruments. Like a stream flowing from a spring, the source trickles down through all of creation. We have the power to claim that source as our own. One has only to look around at the wonders of human creation to realize this. More importantly, we can see this in the countless acts of selflessness commited each day, without fanfare, and without fame.

But the true wonder is not found in what we see. Look inside to find the source of your inspiration. Find the infinite potential of the limitless canvas of creation. Use it to set a vision. Follow that vision with passion. Use that passion to stimulate your thoughts and actions. Use your thoughts and actions to strip away everything from limitless possibilities that doesn't align with your vision until your grandest ideas about yourself and the world are achieved.

It is the passion that will keep you going. It is the passion that will serve your purpose to grow and evolve -- effortlessly. It is the passion that will allow you to be who you truly are, and which will lead the world to discover what it truly is. Find your passion, and you will find your purpose.

I have no doubt that Edison's work was an act of passion, rooted in the source of love and life for all of creation. His endless days and nights, toiling to find the right materials to bring his ideas to light must have been as effortless as it is for a tree to grow.

As I enjoyed the beauty of nature all around me on my walk, I understood that the universe itself is the outspring of an even grander idea. A vision in the mind of God, a vision which we have inherited, to continue the blessed and effortless work of creation.