I was first introduced to the concept of a Great Work from my Christian upbringing from the bible scripture John 14:12. According to John, greater works can only be applied through the Christian savior, Jesus. This concept of great works implies becoming Christ-like, performing miracles and sacrificing yourself for the sake of others. While it may seem noble, I will not be exploring that concept, more so, I will refer to the “Great Work” as described in Hermeticism. Our Great Work is fueled by our desires and is the vehicle for transmutation. As I have taken time to explore and claim my Great Work, I have learned that accepting the process of development makes wielding my Great Work with more ease. This means you will not get there overnight! Nor is reading a few books, attending a few courses or classes, or even taking a three-month sabbatical on a Buddhist mountain top! While your Great Work may lead you down those paths; the point is, this is a lifelong journey and process that will be full of ups, downs, disappointments, successes, joy, and failure- heavy on failure because that is where you truly find the answers and your way.
A close friend of mine stated that we are already in our Great Work, however, because we are so deeply invested in our experience that we tend to miss it or overlook how we are in flow of our Works. That is when I began to shift my perspective and take audit of my life experiences up to that point. And we truly are in our Great Work everyday, even in the mundane day to day experiences. These moments create the vast picture of what our purpose are.
If you are feeling stumped, or unsure what your purpose is, then I encourage you to review your life objectively. Sit quietly with yourself and write out what experiences you have had, pleasurable and unpleasurable, what failures and successes, and what mundane things you like to do and not do. While in this quiet space, refrain from judging any parts of yourself while you are allowing yourself to become curious. It is in these moments that your most profound messages and revelations shall come to you.
You may need to do this as a continued practice, and if so, encourage you to take 10-15 minutes a day for the next week to see what you will discover. Claiming and owning your Great Work is a process, and all great things develop with time and refinement. Have patience and extend grace to yourself. Greatness is calling!
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