Dedication of Merit
The Golden Ticket
NEW AUDIO narrated by Hansa Devi: DEDICATION OF MERIT • THE GOLDEN TICKET
When motivation is hard to muster, when reason feels shallow or faint, when the energy is heavy or stagnant, or when procrastination is pushing all our buttons disregarding what we inherently know serves the wellbeing of our body/mind—one of the best remedies I’ve found to step back into the flow is to dedicate the merit.
Traditionally dedication of merit has been mentioned in relation to our spiritual practice; to give any fruits of our actions and practices to a certain cause, person or group in need. It is a powerful way to step out of our personal bubble of likes and dislikes and help us stay pure in our pursuits. It helps bring perspective and humility, and can be an effective way of kindling the fire of our resolve.
Off The Cushion
How about taking the dedication of merit off our meditation cushion and into more aspects of our lives? How about dedicating the merit of merely showing up, when motivation is hard to find? Our presence is the essence of mindfulness. Let the practice be to show up, wholeheartedly, no matter what you are doing. When you are brushing your teeth, be there. When you are with your spouse, be there. When you are feeling a certain feeling, be with it fully. If we can take the merit of this level of presence and dedicate it, imagine what a different world it would be.
If it is hard to find the motivation to simply show up, not just for our practices but for the myriad of things in life, consider putting the cart before the horse and draw on the strings of the dedication of merit to take the first step. Dedicate it, then do it. Whatever works.
Once I started applying this again, in the arena of daily life, it seemed to ignite more purpose and weight behind all of it. This is what I invite you to contemplate and experiment with in the weeks to come.
Unlocking Motivation
When we lack the motivation to do the things we know feed our being and sooth our nervous system—when we feel like we’re paddling upstream with our commitment—when we find it hard to justify taking care of our body/mind with the practices and habits we know keep us in alignment—it can be good start the dedication of merit, once again.
It seems so obvious to do the things that nurture our being, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do so continuously—which is the only way to create lasting effects. It can often feel selfish to do the things that serve our body/mind. Thus we lighten the burden of perceived self-indulgence (though this is a mind game too, as it is certainly not indulgent to do our practices and the things that fill our cup, so that we can show up fully). If we consciously spend a moment dedicating the benefits from the things we do, we change this entire narrative.
As we gain merit—traditionally through our spiritual practices—we equally want to find a cause to give it to. The beauty of this practice is that it helps us stay detached. This is part of the sacred riddle which I find being one of THE main quests of Life; how to be fully involved yet detached.
Sometimes it is easier to do something for another, than it is to do it for oneself, or “just because”. Finding a reason why to engage, through the lens of dedication of merit—not just on a mental level, but at a heart level—can be the golden ticket.
The Many Facets of Procrastination
Procrastination is a state that can come with many connotations and story lines associated with it. It can be the symptom of so many different things, yet we tend to want to simplify it and boil it down to one tangible thing; give it ONE definition, ONE answer. But let’s be real. It’s much more multifaceted than that.
Procrastination can be about us awaiting the perfect timing—consciously or unconsciously going for the best alignment; attentively waiting for the divine orchestration to fall into place. As such, it is based on awareness and trusting the process—holding the gaze on our north star, while surrendering to the great unknown. This is one end of the spectrum; a sacred symphony of synchronicity and trust.
On the other end of the spectrum, there can be avoidance baked into what we call procrastination. Now this is where you have to start turning over the stones and start the digging. Are you escaping something by not taking action? Are you dodging something you rather not face by not letting your thoughts investigate that which may be calling for your attention? Are you hiding from yourself in any way, shape or form? Be honest with yourself. No one else can do this deep digging for you.
There are of course many nuances between these two examples, many hues to the gradients of motivation and commitment. Only you know what’s true for you.
It’s almost as if the procrastination that we feel is a necessary catalyst for a deepened relationship with yourself. At least it’s an opportunity. Because once we see the workings of the mind, it all becomes a choice. Bless the fact that you can sense that it is happening and that you are curious enough to look into it. This is the deeper inner digging. When it gets hard to keep going, dedicate the merit of the digging too. Believe me, it does serve others too. It all has ripple effects.
Give It Away
We all know that it can be much easier to dedicate the fruits of our actions to some outside cause or recipient. Why it is so much easier to care for others than for ourselves, is a bigger conversation.
But if it is the only way to get you to take a conscious breath or step toward what you know benefits you and the world around you, go right ahead and dedicate it all you want. The important thing is the heart resonance and presence you bring into it. It’s not about what you do, but how you do it. With what level of presence, reverence and dedication.
Taking the first step by holding someone or something in mind/heart when embarking on something that feels daunting, can be the first step toward unlocking the flow. Once you give the practice away, once you find a reason beyond yourself to do something—even folding the laundry—you become so much more likely to do it. Brush your teeth in honor of the health of the teeth you’ve been gifted. Feed the body healthy food so that you can host the life force that wants to move through you. Stay in shape in order to live a vibrant life alongside those you love.
Let the dedication of merit become the vehicle for transformation; eventually you will WANT to do the things you once dreaded due to the way it now makes you feel. Assign the purpose, the why, the reason, the bottomline—whatever keeps your wheels turning.
When dedication of merit becomes part of the reason why you do something, you’ll notice a lightness that comes from having shed the personal likes and dislikes toward the thing itself. You’ll start doing the thing, simply because. And “just because” is as valid as any and all reasons you can mentally come up with, trust me. You just have to be ok not being able to define or defend it.
Lighten Up
So many of us feel a sense of drain and fatigue right now. It is hard to keep up with the shifting energies and the influx of information that feeds the reeling emotions that come with it. How do we bring ourselves out of apathy and mere confusion and into motivation? How to find the gusto to apply the tools that we know will bring us back into balance and alignment? Sometimes it can feel like we’re pushing a rock uphill. By doing what you know is in service of you and your loved ones—focus on that, only that, and it will have ripple effects beyond measure.
Try to simplify that which seems complicated. Try to make room for that which the heart knows, when the mind wants to step in with all its excuses or reasons. Simplify. Lighten up. Do what you can. You don’t always have to see very many steps ahead. Just take the first step. And trust that “you are in God’s oven being baked like a jacket potato”, as Mooji would say.
With love,
Hansa
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