Being whole in whatever we do means giving our best effort, attention, and dedication to the task at hand. It means not settling for mediocrity, but striving for excellence. It means not being distracted by other things but focusing on the present moment. It means not being divided by doubts, fears, or regrets, but being united by purpose, passion, and joy.
Being whole in whatever we do is not only beneficial for ourselves but also for others. When we do our jobs, tasks, or chores very well, passionately, and completely, we create value, quality, and beauty in the world. We also inspire, motivate, and influence others to do the same. We also honor and respect the people who depend on us, trust us, and love us.
One of the examples of being whole in whatever we do is the story of Yunus Emre, a 13th-century Turkish poet and mystic. He was a disciple of Taptuk Emre, a Sufi master and saint. Yunus Emre was assigned to bring firewood to the convent where Taptuk Emre lived and taught. Yunus Emre took this task very seriously and diligently. He would only select firewood that was completely straight, without any bends or curves. He would spend hours in the forest, searching for the perfect firewood. He would then carry them to the convent, one by one, with great care and reverence. He did this for many years without complaining or asking for anything in return.
One day, Taptuk Emre asked Yunus Emre why he was bringing only straight firewood to the convent. Yunus Emre replied that he wanted to offer the best firewood to his master, who was the source of light and warmth in his life. He said that he did not want to bring any firewood that was crooked or twisted, because that would be disrespectful and ungrateful to his master. He said that he wanted to be whole in his service to his master, as his master was whole in his love for God.
Taptuk Emre was deeply moved by Yunus Emre’s answer. He realized that Yunus Emre had attained a high level of spiritual maturity and wisdom through his simple and humble task. He embraced Yunus Emre and said that Yunus Emre had become a true lover of God, who loved God with his whole being, without any conditions or reservations. He said that Yunus Emre had become a true poet, a rishi, who expressed his love for God with his whole words, without any flaws or faults.
Another example of being whole in whatever we do is the poem “Do not love half lovers” by Khalil Gibran, a 20th-century Lebanese-American poet and philosopher. In this poem, Gibran warns us against loving people who do not love us fully and sincerely. He says that half lovers are like half a life, half a dream, half a truth. He says that half lovers are like a fire that burns but does not warm, a flower that blooms but does not perfume, a star that shines but does not guide. He says that half lovers are like a wound that bleeds but does not heal, a song that sings but does not soothe, a kiss that touches but does not feel. He says that half lovers are like a curse that harms but does not help, a chain that binds but does not free, a prison that locks but does not protect. He says that half lovers are like a poison that kills but does not cure, a dagger that stabs but does not defend, a grave that buries but does not resurrect.
Gibran urges us to love only those who love us with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. He says that whole lovers are like a whole life, a whole dream, a whole truth. He says that whole lovers are like a fire that warms and illuminates, a flower that perfumes and beautifies, a star that guides and inspires. He says that whole lovers are like a wound that heals and strengthens, a song that soothes and delights, a kiss that feels and satisfies. He says that whole lovers are like a blessing that helps and enriches, a chain that frees and unites, a prison that protects and shelters. He says that whole lovers are like a medicine that cures and restores, a sword that defends and conquers, a resurrection that revives and transforms.
Gibran teaches us that being whole in whatever we do is also being whole in whatever we love. He teaches us that being whole in whatever we love is also being whole in whatever we are. He teaches us that being whole in whatever we are is also being whole in whatever we become.
Being whole in whatever we do is not only a matter of ethics, aesthetics, or productivity, but also a matter of spirituality, consciousness, and enlightenment. When we are whole in whatever we do, we are also whole in whatever we experience. We are not distracted by the past or the future, but we are fully present in the now. We are not divided by the self or the other, but we are connected to the whole. We are not limited by the form or the name, but we are open to the essence and the meaning.
Being whole in whatever we do can also lead to enlightenment by increasing our awareness. Awareness is the ability to perceive, understand, and respond to the reality around us and within us. Awareness is the key to enlightenment, which is the state of being free from ignorance, illusion, and suffering. Awareness is the bridge between the human and the divine, the finite and the infinite, the relative and the absolute.
When we are whole in whatever we do, we increase our awareness in three ways: by being attentive, by being mindful, and by being compassionate. Being attentive means paying close attention to the details, nuances, and subtleties of our task. Being attentive helps us avoid errors, mistakes, and accidents. Being attentive also helps us to appreciate the beauty, complexity, and diversity of our task. Being attentive also helps us discover new insights, ideas, and possibilities in our task.
Being mindful means being aware of our thoughts, emotions, and sensations while doing our tasks. Being mindful helps us to regulate our mental and emotional states and to avoid harmful thoughts and feelings. Being mindful also helps us cultivate positive or beneficial thoughts and feelings, such as gratitude, joy, and peace. Being mindful also helps us to transcend our ego and connect with our true selves, which are the source of our creativity, wisdom, and love.
Being compassionate means being aware of the impact of our tasks on ourselves and others and acting accordingly. Being compassionate helps us to avoid harming or hurting ourselves or others and to respect and protect the rights, dignity, and well-being of all living beings. Being compassionate also helps us to help and heal ourselves and others and to share and spread the benefits, values, and virtues of our task. Being compassionate also helps us to empathize and sympathize with others and to love and serve others as ourselves.
Being whole in whatever we do is important for this reason: it can lead us to enlightenment by increasing our awareness. By being whole in whatever we do, we can transform our ordinary activities into extraordinary opportunities for growth, learning, and happiness. By being whole in whatever we do, we can also transform ourselves and the world into a better, brighter, and more beautiful place.
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