“You are what your deepest, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny.” – Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
I have never considered myself an entrepreneur or a businesswoman. In fact, I dislike administrative work of any kind and thankfully can delegate most of it to my loyal husband Philippe. Although, as they say, the way in which you view yourself might not necessarily be the way in which others view you. Their viewpoint landed me an invitation as a guest speaker to an executive management program at one of the most reputable international business schools around.
Even after 2 decades of faithful practice, I found myself resembling a deer caught in headlights. Paralyzed with self-doubt, I suddenly forgot all the invaluable tools that yoga had taught me, i.e. just breathing and how to navigate through the ebbs and flows of life. What could I possibly impart to a group of intelligent entrepreneurs that had been out in the field for 5-10 years.
As with any situation, taking a step back to get a better perspective gives way to space and insight. From a softened space, I came to realize that I could offer one important piece to the puzzle of success, something that was unavailable in any conventional class setting or in any textbook. I could impart my experience, my personal experience that was fueled by my deepest driving desire.
We have all witnessed the power of desire and its unique ability to move mountains, transform the mundane into the sublime and turn a dream into a golden reality. This spark of desire is what is referred to in Tantric philosophy as Iccha shakti, the force of desire, Divine force, the initial living throb of desire, the initiation of purpose, or will power. Iccha shakti naturally unfolds when we are settled in our own seat, the seat of the heart, the seat of the soul and when we invite both components to become an expression of who we are. As spiders weave a web of perfection, we too weave our own intricate path of truth when we are connected to the Divine force of life within.
The spark of iccha shakti is what inspired me at 7 to transform my deepest driving desire at that time which was to share my discovery, the best tasting lemon aid on the planet (credit goes to Minute Maid). It was sweet, yet with a bite like life itself. With pigtails, a few missing teeth and a will larger than my fear, I set up a small card table on the sandy shores of Mission Beach, California. Five cents a plastic cup would get you the best lemon aid in the world and without any doubt, it was worth every penny! This was the beginning of my journey, the journey of the will of the heart.
According to Deepak Chopra, success is a journey, and it includes much more than material wealth, which is only one component that makes this journey enjoyable. He continues by saying that success is – good health, energy, enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being, and peace of mind.
So now, more than ever as 2010 reaches an end, follow your heart’s intent. Why wait for things to be better or different, make the changes you want now with your next in breath. No need to deprive your heart and soul of expression. Do what you are made to do. Be an alchemist. Transform your intent, your will into your golden reality.
Uncover your true desires through meditation and self- reflection. Once it reveals itself formulate it in an affirmative manner and make it your mantra. Repeat it often, feel and see it as your truth. Make it louder and stronger than any self-doubt. Embody it and be thankful for the inherent power you have to be a dream weaver.
We are desire. It is the essence of the human soul, the secret of our existence. Absolutely nothing of human greatness is ever accomplished without it. Not a symphony has been written, a mountain climbed, an injustice fought, or a love sustained apart from desire. Desire fuels our search for the life we prize. Our desire, if we will listen to it, will save us from committing soul-suicide, the sacrifice of our hearts on the altar of “getting by.” The same old thing is not enough. It never will be.
JOHN ELDREDGE, Desire
Jessica Magnin 