motivation transformation

Let's talk about the transformation of motivation. That phrase is a mouthful, and it's pretty common to choke on it. As our motivations change, there eventually comes a point where they fall apart completely. That's pretty common in spiritual growth.

Why would it be common? If we take a look at what spiritual growth is ultimately about, we begin to appreciate that major loss of motivation in life is a natural stage in the process, and in many ways an intelligent one, requiring time and adjustment.

Our spiritual growth brings false values directly into question. That's its purpose, or how it goes about unfolding it. We get more and more perspective about the things we are after, and one by one the less valuable things drop away, their futility exposed.

Meanwhile, those were also the things motivating most of our actions. When we see they'll never deliver the true happiness we want, which is a spiritual realization best referred to as a blessing, we tend to break down altogether, unable to act.

I consider that outcome a blessing because it signals a period of potential transformation. If we honor it, it will blossom. If we allow it to be true that nothing we used to do or feel motivated by really matters anymore, a secret door opens inside us.

I can't describe what that's like, except to say nothing matters more than finding out. I don't know if you'll believe me, but I mean it: nothing matters more. Your former motivations all died for the sake of clarifying that fact. That's your new motivation.