544. Jonathan Gustin

Meditation asks, “Who am I?” Therapy asks, “How do I heal and become happier?” Purpose work addresses the question, “Where do I belong in the ecology of life?” Purpose guiding breaks the spell of our default purposes of safety, security, comfort and outward success, and orients us towards our true purpose, which is to embody our unique calling within. When we all have the opportunity to live our calling, we can support our collective true purpose: to become co-creators of our species’ evolution. We may, thus, give birth to more beauty, truth, and goodness into the world. Jonathan Gustin, M.A, MFT, is the founder of Purpose Guides Institute. He guides people to find and embody their life’s purpose, as well as trains those who want to become Purpose Guides themselves. Jonathan has been a psychotherapist, meditation teacher, and Purpose Guide for over 20 years. He is an adjunct professor at JFK University and co-author of Purpose Rising: A Global Movement of Transformation and Meaning with Ken Wilber, Erwin Laszlo, and others. Website: purposeguides.org Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group. Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded April 3, 2020. YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump 00:07:24 - Early Interest in Enlightenment 00:14:49 - Discovering Your Deeper Purpose 00:19:34 - Finding Purpose in Your Work 00:23:26 - Finding Your Soul's Purpose 00:27:27 - Illumination through Different Roles and Identities 00:30:58 - The Power of Imagination and Soul Identity 00:34:33 - The Mysterious Nature of the Soul 00:38:17 - The Rootedness of Soul in Time and Place 00:42:11 - Regression Therapy and Life Between Lives 00:46:35 - Finding the Deepest Joy in Life 00:50:13 - Living your purpose in any circumstance 00:55:10 - The Tamp Down of Soul Upwelling 00:59:53 - Hitler's Twisted Purpose 01:04:06 - Finding the Sweet Spot 01:07:40 - Finding Purpose and Living Authentically 01:13:00 - Default Purpose and Finding Your Calling 01:17:00 - The Journey to Soul and Purpose 01:21:31 - The Avatar and the Earth Suit 01:25:25 - The Movement of Enlightenment 01:29:59 - The Book Club with Adya 01:34:03 - The Competing Commitments and Addictions of Purpose 01:37:28 - Living Your Purpose 01:41:27 - Living Your Soul's Purpose 01:45:00 - The Tsunami of Climate Change 01:48:33 - Climate Change as Spiritual Practice 01:52:55 - Practical Work and Finding Your Purpose 01:57:06 - The Journey of Personal Transformation 02:00:26 - Finding Your Core Purpose and Thriving 02:04:14 - Finding Safety and Expressing Concerns 02:07:13 - Conclusion and Farewell