Closer, or further away?

“Compass Question” (noun) — a question that pierces the noise of indecision and helps the questioner orient to the truth of who they are and what they are here to do; a query that is consistently, truly helpful

Recently, one of my teachers asked such a question.

I found it immediately confronting as well as illuminating (that’s another way you know it’s a ‘compass question’).

Here it is:

“Is this [action, decision, project, relationship] bringing me closer to the divine, or further away?”

See what I mean by confronting?

In this season of rumbling with the art of decision-making, this is a worthy contribution. A penny to toss into the mythic wishing well of our lives.

If you’re like me, then you’re aspiring to a life that is less “take the bull by the horns” and more “let the current take me where I’m meant to go.”

Of course, this is a paradox.

My central affirmation since the spring equinox has been, “I am choosing powerfully as I let myself be divinely guided.”

Paradox.

How does one choose powerfully, whilst also giving over the direction of their life to the Divine?

Welcome to another day in Paradox.

All I know for certain is that solely relying on our will power and the brute strength of our ambitions has led humankind into a pretty dark place. It’s not where I want to go, and not how I want to live.

And so this compass question is a steady reminder of where I want to go.

It may seem ethereal or grandiose or far-fetched or woo… but I actually think it’s incredibly practical.

Reading this book…

Working on this card deck project…

Spending an hour practicing guitar instead of scrolling or watching a show…

Is this bringing me closer to the divine, or further away?

It’s actually pretty easy to answer that question in most cases. And perhaps that can soften the blow of a choice you already know the answer to, but are resisting accepting.