Why am I here? It’s the ultimate question, posed to myself each morning when I rise to face the day. I’ve pondered, and read extensively, about life purpose, from beautiful reflections like Parker J Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak, to more practical studies such as 7 Questions to Find Your Purpose. There are dozens of books about life purpose, many with step by step programmes for analysing and plotting out your raison d’etre.
Of course they can only go so far, providing context and structure to one’s contemplation – but in the end, one must turn inward for the answers being sought. A person’s purpose is deeply personal, arising from their own groundings and aspirations. It needn’t be complicated. Whatever pulls at your interests, your motivation and your heartstrings, this speaks to your purpose.
My own life purpose, I’ve come to realise, is to learn. Learning is the thread that has carried me through my life to this point, and one that I will wholeheartedly follow into the future. So imagine my delight this spring, to be enrolled on two separate courses from which I will learn. They are both courses that I hope will augment my coaching practice.
Transpersonal Coaching Psychology (hosted by Alef Trust) explores the transpersonal dimension, in the context of coaching: “Students will investigate what the criteria are that promote transformation in coaching, with a focus on what transpersonal perspectives can contribute. This will include identifying transpersonal states that can be leveraged for positive change, as well as detecting and dealing with psychospiritual crises in the context of coaching.”
Climate Change Coaching (hosted by Climate Change Coaches) digs into the role of coaching within the context of environmental activism. Climate change coaches “help people to make sense of the impact of climate change on themselves, their organisations and their businesses, both emotionally and practically.”
They may seem like very different subjects, but I believe that climate change is indicative of a deeply spiritual crisis, whether this be at an individual level or more broadly cultural. Studying coaching from these two perspectives – with a healthy cross-fertilisation of ideas – will enrich my learning, and will hopefully help me to be a better coach. I’m really looking forward to it: I do love to learn.