purpose: what are you called to do and will you heed the call?

As we’ve covered the ascent to and descent from Tikitikiorangi, the Uppermost Heaven, over the last two cycles — purpose and calling has been an underlying theme…

Tāne (atua of the forest, pursuit of knowledge, light) was called to make the ascent to retrieve the knowledge contained within ngā kete o te wānanga (baskets of knowledge) to later bring to life, Hineahuone (first woman, Earth formed maiden).

We’ve covered this in previous posts as ‘te hiringa i te mahara,’ the unwavering belief, inner knowing and calling to do so.

As we know, this quest wasn’t straight forward, in and out, up and down, get the thing and get out lol the ascent, adversities and collaborations that came with it (battle v Whiro, collab with Tāwhiri) were one part; what happened at Tikitikiorangi (i.e. coming face to face with Io (main dude, Supreme Being, God, Allah etc.), realising potential, retrieving baskets) was another and the descent back to earth with the kete, another after that.

Things don’t always go according to plan.

Shit happens. Shit doesn’t happen how it should and it mucks up everything else. This story is a perfect example of that, which probably doesn’t alleviate any anxieties for ya lol we’ll get there soon, trust me.

What this pūrākau also shows us is our capacity and our necessity for dexterity, problem-solving, resourcefulness and collaboration to serve our purpose. We cannot realise our potential, or heed our calling alone in isolation. This is just one of many stories that emphasise that.

Tāne completed parts of this journey on his own — but he was not able to reach these parts of the hīkoi, had it not been for the support or collaboration with others, such as Tāwhirimātea’s back up to defeat Whiro and his armies, Te Aitanga a Pēpeke.

Each of us have different whakapapa; different genealogy, experiences and environments that have shaped us in different ways and require from us different things. Whakapapa also informs us of who we are in relation to how we connect to those around us.

Tāne realising his potential with the ascent/descent only makes sense, or has significance because of how that influenced his environment, his siblings (te ira atua), and the perpetuation of whakapapa (genealogical lines of descent).

Can you see what you feel called to do, or the purpose you serve in elements of this pūrākau?

Sometimes (most of the time) I feel like I’m embodying Tāne, on the pursuit of excellence, trying to realise my potential, te mea, te mea, te mea. Then there are times I’m Tāwhiri, playing a supportive role to someone else, and even sometimes I find myself attuned with Whiro - an antagonist or as I like to think, providing healthy conflict to allow opportunities for growth lol yeah right *rolls eyes*.

But whatever we identify as our purpose or calling, whether for our entire lives or just this phase of them, this pūrākau provides the ultimate blueprint for how to approach it.

I’d start with becoming more dextrous and agile, improve my problem-solving and conflict resolution skills (within myself with the self-talk and with others ha), my resourcefulness and collaborative skills as well.

That’s just me…

Ka aha koe? How about you, what will it look like for you? It’s your purpose, you get to decide and mould it into whatever you like.

Tēnā tātou,

Hana.

*If there’s any way I can play that supporting role in any kaupapa you might have, please get in touch, I’d love to make the connection.

PS: the kōrero imprinted onto my legs as moko; the photo for this post, tells some of my whakapapa and also the pūrākau we’ve been covering over the last two cycles — Tānes ascent to Tikitikiorangi to retrieve ngā kete o te wānanga. a constant personal reminder and also perhaps an indicator as to how much this particular pūrākau means to me.

moko by the talented tungane, Te Haunui Tuna.